School of Social Work
www.socialwork.illinois.edu
Dean of the School: Dean Wynne Korr
Director of BSW Program: Brenda Lindsey
1010 W. Nevada St.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2261
E-mail: socialwork@illinois.edu
Overview of Curriculum and Requirements
The purpose of undergraduate social work education at the School of Social Work is to provide a comprehensive educational experience for students that is grounded in a liberal arts tradition and prepares graduates for excellence in the areas of social work practice, policy, social engagement and leadership.
Upon degree completion, graduates will be prepared for entry into generalist social work practice, advanced standing in graduate social work education, and a multitude of career opportunities. These can include careers in communications, corrections, education, government, health care, human resources, law, non-profit organizations, religious studies, and public service.
The focus of undergraduate curriculum delivery is through a student-centered strengths-based educational model that fosters student understanding by providing a challenging, yet supportive environment of high expectations that encourages the development of well-informed and engaged citizens.
Degree title: Bachelor of Social Work
The social work major prepares practitioners for generalist social work practice with individuals, groups, families and communities. The curriculum requires a minimum of 120 hours for graduation. Minimum required course work in the major equates to 50 course hours of core professional education, including 12 hours for an agency-based field practicum (internship) where students receive additional supervision and training 4days per week for one semester (approximately 480 clock hours).
Admission Requirements
The following requirements must be met for consideration for admission into the BSW Program:
- Completion and documentation of a minimum of 50 (fifty) hours of volunteer* or paid work experience prior to beginning of the program
- Cumulative minimum GPA 2.5 or higher
- Evidence of strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Evidence of personal attributes that are suitable for the profession of social work
- Successful completion of the application process for professional program entry http://www.socialwork.illinois.edu/future_students/BSW/apply.html.
* Volunteer hours can be completed through service learning projects completed for course requirements, as well as, through volunteer experiences with community organizations. The office of Volunteer Programs at the University http://union.illinois.edu/ovp/index.html is a good resource for ideas on how to get involved.
Applications for both fall and spring are accepted. Applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis.
General Education
| Hours | Communication Skills and Composition |
|---|---|
| 6-7 | Composition I and CMN 101 |
| 3-4 | Advanced Composition |
| Hours | Language other than English |
|---|---|
| 0-9 | Complete of the third level or equivalent is required for graduation. American Sign Language is also acceptable. |
| Hours | Humanities and the Arts |
|---|---|
| 3 | Literature and the Arts |
| 3 | Historical and Philosophical Perspective |
| Hours | Social and Behavioral Science |
|---|---|
| 9 | Any course that has been approved as a Social and Behavioral Science course from the General Education course list. |
| Hours | Cultural Studies |
|---|---|
| 3 | Western cultures |
| 3 | Non-Western/ U.S. minority |
| Hours | Natural Sciences and Technology |
|---|---|
| 3 | Life Science |
| 3 | Physical Science |
| Hours | Quantitative Reasoning |
|---|---|
| 3 | Statistics 100 or equivalent (EPSY 280, SOC 280, PSYC 235, MATH 161) |
| 3 | From the approved campus list |
| Hours | Pre-professional Requirements |
|---|---|
| 6 | Courses selected in conjunction with the advisor. |
BSW Requirements
| Hours | Core Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | SOCW 200 – Introduction to Social Work |
| 3 | SOCW 300 – Diversity: Identities and Issues |
| 4 | SOCW 401 – Practice I: Generalist Social Work Practice Methods |
| 3 | SOCW 402 – Practice II: Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups |
| 3 | SOCW 403 – Practice III: Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities |
| 3 | SOCW 410 – Social Welfare Policies and Services |
| 3 | SOCW 427 – Social Work Research Methods |
| 3 | SOCW 451 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment |
| 3 | SOCW 461 – Professional Practice Seminar I |
| 8 | SOCW 470 – Field Practicum |
| 4 | SOCW 471 – Professional Practice Seminar II |
| 9 | Social Work electives: Choose from SOCW 321, 380 (may be repeated), 397, 412, 415, 418 (may be repeated up to 6 credits), 420 and 457 |
| 50 | Total |
| 120 | Minimum hours required for graduation |
Departmental Distinction
The top 10% of the BSW graduating class wil graduate with distinction.