Social Work
Mission
The
mission of the Viterbo University social work program is to prepare
baccalaureate students for entry level generalist social work practice. In an
atmosphere of integrity and respect, students will develop professional
knowledge, values, and skills for service provision and social change. The
program is guided by the Franciscan values of human dignity, social justice,
strengths of diverse populations, and respect for disenfranchised members of
our global society.
Goals
- Prepare students for beginning
generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities.
- Prepare students for social work
practice with diverse populations and cultures.
- Prepare students in the use of social
work research to inform and evaluate practice.
- Prepare students for development of a
professional identity consistent with social work values and ethics.
- Prepare students to promote social and
economic justice for disenfranchised groups through social change and advocacy.
The
program consists of a two-year pre-professional component and a two-year
professional component. Any Viterbo University student may declare a social
work major. Social work majors are formally admitted to the professional social
work program, typically in the spring of their sophomore year. The curriculum leads
to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a major in social
work. The social work program is (nationally) accredited by the Council on
Social Work Education.
Admission
The
professional social work course sequence begins at the junior level. Students
apply to the professional phase of the program by completing a formal
application for admission. The application is due February 1 of the sophomore year
for formal admission to the junior year courses. Only applications from change
of major or transfer students will be accepted after February 1. The
application is available online through the Viterbo social work Web page.
The
applicant must satisfy the following criteria:
- completion of 36 credits
- cumulative grade point average (GPA) of
2.5 based on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
- B or better in SOWK 210 (This course
may be repeated once.)
- written application to the social work
program
- interview required at the discretion of
the admissions committee
- completion of the pre-professional prerequisite
curriculum with grades of C or higher prior to beginning the professional
sequence courses.
Meeting
minimum standards does not guarantee admission to the professional social work
program. The social work admissions committee may find it necessary to deny
admission to a qualified applicant because of enrollment limits in the
professional social work sequence and field education. Depending on the number
of qualified applicants, meeting minimum criteria for admission may not be
sufficient to be admitted to the professional social work sequence. Students
have the right to appeal a denial of admission to the social work program
according to the procedures outlined in the social work student handbook.
The
social work program will not approve academic credit given for life experience
or previous work experience in whole or in part, in lieu of field education or
academic course work. The social work program does not offer students an
opportunity to receive credit by examination for social work courses.
Progression
in the professional phase of the social work program
In order to progress in the professional social work
program, students must
- maintain a 2.50 grade point average (GPA)
based on a 4.0 scale in SOWK 210, 240, 275, 280, 321, 331, 340, 341, 421, 431,
441, and 482
- receive a minimum grade of C or better
in SOWK 240, 275, 280, 321, 331, 340, 341, 421, 441, 482
- receive a grade of CR (credit) in SOWK
479 and 480
- maintain an overall cumulative GPA of
2.5
- achieve grades of C or better in all
prerequisite and support courses
Admission to Field Education
The
professional social work curriculum culminates with a one semester 450 hour
field education experience in an approved agency setting. Students are required
to complete an application process for acceptance to field education one
semester before intended entry. Only social work majors who have completed all
courses in the professional phases of the social work curriculum except SOWK
480 and 482 and meet criteria for field education will be admitted into field
education. A criminal background check is required to enter field education.
Students with a history of physical violence, sexual misconduct or any other
offense which would make the student unemployable as a social worker may be
denied admission to field education in a particular semester. Admission into
field education is limited by the number of opportunities for placement in
certified field agencies. In the event that field education applications exceed
placement sites, eligible students will be accepted based on the number of
credits completed. If the number of credits completed is very similar, the
cumulative GPA may also be used in the field education admission decision.
Students who qualify for field education but are not able to be accommodated
due to placements limitations will be placed in the following semester.
Social Work Major (Bachelor of Arts or
Science)
- core curriculum and mission seminars – see
the core curriculum section of this catalog
- pre-professional curriculum requirements – BIOL 203, COMM 150, ENGL 103 and 104 or 105, POSC
121, PSYC 100 or 171, SOCL 125, SOWK 210, 240, 275
- professional requirements – SOWK 280, 321, 331, 340, 341, 421, 431,
441, 479, 480, 482
- support courses – MATH
130 or PSYC 223 or SOCL 223, PSYC 340 or SOCL 366 or SOWK 366, SOCL 320
- focus area – choose nine credits in one area
- child
and family services – PSYC 205, 310,
SOCL 333, 334, SOWK 333, 334, 360
- criminal
justice – CRMJ 150, 345, 351, 380, PSYC 205,
SOCL 150, SOWK 360
- cultural
diversity – GLST 200 (minimum three credits), 400 (minimum three
credits), LASP 200, SOCL 328 SOWK 328, SPAN 364, 412, three credits of global
study experience
- general social work practice
– SOCL 328, 332, 333, 366, SOWK 328, 332, 333, 334, 360, 366
- gerontology
– HMGT 101, NURS 301, 302, PHIL 321, SOCL 244, 332, 344, SOWK 332
- health care
– ENGL 243, HMGT 101, 320, 330, 425, NURS 351, PHIL 321, WMST 351
- mental illness
– PSYC 205, 304, 374, SOCL 366, SOWK 360, 366
- social justice
– RLST 230, 260, 370, SOCL 328, 353, 354, 370, SOWK 328
- final degree requirements – see
the degree requirements section of this catalog for specific requirements of
the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree as well as final
graduation requirements.
The total credits of
the pre-professional curriculum, professional requirements, support courses,
and major elective courses are 82-83. The
core curriculum and mission seminars require 38-52 credits. Transfer
course and waivers and/or substitutions could modify these credit totals.