Bachelor of Social Work, BSW

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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 practitoners and leaders in the social work field. Students will develop knowledge, values, and skills necessary to engage in generalist social work practice with a focus on preserving dignity of all persons. The BSW program encompasses 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 various areas 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. The program will prepare students for employment in entry-level social work positions that serve individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The program will also prepare students to pursue a Master of Social Work and/or associated graduate degree in related fields.

ACCREDITATION

The Neumann University BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which ensures that the social work program meets the accrediting agency’s core competency requirements and the highest standards in social work education.

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:

Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
Engage in Policy Practice
Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Evaluate Practice 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 Social Work courses. (May be taken concurrently with other SW courses with approval.)
Earn a “C” or better for all Social Work 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 School of Education and Human Services.

FIELD PLACEMENT

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 field placement (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 Guide.