Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
The Social Work Program prepares students for beginning generalist social work practice. The primary purpose of the Social Work profession is to enhance human well being. Social workers help meet the basic human needs of all people and empower those who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. Social workers help identify and manage the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living. Social workers are an integral part of most non-profit agencies and also offer their services and knowledge in private practice. The Social Work Program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1977.
Mission and Goals
The Eastern Kentucky University Social Work Program provides a student-centered collaborative and dynamic environment that prepares students for competent and ethical social work practice in a diverse world. This is accomplished through self-reflection, rigorous academics, knowledge based on scientific inquiry and experiential learning in a safe and nurturing environment. We strive to graduate students who understand the complexities of the relationship between people and their environments, value human rights, and believe in the dignity and worth of all human beings. Completion of EKU’s generalist Social Work degree will provide the knowledge, values and skills to become practitioners who can think critically and creatively. Our mission is to graduate ethical leaders who advocate for social and economic justice in rural, urban and global communities, with an emphasis on EKU’s identified service region. Program goals are to
- provide a fluid curriculum, grounded in a liberal arts perspective that prepares students for competent and effective entry-level generalist professional social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through mastery of the knowledge, values, and skills that inform the ten core competencies;
- integrate into the program the values, knowledge, and skills of the social work profession and to socialize students into the profession through self-assessment and self-awareness;
- prepare students to deliver ethical social work practice through the development of critical thinking to guide professional judgments and practice; and
- prepare students for advocacy and service to diverse populations-at-risk and to advance economic and social justice.
Admission and Progression
Any student who is accepted by the University Admissions Office and declares their major as Social Work will be classified as a pre-Social Work major. Admission to pre-Social Work does not guarantee admission to the Professional Social Work Program. Admission to the program is required for progression in the major beginning with SWK 350 Social Work Practice I and SWK 354 Social Work Practice Methods. To be admitted students must have earned at least 32 hours of college credit, meet the minimum program GPA requirement of 2.50, complete SWK 210 Introduction to Social Work and other supporting course work with a minimum grade of “C,” and successfully complete application procedures. Students choosing to double-major must declare Social Work as the first major. For admission requirements and procedures contact the Social Work Program office, (859) 622-1645.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 44.0701
Summary Checklist for General Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Element 1 | ||
| A: Written Communication | 3 | |
| B: Written Communication | 3 | |
| C: Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Element 2 | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | |
| Element 3 | ||
| A: Arts | 3 | |
| B: Humanities | 3 | |
| Element 4 | ||
| Natural Sciences | 6 | |
| Element 5 | ||
| A: Historical Science | 3 | |
| B: Social Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Element 6 | ||
| Diversity of Perspectives Experiences | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Students are expected to complete Elements 1 and 2 within their first 60 hours of college credit.
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Student Success Seminar | ||
| ASO 100 | Student Success Seminar (waived for transfers with 30+ hours) | 1 |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| SWK 210 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SWK 225 | Human Behavior/Social Environment | 3 |
| SWK 310 | Social Welfare Policy History | 3 |
| SWK 335 | Human Behavior/ Social Environment II | 3 |
| SWK 340 | Social Work Research Methods | 3 |
| SWK 350 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SWK 354 | Social Work Practice Methods | 3 |
| SWK 355 | Social Work Practice II | 3 |
| SWK 360 | Social Work Practice III | 3 |
| SWK 390 | Field Experience in a Social Agency | 3 |
| SWK 410 | Social Welfare Policy Practice | 3 |
| SWK 490 | Social Work Practicum | 12 |
| Choose from nine hours of the following: | 9 | |
| Stress Management & Self Care | ||
| Crisis Intervention | ||
| Addictions | ||
| Selected Topics in Social Work | ||
| Assessing Needs of Older Adults | ||
| Gender and Society G | ||
| Race and Ethnicity G | ||
| Supporting Course Requirements | ||
| Introduction to Psychology (Element 5B) G | ||
| SOC 131 | Introductory Sociology G | 3 |
| SOC 232 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 23 hours of free electives | 23 | |
To broaden their experience and knowledge, students are encouraged to complete their programs with electives selected from: anthropology (ANT), child development (CSD), economics (ECO), health (EHS, CHS, HEA, NFA), foreign language (FLH), law enforcement (CRJ, PLS), political science (POL), psychology (PSY), recreation (REC), sociology (SOC), special education (SED), communications (CMS, COM), and Social Work (SWK) | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- G
Course also satisfies a General Education element. Hours are included within the 36 hr. General Education requirement above.