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):

Concurrent enrollment in:
SOCW 4451 & SOCW 4551	SOCIAL WORK FIELD SEMINAR I and SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION I	9
(Or SOCW 4555 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SOCW 4455 SEMINAR BLOCK PART 1)
THEN
SOCW 4452 & SOCW 4552	SOCIAL WORK FIELD SEMINAR II and SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION II	9
(Or SOCW 4556 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SOCW 4456 SEMINAR BLOCK PART 2)

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
Students will take the following Field and Seminar courses concurrently:
SOCW 4451 & SOCW 4551	SOCIAL WORK FIELD SEMINAR I and SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION I	9
(Or SOCW 4555 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SOCW 4455 SEMINAR BLOCK PART 1)
THEN
SOCW 4452 & SOCW 4552	SOCIAL WORK FIELD SEMINAR II and SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION II	9
(Or SOCW 4556 SOCIAL WORK FIELD INSTRUCTION AND SOCW 4456 SEMINAR BLOCK PART 2)
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.