This is an archived copy of the 2017-2018 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uta.edu/.

Social Work - Undergraduate Programs

Overview

Undergraduate social work education at The University of Texas at Arlington is based on a set of premises. Responsible citizenship and professional social work practice recognize and respond to the realities of a complex and diverse society that is in continual need of constructive social change predicated on social justice. To this end, social work students are expected to demonstrate the capacity to critically evaluate their cultural environment and, in so doing, demonstrate analytical skills and understanding both orally and in writing. Students are required to adhere to the Code of Ethics as currently published by the National Association of Social Workers, the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct, and the UT Arlington School of Social Work Professional Standards (in the BSW Program Manual) in their professional practice and in their course work. The faculty of the School of Social Work enhances this process through its commitment to teaching excellence, scholarly activities, research, and community and professional service.

The Bachelor of Social Work degree program of the School of Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Its primary educational objective is to prepare students for generalist social work practice. The sequence of courses, designed to include academic social work and field experience requirements in a liberal arts context, enables the student, upon graduation, to work in a variety of social service agencies and settings. The program is offered at the UTA main campus, the UTA Fort Worth Campus and fully online.

Admission to the BSW Program

Admission to the BSW program requires:

ENGL 1301RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I3
ENGL 1302RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II3
MATH 1301CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS (or higher)3
PSYC 1315INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY3
SOCI 1311INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY3
POLS 2311GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES3
POLS 2312STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT3
HIST 1311HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 18653
HIST 1312HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT3
SOCW 2311INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK3
SOCW 2313SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I3
SOCW 3307DIVERSE POPULATIONS3
Total Hours36
  • Overall GPA of 2.5 or better
  • Completion of SOCW 2311 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORKSOCW 2313 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I, and SOCW 3307 DIVERSE POPULATIONS with a grade of C or better
  • 3 hours of Language, Philosophy & Culture
  • 3 hours of Creative Arts
  • 6 hours of Life & Physical Science from the following choices: BIOL 1333, BIOL 1334, BIOL 1441, BIOL 1442, BIOL 2457, BIOL 2458, CHEM 1345, CHEM 1346, CHEM 1451, GEOL 1330
  • SOCW 2325 or MATH 1308 (Statistics Requirement)
  • Completion of the BSW Admission Application Form

The application is submitted online in consultation with a BSW Advisor. Applications are reviewed by an advisor and the program director. Students will be notified of the admission decision within two weeks of submitting their application. Once accepted, students will be required to submit a personal narrative, criminal background statement, and commitment to adhere to the Code of Ethics as currently published by the National Association of Social Workers, the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners Code of Conduct, and the UT Arlington School of Social Work Professional Standards (in the BSW Program Manual). Students will complete these through a link provided in the acceptance letter. In the acceptance letter, students will also be notified of details for a mandatory orientation.

Transfer of Credit

BSW student transcripts are evaluated by the UT Arlington Office of Admissions. Courses that meet the liberal arts requirements of the BSW degree are applied to the degree plan. Other courses are designated as electives. The student receives credit for Introduction to Social Work (regardless of institution) and social work courses from CSWE accredited social work programs. The exceptions are  the practicum courses (which must be completed at UT Arlington):

SOCW 4951SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR I9
SOCW 4952SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR II9

No credit is given for life or work experience.

Continuation Through the BSW Program

Continuation through the BSW Program and eligibility for entry into Field requires:

  • 2.5 average in all social work courses and no grade lower than a C
  • 2.5 overall grade point average

Requirements for a Bachelor of Social Work Degree

Courses Required for BSW Admission
General Core Requirements 42
ENGL 1301RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I3
ENGL 1302RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II3
MATH 1301CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS (or higher)3
HIST 1311HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 18653
HIST 1312HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT3
POLS 2311GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES3
POLS 2312STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT3
PSYC 1315INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY3
SOCI 1311INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY3
SOCW 2325 or MATH 1308 (Statistics)
3 hours Creative Arts
3 hours Language, Philosophy and Culture
6 hours of Science from the following list: BIOL 1333, BIOL 1334, BIOL 1441, BIOL 1442, BIOL 2457, BIOL 2458, CHEM 1345, CHEM 1346, CHEM 1451, GEOL 1330
Professional Courses
SOCW 2311INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK3
SOCW 2313SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I3
SOCW 3301THEORIES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR3
SOCW 3302LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR3
SOCW 3303SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND SERVICES3
SOCW 3304SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II3
SOCW 3308SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS3
SOCW 3306SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE III: MACRO PRACTICE3
SOCW 3307DIVERSE POPULATIONS3
SOCW 4951 Field Instruction and Seminar I
SOCW 4952 Field Instruction and Seminar II
9 hours of Social Work Electives
Electives sufficient to give the 120 hours required for the degree 1
Recommendations: Diversity Certificate or Minor, African American Studies Minor, Mexican American Studies Minor, Disability Studies Minor, Women and Gender Studies Minor
1

No more than four hours of activity (EXSA/DNCA) can be used toward a degree for either hours or GPA.

Field Work Requirements

The BSW Program requires two consecutive semesters of field experience in a single human-service agency. Once necessary pre-requisites are complete and students have a 2.5 or better GPA, students enroll in the field courses (SOCW 4951 Field Instruction and Seminar I, first semester; SOCW 4952 Field Instruction and Seminar II, second semester) and complete 240 clock hours per semester in their assigned agency. Field placements are arranged early in the preceding semester by applying through the field office. Students should consult with a BSW advisor to ensure completion of pre-requisites for field.

All social work students enrolling in Field Instruction courses will be required to purchase professional liability insurance; the field office will provide further instruction upon application for field.