Social Work - B.S.W.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Social Work Program is to prepare students for social work practice by cultivating knowledge, values, and skills that equip them to be change agents who respect human diversity and advocate for the dignity and worth of all people. The Social Work Program develops world changers by instructing students to utilize scientific inquiry, to integrate worldview, faith, and learning into active service that promotes social justice and growth for individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
Core Competencies
Upon completion of the Social Work program at Indiana Wesleyan University, students will be able to demonstrate the following core competencies within the framework of the generalist model of social work practice:
- Provide opportunities for the integration of Christian principles within the context of professional social work values and ethics.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Engage in diversity and difference in social practice.
- Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate with individuals, families, groups and organizations.
Students wishing to continue graduate education may be eligible for advanced standing at many graduate schools of social work. Graduates of the Social Work program are eligible to become full members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and National Association of Christian Social Workers (NACSW). Indiana Wesleyan University's Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); phone 703-683-8080.
Throughout the curriculum, theory and practice are integrated through a variety of classroom experiences and agency settings. Students on campus are required to become active within the community in a variety of capacities throughout the program. Students are required to complete 90 volunteer hours prior to field placement. The senior field placement involves working 12 hours per week in the fall semester and 32 hours per week in a social service agency under the supervision of a professional social worker. According to CSWE the field placement is the signature pedagogy of Social Work program professional development.
Admission to the Social Work Program
Student admission to the Social Work program is a formal process separate from the initial declaration of Social Work as a major. The process includes successful completion of the Introduction to Social Work course and completion of 45 credit hours with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 at the time of application to the program. The student will then be interviewed by the Social Work Admissions Committee made up of Social Work Faculty and Community Advisory Board members. Based on the interview, letters of reference, and other application materials, the committee decides whether to grant admission into the program. Any unfavorable decision may be appealed by following the grievance procedures on file in the department and student handbook.
General Education Competencies
Students in this major meet the general education competencies by taking the approved standard courses.
Requirements (70 credits)
General Education Courses
| ECO-211 | Introduction to Economics | 3 |
| POL-200 | State and Local Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 |
| MAT-305 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 3 |
Required Courses
| SOC-150 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC-152 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC-210 | Intergroup Relations | 3 |
| SOC-482 | Social Research | 3 |
| SWK-170 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SWK-291 | Urban Encounter-Helping Professions | 1 |
| SWK-335 | Social Welfare Organization | 3 |
| SWK-336 | Social Policy | 3 |
| SWK-342 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I | 3 |
| SWK-343 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II | 3 |
| SWK-355 | Social Work Practice I | 3 |
| SWK-356 | Social Work Practice II | 3 |
| SWK-357 | Social Work Practice III | 3 |
| SWK-366 | Social Work Field Placement I | 3 to 6 |
| SWK-370 | Social Work Field Placement Seminar I | 3 |
| SWK-466 | Social Work Field Placement II | 6 to 9 |
| SWK-470 | Social Work Field Placement Seminar II | 3 |
Entrance Requirements
Along with admission to the university, the student must declare social work as his or her choice of major. High school courses which provide a good foundation for the study of social work include social studies, sociology, psychology, American government, economics, English, writing, and communications.
Admission to the Social Work Program
The admission of students to the Social Work program is a formal process separate from the initial declaration of Social Work as a major. The process includes successful completion of the Introduction to Social Work course and completion of 45 credit hours with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 at the time of application to the program. The student will then be interviewed by the Social Work Admissions Committee made up of Social Work Faculty and Community Advisory Board members. Based on the interview, letters of reference, and other application materials, the committee decides whether to grant admission into the program. Any unfavorable decision may be appealed by following the grievance procedures on file in the department and student handbook.
Admission to Field Placement Internships
During the second semester of the junior year, each student is required to complete a Social Work Field Practicum Application. Students will be interviewed by the Director of Field Instruction and committee. Students are required to complete 90 hours of volunteer experience prior to being accepted into the Field Placement experience. This documentation is submitted along with the Field Practicum Application. Field Placement options are discussed and a tentative plan is created for Field Placement based on the student's interest and needs.
Continuation in the Social Work Program
The social work faculty reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student whose performance make it inadvisable to continue in the program. All decisions regarding continuation in the program are based on the recommendations of the Social Work Admissions Committee.
Students who receive a grade of less than a “C” in any course required for the social work major must repeat the course. Students must maintain a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.5 and a minimum of 2.7 in the major. A senior must present a grade-point average of 2.7 in the field placement experience and a cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 in order to graduate. Juniors or seniors who fall below this minimum grade-point average will be placed on probation for the following semester. Failure to raise the grade-point average to 2.5 could then result in dismissal from the program.
