Bachelor of Social Work
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, fully online, or a combination of both.
Transition from BSW-Intended to BSW Major
Transition to the BSW Major requires earning a C or better in the following five courses:
| SOCW 3300 (formerly 1331) or a combination of SOCW 1231 and UNIV 1131 | 3 | |
| SOCW 2361 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (formerly SOCW 2311) | 3 |
| SOCW 3305 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I (formerly SOCW 2313) | 3 |
| SOCW 3307 | DIVERSE POPULATIONS | 3 |
| MATH 1308 or other approved statistics course | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- Attend BSW Orientation
- Cumulative GPA and major GPA of 2.5 or better
- Completion of the BSW Major Declaration Form followed by the BSW Major Acceptance Agreement form
The Major Declaration Form includes a 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). It is submitted online in consultation with a BSW Academic Advisor after final grades post from the five courses listed above. Forms are reviewed by the Director of Undergraduate Programs. Once transitioned from BSW Intended to BSW Major, students will be required to submit a criminal background statement1 through a link provided via email.
1The criminal background statement is necessary as we need the information to place you with a field internship; some do not accept students with a criminal background.
Transfer of Credit
Transfer credits for undergraduate level social work courses may, at the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Programs, be accepted by the School of Social Work from comparable coursework taken and passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better at another CSWE accredited program within the last six years. BSW student transcripts are evaluated by the UTA Office of Admissions, and the Director of Undergraduate Programs may approve additional transfer courses for credit in collaboration with the academic advisor. Students will be expected to provide syllabi for review. The total transfer credits awarded should not exceed 50% of the total program credits needed for the degree, and at least 66 credits must be earned at UTA.
No credit is given for life or work experience. 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 (Or SOCW 4955 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR BLOCK PART 1) | 9 |
| SOCW 4952 | SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR II (Or SOCW 4956 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR BLOCK PART 2) | 9 |
Continuation in the BSW Program
Continuation in 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
Students must complete all SOCW courses within a maximum 6-year period. In order to ensure our graduates are receiving the most updated and relevant information on social issues, programs and best practices, social work courses completed more than 6 years prior to graduation may need to be retaken.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Social Work Degree
| Courses Required for Transition to the BSW Major | ||
| SOCW 2361 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (formerly SOCW 2311) | 3 |
| SOCW 3300 | SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALISM AND STUDENT SUCCESS ([formerly 1331] or a combination of SOCW 1231 and UNIV 1131) | 3 |
| MATH 1308 (or other approved statistics course) | 3 | |
| SOCW 3305 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I | 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 (Or other Math course approved for Math Core) | 3 |
| POLS 2311 | GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES | 3 |
| POLS 2312 | STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | 3 |
| HIST 1301 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 1302 | HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT | 3 |
| 3 hours Language, Philosophy and Culture | 3 | |
| 6 hours of Science preferably 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 2302 | LIFE SPAN DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| SOCW 3301 | THEORIES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| SOCW 3309 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II (formerly SOCW 3304) | 3 |
| SOCW 3303 | SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND SERVICES | 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 (Or SOCW 4955 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR BLOCK PART 1) | 9 |
| SOCW 4952 | SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR II (Or SOCW 4956 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SEMINAR BLOCK PART 2) | 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, Criminology and Criminal Justice 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 (split placement) or one full semester (block placement) 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; or SOCW 4955 AND 4956 to complete Field Work in one semester [AKA Block]) 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.