Bachelor of Social Work, BSW

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

MISSION

Working within a Catholic Franciscan framework, the mission of the Neumann University Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is to prepare students to become responsible and responsive leaders in the human services field through the development of knowledge, values, and skills necessary to engage in generalist social work practice with a focus on preserving dignity of all persons through human rights and social justice advocacy; counseling; effective communication; reflective community engagement; and a strong knowledge base of theory and public policy. The program emphasizes the alleviation of poverty and human suffering, oppression, and injustice through fields of practice.

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

The Social Work major contributes to the fulfillment of the vision of Neumann University, including the provision of a Liberal Arts foundation and the development of the five core values of the University: Reverence, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship. The program will prepare students for employment in entry-level social work positions that serve individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will be provided with the tools to advance and promote social justice based on an awareness of differences as they prepare for service in a multi-cultural, global society. Students will be guided in developing a reverence for diversity and respectful awareness of differences as they prepare for service in a multi-cultural, global society.

ACCREDITATION

The Neumann University Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the Councils accreditations standards. The BSW program seeks to maintain the highest of standards to remain accredited. Social Work majors are prepared as entry-level generalist social work practitioners upon graduation with a Bachelor of Social Work from Neumann University.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

The BSW program prepares students to be professional generalist practitioners. Consistent with the CSWE competencies, students completing the BSW program will be able to:

Identify as a professional social worker representing oneself responsibly and committed to the development of the social work profession ethically.
Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
Engage diversity and difference in practice.
Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
Respond to contexts that shape practice.
Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

PROGRESSION CRITERIA/DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Progression in the Social Work major leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree requires students to:

Take SW 100 as a prerequisite to all other SW courses. (May be taken concurrently with other SW courses with approval.)
Earn a “C” or better for all SW and allied requirements. Students earning lower than a “C” must retake the course; courses may be retaken one time only.
Maintain an overall GPA of 2.0.
Earn a minimum Social Work GPA of 2.5 to progress to field placement and remain in field placement.

SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM REPEAT POLICY

Social Work and allied requirements can only be repeated once. The student must have written permission from the Dean of Education and Human Services to take a major or allied requirement for the third time.

At most, only three (3) different major or allied requirements may be repeated.

Failure to earn a grade of C or better for repeated major or allied requirements may result in dismissal from the Division.

FIELD EXPERIENCE

Throughout their four-year program at Neumann University, Social Work majors participate in experiences plan that are designed to enhance professional social work skills. Social Work students will complete a minimum of 400 internship hours prior to graduation. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to enter the field placement portion of the program, and must maintain a GPA of 2.5 to continue into the second semester of field placement. Proof of agency required security clearances is required before a student can participate in any field experience. Detailed information can be found in the Social Work Field Placement/Internship Handbook.