Bachelor of Social Work, BSW

NOTE:  The Social Work Program will only be accepting transfer students that will be graduating in Spring of 2026. This program is not open to First Year students during the Fall 2024 semester or after.  

BSW PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Neumann University Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is to prepare students to become responsible and responsive social work professionals. Students develop the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to engage in generalist social work practice. They work to preserve the dignity of all persons through human rights and social justice advocacy; counseling; effective communication; reflective community engagement; an appreciation for diversity; 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.

BSW PROGRAM GOALS

The BSW program has developed the following goals to be consistent with the program’s mission, as well as CSWE’s 2015 EPAS, NASW’s values and ethics, and Neumann University’s RISES values: 

1. Contribute 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. 

2. Prepare students for employment as generalist social work practitioners who serve individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. 

3. Provide students with the tools to advance and promote social justice based on an awareness of oppression and discrimination in society. 

4. Guide students in developing a reverence for diversity and respectful awareness of differences as they prepare for service in a multi-cultural, global society. 

5. Provide students with instruction and practical experiences to develop the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to master the core competencies needed for effective, evidence-based, ethical social work practice.

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 do the following:

• 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 higher for all Social Work courses.
• 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.
• Complete a minimum of 122 credits.

SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM REPEAT POLICY

Students who major in social work must complete every social work course with a grade of “C” or higher. Social Work courses may only be repeated once, whether the repetition is a consequence of student withdrawal from a course, institutional withdrawal from a course, or a course grade of less than “C.”
 

SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM

At Neumann University, social work majors participate in experiential learning that is designed to enhance professional social work skills.  Social work majors are required to complete a minimum of 400 practicum (internship) hours prior to graduation.  Students must have a social work-specific GPA of 2.5 or higher to enter the practicum portion of the program, and they must maintain a social work-specific GPA of 2.5 or higher to continue into the second semester of practicum. Proof of security clearances is required before a student can participate in any practicum experience.  More detailed information can be found in the practicum section of the BSW Student Handbook.