Nov 12, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2023-2024 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2023-2024 Previous Edition

Social Work, B.S.W.


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Social work is a profession devoted to helping people function as effectively as possible within their environment, be it a context such as a family, a group, an organization such as a job, or a community.  The UNC Charlotte BSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the accrediting body for social work education programs.  The BSW degree prepares students for generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.  Generalist practice relates to utilizing multiple types of interventions that would be useful for different types of social systems and client populations.  BSW graduates provide services such as assessment and intervention, counseling, crisis intervention, referral, mediation, and advocacy with diverse populations across all age groups.  BSW graduates work in a broad array of settings including:  hospitals; group homes; mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, youth and family service agencies; nursing homes; and schools.  The degree is centered in professional social work values and ethics within an increasingly global environment and is designed to affirm the human rights of diverse groups of people, especially populations-at-risk and groups which have historically been oppressed due to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, age, and ability. BSW education also provides an excellent foundation for those who wish to pursue graduate study in social work.

All program-level Admissions and Progression Requirements are in addition to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte Admission Requirements .

Admission Requirements


Freshmen

  • See University Admission Requirements  
  • Minimum GPA: Declaring the Major (Lower Division): 2.0 GPA; Upper Division Admission: 2.5 GPA
  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses:  Students changing to the lower-division Social Work major from another major must attend a Change of Major workshop.  Students entering the B.S.W. program upper-division sequence must apply and be accepted into the B.S.W. program to progress to the upper-division sequence.  The application process is competitive.  To apply, students must demonstrate that they are on track for completing the following by the time of program entrance:

Transfers

  • See University Admission Requirements ​ 
  • Minimum GPA:  Declaring the Major (Lower Division): 2.0 GPA; Upper Division Admission: 2.5 GPA
  • Pre-Major/Prerequisite Courses: All incoming students begin as Pre-Social Work and apply to the Upper Division once eligible.
  • Transferable Credit Hours:  24

Degree Requirements


The Major in Social Work leading to the BSW degree consists of 120 credit hours.

General Education Courses (31-32 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program .  Students majoring in Social Work should take the following courses that meet general education and major requirements:

Population Group Courses (12 credit hours)


Select four of the following courses examining diverse and vulnerable population groups of interest to social work.  The following courses are pre-approved as population group courses.  Only the courses on the list of preapproved population group courses can be used to meet this requirement.  

Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Progression Requirements


Students must receive a grade of C or better in every Major SOWK  course, including Abnormal Psychology.  Students who receive two grades of D or F during matriculation in the Upper Division will be dismissed from the major.

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