Department of Social Work

Main Page Content

Department of Social Work

170 Faculty Office Building
(585) 395-2324

Chairperson and Associate Professor: Diane C. Dwyer; Associate Professors: Kenneth J. Herrmann, Jr., Barbara Kasper; Assistant Professors: Carmen I. Aponte, Carol Brownstein-Evans, Richard Russell; Visiting Assistant Professors: Jason Dauenhauer, Debra Fromm Faria, Margery Saunders; Coordinator of Field Instruction: Mary Jo Schlecht; Associate Faculty: Christopher Callahan, Joseph Evers, Carl Jutzin, Jody Levison-Johnson, Maureen Murphy, Melissa Sydor.

• Requirements
• Courses

Undergraduate Social Work Program
The profession of social work is dedicated to solving and preventing social problems, whether they involve individuals, families, small groups, organizations, or communities. A broad range of employment opportunities exists. Social workers are found in hospitals, public schools, family agencies, industry, courts, probation departments, government facilities, children’s agencies, and in facilities that serve persons with disabilities. The primary purpose of the undergraduate program is to prepare students for beginning professional social work practice. In addition, students are prepared for graduate education and responsible citizenship. The undergraduate major in social work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Graduates who continue with their social work education may gain advanced standing in graduate programs because of the accredited status of the major.

Social Work Major

Social work majors must complete a minimum of 54 credits consisting of 12 prerequisite credits plus classroom and field experience in social work totaling 42 credits. Thirty-two credits in social work are allocated to classroom and related learning to help students understand the philosophy, knowledge, values and roles associated with the profession. Ten credits are devoted to the field practicum, which provides students with opportunities to apply and integrate knowledge, skills and values into a beginning level of competence in the practice of social work.

Admission to the Major
Students may indicate their desire to major in social work at any time during the first two years of undergraduate study by registering with the Department of Social Work as an Intent to Major. Such students will be assigned a departmental advisor to assist them with proper course planning and career orientation as they pursue admission to the program. Students wishing to enter the major in social work must submit an application form to the Department of Social Work.

Criteria for Admission to the Major*
Enrollment is limited. The deadline for applications is March 15 for fall-semester entry, although some students may be admitted prior to March 15. The program does not admit students for the spring semester. Students seeking acceptance to the major must meet the following criteria at time of application:

1. Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or above. (2)
2. Demonstration of suitability and capacity to enter the profession of social work.
3. Completion of the following prerequisite courses:
   • SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
   • PSH 110 Principles of Psychology
   • BIO 281 Elements of Human Biology
     OR
   • BIO 221 Survey of Anatomy and Physiology
   • SOC 200 Social Statistics
     OR
   • PSH 202 Introductory Statistics
4. Completion of a minimum of 54 credits, or an AA, AS or AAS(3)

(*) Transfer students must consult with the coordinator of social work admissions or the chair person regarding equivalency of courses taken at other institutions.
2 Grade point averages required of those accepted may be higher depending on the number of applicants.
3 Delta College students must complete 34 credits and meet all other criteria. (The Delta College curriculum meets the program’s requirement of SOC 100.)

Requirements for the Major

Prerequisites
The following four courses are prerequisites for the social work major. All prerequisites must be completed before students enroll in required social work courses.

1 Generally, students are enrolled in SWO 451-453; with permission of faculty advisor and field coordinator, students may select SWO 454 to complete the field instruction requirement as an alternative to SWO 451-453.
2 Students enrolling in SWO 451-453 must enroll in SWO 455-457. Students enrolling in SWO 454 must enroll in SWO 456. SWO 441 must be taken with SWO 454-456, or SWO 453-457.

Electives
The department offers electives in fields of practice and areas of special interest. Course selection should be made in consultation with the student’s advisor. Electives are open to non-majors.

Evening Part-time Program
This program is designed to meet most of the educational needs of students who work full-time during the day. Both day and evening matriculated students are assigned department advisors.

Transfer Students
Transfer students meet the same standards for admission and continuance in the social work program as other students. They must consult with the coordinator of social work admissions or the chairperson regarding equivalency of courses taken at another institution.

No Credit for Work Experience
The program does not give academic credit for life experience or previous work experience or allow such experience to be substituted for the field practicum or other courses required for the social work major.

Course Sequencing
No student, full- or part-time, may take any 400-level course required for the major until all 200- and 300-level required courses are successfully completed.

Continuance in the Social Work Program
Continuance in the program after the fall semester of the junior year is contingent upon the following:

1. Maintaining both a cumulative and major GPA of 2.5 or above;
2. Maintaining a grade of “C” or better in every social work course required for the major;
3. Retaking any required social work course in which a grade below “C” is received; and
4. Continued demonstration of suitability and capacity to enter the profession of social work. The above criteria must be met by all students when they enter field instruction in the senior year and before they graduate from the program.

Readmission to the Social Work Program
Requirements for readmission to the program are identical to those for first-time applicants. Any student who postpones entry into or continuance in the planned course of studies after admission to the social work program must submit an application for re-entry.

Review and Appeal Procedures
The social work faculty, meeting as a committee, periodically reviews the progress of each student. The complete formal process for admission and continuance in the social work program, as well as grievance/appeal procedures, may be found in the program guide for the social work program. The program is administered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, creed, ethnic or national origin, handicap, political or sexual orientation, marital status or status as a Vietnam-era veteran.

Program Information
Please consult the Social Work Program Guide and Program Brochure for further and updated departmental policies and procedures.

Social Work Courses