School of Health
Divison of Social Work
School of Health
Division of Social Work
UOG Social Work Program Accreditation Reaffirmed
The Commission on Accreditation of the National Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) voted to accept the progress report of the University of Guam and to reaffirm the accreditation for the Bachelor of Social Work Program at the University of Guam through 2023.
Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program 2018 Student Learning Assessment Update
Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program
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 until 2023.
Social Work Program Mission and Goals
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 goals 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 Freshman Composition
- complete Mathematics General Education requirements
- complete SO101 Introduction to Sociology or AN101 Introduction to Anthropology and PY101 General Psychology
- complete SW201 Social Welfare: A World View 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 forms are found in the BSW Student Handbook or at the link below. Typically, applications for advancement to BSW student status are made at the end of the student’s sophomore year. Upon receipt of all necessary documents, the social work faculty reviews the application. The administrative 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 SW 301.
Apply for the Social Work Program
EXTENDED DEADLINE TO APPLY: Due to the coronavirus situation, the deadline to apply for the Social Work program has been extended.
Applications are due to tlizama@triton.uog.edu by May 15, 2020.
Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work:
https://www.socialwork.org/online-degrees/bachelors/
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 prepare to become competent entry-level social workers. The advisor monitors student progress, provides consultation in planning a course of study, and assists 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. Once a student declares social work as their major, s/he is assigned to an advisor.
SOCIAL WORK MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
(Total: 48 Social Work Credit Hours)
The BSW Program rests on a general education foundation with a minimum of 18 credit hours in the social sciences of Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science; 4 credit hours in the natural sciences; and 3 credit hours in Mathematics/Statistics. Required social science courses are PY101, SO101 or AN101, BA110 and one Anthropology course, AN212 or AN320 or AN332. Two elective social science courses may be chosen from a list of approved courses, which is available from social work faculty advisors. The required course in the natural sciences is BI110. The required Mathematics/Statistics course is MA151. Note: These courses may count toward General Education requirements.
The BSW program requires 51 credit hours of social work courses. They include 33 credit hours of required classroom courses (SW201, 250, 301, 302, 403, 404, 313, 345, 406, 408, 410), 9 credit hours of fieldwork (SW385, SW485a-b) and 6 elective credit hours selected from SW305, SW344, SW400 (may be taken more than once), 480, and 490.
Bachelor of Social Work Planning Template
Bachelor of Social Work Course Map Toward Graduation
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
General Education Requirements 55
Social Work Credits 51
Social Sciences Credits
(in Psychology, Sociology, Economics and Anthropology) 18
Statistics 3
Note: Social / natural sciences and statistic courses that are required by the BSW Program may also count toward General Education requirements. The required minimum number of credit hours for graduation is 124.
Degree Program Requirements
DIVISION OF SOCIAL WORK FACULTY
Dr. Tricia A. Lizama
Division Chair
Associate Professor of Social Work
Dean's Circle House #31
Tel: (671) 735-0335
Fax: (671) 734-1203
tlizama@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Gerhard J. Schwab
Professor of Social Work
HSS Bldg., Room 105
Tel: (671) 735-2961
gerhardschwab@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Lisalinda Natividad
Associate Professor of Social Work
Social Work Field Instruction Coordinator
HSS Bldg., Room 107B
Tel: (671) 735-2962
Fax: (671) 734-1203
lisanati@yahoo.com
Dr. Tressa Diaz
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Dean's Circle House #31
Tel: (671) 735-0335
Fax: (671) 734-1203
diazt@triton.uog.edu
