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Bachelor of Social Work Program
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Academic Plan
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Course Description
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Curriculum Model
The Department of Social Work at Indiana State University offers a four-year program of study leading to the Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW), which prepares students for entry level generalist practice. Graduates of the ISU BSW program are well prepared to enter the workforce and to pursue the Master of Social Work degree (MSW).
The ISU BSW program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The Program is guided by the CSWE Curriculum Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) (Appendix A). Students are to familiarize themselves with this document, which sets forth the conditions for accreditation but most importantly, drives the curriculum of the ISU BSW Program. The Programs mission, goals, and objectives clearly reflect concurrence with the EPASs view of social work baccalaureate education.
The EPAS sets the parameters for all social work programs, providing guidelines for course work as well as the practica. The ISU Programs curriculum supports a strong liberal arts foundation. The curriculum integrates:
Social work values and ethics and principles of ethical decision-making as presented by the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics;
Understanding, affirmation, and respect for people from diverse backgrounds;
The promotion of social and economic justice;
Populations-at-risk, examining the factors that contribute to and constitute being at risk;
Foundation content areas of
o Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE)
o Social welfare policy and services
o Social work research
o Social work practice
o Field education
Through this curriculum graduates will be prepared to be generalist social work practitioners. The Program has adopted the following Generalist practice definition, identified by The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Education Program Directors (BPD) (2006):
Generalist social work practitioners work with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in a variety of social work and host settings. Generalist practitioners view clients and client systems from a strengths perspective in order to recognize, support, and build upon the innate capabilities of all human beings. They use a professional problem solving process to engage, assess, broker services, advocate, counsel, educate, and organize with and on behalf of client and client systems. In addition, generalist practitioners engage in community and organizational development. Finally, generalist practitioners evaluate service outcomes in order to continually improve the provision and quality of services most appropriate to client needs.
Generalist social work practice is guided by the NASW Code of Ethics and is committed to improving the well being of individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations and furthering the goals of social justice.
The Academic Program
Credit Hour Information
The Social Work Program leading to the BSW degree is a four year sequence of coursework, which includes both classroom courses and field practicum experience in local social service agencies.
Course Information
Credit Hours
Credits hours directly prescribed by the Department of Social Work
. 76
Credit hours in social work courses
48
(Combination of classroom and field work = 15: SOWK 480, 498, 499)
(Volunteer work in an approved setting = 30: SOWK 130)
Credit hours of cognate coursework includes
28
(Universitys General Education requirements = 19; and
(Non-social work department courses = 9)
Credit hours remaining consist of the Universitys General Education Requirements and electives
.48
Credit hours required for completion of the BSW degree
.124
Note: The Department of Social Work will not grant social work course credit for life or
previous work experiences.
The required cognate courses complement the social work courses and help to provide a broad range of basic knowledge in such social sciences as sociology, psychology, economics, political science, as well as in human biology and statistics
The required courses in Social Work fall under five foundation curricular content areas:
1. Human Behavior in the Social Environment;
2. Social Welfare Policy and Services;
3. Social Work Practice;
4. Research; and
5. Field Practicum.
General Honors Program for Social Work Majors
For additional reference please view the
the Indiana State University
Undergraduate
Catalog
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