Students earning a bachelors degree in social work practice in a variety of social welfare settings and with a variety of populations. The School does not approve academic credit for prior work or life experience. Students who wish to enroll in the professional curriculum in social work must first apply and be accepted to upper-division status (candidacy) for the B.A. degree in social work (BSW degree).
Forms
BSW Application (2012-2013 catalog and newer) (pdf)
BSW Application (2011-2012 catalog and earlier) (pdf)
Academic Checklist 12/13 (2012-2013 Catalog) (pdf)
Academic Checklist 11/12 (2011-2012 Catalog) (pdf)
Academic Checklist 10/11 (2010-2011 Catalog) (pdf)
Academic Checklist 09/10 (2009-2010 Catalog and earlier years) (pdf)
Application Process
The School of Social Work reviews and approves applications for admission to BSW upper-division status (candidacy) each October and March.
- Applications for students to begin upper division course work in the following spring semester should apply by the first Friday of October.
- To begin upper-division courses the following Fall semester students should apply by the first Friday of March.
Students may apply for upper-division status (candidacy) during the semester in which they are completing their 59-61 prerequisite credit hours
The School welcomes diversity and invites interest and applications from persons who seek to participate in a profession committed to helping people. Admission to candidacy for the degree is determined by: Faculty evaluation of student application
Requirements for Admission to the Professional Curriculum
Courses required for BSW candidacy completed with a grade of C of higher (SOCWRK 101 and 201must be completed with a B grade or better):
For catalogs prior to 2012-2013:
- ENGL 101 and 102
- Area I course in literature
- Three Area I courses in arts and humanities
- Area II history course
- COMM 101
- POLS 101
- SOC 230
- SOC 101
- PSYC 101
- ECON 201 or 202
- SOCWRK 101 (earning a grade of B or better)
- SOCWRK 201 (earning a grade of B or better)
- Area III BIOL (except 109; BIOL 107 preferred)
- Area III mathematics course
- Area III core course
2012-2013 Catalog Requirements:
- ENGL 101 and 102
- UF 100 and 200 (or UF 300 for transfer students)
- Disciplinary Lens course in Visual and Performing Arts (DLV)
- Disciplinary Lens course in Literature and Humanities (DLL)
- Disciplinary Lens course in Biology (DLN) – must take BIOL 100, 191 or 227
- Second Disciplinary Lens course in Natural, Physical, and Applied Science (DLN)
- Disciplinary Lens course in Math
- Two Disciplinary Lens course in Social Science (Must take COMM 101 and SOCWRK 101 – must earn a grade of B or better)
- POLS 101
- SOC 230
- SOC 101
- PSYC 101
- ECON 201 or 202
- SOCWRK 201 (earning a grade of B or better)
A minimum GPA of 2.5 OR a minimum GPA of 2.8 during the two contiguous semesters of full-time enrollment of 12 or more credits prior to application. In order to maintain candidacy status, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in required social work courses.
Applications are also judged by the following criteria:
- Quality of written statement
- Recommendation letters
- Quality and quantity of work/volunteer experience in the human services
- Overall presentation (look/feel) of application
Items to Include with Your BSW Application
All of the following items must by turned it together when you submit your application:
- The Application Information Page–page one of the BSW Application Packet
- A Personal Vitae or Resume and the Personal Information Sheet–page two of the BSW Application Packet
- Two essays (see directions in application materials)
- Filled Out Copy of the Academic Checklist–Found on page three of the BSW Application Packet
- An Unofficial Copy of Your BSU Transcripts and/or Transcript Evaluations from Other Colleges or Universities You Have Attended
- Three Letters of Recommendation (one letter should come from 201 Service Learning adviser)–Cover letters are included in the BSW Application Packet.
- Notarized Criminal Record Statement–Included in the BSW Application Packet, the Social Work Department has a notary on staff and will notarize the document for no charge.
- Notarized Ethical Statement–Included in the BSW Application Packet, the Social Work Department has a notary on staff and will notarize the document for no charge.