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:
- 60 credit hours
- Completion of all General Education requirements
- A grade of C or above in SOWK 2182 , SOWK 2183 , BIOL 1110 , BIOL 1110L , POLS 1575 , PSYC 1101 , STAT 1222 , and SOCY 1101

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 . Total hours to satisfy General Education Requirements may vary as some general education requirements may be double-counted in the major with departmental approval. Please see your advisor for information. Students majoring in Social Work should take the following courses that meet general education and major requirements:

Major SOWK Courses (52 to 57 credit hours)

Students must receive a grade of C or better in every Major SOWK course, including PSYC 2341 Psychopathology . Students who receive two grades of D or F during matriculation in Upper Division will be dismissed from the major.

Population Group Courses (12 credit hours)

Social Work Students are required to select four courses from a pre-approved list that examines various population groups. These courses must be between the 1000 and 4000 level and cannot be any courses that are restricted, research focused (e.g., SOCY 3755 - Sociological Research Methods), seminar/internship focused (e.g., ANTH 4480 Internships in Anthropology or AFRS 4600 Senior Seminar in African Studies), honors courses (e.g. CJUS 4700 Criminal Justice Honors Thesis) or General Education Global and Local Themes (e.g., XXXX 1501/1511/1502/1512).

Approved 1000 - 4000 Level Population Departmental Courses:

African Studies
Anthropology
Child and Family Development*
Criminal Justice
Global Studies* (Asian, European, Holocaust etc.)
Japanese Studies*
Latin American Studies
Languages
Psychological Sciences
Religious Studies
Special Education
Social Work
Sociology
Women and Gender Studies

Unrestricted Elective Courses, Double Major and/or Minor to Complete Requirements for Graduation

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours to graduate. This requirement can be fulfilled through a combination of elective courses, a minor, or a double major. The 120-credit minimum must be satisfied regardless of the specific academic path chosen (e.g., a minor combined with electives).

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours

Progression Requirements

In order to promote the progression of competent students through the Upper Division component of the social work major and eventually into the social work profession:

Grade Point Average. Students are considered to be in academic difficulty if their GPA drops below 2.0. Students will be advised to withdraw from the program if their grade point average falls below 2.0 overall or 2.25 in the Social Work major.
Course Grades. Students must receive a grade of C or better in every Upper Division SOWK course including Psychopathology (PSYC 2341). Students who receive two grades of D or F during matriculation in Upper Division will be dismissed from the major.
Course Repeat. Students who earn a grade of D or F are permitted one course repeat (i.e., students may pursue a course repeat on one occasion only during matriculation in Upper Division). Students who repeat a course and achieve a grade of C or higher may continue to progress in Upper Division. Students who receive a grade of D or F for a course repeat will be dismissed from the major. Students who have received No Credit in courses required for the social work major will need to retake the courses. However, this will not count towards their repeated course policies.
Practicum Repeat. Students are permitted to apply to repeat a practicum course only once, with the permission of the Practicum Education Committee. The Practicum Education Committee will review the student’s application to repeat Practicum, as well as their overall performance in the Program, and will decide whether the student will be permitted to repeat the Practicum course. Practicum Education Committee denial decisions for repeating practicum will result in a student’s dismissal from the major. In addition, a student who is permitted to repeat practicum and does not achieve a grade of C will be dismissed from the major.

BSW Program Optins

Two plans of study available:

1. BSW Upper Division Campus Based Option

Located at the main UNC Charlotte campus
Classes primarily face to face and meet during the daytime; occasional hybrid or online courses
In addition to classes, 16 hour per week internship is completed during the fall and spring semesters of senior year

2. BSW Upper Division Online (asynchronous and synchronous) Option

Online classes are scheduled as synchronous with “live” sessions or as asynchronous “without live” sessions
Synchronous class sessions are scheduled for weeknights and Saturdays
In addition to classes, 16 hour per week internship is completed during the fall and spring semesters of senior year

Practicum Education

Practicum experiences are assigned from/in a variety of agencies and practice settings approved by the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work Practicum Education. Practicum Instructors, approved by the School of Social Work, guide the student through learning experiences, coordinating practicum experiences with the concurrent classroom coursework. The undergraduate practicum placement prepares students to apply generalist social work knowledge, skills, and values. Students complete a 16 hours per week practicum/internship during the fall and spring semesters of senior year.

Special Programs

School Social Work Licensure and Child Welfare

School Social Work

Graduates BSW students of the program may also qualify for licensure as a School Social Worker in the state of North Carolina. The school social work license is awarded by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. To be eligible for school social work licensure, BSW students must complete a two-semester practicum placement in a school setting, take SOWK 4102 (School Social Work), and one additional pre-approved elective. Students interested in school social work licensure should begin planning at program entry with their advisors and the school social work licensure liaison.

For additional information about school social work licensure, please visit the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work School Social Work Licensure page or contact the licensure Liaison.

Child Welfare

North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative UNC Charlotte participates in the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC), which is a joint effort of the NC DHHS and the School of Social Work. CWEC’s mission is to strengthen the public child welfare workforce in North Carolina, thus, improving outcomes for families and children. At UNC Charlotte, CWEC students take SOWK 4103 (Child Welfare) as one of their electives, and participate in practicum at a child welfare agency. Students who complete all requirements for the CWEC program receive a certificate and medallion indicating they have successfully met North Carolina Child Welfare Training competencies.

For additional information about the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative at UNC Charlotte, please visit the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative page or contact the CWEC Liaison.