Social Work (BSW)

Description

University of É«×ۺϾþà Mercy's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepares students with a strong foundation in human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, research methods, social work practice methods and skills and the signature pedagogy, field education. The program's goals are:

  1. To prepare BSW students for ethical, competent entry-level, generalist professional social work practice, particularly in urban settings with diverse, poor, vulnerable and oppressed individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  2. To foster a commitment to continuing education, maintaining competence in practice, and enhancing and increasing opportunities for BSW graduates for renewal and advancement within the profession.

É«×ۺϾþà Mercy's BSW program does not grant experiential or previous work experience as a substitute for social work course credit.

To reflect social work competencies, students are expected to:

  1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
  2. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
  3. Advance human rights and social economic and environmental justice.
  4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  5. Engage in policy practice.
  6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
  9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

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    Degree Requirements - Bachelor of Social Work (120 credits)

    To obtain this undergraduate degree, the student must fulfill the requirements of the University Core Curriculum, the requirements for the program major and complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students are also required to have completed ENL 1310 with a grade of C or better.

    Field Internship

    Field Internship occurs during the student's senior year in the program. Students are required to spend 16 hours per week for two semesters (minimum 400 hours) in a human service agency where they are supervised by a qualified social worker. An application for Field Internship is to be obtained from the coordinator of field instruction. Personal interests of the student will be considered but placement will be based on the availability of appropriate social work supervision and an agency's conformity with the Social Work program requirements.

    Major Requirements (68 credits)

    Fundamental Courses (47 credits)

    • SWK 2000 Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)
    • SWK 2050 Critical Thinking and Writing for Social Workers (3 credits)
    • SWK 2100 Social Welfare and Social Justice (3 credits)
    • SWK 3100 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
    • SWK 3200 Human Behavior: Multicultural Environment I (3 credits)
    • SWK 3250 Human Behavior: Multicultural Environment II (3 credits)
    • SWK 3700 Social Research Methods (3 credits)
    • SWK 3990 Social Work Practice I (3 credits)
    • SWK 4000 Social Work Practice II (3 credits)
    • SWK 4010 Social Work Practice III (3 credits)
    • SWK 4700 Field Instruction I (5 credits)
    • SWK 4710 Social Work Seminar I (2 credits)
    • SWK 4750 Field Instruction II (5 credits)
    • SWK 4760 Social Work Seminar II (2 credits)
    • SWK 4999 Social Work Ethics and Digital Advocacy (3 credits)

    Supportive Courses (21 credits)

    • CST 1010 Fundamentals of Speech (3 credits)
    • HUS 4410 Multicultural Understanding (3 credits)
    • POL 1000 Introduction to Political Science (3 credits)
    • PYC 1000 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
    • PYC 3420 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
    • SOC 1000 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
    • ADS 1000 Introduction to Addiction Studies (3 credits) OR CJS 1300 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)

    Note: ENL 1310 with a grade of C or better is required for entry into the program. It fulfills Core Knowledge Area A in the University Core Curriculum but is not part of the courses required for the major itself.

    Field Instruction Prerequisites (27 credits):

    • SWK 2000 Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)
    • SWK 2050 Critical Thinking and Writing for Social Workers (3 credits)
    • SWK 2100 Social Welfare and Social Justice (3 credits)
    • SWK 3100 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
    • SWK 3200 Human Behavior: Multicultural Environment I (3 credits)
    • SWK 3250 Human Behavior: Multicultural Environment II (3 credits)
    • SWK 3990 Social Work Practice I (3 credits)
    • PYC 1000 Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)
    • SOC 1000 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
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    FAST Option for Community College Transfer Students

    Community college transfer students can be part of a Full-time Accelerated Social Work Transfer (FAST) option within É«×ۺϾþà Mercy's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program. In approximately three consecutive semesters (one year), qualifying transfer students take seven-week course modules that are scheduled conveniently on-campus with hybrid and asynchronous and synchronous online class sessions.

    This module format makes it possible to complete the BSW program much faster than traditional BSW programs. Based on agency availability, students also have the option to explore work-site field placements and explore limited virtual (online) field education experiences. Students who do not meet the FAST eligibility requirements or who wish a traditional academic experience are invited to apply to É«×ۺϾþà Mercy’s BSW program and take the scheduling option at the standard semester pace.

    Eligible community college transfer students must have:
    • Completed the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)
    • Completed 63 or more transferable credit hours
    • Obtained a 2.50 or better grade point average
    • Completed English 1310 (Academic Writing), or equivalent, with a grade or better
    • Communicated a commitment to engage successfully in an accelerated, demanding, and rigorous academic program

    Community college transfer students who do not meet the FAST option eligibility requirements or who wish a traditional academic experience are invited to apply to É«×ۺϾþà Mercy’s BSW program and take the scheduling option at the standard semester pace.

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    Accreditation

    University of É«×ۺϾþà Mercy's undergraduate Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

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    Handbooks

    Click the links to view/download the PDF files:

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    Admission Requirements

    Admission to the program is selective and based upon the following:

    Review of the foregoing requirements will be made by the Social Work full-time faculty. The individual applying to the Social Work program will be notified of a decision after the review by the Admissions and Continuation Committee.

    No required social work course grade below a 2.0 will be accepted. An overall GPA of 2.0 must be maintained. Students receiving less than a “C” in any social work course must repeat the course.

    Students must demonstrate ability in human relations and display professional values and attitudes consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. Continuance in the program is contingent on consistent performance in regard to the above issues. Decisions about admissions, discontinuance and repeating of coursework will be handled on an individual basis by the Admissions and Continuation Committee. A grievance procedure is available in the Social Work Handbook. The program reserves the right to require volunteer experience of students.

Program Contact Information

Janet Joiner, Ph.D., LMSW
Assistant Professor and
 Chair
Department of Social Work

Briggs Building, Room 313
McNichols Campus

Email: joinerjm@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-993-1038
Fax: 313-993-1166