Pictured | Andi Trowbridge | Social Work / Minors in Women's and Gender Studies, Political Science | Tecumseh, Kansas (hometown) | Student Government Association Senator
Bachelor of Social Work
This Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) prepares you for entry-level generalist practice. It develops competence to exercise judgment and skill for intervention in practice with individuals, small groups, organizations, and communities. The B.S.W. equips students to work with people who are encountering problems related to personal or social circumstances. In addition, qualified graduates may apply for advanced standing to the IU South Bend School of Social Work or other M.S.W. programs nationwide. Advanced standing status reduces the length and cost of the MSW degree.
Social Workers promote social and economic justice and are involved with people of many cultures and ethnic backgrounds. They are prepared to work with people to identify and resolve problems related to their personal or social circumstances. This can take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, schools, youth centers, mental health or substance abuse facilities, just to name a few. They can work with individuals or groups, often with the cooperation of several social service agencies to accomplish this goal. Social workers are always advocates for children or adults who are victims of abuse. They also work with community leaders and organizations to develop policies that contribute to building and strengthening the social resources of our society.
Undergraduate students who are admitted as degree-seeking students will be required to complete the campuswide General Education program prior to graduation with a baccalaureate degree.
The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree requires 120 credit hours. (Students often graduate with more than 120 credit hours due to transfer credit and the need to take prerequisite courses in math and English.) This includes 42-45 hours of general/supportive liberal arts courses and 52 credit hours in social work courses. The remainder of credits are completed through selection of electives and meeting general education requirements. The School of Social Work requirements sometimes overlap with the GenEd requirements for the IUSB campus.
Application Process
Enrollment in the B.S.W. program requires formal admission to the IU School of Social Work as per accreditation standards.
The following are the minimum requirements for admission consideration:
- Regular admission to IU South Bend.
- Completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours.
- Satisfactory completion (grade of C or higher) of the required course SWK-S 141 Introduction to Social Work.
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Evidence of characteristics or potential required for competent social work practitioners as defined in the mission statement of the School of Social Work. Such evidence may be derived from application materials, letters of reference, pertinent work or volunteer experience, and performance in SWK-S 141 Introduction to Social Work.
- Complete and submit the current B.S.W. application.
Academic Advising
Social Work students are required to meet with their advisor prior to every semester for which they plan to enroll.