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, fully online, or a combination.
Competencies
- Upon completion, students will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Upon completion, students will be able to advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
- Upon completion, students will be able to engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in practice.
- Upon completion, students will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Upon completion, students will be able to engage in policy practice.
- Upon completion, students will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Upon completion, students will be able to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Upon completion, students will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- 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 | SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALISM AND STUDENT SUCCESS | 3 |
| SOCW 2361 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (formerly SOCW 2311) | 3 |
| SOCW 3304 | GENERALIST MICRO PRACTICE | 3 |
| SOCW 3307 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE ACROSS POPULATIONS AND CONTEXTS | 3 |
| MATH 1308, SOCW 2325, or other approved statistics course | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 15 | |
- Complete the BSW Orientation Map for the Journey.
- Cumulative GPA and major GPA of 2.5 or better.
- Grade of "C" or better in all social work courses.
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 practicum 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 on or after 2010. 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):
| SOCW 4680 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION/SEMINAR PART 1 | 6 |
| SOCW 4681 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION/SEMINAR PART 2 | 6 |
Continuation in the BSW Program
Continuation in the BSW Program and eligibility for entry into Practicum requires:
- 2.5 average in all social work courses and no grade lower than a C
- 2.5 overall grade point average
Social Work coursework completed at UTA prior to 2010 needs to be reviewed by the Program Director for credit towards the BSW degree.
Curriculum
| Foundations | ||
| General Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas. | ||
| For Communication select: | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION I | ||
| RHETORIC AND COMPOSITION II | ||
| For Social and Behavioral Science select: | ||
| HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT | ||
| BSW Foundations | ||
| SOCW 2361 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK 1 | 3 |
| SOCW 2325 | INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS FOR THE APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES | 3 |
| or MATH 1308 | ELEMENTARY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS | |
| or MATH 1309 | STATISTICAL LITERACY | |
| SOCW 3300 | SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALISM AND STUDENT SUCCESS | 3 |
| SOCW 3304 | GENERALIST MICRO PRACTICE | 3 |
| SOCW 3307 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE ACROSS POPULATIONS AND CONTEXTS 1 | 3 |
| Professional Courses | ||
| SOCW 3302 | INTRODUCTION TO MENTAL HEALTH & THE DSM IN SOCIAL WORK | 3 |
| SOCW 3303 | SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY AND SERVICES | 3 |
| SOCW 3306 | GENERALIST MACRO PRACTICE | 3 |
| SOCW 3308 | SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS | 3 |
| SOCW 4305 | GENERALIST MEZZO PRACTICE | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE & GREEN SOCIAL WORK | ||
| DISABILITY & SOCIAL WORK | ||
| THE LATINA EXPERIENCE | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS | ||
| U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICY AND THE AMERICAN DREAM | ||
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| SOCIAL WORK WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | ||
| INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE | ||
| AGING IN AMERICAN SOCIETY | ||
| SPECIAL ISSUES IN SOCIAL WORK (with approval of director) 4 | ||
| SEMINAR IN WOMEN'S ISSUES | ||
| SOCIAL WORK IN THE SCHOOLS | ||
| INEQUITIES AND INCARCERATION | ||
| CONFERENCE COURSE (with approval of director) 4 | ||
| Select two additional courses from any of the above-listed 3000/4000 SOCW electives. | 6 | |
| Practicum 3 | ||
| SOCW 4680 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION/SEMINAR PART 1 | 6 |
| SOCW 4681 | SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM INSTRUCTION/SEMINAR PART 2 | 6 |
| General Electives or Minor Sufficient to complete 120 hours. 2 | 18 | |
| 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 | |
Suggested Course Sequence
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| ENGL 1301 | 3 | ENGL 1302 | 3 |
| SOCW 2325, MATH 1308, or MATH 1309 (select elective if MATH 1308 or MATH 1309 taken in core)1 | 3 | SOCW 23611 | 3 |
| Life & Physical Science | 3 | U.S. History (part 1) | 3 |
| Component Area Option | 3 | Component Area Option | 3 |
| Mathematics (MATH 1308 or MATH 1309 suggested) | 3 | Life & Physical Science | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| U.S. History (part 2) | 3 | SOCW 3304 | 3 |
| Government/Political Science | 3 | SOCW 33071 | 3 |
| SOCW 2302 | 3 | Government/Political Science | 3 |
| SOCW 3300 | 3 | Creative Arts | 3 |
| General elective2 | 3 | Language, Philosophy & Culture | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| SOCW 3303 | 3 | SOCW 3302 | 3 |
| SOCW 3306 | 3 | SOCW 3308 | 3 |
| SOCW 4305 | 3 | SOCW elective | 3 |
| SOCW 3310, 3312, 3314, 3315, or 3320 | 3 | SOCW elective | 3 |
| SOCW 3310, 3312, 3314, 3315, or 3320 | 3 | General elective2 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall Semester | Hours | Spring Semester | Hours |
| SOCW 46803 | 6 | SOCW 46813 | 6 |
| SOCW 4310, 4314, 4335, 4350, 4366, 4370, 4371, or 43914 | 3 | SOCW 4310, 4314, 4335, 4350, 4366, 4370, 4371, or 43914 | 3 |
| General elective2 | 3 | General elective2 | 3 |
| General elective2 | 3 | General elective2 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 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.
- 3
Must be core complete and Social Work courses complete with the exception of 2 Social Work and 4 general electives.
- 4
SOCW 4350 or 4391: with permission of the BSW director, students may complete an undergraduate research project or independent study for up to 2 Social Work electives.
Program Completion
PRACTICUM Requirements
The BSW Program requires two consecutive semesters (split placement) practicum experience in a single human-service agency. Once necessary core curriculum and social work pre-requisites are complete and students have a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA, students enroll in the practicum courses if they only have 2 social work electives or less remaining; during practicum, students complete a total of 400 clock hours in their assigned agency. Practicum 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