Bachelor in Social Work (BSW)
About the BSW
The Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) prepares students who want to serve their communities. Courses prepare students for opportunities in generalist social work practice. Generalist social workers help individuals and families access services and reach their full potential. Equally important, generalist social workers advocate for social justice by using inter-personal and analytic skills so they can be effective change agents.
Courses include hands-on activities so students can apply what they are learning to real life situations. During their senior year, students have a rigorous two-days-a-week internship in an approved social service agency. This experience provides a strong background so graduates are well prepared for seeking employment.
Because the program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), graduates are eligible to apply for Advanced Standing to CSWE-accredited Masters of Social Work (MSW) program. With Advanced Standing, students can complete their MSW in one year rather than the traditional two years of study.
Program Benefits
- Faculty are licensed social workers.
- Students receive intensive mentorship from specially trained social work supervisors at their internship and from Social Work faculty.
- Students have options for pursuing a double major or taking one or two minors.
- Student have opportunities to present their work at conferences hosted by the University and by the consortium of undergraduate New Jersey Social Work programs.
Admission Requirements
The specific requirements for acceptance into the Social Work major are:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0
- At least a C in PSY100, SOC101 and SOC207, or equivalent from another institution
- Demonstration of a commitment to social work values
Degree Requirements (40 credits)
Required Courses (40 credits)
| SW301 | Social Research Methods | 4 |
| SW303 | Human Behavior and Social Environment 1 | 4 |
| SW305 | Social Welfare Policies, Programs & Issues | 4 |
| SW307 | Methods in Social Work 1:Individuals & Families | 4 |
| SW331 | Race, Class and Gender | 4 |
| SW403 | Human Behavior and Social Environment 2 | 4 |
| SW407 | Social Work Methods 2: Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities | 4 |
| SW489 | Field Experience I | 6 |
| SW491 | Field Experience II | 6 |
Course Sequence for BSW
First Year
Fall Semester (15-18 Credits)
| SOC101 | Introduction to Sociology | 4 |
| or | |
| SOC207 | Introduction to Social Welfare & Social Work | 4 |
| JUS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| or | |
| PS221 | Law & Contemporary American Society | 4 |
| SEU100 | Foundations in Literacy | 4 |
| SEU100CL | Foundations in Literacy Context Lab | 2 |
| Elective (2-4) | 2-4 |
Spring Semester (16 Credits)
| PSY100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| BUS100 | Introduction to Business: Domestic & Global Dimensions | 2 |
| or | |
| BUS110 | Introduction to Sport Management & Marketing | 2 |
| or | |
| ED101 | Introduction to Education | 2 |
| SEU110 | Literacy I | 4 |
| SEU110CL | Integated Literacy I Context Lab | 2 |
| Elective | 4 |
Second Year
Fall Semester (16-17 Credits)
| SOC101 | Introduction to Sociology | 4 |
| or | |
| SOC207 | Introduction to Social Welfare & Social Work | 4 |
| JUS101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| or | |
| PS221 | Law & Contemporary American Society | 4 |
| SEU210 | Global Perspectives | 4 |
| or | |
| SEU120 | Integrated Literacy II | 4 |
| SEU120CL | Integrated Literacy II ContextLab | 2 |
| Elective | 4 |
Spring Semester (16 Credits)
| PSY200 | Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| BUS200 | Principles of Management & Management Skills | 4 |
| or | |
| ED105 | Nature & Needs of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| SEU220 | Ways of Knowing | 4 |
| Elective | 4 |
Third Year
Third year Social Work majors must complete SEU 300 by the end of their third year. If necessary, students can complete their three SEU 200 courses in their fourth year.
Fall Semester (16 Credits)
| SW301 | Social Research Methods | 4 |
| SW305 | Social Welfare Policies, Programs & Issues | 4 |
| SW307 | Methods in Social Work 1:Individuals & Families | 4 |
| SEU300 | Faith, Spirituality & Ethics I | 4 |
SW301: Students may substitute PSY330 Research Methods and Statistics. This option is recommended for double majors in Psychology and Social Work since PSY333 can also be counted towards the Social Work major.
Spring Semester (16 Credits)
| SW303 | Human Behavior and Social Environment 1 | 4 |
| SW331 | Race, Class and Gender | 4 |
| SW407 | Social Work Methods 2: Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and Communities | 4 |
| SEU230 | Healthy Living | 4 |
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (14-18 Credits)
| SW403 | Human Behavior and Social Environment 2 | 4 |
| SW489 | Field Experience I | 6 |
| SEU400 | Essentials Capstone | 4 |
| Electives | 0-4 |
Spring Semester (12-18 Credits)
| SW491 | Field Experience II | 6 |
| Electives | 6-12 |
The Social Work program supports students having a strong liberal arts foundation and encourages double majors. As of January 2019, the Social Work program has developed a course plan for students who want to double major in either Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Sociology. Students interested in pursuing a double major in other disciplines are encouraged to talk with the Social Work faculty.
Another viable option is to minor in a liberal arts discipline. In particular, students who are bilingual in Spanish and English are encouraged to minor in Spanish in order to develop expertise in writing professional communication in Spanish.
Students who want to pursue a Master's in Social Work (MSW) should consider taking MATH119 Elementary Statistics because most MSW programs in New Jersey require successful completion of a statistics course. To date, some students prefer taking a statistics course after completing their junior year courses where they take a formal course in Research Methods and other courses that analyze research.