Department of Social Work

Benton Hall
Room 405
(785) 231-1010 ext. 1616
www.washburn.edu/sas/social-work/

The Faculty
The Major
Course Offerings
Return to Catalog Index

Source: 2004-2005 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, Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (SW 100) and Generalist Social Work Perspectives (SW 250), 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 practicum 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 that 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 that 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 to be eligible for the LBSW (requirements vary from state to state).

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 fully with all of its provisions.

Requirements for Admission to the BSW Program

BSW students shall obtain formal admission to the BSW program after completing their first semester of courses in social work. Transfer students who have completed social work courses at another university must obtain formal admission to the BSW program in order to establish their eligibility to apply for field practicum training.

1. The applicant must be accepted as a student in good standing at Washburn University as defined in the current Washburn University Catalog.
   
   
2. The student must have a Declaration of Major in Social Work form on file in the Social Work Department.
   
   
3. The applicant must complete a minimum of 24 hours of college credits with an overall or cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
   
   
4. The student must successfully complete Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (SW100) or Generalist Social Work Perspectives (SW250).
   
   
5. The applicant must complete and submit an Application for Admission, with the current academic advising plan developed with a social work faculty advisor.
   
   
6. The student must have on file a positive recommendation from a member of the social work teaching faculty.
   
   
7. The applicant must complete an admission interview with the Baccalaureate Program Director or the Chair of the Social Work Department.

Procedure

1. The prospective BSW student must meet with a Social Work Department advisor, develop an academic advising file, complete required forms, declare a major in social work, and successfully complete 24 hours of credits (sophomore status) including SW 100 or SW 250.
   
   
2. The prospective BSW student will complete the BSW Program Application and provide a reference from a member of the social work faculty. The application and reference forms are available in the Social Work Department Office.

Transfer students who have previously completed a course equivalent to SW 100 or SW 250 may elect to submit reference forms from a former professor who is qualified to assess their suitability for the study of professional social work practice at the baccalaureate level.

1. Applicants for admission to the BSW program will schedule a personal interview with the Baccalaureate Program Director, the Chair of the Social Work Department, or a designated member of the social work faculty. The purpose of the interview is to review the application and obtain official acceptance into the BSW program.
   
   
2. The student is advised in writing regarding her or his admission to the BSW program.

In accordance with Washburn University regulations and policies, and the social work department policies and procedures, social work faculty and field instructors may request the social work department to re-evaluate 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, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, the State of Kansas Regulations defining professional misconduct, or by an observed pattern of recurring behavior that is socially and/or professionally inappropriate in any situation, particularly social work education and practice settings.