University Catalog

Bachelor of Social Work

About This Program

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 course sequence, which integrates academic social work and practicum experience within a liberal arts framework, prepares students to pursue careers in a wide range of social service agencies and settings upon graduation. Students may take courses at the UTA main campus, the UTA Fort Worth Campus, fully online, or a combination. 

Competencies

  1. Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
  2. Upon completion, students will be able to advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
  3. Upon completion, students will be able to engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.
  4. Upon completion, students will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  5. Upon completion, students will be able to engage in policy practice.
  6. Upon completion, students will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  7. Upon completion, students will be able to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  8. Upon completion, students will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  9. Upon completion, students will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Admissions Criteria

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 11313
SOCW 2361INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (formerly SOCW 2311)3
SOCW 3305SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I (formerly SOCW 2313)3
SOCW 3307DIVERSE POPULATIONS3
MATH 1308, SOCW 2325, or other approved statistics course3
Total Hours15
  • Complete the BSW Orientation Map for the Journey
  • Cumulative GPA and major GPA of 2.5 or better

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. Students may 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 PRACTICUM SEMINAR I
and SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION I		9
(Or SOCW 4555 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION AND SOCW 4455 SEMINAR BLOCK PART 1)
THEN
SOCW 4452
& SOCW 4552		SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM SEMINAR II
and SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION II		9
(Or SOCW 4556 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM 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. 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 before graduation may need to be retaken.

Curriculum

Foundations
General Core Requirements 42
For Communication select:
RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I
RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II
For Government/Political Science select:
GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES
STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
For Mathematics select:
CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS (or other approved MATH course)
ELEMENTARY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS (or SOCW 2325 or other approved statistics course)
For Social and Behavioral Science select:
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (formerly SOCW 2311) 1
For US History select:
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES TO 1865
HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, 1865 TO PRESENT
For Life and Physical Science two of following are recommended: BIOL 1333, BIOL 1334, BIOL 1441, BIOL 1442, BIOL 2457, BIOL 2458, CHEM 1345, CHEM 1346, CHEM 1451, GEOL 1330
BSW Foundations
SOCW 3300SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALISM AND STUDENT SUCCESS ([formerly 1331] or a combination of SOCW 1231 and UNIV 1131)3
SOCW 3305SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I3
SOCW 3307DIVERSE POPULATIONS3
Professional Courses
SOCW 2302HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT3
SOCW 3301THEORIES OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR3
SOCW 3309SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II (formerly SOCW 3304)3
SOCW 3303SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND SERVICES3
SOCW 3308SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS3
SOCW 3306SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE III: MACRO PRACTICE3
12 hours of Social Work Electives12
Students will take the following Field and Seminar courses concurrently:
SOCW 4451
& SOCW 4551		SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM SEMINAR I
and SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION I		9
(Or SOCW 4555 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION AND SOCW 4455 SEMINAR BLOCK PART 1)
THEN
SOCW 4452
& SOCW 4552		SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM SEMINAR II
and SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION II		9
(Or SOCW 4556 SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION AND SOCW 4456 SEMINAR BLOCK PART 2)
Electives sufficient to complete the 120 hours required for the degree 221
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 Hours120
1

Required for transition to the BSW major.

2

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

Program Completion

PRACTICUM Requirements

The BSW Program requires two consecutive semesters (split placement) or one full semester (block placement) practicum 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 practicum courses; during practicum, students complete a total of 400 clock hours in their assigned agency. Field placements are arranged early in the preceding semester by applying through the practicum office. Students should consult with a BSW advisor to ensure completion of pre-requisites for practicum.

Advising Resources

Please read all student emails carefully and review the frequently asked questions. These resources are intended to provide help when you need it. If you want to meet with your advisor, please sign up for an appointment as early in the semester as possible.

Location:

SWSH 131, 501 W. Mitchell St., Arlington, TX 76019

Email:

ssw-oass@uta.edu

Phone:

817-272-3687

Web:

Advising FAQ