Social Work

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The social work major is designed to prepare students for beginning-level generalist professional social work practice in a broad range of social work settings. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work qualifies graduates to sit for the Licensed Social Worker credential in the State of Maine and in many other states.

Social workers help people cope with complex interpersonal and social problems, obtain the resources they need to live with dignity, and work for the social changes necessary to make society more responsive to people’s needs. Based on a strong liberal arts foundation, social work majors acquire the knowledge, skills and values necessary for the professional practice of social work.

Graduates of the program are employed in public and voluntary social agencies in settings such as child and adult protective services, hospitals, mental health centers, schools, correctional institutions, nursing homes and many others. B.A.S.W. graduates are eligible to apply for Advanced Standing in many graduate programs in social work. Advanced standing gives graduate course credit for work completed in the undergraduate social work program, thus shortening the time needed to complete the requirements for the Master of Social Work degree.

The undergraduate curriculum in Social Work builds upon a solid liberal arts foundation with courses in human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policies and issues, social work research, social work practice and field instruction. During the junior and senior years, students complete internships in programs such as child protective services, medical social work, adolescent pregnancy prevention services, geriatric social work, community mental health services, and community organization. Sequencing of courses which are a prerequisite for enrollment into the Junior Year Field Experience is important.

Prerequisites

Applicants should be able to use a basic word-processing computer program.
Academic credit for life experience and previous work experience cannot be given in lieu of the senior field practicum or professional foundation courses.
The following courses are a prerequisite for enrolling in the practice sequence:

BIO 100 - Basic Biology Credits: 4
BIO 208 - Anatomy and Physiology Credits: 4
ENG 212 - Persuasive and Analytical Writing Credits: 3
or
ENG 317 - Business and Technical Writing Credits: 3
- One of the following PHI courses in Ethics:
PHI 100 - Contemporary Moral Problems Credits: 3
PHI 102 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3
PHI 230 - Ethics Credits: 3
PHI 240 - Social and Political Philosophy Credits: 3
PHI 344 - Theories of Justice Credits: 3
POS 100 - American Government Credits: 3
PSY 100 - General Psychology Credits: 3
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3
SWK 101 - Opportunities for the Social Work Major Credits: 1
SWK 320 - Introduction to Social Work Credits: 3
SWK 330 - Contemporary Issues in Diversity and Pluralism Credits: 3
or
SOC 201 - Social Inequality. Credits: 3

SOC 338 - Race and Ethnicity. Credits: 3

Requirements For the Social Work Major

In addition to the courses which are required for enrollment into the Social Work practice sequence the following courses must be completed in order to earn the B.A.S.W. degree:

SWK 350 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment I Credits: 3
SWK 351 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II Credits: 3
SWK 361 - Generalist Social Work Practice I Credits: 3
SWK 395 - Beginning Field Experience in Social Work Credits: 1 - 3
(2 semesters)
SWK 440 - Social Welfare Policy and Issues Credits: 3
SWK 462 - Generalist Social Work Practice II Credits: 3
SWK 463 - Generalist Social Work Practice III Credits: 3
SWK 491 - Methods of Social Work Research Credits: 3
SWK 495 - Field Practicum in Social Work Credits: 1-6
(2 semesters)

Correct course sequencing is essential for the Social Work major. Social Work majors should become familiar with information on course sequencing and other requirements described in detail in the B.A.S.W. Program Guide. Social Work majors are encouraged to review their program course plan with their academic advisors each semester to insure timely and efficient progress through their program.

Ethics

In addition to academic expectations, Social Work students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior consistent with the ethics of the Social Work profession as reflected in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Behavior contrary to these standards will be cause for review of the student’s admission to or continuation in the Social Work major.

Behavior

Because the role of the social worker involves helping people from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of problems, it is important that Social Work students have the emotional and psychological resources to render effective assistance to those in need. After admission to the major, students who demonstrate behaviors which suggest that their own difficulties are not sufficiently resolved to be able to help and support others at this time may be asked to seek professional help or to withdraw from the program.

Admission to the Practice Sequence

In the fall semester of the junior year, students must apply for permission to enroll in the first course of the Practice Sequence, SWK 361 - Social Work Methods I. To be admitted to the practice sequence, a student must have completed the social work prerequisites and/or be currently enrolled in any not yet completed. For full acceptance into the sequence, the student must have achieved a grade point average of 2.5 or higher. Application forms are distributed in September and may be obtained from the School of Social Work. Completed application packets are due on or before October 15 of the student’s junior year. Only complete applications packets are reviewed by the BASW Admissions Committee.

Field Practicum

Study for the Social Work major includes courses in theory, research, and practice. Study culminates during the senior year in a 400-hour supervised practicum in a social agency. In the practicum, students refine and integrate their academic knowledge and practice skills. Prior to the field practicum, students must complete the junior level field experience (SWK 395).

Graduation Requirements

A grade of “C-” or better is mandatory in all prerequisite courses, a grade of “C” in all required courses, and a grade point average of 2.50 or higher must be maintained. Students must conduct themselves in a professional manner consistent with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

University Affiliated Program

Social Work majors with particular interest in Disability Studies may apply for participation in the University Affiliated Program (UAP), an interdisciplinary curriculum. UAP students do their field practicum in agencies serving people with developmental disabilities and upon completion of the UAP requirements receive a Certificate of Completion in addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. (See Disability Studies.)

Master of Social Work Program

The School of Social Work offers graduate study leading to the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree (see Graduate School online catalog for more information).