The BSW Program is designed to prepare social work students for professional generalist practice. This involves the application of an eclectic knowledge base, professional values, and a wide range of skills to target systems of any size, for change within the context of four primary processes. First, generalist practice involves working effectively within an organizational structure and doing so under supervision. Second, it requires the assumption of a wide range of roles. Third, generalist practice involves the application of critical thinking skills to the planned change process. Fourth, it emphasizes client empowerment. In this regard, 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, or effect social change to eliminate social and economic injustice. 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 practicum/seminar courses are required and constitute this culminating educational experience (SW 354 Seminar & Field Education I and SW 355 Seminar & Field Education II). 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.

Declaring Social Work as a Major

It is the policy of the Department of Social Work to assure equal educational opportunities to qualified individuals without regard to age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, marital status, national origin, political perspective, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and/or expression. A student may opt to declare a major in social work, declare additional majors, and/or subsequently change majors at any time.

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 practicum courses (SW 354 Seminar & Field Education I and SW 355 Seminar & Field Education II). These courses are only open to declared social work majors. In order to proceed into the field practicum, students must achieve “formal admission” to the BSW Program (see below).

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.

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. The application form must be submitted electronically, and access and completion instructions will be provided by September 1st of each year.

Requirements for Formal Admission to the BSW Program and the Field 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.
• Completion of a minimum of 36 hours of General Education course credits.
• 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.
• If requested by the department, completion of an admissions interview with the BSW Program Director, the Social Work Department chair, or a social work faculty designee.
• If the Admissions Committee has any concerns about an application, references may be required upon written request of the BSW Program Director.

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 Practicum.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
SW 100	Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare	3
SW 250	Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work	3
SW 325	Micro Human Behavior & Social Environment	3
SW 326	Macro Human Behavior & Social Environment	3
SW 352	Micro Social Work Practice	3
SW 353	Macro Social Work Practice	3

Field Practicum 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) of field experience in the same practicum placement are required. A practicum seminar class must be taken concurrently both semesters. A student must pass both practicum and seminar the first semester to proceed to the second semester.

Practicum 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: 240 hours per semester and 480 hours overall. Hours cannot be carried over into the next semester, nor can a student complete the practicum early.

BSW Degree Requirements

Requirements for graduation with a BSW from Washburn University include general education requirements and other requirements that are common across the University. For those requirements, please refer to the Programs, Degrees, and Graduation Requirements section in this catalog. The social work major consists of 51 hours of social work courses, which includes 12 hours of elective SW 390 Contemporary Issues in Social Work courses (i.e., four such social work electives). Credit is not granted for previous life experience. In addition to this core curriculum, the following “correlated courses” are required: AN 112 Cultural Anthropology, SO 101 Social Problems, 3 hours of Psychology, and 3 hours of Biology (which must include a significant component in human biology). A grade of “C” or better is necessary for all courses in the Social Work major, all required correlated courses, and other courses as specified in this University Catalog. No course requiring at least a “C” may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. Also, approximately 20 hours of university-wide elective courses must be completed to reach the 120 credit minimum for the BSW degree. The ultimate responsibility for complying with all degree requirements rests with the student. Students are expected to review their current degree audit and academic plan before each consultation with their academic advisor.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
SW 100	Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare 1	3
SW 250	Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work 1	3
SW 325	Micro Human Behavior & Social Environment 1	3
SW 326	Macro Human Behavior & Social Environment 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 425	BSW Field Education Workshop 1	0
SW 354	Seminar & Field Education I	6
SW 355	Seminar & Field Education II	6
SW 362	Generalist Quantitative Research	3
SW 363	Generalist Qualitative Research	3
SW 390	Contemporary Issues in Social Work 2	12
Total Hours		51

¹

Must successfully complete prior to beginning SW 354 Seminar & Field Education I.

²

Taken four times

Students may complete SW 350 Social Policy and Programs, SW 362 Generalist Quantitative Research and SW 363 Generalist Qualitative Research, and SW 390 Contemporary Issues in Social Work, social work elective courses, concurrent with (or prior to) the Field Practicum. Occasionally, they will be completed after the Field Practicum.

Healthcare Social Work Concentration

Within the BSW program, students may choose to receive specialty training in healthcare social work. The concentration consists of three undergraduate electives (9 hours) plus a generalist practicum in an approved healthcare setting. Students selecting the healthcare concentration should notify their advisor of their intentions in order to ensure appropriate academic advising to meet the requirements.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
SW 356	Social Work Practice in Healthcare	3
Select two of the following:		6
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
Total Hours		9

Child Welfare Social Work Concentration

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