Social Work (BA)

Degree Type
Degree/Major
Area of Interest
Health and Human Services
Degree Level
Undergraduate
College
College of Engineering, Letters, and Sciences
Sample Plan

Viterbo’s social work program is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and provides students with the hands-on and experiential learning necessary to prepare them for a rewarding and dynamic profession. As part of this program, students will participate in a 30-hour per week, 450-hour internship in a social service setting working with a trained social work practicum instructor. Small classes and challenging courses are led by caring faculty who have extensive experience as social workers.

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Policy
  • 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 Feb. 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 Feb. 1. The application is available online through the Viterbo social work web page.
    • The applicant must satisfy the following criteria: completion of 30 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 practicum education. 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 practicum 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 240, 280, 321, 331, 341, 442, 479, 482, and SOCL 338, receive a minimum grade of C or better in SOWK 240, 275, 280, 321, 331, 341, 442, 451, 479, 482, and SOCL 338, receive a grade of CR (credit) in SOWK 480, maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5, achieve grades of C or better in all prerequisite and support courses.
  • Admission to practicum education
    • The professional social work curriculum culminates with a one semester 450 hour practicum education experience in an approved agency setting. Students are required to complete an application process for acceptance to practicum education one semester before intended entry. Only social work majors who have completed all courses in the professional phases of the social work curriculum and all support courses for the major, except SOWK 480 and 482, and meet criteria for practicum education will be admitted into practicum education. A criminal background check is required to enter practicum 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 practicum education in a particular semester. Admission into practicum education is limited by the number of opportunities for placement in certified practicum agencies. In the event that practicum education applications exceed placement sites, eligible students will be accepted based on the number of credits completed.
Learning Outcomes
  • Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
  • Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
  • Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice
  • Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
  • Engage in policy practice
  • Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  • Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

    Complete one Franciscan Values and Traditions course (VUSM-100 level course). Transfer or re-entry students may have one or two mission seminars waived based on the number of transfer or completed credits.
    Complete one Living in a Diverse World course. Transfer or re-entry students may have one or two mission seminars waived based on the number of transfer or completed credits.
    Complete one Social Justice and Equity course.
    Complete one The Ethical Life course (VUSM-400 level).

    Complete three credits of historical analysis.
    Complete three credits of literary analysis.
    Complete four credits of scientific reasoning in the natural sciences.
    Complete three credits of scientific reasoning in the social sciences.
    Complete three credits of artistic engagement.
    Complete three credits of theological inquiry.
    Complete three credits of integrating faith and practice.
    Complete three credits of philosophical and moral inquiry.

    Complete three classes (nine credits minimum) of world language in preferably one, but not more than two languages.

    Complete a minimum of 40 upper division credits (300/400).
    Complete a minimum of 120 college-level credits.

Undergraduate Student Enrollment in Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

Exceptional undergraduate students seeking a bachelor degree in social work can apply to the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling (MSMDC) program for provisional admittance. Students must meet the following requirements:

  • 2nd semester of junior year
  • GPA of 3.25 or higher
  • Prerequisites of PSYC 171, 340 and a research methods course

Students would complete all admission requirements for the MSMHC program with the exception of the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and submission of their final undergraduate transcript; these will be required upon completion of their bachelor degree program. Provisionally admitted students could enroll in a maximum of nine graduate credits (provided availability of seats). Refer to the Undergraduate Student Enrollment in Graduate Course policy in this catalog. Students interested in this opportunity should contact the MSMHC Program Director.