Chair and Associate Professor-Brown. Professors-Chavkin, Smith. Associate Professor-Hawkins. Assistant Professors-Chahin, Gleason-Wynn, Knox, Murray, Selber. Lecturers-Harris, Henton, Rondero.

Liability Insurance

1. Students who participate in the internship portions of the Social Work program are required to purchase liability insurance, or demonstrate proof that they are insured.

2. Students may obtain information on liability insurance from the departmental office.

Immunization Requirements

It is a policy of the School of Health Professions that each student must provide a Health Report completed by a physician, and must take certain immunizations before the student can be placed in a clinical or internship assignment. Information on these requirements and forms to be supplied may be obtained through the departmental office.

Minor in Social Work

A minor in social work requires 18 semester hours, including Social Work 1350, 2375, 3355, plus 9 semester hours of social work electives excluding Social Work 3340, 3430, 3435, 4305, 4425, 4645, 4650. This minor gives students an awareness of problems, conditions, and value systems existing in our society. It further introduces them to knowledge that enhances their functioning in their chosen major fields. It does not prepare them for professional social work practice nor provide them the eligibility requirements for licensure as social workers by the State of Texas or certification by the National Association of Social Workers.

Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work degree with a major in Social Work is offered to students who wish to prepare themselves for entry level professional social work practice or secondarily for admission to a graduate program of social work. Social Work students must maintain high scholastic standards. They must also develop the capacity to work with people from all walks of life and be sensitive toward all people and the many problems they face. This undergraduate major is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Completion of the major prepares students for entry level professional social work practice and to apply for licensure by the State of Texas.

Admission Process

The degree requirement for a major in Social Work is 45 hours in Social Work and 21 hours in supportive Social Sciences. The social work curriculum is based on and interwoven with the liberal arts/general studies foundation consisting of 67 semester credit hours. The major in Social Work does not require the student to have a minor. Progress through the social work program consists of three phases. No student is ruled out of any phase of the program on the basis of physical disability. Students may be advised to consider another major when they apply for admission to Phase II or any point after admission if they lack the emotional or mental stability, adequate communication skills, interpersonal relationship skills, or the level of self awareness necessary to pursue a social work career as judged by the social work faculty. Criteria used by the faculty to make such judgments include: instructors' evaluation of a student's adherence to the National Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics; instructors' evaluations of student's performance in practice situations.

Phase I. (Pre-Social Work Major) Any student may declare a pre-social work major. Social work pre-majors may enroll in Social Work 1350, 2375, Social Work elective courses and general studies/liberal arts foundation courses. Social work pre-majors should complete most of their general studies/liberal arts courses before applying for admission to Phase II of the social work major. They must complete at least 45 credit hours, including the following: Comm 1310; Eng 1310 and 1320; Math 1315 or 1319; Phil 1305; SOWK 1350 and 2375; and GNST 1100, if required. Applicants must have attained a minimum 2.00 overall GPA and a minimum 2.25 GPA in SOWK and supportive Social Science courses to be eligible to apply for Phase II.

Phase II: (Social Work Major) Admission into Phase II requires that the student submit a formal application. Applicants are responsible for submitting the completed application by the designated deadlines. Applicants will be screened by an admissions committee and informed in writing of the decision. Academic record and suitability for social work practice will both be considered. Possible decisions are admission, conditional admission, or denied admission.

Upon admission into Phase II of the BSW program, a student's formal academic major is converted from Pre-Social Work to Social Work. An official degree outline is part of the application.

Admission into Phase II does not guarantee permission to remain in it. Majors' progress will be assessed each Fall and Spring semester by the Social Work faculty. Retention requires that the student maintain his or her minimum grade point average. Students must also earn a minimum grade of "C" in each Social Work course and each supportive social science course. There is a limitation of two "repeats" of upper division social work courses. This means that a student may repeat one of the courses twice or two courses once. No student will be retained who must repeat upper division core courses in excess of this rule in order to maintain the minimum grade requirements. Majors must also demonstrate adherence to the NASW Code of Ethics, emotional/mental stability, adequate communication skills, interpersonal relationship skills, and levels of self awareness necessary to pursue a Social Work career.

Phase III: (Internship) Students who have completed all required courses for the BSW, excluding Social Work 4645 and 4650 (Internship), and who have met all the requirements noted above may apply for internship. They must also have applied for a degree summary in the Dean's Office. Application for internship is made with the Field Coordinator. Interns may not repeat Social Work 4645 or 4650 to maintain minimum grade requirements.

The student may choose to take two semesters of concurrent internship (SOWK 4645 the first semester and SOWK 4650 the second semester), or one semester of comprehensive internship, taking the two courses (SOWK 4645 and SOWK 4650) simultaneously. Students are encouraged to take SOWK 4645 and 4650, simultaneously. Students should restrict their course loads to 12 semester hours, including internship, during the semester(s) in which they are enrolled in SOWK 4645 or 4650 (concurrent plan). The comprehensive plan requires a full-time commitment to the internship which precludes taking any other courses.

*Required prior to application for Social Work major

Courses in Social Work (SOWK)

Social Work 1350 is a prerequisite to all other social work courses except Social Work 2375, 3339, 3355, 4315, and 4320.

1350 (SOWK 2361) Introduction to Social Work. (3-0) An introductory survey of the field of social work including the nature, function, and various types of social work practice. This course is designed to acquaint the student with the history, scope, and values of the profession of social work.

2320 Love and Relationships. (3-0) An exploration of the nature of attraction, friendship, love, and human sexuality. The primary purpose is to enable students to enhance their own personal and professional relationships through application of insights gained in this class.

2375 Social Services in the Community. (3-0) An introduction to the organizations and policies involved in social service delivery. Students participate as supervised observers and volunteers in selected social service agencies.

3312 Alcoholism and Chemical Dependence. (3-0) An introduction to the dynamics and treatment of alcoholism and chemical dependence. Its focus is the experience of alcoholism specifically and chemical dependence generally on the individual and on others whose lives are affected by that person. This course emphasizes clinical and direct practice issues.

*3339 Selected Topics in Social Work. (3-0) This course is designed with the potential for timely presentation of topical subject matter in social work and the social services. Sub-titles and subject matter may well vary from one presentation to the next, but will remain within the confines of the social work discipline and its interests.

3340 Social Work Research. (3-0) A course designed to build foundation scientific research skills. Students develop critical thinking, knowledge of program and practice evaluation, and a philosophy of generalist social work practice. Prerequisites: Social Work 1350, 2375 and HP 3302 or PSY 3301 or SOC 3307, official social work major.

3355 Social Legislation. (3-0) A survey of social legislation pertaining to the social welfare and rights of the individual in today's society, the general legislative process, and social welfare policy.

(WI) 3430 Social Work Practice I. (3-1) Social work practice from a generalist perspective with an emphasis on the mezzo and macro-levels of social work
intervention (i.e., working in and with task groups, grassroots organizations, and formal agencies). Data collection, assessment, intervention, planning/implementation, and evaluation are covered. Prerequisites: Social Work 1350, 2375, official social work major, junior standing, and permission of instructor.

(WI) 3435 Social Work Practice II. (3-1) Social Work practice from a generalist perspective with an emphasis on the micro and mezzo-levels including data collection, assessment, intervention planning, and evaluation. Students study social work theory and practice methodology applied to problem solving with individuals, families, and groups. Prerequisites: Social Work 1350, 2375, official social work major, junior standing, and permission of instructor.

(WI) 4305 Seminar in Human Behavior and Social Environment. (3-0) Exploration of the knowledge base for generalist social work practice. Emphasis is on integration of knowledge from the liberal arts, supportive social sciences,and empirical research needed to assess the behavior of individuals and collectives in interaction with their environments. The human life cycle is examined as a contributor to human diversity. Prerequisites: Supportive Social Science Courses, official social work major and Social Work 1350, 2375, 3340, 3430, 3435.

4310 Social Services to Minorities. (3-0) Exploration of the roots of minority social work practice and the quality of present day social work with minorities. Primary focus is on knowledge and skills necessary for effective practice with women and selected ethnic minorities of the Southwest (African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans). Prerequisites: Social Work 1350 or permission of instructor.

4311 Business and Stress. (3-0) An introduction to occupational social work. Examines the social and psychological experience of work with emphasis on the human problems which arise in or result from work. Special emphasis on stress, alcoholism and other forms of chemical abuse, and Employee Assistance Programs.

4315 Child Welfare. (3-0) An analytical consideration of the various child welfare services available to children in their own homes, in substitute care, and through the community. The aspects of protective services, including neglect and abuse, day care, homemaker services, interpersonal counseling, and financial assistance are explored in terms of the role of the child welfare practitioner.

4320 Social Work with the Aging. (3-0) A comprehensive introduction to social problems affecting the elderly, intervention strategies, and service delivery systems. Contemporary social issues are examined with the context of societal values and ethical implications for generalist practice.

4360 Directed Study in Social Work. (3-0) A one-semester course of independent reading and study, individual instructional and discussion sessions, and individual projects. Open to superior students by invitation of the professor and with the consent of the director of social work. This course may not be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Social Work 3430 and 3435.

(WI) 4425 Social Work Practice III. (3-1) Social Work practice from a generalist perspective with an emphasis on developing students' interpersonal and communication skills. Students learn to translate theory into helping behaviors at all levels of social work intervention through discussion, practice, and feedback. Competence in specific skills for beginning field placement is the primary objective. Prerequisites: Social Work 3340, 3430, 3435, official social work major, senior standing, and permission of instructor.

4645 Beginning Field Practice in Social Work. (1-20) Interns are assigned to social service agencies to observe and engage in generalist social work practice. They are under the close supervision of professional social workers and the direction of a university based field coordinator. They must complete a minimum of 20 clock hours per week, during a fall or spring semester, attend regularly scheduled seminars, and complete weekly assignments. Prerequisites: Social Work 1350, 2375, 3430, 3435, 3340, 4425, senior standing, official social work major status, and application to field coordinator. (Capstone Course)

4650 Field Practice in Social Work. (1-20) This course is an extension of Social Work 4645 as it includes the application of advanced generalist techniques. Interns are under supervision of professional social workers and the direction of a university based field coordinator for a minimum of 20 clock hours per week during a fall or spring semester. They attend seminars and complete weekly assignments. Taken together, 4645-4650 constitute Comprehensive Field Practice. Prerequisites: SOWK 4425, official social work major, senior standing, and application to field coordinator. (Capstone Course)

For course descriptions and further information about available graduate offerings, please consult the Graduate Catalog.