The Social Work Program prepares students for the beginning level of professional practice as social work generalists in a wide range of settings, with diverse populations, and with a special sense and appreciation for the peoples and institutions of West Virginia

The undergraduate Social Work Program at West Virginia State University (WVSU) has a long tradition of preparing students for beginning generalist practice in a unique and culturally diverse learning environment. The “Generalist Model of Social Work” provides assurance that professional social work skills, values, and knowledge can be applied in working in a wide range of settings with individuals,families, groups, organizations, and communities.
 

Social work is one of the oldest human service professions. It uses the social and behavioral sciences to understand and help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities realize their full potential. Students in the social work program learn professional values, master a broad range of knowledge about individuals, social systems, human diversity, social policy, and generalist practice theory; and develop skills related to analysis and problem solving, communication, research and generalist practice. The program helps students to integrate theoretical material from the classroom with the practical supervised field experience of working directly with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
 

Social Work Program Goals
 

The primary goals of the program are to:
 

1. Prepare the undergraduate student with the knowledge and skills necessary for baccalaureate level generalist social work practice in a wide range of settings with diverse populations. 
2. Instill in students high standards of social work values and ethics throughout the curriculum. 
3. Provide students with a broad understanding of the nature of human needs through a liberal arts foundation, which enriches student growth and provides an understanding useful for thinking critically about society, people and their problems, the expressions of culture, and a perspective on the ways social welfare programs address human needs. 
4. Contribute to the University’s commitment to fostering cultural, social, and ethical growth in its students by a special emphasis on relationships between diverse peoples and their social environment and by instilling in students recognition and respect for the dignity and worth of client systems in reference to gender, race, religion, national origin, disabilities, and sexual preference. 
5. Instill in students the habits and discipline conducive to lifelong learning and the ongoing enhancement of the skills necessary for successful professional growth and development in social work practice and provide them with a comprehensive foundation for graduate professional education in social work.

THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK

The student is formally admitted into the program upon meeting the following requirements:
 

· Upon completion of 45 hours of college credit, submit a completed application packet* to the Program Director.

· Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and values of the social work profession by earning a grade of “C or better in SW 131: Introduction to Social Work.

· Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal qualities, aptitude, and temperament by earning a satisfactory rating in the field experience component of the Introduction to Social Work course..

· Demonstrate general academic proficiency by earning a GPA of 2.3 or better, computed overall.

· Demonstrate an aptitude for social work knowledge by earning a grade of “C” or better in all Social Work courses undertaken.

· Demonstrate proficiency in effective writing skills with a grade of “C” or better in English 101 and 102.

*(Students may obtain the application packet from their Social Work faculty advisor or from the Departmental Office, Room 917, Wallace Hall.)

THE CURRICULUM

Our course* of study includes the following requirements:

· 48 hours of required and electives social work courses

· 15-16 hours of courses serving as foundation to social work studies.

· 35-37 hours of general education studies.

· 20 field hours completed in SWK 131 (Intro.)

· 480 field hours completed over 2 semesters in SWK 404 and 406

A total of 120 hours is required for graduation with an overall GPA of not less than 2.3.

(* For more information refer to the West Virginia State University College Catalog or contact the Social Work department office.)