Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work

A four-year professional educational program in social work leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is offered. The BSW is recognized by the National Association of Social Workers as the entry- level degree for the profession. The BSW Program is accredited by the National Council on Social Work Education.

SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM MISSION AND OUTCOMES

Through the teaching of social work knowledge and practice, the Bachelor of Social Work Program prepares individuals to develop a global perspective of social welfare and social development, to actualize the concept of social caring, to demonstrate belief in the intrinsic value, dignity and worth of all humankind, to serve those in need, and to act with conviction in advancing the principle of social justice and human rights within the communities of Guam, Micronesia, and the neighboring regions of the Pacific and Asia.

The outcomes of the Bachelor of Social Work Program are as follows:

Preparation of students to understand, identify with and incorporate into practice the professional values and ethics of social work;
Preparation of students for beginning generalist professional practice with individuals, kinship systems, groups, organizations, and communities;
Preparation of students for practice with diverse and at-risk populations;
Preparation of students as beginning social work generalists who link indigenous knowledge, social service
practice wisdom, and social research;
Preparation of students for lifelong learning and critical thinking through an educational process which
is grounded in a liberal arts perspective and professional social work foundations;
Enable students to integrate knowledge, skills, and values into generalist social work practice;
Preparation of students for graduate education in social work.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BSW PROGRAM

There are two levels of social work majors: Pre- BSW and BSW. A pre-BSW student is any declared social work major who has not yet completed the requirements for advancement to the BSW student status. A BSW student is one who has met these requirements and has been formally admitted to the BSW Program. To be eligible for the BSW junior level, applicants must:

complete at least 45 credits of General Education requirements
complete EN111 Writing for Research
complete Mathematics General Education requirements
complete SO101 Introduction to Sociology
complete PY101 General Psychology
complete BA110 Economics
complete SW201 Social Welfare and Development: Global Challenges with a grade of “C” or better
have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher
submit a completed application form and related materials, including two letters of reference.

Application for advancement to BSW student status are made at the end of the Spring Semester for the students sophomore year. Upon receipt of all necessary documents, the social work faculty reviews the application. The division chair of the program notifies applicants by letter of the faculty’s decisions regarding admissions. Students must be advanced to BSW student status in order to take SW330.

PROGRESSION IN THE BSW PROGRAM

In order to remain in good standing in the BSW program, students must maintain a grade of C or better in all required social work courses and a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA.

ADVISEMENT

Academic advisement is provided to assist students throughout their educational careers as they become competent entry-level social workers. The advisor monitors student progress, provides consultation in planning a course of study, and assist in problem solving with regard to both classroom and field course work. The advisor also facilitates communication between students and their classroom and field instructors. The faculty advisor serves as an “anchor person” with whom students may confer regarding any program-related problem or question. In keeping with the goals of the program and the spirit of social work, the advising relationship among students, faculty, and administrators is one of collaboration. It is recommended that all pre- BSW students meet with the Division Chair for advisement before registering for classes each semester. Once a student is admitted into the social work program, s/he is assigned to an advisor.

SOCIAL WORK MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

The BSW program rest on general educational foundation with a minimu m of 15 credit hours in the social sciences and economics; and 3 credit hours in mathematics/statistics. Required social science courses are PY101, SO101, and BA 110. Two elective upper division social science courses (300- level or above) may be drawn from the field of anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, women and gender studies, and Chamorro studies; or as approved by social work faculty advisor. The required mathematics/statistics course is MA151. Note: These courses may count toward general education requirements and toward the major in Chamorro studies.

The BSW program requires 50 credit hours of social work courses. They include 36 credit hours of required classroom courses (SW201, 313, 330, 331, 332, 333, 345, 350,351, 406, 408, 410), 8 credit hours of fieldwork (SW485a and SW485b) and 6 elective credit hours selected from SW344, SW355, SW400 (may be taken more than once), SW480, 490, CM 340 and CM412.

SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION

General Education Requirements 33

Social Work Credits 50

Social Sciences Credits 15

Statistics 3

Note: Social sciences and statistic courses that are required by the BSW Program may also count toward General Education and Chamorro Studies requirements. The UOG required minimum number of credit hours for graduation is 124.