BSW Program

 

The BSW Program

ANNOUNCEMENT: COVID-19 MEASURES
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 the Department of Social Work's main office will be physically closed to the public until further notice.  All faculty members can be contacted via their email and office telephones, as all office phones have been forwarded to the private cell phones of faculty members.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GRADUATING SENIORS:  
Due to the closure of testing centers, BSW students graduating in the Spring of 20202 will not be required to complete the Area Concentration Achievement Test (ACAT) as part of their graduation requirements.

As the Department continues to educate students through the 21st Century, we are preparing for growth. We stand committed to collaborating at the local, state, national and international levels to take our mission of service and education to even higher heights. The advancement in technology has facilitated the connectedness of communities and taken our students and future graduates to places we could never have imagined. Cyberspace has removed some of the barriers associated with location, space and time. All one needs to do is look at news headlines, make a call for support services, or participate in a form of social media to get a glimpse of the need for Social Workers to influence and\or impact the lives of individuals, groups, and communities, both at home and abroad. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in the Occupational Outlook Handbook that employment for Social Workers is expected to grow by 25 percent from 2010 to 2020. So you will be a part of a much needed and growing field.

As a team, our focus is on the professional advancement of our students as competent generalist and clinical social workers. We welcome the opportunity to serve as a resource to you in your endeavor to pursue your dream of becoming a change agent in our society. Carefully consider our Social Work Programs, if we sound like we are a good fit for you, please contact us with any questions you may have. We look forward to the opportunity to prepare you for entry into the Social Work community!

BSW Program Overview

(Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, 2003, 2007, 2015)

The Social Work core course requirements at the Junior and Senior levels lead to the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree. In February of 2003, the Social Work Program was awarded accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. The primary purpose of the B.S.W. Program is to prepare students from a generalist perspective as an entry level practitioner with a knowledge base and skills which include, but is not limited to, practice in social work and social welfare, maximizing human development and dignity, social justice and equality for diverse populations. The curriculum comprises a liberal arts base, combined with professional courses, skills and ethics. Preparation for a career as a generalist practitioner in Social Work is augmented by a supervised field practicum. Students with an interest in child welfare can complete the child welfare electives and an internship with the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Students completing the child welfare curriculum will receive a Child Welfare Certificate. Qualified students may be eligible to receive the Title IV-E Scholarship.

The major of Social Work requires:

  1. Completion of 120 semester hours with a minimum 2.5 cumulative G.P.A.
  2. Completion of the ACAT examination

Child Welfare Certificate Program: (Title IV-E)

Students who are admitted to the Social Work Program can apply for the Title IV-E Scholarship. The student must have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5. Three Social Work electives are required in conjunction with an internship with the Department of Family and Children Services. Interested students should contact the Chair of the Department of Social Work or the BSW Field Coordinator.

The two required electives courses:

SOWK 3291: Family and Child Welfare
SOWK 3383: Social Work with Families

Dual Majors

A Dual Major in Social Work is available for students interested in combining social work with another major, upon permission of the Chair of each Department. Students interested in a dual major must complete all required courses, including the field practicum in Social Work. Completion of a dual major requires additional semester hours beyond the first degree.

BSW Program Mission

The mission of the Social Work program is to prepare students from a generalist practice perspective to become knowledgeable and competent in the practice areas related to diverse populations who are oppressed, marginalized, and under served in rural Southeast Georgia. This mission is in keeping the Social Work profession’s commitment to promote social justice, economic stability, and the enhancement of the quality of life for individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities.