Return to: The Beaver College of Health Sciences

Lauren E. Renkert, Chair

The Department of Social Work at Appalachian State University is guided by an overarching framework of social and economic justice. Housed within the College of Health Sciences, the Social Work Department’s mission is to promote the well-being of individuals, families, groups and communities and to meet the work force needs for professional social workers, especially at the local and regional level. The undergraduate (BSW) and graduate (MSW) programs are designed to assist students to develop competencies for ethical and culturally competent generalist social work practice within the distinct Appalachian culture of the region and across national and international contexts. The graduate program is further charged with providing educational opportunities for students to develop expertise in advanced direct practice with individuals and families, or in leadership roles within community and organizational practice. Through scholarly activities and service, members of the faculty contribute to the knowledge base of the profession, enhance social work practice throughout the region and state, and support the social work profession regionally, nationally and globally.

Information about the MSW program can be found in the Graduate Bulletin or on the Department of Social Work website at www.socialwork.appstate.edu/master-social-work.

The BSW curriculum builds on a liberal arts education and includes coursework in human behavior theories, policy analysis, research, social welfare, and generalist practice. This curriculum design provides opportunities for students to gain the knowledge, theory, practice and interpersonal competencies which form the foundation of the profession. The BSW program culminates with a field practicum where students work under close supervision of an experienced social worker in a social service agency. At the successful completion of the BSW program, students are expected to demonstrate competence in core areas and be prepared for entry level professional practice. Graduates have full professional status and may be granted advanced standing in two-year master’s degree programs in social work.

Declaration of the Social Work Major

Students may declare social work as their major when they have met the following requirements for admission to the College of Health Sciences: completion of at least 30 semester hours, a grade-point average of at least 2.0, and credit for R C 1000  or an equivalent course and credit for or current enrollment in UCO 1200  or an equivalent course. Students should work closely with a social work advisor to plan their course of study.

Admission to the Professional Sequence

Due to the professional nature of the program, the curriculum has been developed to reflect both foundation and professional sequence courses. The foundation courses include S W 2010 , S W 2020 , S W 2615 , S W 2630 , and S W 3000 . These courses are open to students regardless of major.

In order to progress beyond the foundation courses, students must apply and be admitted to the professional sequence. This sequence includes: S W 3330 , S W 3850 , S W 3870 , S W 4000 , S W 4010 , S W 4020 , S W 4650 , and S W 4690 . Students apply to the professional sequence when they are enrolled in, or have completed, all of the foundation courses, receiving a grade of “C” or better in each. Academic standards for admission include an overall GPA of 2.5 and a social work GPA of 2.5. Deadlines for applying are November 1 if applying in the fall semester and April 1 if applying in the spring. A complete application, including an essay, must be submitted prior to the deadline.

Academic Standards for Retention

BSW students are expected to abide by ASU’s code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity Code, the National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics, the BSW Program’s Cometencies, and the following standards: 1) Scholastic Performance; 2) Professional Identity and Self-Awarness; 3) Ethical Behavior; 4) Interpersonal Relationships; and 5) Commitment to Diversity, Social Justice, and Human Rights. Failure to meet the standards may result in dismissal from the program.

Majors must achieve a grade of “C” or higher in all required social work and cognate courses, and must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 and a 2.5 GPA for all required social work and cognate courses. Students may repeat a social work course only once. Students may repeat only two social work courses throughout the program.

Honors Program in Social Work

The Department of Social Work offers an honors program at the undergraduate level to students who have distinguished academic records. Credit earned in courses taken for honors may be applied toward the major, the minor, or the electives required for graduation. To graduate with “Honors in Social Work,” a student must meet the following criteria: a minimum overall GPA of 3.5; a minimum GPA of 3.5 in social work courses; and successful completion of the honors sequence. Social Work honors requirements may be found at www.socialwork.appstate.edu/undergraduate/departmental-honors. Students must earn a grade of ‘B’ (3.0 grade points) or higher on all honors coursework taken to fulfill any honors requirements.

Graduate Degree

The Department of Social Work offers a Master of Social Work degree. Students interested in this degree program should consult the Graduate Bulletin for further information.

Programs

• Social Work, BSW

• Social Work Minor

Courses

• S W 2010 - Professional Social Work in Contemporary Society (3)
• S W 2020 - The American Social Welfare System (3)
• S W 2500 - Independent Study (1-4)
• S W 2615 - Cultural Competence in the Helping Professions (3)
• S W 2630 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3)
• S W 3000 - Basic Skills for the Social Work Profession (3)
• S W 3330 - Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and Issues (3)
• S W 3500 - Independent Study (1-4)
• S W 3520 - Instructional Assistance (1)
• S W 3530-3549 - Selected Topics (1-4)
• S W 3850 - Social Work Research Methods I (3)
• S W 3870 - Social Work Research Methods II (4)
• S W 4000 - Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3)
• S W 4002 - Competencies for Child Welfare (3)
• S W 4010 - Social Work Practice with Groups (3)
• S W 4020 - Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations (3)
• S W 4210 - Social Work and the Law (3)
• S W 4220 - Social Work Practice and Substance Abuse (3)
• S W 4245 - Social Work Practice in Health Care (3)
• S W 4250 - Spirituality, Religion, and Secularism in Social Work (3)
• S W 4270 - School Social Work (3)
• S W 4280 - Social Work Issues in Developmental Disabilities (3)
• S W 4365 - Social Work Practice with Children and Families (3)
• S W 4510 - Social Work Honors Thesis (3)
• S W 4530-4549 - Selected Topics (1-4)
• S W 4555 - Death, Dying, and Living (3)
• S W 4565 - Human Sexuality and Affectional Relationships (3)
• S W 4630 - Programs and Services for Older Adults (3)
• S W 4650 - Social Work Field Instruction (12)
• S W 4690 - Senior Seminar: Issues and Ethics for Field and Profession (3)

Return to: The Beaver College of Health Sciences