Department of Social Work

Benton hall, Room 405.
(785) 231-1010 ext. 1616

 

 

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Source: 2002-2003 Catalog

 

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is designed to provide students with the professional ethics, theories, and skills necessary for entry level practice of generalist social work. The social work degree is built upon a strong liberal arts education that includes the ability to read intelligently, write effectively, listen sensitively, speak with clarity, think critically, and demonstrate appreciation for the diversity of people and culture.

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 may be completed in four years, by full-time students. Two lower division courses, SW 100 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare and SW 250 Generalist Social Work Perspectives, are recommended for the freshmen or sophomore 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 Practicum Placement. Two practice courses are required for majors in which students develop their social work practice skills in a community agency, under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker which is arranged by the Field Practicum Office.

Licensure Eligibility

All graduates of the BSW program are eligible to pursue licensure at the baccalaureate level (LBSW) in the State of Kansas and in other states which require social work licensing or registration at the baccalaureate level. This licensure is necessary for the practice of social work, and satisfactory completion of an accredited social work program is necessary for eligibility for the LBSW (requirements for each state may vary).

Program Accreditation

Washburn University's BSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

BSW POLICIES

BSW Handbook/Field Practicum Manual

All social work major students will receive a copy of the BSW Handbook/Field Practicum Manual. This BSW Handbook/Field Practicum Manual includes detailed information regarding the BSW program. All policies regarding courses, scheduling, grading, and practicum determinations are provided. Students are expected to carefully read the BSW Handbook/Field Practicum Manual and to comply with all of its provisions.

Requirements for Admission to the BSW Program

Provisional Admission to the BSW Program:

During the student's junior year, social work majors must seek provisional admission to the BSW program at the time they become eligible to enroll in the practice methods courses, SW 352 and SW 353. The provisional application process is initiated during the fall semester for eligible students enrolled in SW 352, or those who have completed the course and seek formal admission in order to pursue the social work major. Formal admission status is required prior to enrollment in the field seminar and practicum.

The student has completed a Declaration of Major Form in Social Work.

The student has submitted the application form for admission to the social work program and arranged for an individual interview with the Baccalaureate Program Director. The application and interview process should be completed during the fall semester of the academic year prior to assignment for the field practicum.

When all application materials are completed and submitted on a timely basis to the department, a formal individual student interview with the BSW Program Director is conducted during the late fall or early spring semester (details in BSW Handbook/Field Practicum Manual).

When the required steps are completed, the Director of Field Practicum, the Department Chair and student are advised in writing by the BSW Director of the following possible outcomes:

Provisional acceptance is recommended; or, provisional acceptance is deferred with a written remedial plan developed with the student to work toward gaining provisional acceptance; or, provisional acceptance to the social work department is denied in accordance with University policy and procedures.

Final Admission to the BSW Program:

The BSW student's formal admission to the department is finalized at the conclusion of the spring semester of the junior year and prior to placement in the field. Final admission to the BSW program involves:

The student has achieved provisional admission to the BSW program.

The student must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in all University credit courses and a 2.5 grade point average or better in all courses required for the social work major. These courses include a grade of C or better in: SW 100; SW 250; SW 325, SW 326; SW 352; SW 353 and required Cultural Anthropology (AN 112); Human Biology elective course; Psychology and Sociology electives.

Courses that may be taken concurrently with field include SW 350, SW 351, SW 362, SW 363 and SW 390.

The student has completed all requirements for application to the Field Practicum and Seminar sequence and has been accepted for agency placement by the Director of Field Practicum.
The student's performance is reviewed and evaluated by the Chair of the Social Work Department following completion of the above process and students are notified in writing by the Chair of the Social Work Department when they have satisfied the above conditions.

In accordance with Washburn University regulations and policy and the Department of Social Work's policies and procedures, social work faculty and field instructors may request the social work department to reevaluate student readiness for professional social work practice at any point in the program if warranted by apparent infraction of Washburn University Disciplinary Code, University Academic Impropriety Policy, NASW Code of Ethics, State of Kansas Regulations defining professional misconduct, or by an observed pattern of recurring behavior not appropriate for social work education or practice.

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN SOCIAL WORK (MSW)
The Master of Social Work is administered by the Department of Social Work. For complete information about the MSW program, see Graduate Programs.


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