The Social Work Program
The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and leads to the bachelor of social work degree. The program prepares students to provide competent and effective generalist social work services in agency-based settings to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The curricula are developed as part of a competency model based on the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council on Social Work Education. The courses are designed to promote critical thinking, an appreciation of diversity and different ways of knowing, a commitment to high ethical standards, and an understanding of both the art and science of social work practice.
Students take social work courses and specific courses in the behavioral and social sciences, and complete 480 hours of supervised field work experience in a variety of social service settings. In addition, the social work core curriculum involves service learning. This is a teaching approach that requires students to step out of the classroom and into a community where they will experience social work firsthand. This method is incorporated in BSW classes beginning in the freshman year. Students will be incrementally exposed to a variety of settings and populations connecting academic learning to real-life experiences through reflection and classroom assignments. As part of the competency assessment educational approach, students are required to develop a portfolio.
Declaring the Social Work Major
Students may declare social work as a major upon entering the university or at any time prior to the junior year. Enrollment in professional social work courses beyond introductory level courses (SW 107 and SW 330 /SW 331 ) is restricted to social work majors or by special permission from the instructor or BSW program director.
When a student declares social work as a major, the director of the baccalaureate social work program meets with the student to discuss the course of study appropriate for a social work major, develop a tentative plan for completion of required course work, and assign a social work faculty advisor. The social work faculty advisor will meet with the student each semester to review his or her course of study and to provide assistance with other academic concerns or personal problems.
Application to the BSW Program: BSW Candidacy
Four-year students and transfer students are formally considered for admission to the BSW program in the fall semester of their junior year. Below are the two separate procedures for four-year students and transfer students:
Four-Year Students
To be considered for admission to the BSW program, a four-year student must have completed at least 45 credits, completed SW 107 , be enrolled in SW 321 and SW 331 , and be meeting the academic performance standards. All four-year social work majors must submit an application for admission to the BSW program in the fall semester of their junior year to be eligible to earn the BSW degree. The application procedure requires students to meet with their advisors to discuss their qualifications for admission. Four-year students applying to the BSW program will submit a BSW candidacy packet. To be considered for admission to the BSW program, a student must have:
- Completed at least 45 credit hours.
- Completed SW 107 .
- Enrolled in SW 321 and SW 331 .
- Achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Earned no lower than a grade of a “C” in any social work course.
- Demonstrated competency in oral and written expression of the English language.
- Demonstrated personal characteristics consistent with potential for professional social work practice.
The student must complete an application, which includes a personal statement, and be accepted by the BSW Admissions Committee.
Transfer Students
To be considered for admission to the BSW program, a transfer student must have been accepted to the university with a completed transfer equivalency report that was discussed with the BSW program director when the student entered the university. Transfer students must be enrolled in appropriate social work courses depending upon the transfer equivalency report and meet the academic performance standards.
All transfer social work majors must submit an application for admission to the BSW program in the fall semester of the junior year to be eligible to earn the BSW degree. The application procedure requires students to meet with the BSW program director to discuss their qualifications for admission. Transfer students applying to the BSW program will submit a BSW candidacy packet. To be considered for admission to the BSW program, a transfer student must have:
- A Widener University Transfer Equivalency Report, which should be discussed with the BSW program director.
- Enrolled in appropriate social work courses according to the academic plan established upon entering the university.
- Achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Earned no lower than a grade of a “C” in any social work course.
- Demonstrated competency in oral and written expression of the English language.
- Demonstrated personal characteristics consistent with potential for professional social work practice.
- Met with the BSW program director for a formal interview.
The student must complete an application, which includes a personal statement, and be accepted by the BSW Admissions Committee.
General Education Requirements
Students must satisfy the university’s skill requirements; meet the undergraduate distribution requirements in the social sciences, humanities, and science and mathematics; and successfully complete the required courses in the major. Students must complete a minimum of 122 credits to graduate (121 credits for transfer students who are exempt from the PE requirement; variations of credits count for some dual degree programs).
Skill Requirements
Writing: Students must complete ENGL 101 , the freshman composition course. In addition, all students must complete at least four writing-enriched courses. Writing-enriched courses have three or more writing assignments that include student editing and revision so that students learn to correct errors. The multiple writing assignments, including revisions, total at least 25 pages. The social work curriculum includes the following writing-enriched courses: SW 330 , SW 331 , SW 341 , SW 342 , and SW 440 . To graduate, students must attain by their senior year a level “5” competency in the writing sample assessment administered by the Writing Center.
Mathematics: All students must demonstrate mathematics proficiency either by successfully completing the mathematics proficiency test administered by the Science Division or completion of three mathematics semester hours.
General Education Distrubution Requirements
Science and Mathematics (12 credits)
- Four 3-credit courses in science or mathematics
Humanities (12 credits)*
- One history or art history course
- One humanities course with diversity content
- Two additional courses in humanities**
*All social work students in the Center for Social Work Education must either take one of the four humanities courses at the 300 level or two semesters of a modern language at the elementary or intermediate level. In addition, double majors (e.g., social work/psychology, social work/women’s studies) must take one course in literature, art history, music, or philosophy).
**All social work students are strongly encouraged to satisfy their humanities requirement by taking modern languages.
Social Science (12 credits)
- Societal/cultural perspective—Two introductory social science courses in different fields
- Two additional courses in social sciences at an advanced level (200 level and above)
Social Work Program Requirements
Enrollment in the social work courses beyond the introductory level is restricted to social work majors unless granted permission by the BSW program director.
Flexible Schedule Options
The BSW program has traditional day courses. All courses are available to all students enrolled in the BSW program. Dual degree students are encouraged to take advantage of available course sections when they are offered.
BSW with Minor in Leadership Studies
BSW students are encouraged to pursue a minor in leadership studies through the Oskin Leadership Institute. A total of 18 leadership credits are required. These include one introductory leadership theory course (3 credits); three leadership-in-context courses (9 credits); two leadership development modules (1.5 credits each); and one leadership capstone course (3 credits).