Undergraduate
Social Work BSW
BSW in Social Work
This four-year degree program prepares students for generalist social work practice. It helps students develop the competence to apply knowledge, values, and skills to practice with individuals, small groups, organizations, and communities. The program also prepares students for graduate education. The BSW degree equips the practitioner to work with people who are encountering challenges related to personal or social circumstances. In addition, qualified graduates may apply for advanced standing to the IU School of Social Work or other MSW programs nationwide.
Following the equivalent of a minimum of two postgraduate years of supervised social work practice experience, BSW graduates of IU are eligible to apply for licensure by the state of Indiana. Upon successful completion of licensing requirements, the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency designates the BSW graduate a Licensed Social Worker (LSW).
Students in the BSW Program must complete all sophomore and junior social work courses and achieve senior standing before enrolling in the senior social work courses.
Admission
Enrollment in the BSW program requires formal admission to the School of Social Work. The following are the minimum requirements for admission consideration:
- Regular admission to the university.
- Completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours.
- Satisfactory completion (grade of C or higher) of the required course SWK S141 Introduction to Social Work
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Completion of Application for Admission to the BSW Program packet.
- Evidence of characteristics or potential required for competent social work practitioners as defined in the mission statement of the school. Such evidence may be derived from application materials, letters of reference, pertinent work or volunteer experience, and performance in S 141 Introduction to Social Work.
Degree Requirements
Educational Requirements
The curriculum for the BSW degree consists of a minimum of 120 credit hours provided through required and elective courses. Of these credit hours, 42-45 credit hours are devoted to general/supportive liberal arts courses and 52 credit hours to social work courses. The remaining required credits are earned through elective courses. Students are free to select elective courses of their choice. Students in the BSW program must successfully complete all freshman, sophomore and junior social work courses and achieve senior standing, as defined by the BSW program, before enrolling in the senior year course work.
Credit for Life Experience
Academic credit for life experience and previus work experience is not given in whole or in part toward the social work degree.
General Education Requirements*
General education course requirements vary by campus. Students are expected to meet the general education requirements specific to the campus to which they are applying.
The BSW Program has basic general educational requirements consistent across campuses. The BSW general education area course requirements are divided into four areas and appear below. Work with your BSW Academic Advisor to ensure you meet both the campus and BSW general education requirements.
Arts and Humanities (5 courses)
- English Composition (2 courses) Elementary Composition Professional Writing Skills
- Modern American History (1 Course)
- A minimum of one course designated as Arts and Humanities courses or an equivalent on the student's campus
Biological Sciences (1 course)
- One course in human biological sciences
Mathematics (1 courses)
- Mathematics (one course designated as at least a minimum general education requirement on that student's campus)
Supportive Area Requirements (4 courses)
The supportive area requirements link the general requirements with the social work courses. All BSW students must take the following six specific requirements:
- Introductory Psychology
- American Government
- Introduction to Sociology
- A 300 Level Psychology Course
Social Work Requirements (17 courses)
Course offers vary by campus. It is essential that you consult your advisor for educational planning to ensure timely completion of the BSW program.
- S102 Understanding Diversity in a Pluralistic Society (3 cr.)
- S141 Introduction to Social Work (3 cr.)
- S221 Human Growth and Development in the Social Environment (2 cr.)
- S251 History and Analysis of Social Welfare Policy (3 cr.)
- S331 Generalist Social Work Practice I: Theory and Skills (3 cr.)
- S322 Small Group Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
- S332 Generalist Sociall Work Practice II Theory and Skills (3 cr.)
- S352 Social Welfare Policy and Practice (3 cr.)
- S371 Social Work Research (3 cr.)
- S423 Organizational Theory and Practice (3 cr.)
- S433 Community Behavior and Practice with a Generalist Perspective (3 cr.)
- S442 Integrated Practice-Policy Seminar (3 cr.)
- S472 Social Work Practice Evaluation (3 cr.)
- S481 Social Work Practicum 1 (6 cr.)
- S482 Social Work Practicum II (7 cr.)
