Social Work - Undergraduate Programs
Overview
Undergraduate social work education at UTA 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 UTA 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 enhance this process through their 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. Students may take courses at the UTA main campus, the UTA Fort Worth Campus and online.
Admission to the BSW Program
Admission to the BSW program requires:
| SOCW 2311 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK | 3 |
| SOCW 1331 or a combination of SOCW 1231 and UNIV 1131 | 3 | |
| SOCW 2302 | LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| SOCW 2313 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I | 3 |
| SOCW 3307 | DIVERSE POPULATIONS | 3 |
| SOCW 2325 or MATH 1308 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- Overall GPA of 2.5 or better
- Completion of either SOCW 1331 or a combination of UNIV 1131 and SOCW 1231
- Completion of SOCW 2311, SOCW 2313, SOCW 3302, and SOCW 3307 with a grade of C or better
- 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 Director of Undergraduate Programs. 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 UTA 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
No credit is given for life or work experience. BSW student transcripts are evaluated by the UTA 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 UTA):
| SOCW 4951 | SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR I | 9 |
| SOCW 4952 | SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR II | 9 |
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 | ||
| SOCW 2311 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK | 3 |
| SOCW 1331 or a combination of UNIV 1131 and SOCW 1231 | 3 | |
| SOCW 2313 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I | 3 |
| SOCW 2302 | LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| SOCW 2325 or MATH 1308 (Statistics) | 3 | |
| SOCW 3307 | DIVERSE POPULATIONS | 3 |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1301 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | 3 |
| ENGL 1302 | RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | 3 |
| MATH 1301 | CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS | 3 |
| HIST 1311 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1312 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES | 3 |
| POLS 2312 | STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | 3 |
| 3 hours Language, Philosophy and Culture | 3 | |
| 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 | 6 | |
| 3 hours Creative Arts | 3 | |
| Professional Courses | ||
| SOCW 3301 | THEORIES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| SOCW 3303 | SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND SERVICES | 3 |
| SOCW 3304 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II | 3 |
| SOCW 3308 | SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| SOCW 3306 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE III: MACRO PRACTICE | 3 |
| 12 hours of Social Work Electives | 12 | |
| SOCW 4951 | SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR I | 9 |
| SOCW 4952 | SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR II | 9 |
| Electives sufficient to complete the 120 hours required for the degree 1 | 24 | |
| Recommendations: Substance Use Treatment Minor, Diversity Certificate or Minor, African American Studies Minor, Mexican American Studies Minor, Disability Studies Minor, Women and Gender Studies Minor | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| 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.
The School of Social Work offers minors in Diversity Studies, Social Justice and Social Welfare, and Substance Use Treatment.
Social Justice and Social Welfare Minor
What: The social justice and social welfare minor provides students with a broad overview of social justice perspectives on issues relevant to the social welfare system, its relationship to the market economy, and the historical, political, and cultural factors that shape it1. Through coursework, students learn the analytic and practical skills needed to develop, evaluate, and transform social welfare and justice policies. Students gain competency in the core issues of human needs and social development, relevant to many careers.
The minor also enhances students’ preparation for graduate study in social work1, law, education, health care, public policy analysis, nonprofit management, social service administration, student affairs, conflict resolution, and others.
Why: Students often want to pursue careers toward improving the quality of life of others. Understanding of the social welfare system and social justice issues is essential as a foundation for such careers.
Who: Students in a variety of majors are learning skills toward such a successful career (e.g, business, education, healthcare) but are in need of knowledge of the systems that impact their careers as well as the well-being of those they are training to serve.
Course Plan for the 18-hour Minor:
Required Introductory course:
SOCW 3303 Social Welfare Policy and Services
Required Core courses:
SOCW 3301 Theories of Human Behavior
SOCW 3307 Diverse Populations
3 courses from the following list:
SOCW 3312 Disability & Social Work
SOCW 3314 The Latina Experience
SOCW 3320 U.S. Immigration and the American Dream
SOCW 4314 Intimate Partner Violence
SOCW 4366 Seminar in Gender Issues
SOCW 4363 Aging in American Society
SOCW 4371 Forensic Social Work
Additionally, students will have a final assessment at the end of their coursework to assess their learning outcomes (this allows for data gathering for Unit Effectiveness Process [UEP] requirements).
Substance Use Treatment Minor
The Minor in Substance Use Treatment employs a multidisciplinary approach to understanding the biological, psychological, and social, aspects of substance misuse, gambling, and related behaviors. Assessment and treatment methods are based on evidence-informed practices to enable students and future professionals to understand and treat individuals, families, groups, and communities. The courses prepare graduates for careers in this field.
Program Objectives
The educational objectives of the minor are to prepare students with a Minor in Substance Use Treatment that will enable them to:
- Identify, describe, compare, and evaluate theories and models of substance use, misuse, and addiction (SOCW 3315/SUT 3315).
- Explain development across the lifespan so as to better understand substance use at different stages of development (SOCW 2302/SUT 2302).
- Use empathy and other interpersonal skills toward developing a mutually agreed-on focus of work (SOCW 3304/SUT 3304).
- Collect, organize, and interpret client data as part of the screening, assessment, and engagement processes toward developing a treatment plan for the client (SUT 3318).
- Develop and implement a treatment plan (SUT 3320 and SUT 3321).
Course plan for the 18-hour minor:2
SOCW 3315/SUT 3315 Introduction to Substance Use Disorders
SOCW 2302/SUT 2302 Lifespan Development
SOCW 3304/SUT 3304 Interviewing Skills
SUT 3318 Screening, Assessment, and Engagement
SUT 3320 Treatment Planning, Collaboration, and Referral
SUT 3321 Substance Use Treatment
1 The Social Justice and Social Welfare Minor does not provide the specific skills needed for actual social work practice or for social work licensing. Additionally, students who complete the minor and decide to pursue a Master’s degree in social work at UTA will not be allowed to count courses taken in the minor toward the Master’s.
2If a student minoring in SUT wants Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) eligibility, then must add SUT 4951 Field (Crosslisted with SOCW 4951) as a general elective.