Bachelor of Social Work

The BSW program will prepare you to enter the field with generalist skills which will support your practice with a variety of populations, across various areas of practice. Central to the mission of the program is teaching students to be a catalyst for social change, grounding students in the values and ethics of the profession, which include social and economic justice, inclusion, diversity, and cultural humility.  The BSW program is committed to both academic rigor and to the provision of support for students who are struggling academically, building on existing strengths to foster success. We welcome a diverse student body and foster an atmosphere of openness, collegiality, and respect. Day and evening classes are available. Our program offers the option of a minor in social work. 

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Program Requirements

Additional Information on the BSW

Admission into the BSW Program

As a professional major, the School of Social Work has different expectations than non-professional programs. Professional Standards are published and available to all students to clarify expectations for professional readiness within the major. Students are asked to abide by these professional stands and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.  

Students are accepted into the major in one of three ways: freshman admission, change of major, or transfer from a community college or other university. In order to become a social work major as a change of major or transfer student, a minimum of a 2.7 overall GPA is required.  

Once students have completed the first five foundational social work courses (SWK 101, SWK 102, SWK 200 (or SWK 510), SWK 261, SWK 270) students must apply for permission to continue in the major through the Professional Readiness process. Students can apply for Professional Readiness twice a year; in December and May. 

The following are required for the professional readiness process:  

  1. Successful completion of the first five social work courses. Successful is defined as a minimum grade of a C in each course and an overall GPA of 2.7 or higher in the five courses. Each social work course may be retaken for a higher grade only one time.  

  1. An overall SSU GPA of 2.7 or higher 

  1. A personal statement 

  1. Evaluations from social work instructors of the first five social work courses 

Upon successful completion of the professional readiness process, students may continue to the junior year practice course. Practice courses require a minimum grade of a B-.  

In their senior year, all BSW students complete a field internship at an agency which is a minimum of 425 hours. Students apply for this internship in the fall of their junior year. Requirements for field internship include successful completion of SWK 305 (with a minimum grade of a B-) and SWK 361 (with a minimum grade of a C), an evaluation interview with the field department, and concurrent registration for SWK 401/SWK 402. Students must earn a minimum grade of a B- in SWK 401 & SWK 406 and earn a pass in SWK 404 to remain infield for the spring semester. Students who do not complete the spring field must retake both fall and spring fields.  

Please note that social work majors may retake a SWK course one time for a higher grade. If the required minimum grade is not earned the second time around, the student will be dismissed from the social work major.  

Additionally, students who have had considerable volunteer and/or employment in a social services agency should consult with the BSW Program Coordinator to determine whether they might quality to enroll in SWK 510 instead of SWK 200.  

Advising

All social work majors who are day students are assigned a social work faculty member as an advisor. Students should meet with their advisor at a minimum once each semester during the advising period.  

All DCE students are officially assigned an advisor in academic advising. Academic advising can be reached at 978-542-7049. However, social work majors have specific advising needs around the social work curriculum and professional development; therefore, every DCE student is strongly encouraged to meet with the BSW Program Coordinator during fall and spring advising periods. Advising hours can be arranged in late afternoon/early evening to meet the needs of working students.  

Course Schedules

Undergraduate social work courses are offered from 4:30-9:20 pm on Mondays, 8 am to 9:20 pm on Wednesdays, and 8:00 am to 4:20 pm on Fridays. Occasionally an evening course will be offered on a Tuesday or Thursday or an afternoon course offered on Mondays.  

All required undergraduate social work courses, except for field placement, are offered in the evening (4:30-9:20 pm) at least once a year to accommodate the needs of working students. Students needing evening courses should contact the BSW Program Coordinator in order to create a year-long schedule of evening course options.  

In senior year, field placement will require 16 hours of work at an agency. Students often need to accommodate their schedules outside of the university in order to provide sufficient daytime availability for the field.  

Professional Readiness

Once students have completed the first five foundational social work courses (SWK 101, SWK 102, SWK 200 (or SWK 510), SWK 261, SWK 270) students must apply for permission to continue in the major through the Professional Readiness process. Students can apply for Professional Readiness twice a year; in December and May. The purpose of this process is to ensure that students who advance to the 300 and 400 level courses have the academic skills and professional behaviors necessary to be successful in both classes and field placement.  

The following are required for the professional readiness process:  

  1. Successful completion of the first five social work courses. Successful is defined as a minimum grade of a C in each course and an overall GPA of 2.7 or higher in the five courses. Each social work course may be retaken for a higher grade only one time. 

  2. An overall SSU GPA of 2.7 or higher 

  1. A personal statement 

  1. Evaluations from social work instructors of the first five social work courses 

Upon successful completion of the professional readiness process, students may continue to the junior year practice course. 

Field Placement

After completing the bulk of their theoretical study, BSW students receive practical social work experience through the fieldwork education component of the curriculum. Students must successfully complete a minimum of 425 hours of work in a professional setting under the supervision of a qualified social work practitioner. Fieldwork education is required of all students graduating from the school including those transferring from other programs.

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