Social Work, B.S.W.

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The social work program at Ferrum College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Field experience is the “signature pedagogy” of the Ferrum College Social Work Program. Our graduates receive the B.S.W. degree which prepares them for the beginning professional generalist practice of social work. Instruction in the program emphasizes the theoretical foundations of beginning generalist social work practice in both rural and urban communities through coursework and extensive experiential learning.

The curriculum focuses on the importance of respect for diversity, advocacy for social and economic justice and empowerment of at-risk populations which are blended throughout an academic presentation of values, ethics, and knowledge for practice of the social work profession. Classroom learning, community-based service learning projects, and supervised direct practice are incorporated into the curriculum. An initial course experience (SWK 299 - Introduction to Community Service ) is recommended and takes place in a community setting within a local social service delivery system. The student is required to complete two semesters of field experiences and concurrent seminars during the senior year while also taking related social work practice courses and the senior capstone course in the final spring semester. The senior participates in an extensive agency experience supervised by both a faculty liaison and a field instructor who has earned the B.S.W. or M.S.W. degree. The program utilizes a broad spectrum of settings for field placements including public and private child welfare agencies, child advocacy programs, physical and behavioral health settings, hospice agencies, nursing and rehabilitation centers, substance abuse and mental health programs, public schools, community action agencies, juvenile court services and adult probation offices. Field placements are developed to fit the students’ career objectives. The program values the holistic approach to education as well as a student’s need for a total college experience, in addition to focusing on preparation for the beginning professional practice of social work.

Admission to the Program

Students not meeting all the below requirements, due to special circumstances, may be eligible to seek a waiver from the Social Work Program Coordinator.

Concurrent with the semester, or just after, in which the below Liberal Arts Requirements and Pre-Professional courses are completed, students should have completed or plan to enroll in SWK 297 - Professional Preparation Seminar I (usually fall semester sophomore or junior year). This course assists students to review all of the Social Work Major Requirements and prepare to submit the Application to the Professional Social Work Program. The student must complete a formal interview which includes outside social work professionals. Often the interviewers will be Ferrum College BSW alumni. If a student meets all academic requirements, and the application process is approved, then the student may advance to the professional program courses

Students desiring formal acceptance into the social work major must have earned a minimum GPA of at least a 2.2 overall and in the major courses. In addition, the following course requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher:

Pre-Professional Status Requirements:

Students not meeting all the above requirements, due to special circumstances, may be eligible to seek a waiver from the Social Work Program Coordinator. Concurrent with the semester, or just after, in which the above Liberal Arts Requirements and Pre-Professional courses are completed, students should have completed or plan to enroll in SWK 297 Professional Seminar I (usually fall semester sophomore or junior year). This course assists students to review all of the Social Work Major Requirements and prepare to submit the Application to the Professional Social Work Program. The student must complete a formal interview which includes outside social work professionals. Often the interviewers will be Ferrum College BSW alumni. If a student meets all academic requirements, and the application process is approved, then the student may advance to the professional program courses

Continuation in the Program

A social work major must successfully complete all courses required in the Professional Status listing below with a minimum grade of “C” or higher. If the student drops below a GPA 2.2 overall or within the major, the student will be removed from the program. The student would have to formally reapply for consideration to be readmitted.

Required Courses Professional Status (50 Credit Hours)

PSY 210 - Human Growth and Development - Lifespan 3 Credit(s).
OR
PSY 211 - Human Growth and Development – Child and Adolescent 3 Credit(s).
OR
PSY 212 - Human Growth and Development – Adulthood 3 Credit(s).
SOC 203 - Sociology of U.S. Cultural Diversity 3 Credit(s).
OR
PSy 420 - Multicultural Psychology 3 Credit(s).
PSY 320 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit(s).
SWK 320 - Social Welfare Policy: History, Philosophy, and Current Policies 3 Credit(s).
SWK 330 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 Credit(s).
SWK 341 - Social Work Research 3 Credit(s).
SWK 370 - Social Work Communication Skills 3 Credit(s).
SWK 371 - Social Work Intervention and Planned Change 3 Credit(s).
SWK 372 - Social Justice Advocacy: Policy and Practice 3 Credit(s).
SWK 397 - Professional Preparation Seminar II 1 Credit(s).
SWK 489 - Senior Field Practicum and Seminar I 3 Credit(s).
SWK 497 - Professional Preparation Seminar III 1 Credit(s).
SWK 498 - Social Work Senior Capstone 3 Credit(s).
SWK 499 - Field Practicum and Seminar II 9 Credit(s).

Experiential Component (Complete the Following Courses: 12 credits)

SWK 489 - Senior Field Practicum and Seminar I 3 Credit(s).
SWK 499 - Field Practicum and Seminar II 9 Credit(s).

Total Credit Hours Required in Major: 57

Total Credit Hours Required in Degree: 121

Prerequisites: Most social work courses have other social work courses as prerequisites; see the course descriptions for details. PSY 201 is a prerequisite for other psychology courses.