The BSW Program is designed to prepare students for professional generalist practice. Social workers utilize their knowledge and skills to assist individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations to improve their social functioning, obtain the resources needed to accomplish identified goals, and effect social change. The framework for accomplishing these goals is centered in competent assessments of the person-in-the-environment, and the subsequent skillful selection of multilevel interventions, in keeping with social work values and ethical practice.

Careers in social work occur in a variety of settings, such as public/state social services, hospitals, schools, mental health agencies, courts, nursing homes, crisis centers, and children and family service agencies. Career options include direct practice with clients, administration, social planning, and legislative advocacy.

The BSW program is typically completed in four years by full-time students. Two lower division courses, SW 100 Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare and SW 250 Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work, are recommended for the freshman year. Foundation theory and skills courses may then be completed in the sophomore and junior years. The culmination of the BSW program is the Field Education Practicum. Two consecutive semesters of practicum/seminar courses are required and constitute this culminating educational experience (SW 426, SW 427, SW 428, SW 429). Students develop their social work practice skills in a community agency under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker. Field Education Placement is arranged by the Field Education Office; more information about the Field Education Program can be found online: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/social-work/index.html.

Specific goals, objectives, and outcomes for individual courses are available to students for review in the Department of Social Work’s office, or from the respective faculty member responsible for an individual course or sequence. For more information, see the BSW Student Handbook.

Accreditation

The BSW program was granted full reaccreditation by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 2019 and has been reaccredited for eight years through the end of October 2027.

Declaring Social Work as a Major

Most often, the declaration of major is completed when a student recognizes a significant interest in the social work profession and seeks academic advising from the Department of Social Work. Upon declaration, the student will be identified as a “Pre-BSW” major. The student is then provided an academic advisor from among the social work faculty. The faculty advisor assists the student in the selection of courses, and develops a curriculum plan. A student with a declared major in a field other than social work, or an undeclared undergraduate student, is allowed to enroll in all undergraduate social work department courses with the exception(s) of the practice sequence, (SW 352 Micro Social Work Practice, SW 353 Macro Social Work Practice) and the field education courses (SW 426 BSW Seminar I, SW 427 BSW Field Education I, SW 428 BSW Seminar II, and SW 429 BSW Field Education II), as well as SW 362 Generalist Quantitative Research, and SW 363 Generalist Qualitative Research. These courses are only open to declared social work majors. In order to proceed into the field education, students must achieve “formal admission” to the BSW Program (see below).

BSW Admissions

BSW Program Admission Policy Statement

“Declaring a major” in social work is not the same thing as “Formal Admission” to the BSW Program. Majors apply for Formal Admission to the BSW Program by October 1st in the year prior to the beginning of the Field Education Placement.

Requirements for Formal Admission to the BSW Program and the Field Education Practicum

Refer to the BSW Student Handbook on the Social Work Department website for a more detailed explanation of these requirements. Persons not meeting published admission requirements are encouraged to contact the department for more information. Basic requirements include:

• Current enrollment as a student in good standing at Washburn University as defined in the current Washburn University Catalog.
• Approved Declaration of Major (Pre-BSW) in Social Work (verified using the university’s Banner Information System).
• An overall (cumulative) grade point average of at least 2.5.
• Successful completion of (or current enrollment in) SW 100, SW 250, SW 325, and SW 352 at the time of application.
• Submission of a completed “BSW Application for (1) Formal Admission by the due date.

Please note that SW 100, SW 250, SW 325, SW 326, SW 352, and SW 353 must be successfully completed (grade of C or better) prior to beginning the BSW Field Education.

Field Education marks the start of a student’s professional social work career in the community. Students complete the intake process for Field Education following their formal admission to the BSW Program. Two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring) Seminar and Field Education in the same practicum placement are required. The seminar and field education courses must be taken concurrently both semesters. A student must pass both field education and seminar the first semester to proceed to the second semester.

Field education begins during the first week of each semester, although some placements have an orientation before the start of Fall semester. Time in placement averages approximately 16 hours per week. The following is required: 200 hours per semester and 400 hours overall. Students cannot complete their field education early.

Degree Requirements

BSW Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements stated below, students must complete 34-35 hours of General Education and any additional hours needed to reach the minimum 120 credit hours required for graduation.  Some of the courses below may also fulfill general education requirements.  Please see your advisor for more information.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses Inside Department 2
SW 100	Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare 1	3
SW 250	Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work 1	3
SW 325	Person In Environment I: Individuals & Families 1	3
SW 326	Person In Environment II: Groups, Organizations, & Communities 1	3
SW 350	Social Policy and Programs	3
SW 352	Micro Social Work Practice 1	3
SW 353	Macro Social Work Practice 1	3
SW 362	Generalist Quantitative Research	3
SW 363	Generalist Qualitative Research	3
SW 425	BSW Field Education Workshop	0
SW 426	BSW Seminar I	3
SW 427	BSW Field Education I	3
SW 428	BSW Seminar II	3
SW 429	BSW Field Education II	3
Social Work Electives (Select four from the following)		12
SW 356	Social Work Practice in Healthcare
SW 357	Inclusive and Competent Social Work Practice in Healthcare
SW 358	Family Decisions in Healthcare
SW 359	Human Sexuality and Social Work Practice
SW 360	Geriatric Social Work Practice
SW 372	Social Work Practice in Child Welfare
SW 373	Case Management in Social Work Practice
SW 374	Social Work Practice with Survivors
SW 390	Contemporary Issues in Social Work
SW 395	Social Work International Service
Subtotal		51
Required Courses Outside Department 2
AN 112	Cultural Anthropology	3
EN 308	Scientific and Technical Writing	3
HS 131	Human Development	3
PY XXX	Psychology Course	3
WU 101	The Washburn Experience	3
Subtotal		15
Total Hours		66

¹

Must successfully complete prior to beginning SW 426 BSW Seminar I and SW 427 BSW Field Education I.

²

A grade of “C” or better is required.

Child Welfare Social Work Concentration

Within the Bachelor of Social Work program, students may choose to receive specialty training in social work with in child welfare settings.  The concentration in Child Welfare Social Work consists of three courses (9 total credit hours), for partial fulfillment of the social work special topic degree requirements. In addition, BSW students must elect a child welfare setting for their field education placement. Child welfare field education placement settings include the Kansas Department for Children and Families, and agencies that have received a contract to provide child placement or family preservation services in Kansas. Other placement settings will be considered on a case-by-case basis as needed, by the BSW Field Education Director, in consultation with the BSW Program Director.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
SW 372	Social Work Practice in Child Welfare	3
SW 373	Case Management in Social Work Practice	3
SW 374	Social Work Practice with Survivors	3
Total Hours		9