Programs of Study
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W)
Meredith College offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). The BSW is the only baccalaureate degree that prepares graduates for entry into professional social work practice and into MSW programs at the advanced standing level. The social work program provides studies in social policy, human behavior and social work practice with individuals, groups, organizations and communities.
Upon completion of the social work program, graduates will be well grounded in the liberal arts and the history, purpose and philosophy of the social work profession. Graduates will have the ability to think both locally and globally as they celebrate diversity and work to ensure conditions of social and economic justice for all persons.
Graduates of the social work program will demonstrate the ability to:
- Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice;
- Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge and skills;
- Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice;
- Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues; and
- Analyze, formulate and influence social policies.
Degree Requirements:
Fifty-nine hours are required to complete a major in social work. Students must enroll in three social work practice courses, a social work field practicum and a social work field practicum seminar. Field experience offers students a chance to work in a social agency four days a week for a semester, while attending class one day a week to support learning in the field.
A Social Work minor allows the student who develops an interest in becoming a social worker when it is too late in her college program to complete a major. The minor allows a student to acquire baseline knowledge about the profession, which will assist her in considering whether to pursue a social work degree at a graduate level.
A minor in social work requires 19 hours of social work courses as follows: SWK 100, 200, 330, PSY 100, SOC 230 and one social work elective which must be approved by the Social Work Program Director. The minor in Social Work does not prepare students for professional social work practice. Students may declare a Social Work minor by completing a Declaration of Minor form.
Social Work Minor Course Requirements:
Program |
Course # |
Course name |
Credit hrs |
SWK |
100 |
Introduction to Social Work |
3 |
SWK |
200 |
Human Diversity and Social Justice |
3 |
SWK |
330 |
Social Welfare Policy |
3 |
PSY |
100 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
SOC |
230 |
Principles of Sociology |
3 |
SWK |
Elective |
Choice of two of the following: SWK 350 Selected Topics in Social Work |
4 |
Total Credit Hours |
19 |
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