Bachelor of Social Work
The Department of Sociology and Social Work offers the undergraduate degree in Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work Degree, BSW) which prepares students for beginning generalist practice within the social work profession. Students with a BSW degree and passed the licensing exam will have the eligibility for admission into Master of Social Work Program (MSW) at other institutions for advanced standing. The Bachelor of Social Work Program (BSW) seeks to provide the knowledge, skills, and values needed to practice beginning generalist social work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The program prepares students to develop a professional social work identity for practice within an urban and rural setting. The program provides the framework necessary for students to identify and utilize evidence based practice for intervention. Further, the program continually reinforces the social work core competencies as it relates to engaging in practices that alleviate oppression, poverty, social and economic injustice, and discrimination. Students will have an understanding the impact of diversity and difference on human behavior across diverse client systems by applying knowledge, skills, and values that foster social change. The social work program prepares students for leadership in the professional community or continuing educational development through graduate studies.
Student Learning Outcomes Statement of Social Work Program
Upon Completion of the Social Work Curriculum Students will have the basic and general knowledge of human behavior, social systems and social institutions. Awareness of social problems areas—their cause and impact on individuals, families and communities, and the appropriate resources and methods involved in dealing with them. Knowledge of basic social theories and methods related to social work practice. Students will acquire working knowledge of specific methods of intervention, treatment techniques, and specific knowledge of social planning and community organization methods. Students will develop competency to relate with clients in positive or appropriate relationships under adverse conditions. They will have skills to recognize primary behavior dysfunctions of individuals, groups, and make a basic social assessments and service plans. Students will be aware of community resources relevant to identified needs and able to relate as a professional participant in an agency program.
Students majoring in Social Work at Tougaloo College are required to take a mandatory written comprehensive examination in the subject area and complete a field practicum requirement with an agency under the supervision of a licensed social worker. There is a requirement of a minimum of eighty clock hours in the field for the field practicum requirement. The exam and internship supervisor evaluation assess the knowledge and competencies expected to have been attained during matriculation in the program. The examination will be developed by departmental faculty and center around information gleaned in the core courses. The exam is often given on a pass/fail basis and normally taken while enrolled in SWK 443: Senior Seminar I course. The comprehensive examination and internship evaluation data will be used to assess the overall effectiveness of the program and indicate the knowledge retention by students.
Admission and Retention Policies
Students interested in Social Work program have to apply to the program by completing the Bachelor of Social Work Application, personal statement, and a letter of recommendation from an instructor during spring semester. A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 is required for admission into the Social Work Program. Selected students will have a personal interview with Social Work Admissions Committee at the end of spring semester and will be admitted during the fall semester of the academic year.
Students must maintain overall GPA of 2.5 throughout the program and a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 GPA in all Social Work courses taken. Students who do not meet these requirements will be notified and classified as Sociology major.
Transfer Students
Students transferring from other institutions or other departments within the College who wish to major in Social work must consult with the Department Chairperson before selecting a course of study.
The Major in Social Work
Student who chooses to major in Social Work is required to take at least 54 credit hours (15 core courses & 2 elective courses) in Social Work and 37- 39 credit hours of General Education requirements. Social Work majors in the program are also encouraged to complete Multidisciplinary Certificate: Disaster Coastal Studies and take courses in related fields such as Economics, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology. Further, students are strongly suggest taking the GRE
Required Core Courses: (48 hrs.)
| SOC 111** | Introduction to Sociology | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK115 | Introduction to Social | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 211 | Social Welfare Policy | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 215 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 sem. hours |
| SSD 215* | Foundation of Statistics | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 220 | Social Work with at-Risk Populations | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 300 | Professional Behavior & Ethics | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 311 | Human Behavior & Social Environ II | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK314 | Social Work Practice I | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 315 | Social Work Practice II | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 333 | Social Work Practicum | 6 sem. hours |
| SOC 341** | Sociological Theories | 3 sem. hours |
| SOC 380** | Methods of Social Research | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 443 | Skills in Interview & Licensure Exam | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 444 | Senior Seminar | 3 sem. hours |
| Required Electives: (6 hrs.): Students have the option to choose any 2 from the following: | ||
| SOC 112** | Cultural Anthropology | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 331** | Community Organization | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 412** | Race, Ethnicity, Gender, & Class | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 422** | Rural & Urban Studies | 3 sem. hours |
| SOC 320** | Social Psychology | 3 sem. hours |
| HIS 225 | The Civil Rights Movement | 3 sem. hours |
| POL 321 | Contemporary Political Ideology | 3 sem. hours |
| PSY 224* | Psychology of Adulthood & Old Age | 3 sem. hours |
| * Course Description listed under Psychology Department ** Course Description listed under Sociology Department |
||
Suggested Course Sequence: Social Work Major
| Freshman | ||
| SWK 115 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 sem. hours |
| SOC | Introduction to Sociology | 3 sem. hours |
| Sophomore | ||
| SWK 211 | Social Welfare Policy | 3 sem. hours |
| SSD 215 | Foundation of Statistics | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 215 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 220 | Social Work Risk-Population | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 300 | Professional Behavior & Ethics | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 331** | Community Organization | 3 sem. hours |
| Junior | ||
| SWK 311 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 314 | Social Work Practice I | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 315 | Social Work Practice II | 3 sem. hours |
| SOC 341 | Social Theory | 3 sem. hours |
| SOC 380 | Methods of Social Research | 3 sem. hours |
| Senior | ||
| SWK 333 | Practicum | 6 sem. hours |
| SWK 343 | Interview & Licensure | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 444 | Senior Seminar | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 412** | Race, Ethnicity, Gender, & Class | 3 sem. hours |
| SWK 422** | Rural & Urban Studies | 3 sem. hours |