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To provide transformative and collaborative learning that embraces the values of social inclusion and promotes enhanced quality of life for individuals and communities.

The Â鶹´«Ã½ Bachelor’s in Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares generalist social work professionals for employment in a wide and varied range of social service, health, mental health, and community-based settings. B.S.W. prepared social workers acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills to work effectively with a range of individuals and diverse populations. The program instills values that foster students’ commitment to support individuals, families, and communities to improve their lives. Students will also develop the skills to participate in transforming lives by promoting social justice, cultural diversity, and human dignity. B.S.W. graduates are committed to lifelong learning and to working in partnership with others to improve the quality of life for all people. As B.S.W. graduate, it is possible to accelerate into our Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program and complete your Master's degree in one (1) year. Experiential education is one (1) of the hallmarks of social work education and is realized through two (2) sequential Field Practicum courses; SSW 410 and SSW 440. Both courses provide four-hundred (400) hours over two (2) semesters in agency/organization settings.

Students in the Bachelor in Social Work major are subject to University undergraduate academic standards as well as requirements set forth by the Westbrook College of Health Professions.

In keeping with the guidelines of the Â鶹´«Ã½, all undergraduate students must achieve a minimum semester-end grade point average. Failure to maintain the minimum grade point average requirements will result in academic probation as described in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.

B.S.W. Benchmarks

Students selecting the B.S.W. program must meet certain benchmarks. Prerequisites for progressing into the core social work curriculum include: 

A C or better in the following courses:

• PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology - 3 credits
• SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology - 3 credits
• PUB 305 – Research Methods in Public Health - 3 credits
• OS 341 – Health, Wellness in an Aging Society (formerly HWOS 341) - 3 credits
• OS 434 – Substance Use & Misuse (formerly HWOS 434) - 3 credits

A C or better in all required social work courses: 

• SSW 200 – Intro to Social Work - 3 credits
• SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy & Advocacy - 3 credits
• SSW 330 – Advocacy in Social Work Practice - 3 credits
• SSW 300 – Human Behavior & SW Theory I - 3 credits
• SSW 320 – Human Behavior & SW Theory II - 3 credits
• SSW 350 – Ethics in SW Practice - 3 credits
• SSW 400 – Advanced SW Methods I - 3 credits
• SSW 430 – Advanced SW Methods II - 3 credits
• SSW 460 – SW w/Groups & Communities - 3 credits

A grade of Pass (P) in:

• SSW 335 – Introduction to Field Practicum - 1 credit (students admitted Fall 2021 forward)
• SSW 410 – Field Practicum & Seminar I - 6 credits
• SSW 440 â€“ Field Practicum & Seminar II - 6 credits

Social Work is a competency-based education. We are, through our accreditors, mandated to ensure that our B.S.W. graduates are competent generalist practitioners in the areas listed below:

• Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
• Advance Human Rights and Promote Social Inclusion
• Utilize Evidence-informed Research
• Engage in Policy Practice
• Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
• Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Students must take eighteen (18) credits to complete this minor. Classes can be taken in any order barring any prerequisites that may be required for some courses.

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at Â鶹´«Ã½in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years. Consistent with the Council on Social Work Education, the B.S.W. program does not offer credit for "life experience" under any circumstance.

For entrance into the Bachelor in Social Work major, students must have completed a high school with a GPA of 2.0 in a curriculum reflective of collegiate preparation. This profile includes:

• Four (4) years of English
• Three (3) years of mathematics
• Two (2) years of science with a laboratory
• Two (2) years of social science

Applicants submit their materials to the Office of Admissions during the fall of the year prior to matriculation. Qualified students who apply after the fall are admitted on a space-available basis.

Internal Transfer Students

Students who are enrolled in another major at the Â鶹´«Ã½ may apply for admission into the B.S.W. program by completing a change of major form and an interview with the B.S.W. Director to determine eligibility. Students requesting to transfer into the B.S.W. program must be in academic good standing with a grade point average of 2.5 or better at the time of the request.

See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.