Social Work students are usually interested in a wide variety of topics related to social justice, human rights, social policy, mental health, and community organizing. Often underlying those interests is a concern for persons who are vulnerable, oppressed, underserved, and living in poverty. Students interested in social work typically have strong oral and written communication skills, an interest in solving social problems, and an enjoyment of working with people from diverse backgrounds.
Mission of the BSW Program: The BSW Program prepares practitioners committed to promoting social justice and improving the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
Goals of the BSW Program: Graduates of the BSW program will be able to:
- Demonstrate skills in generalist social work practice informed by the best available evidence
- Engage in culturally sensitive and culturally effective social work practice with diverse groups
- Apply social work values and ethics
- Advocate for vulnerable and oppressed populations
- Create sustainable local and global change that improves societal wellbeing
Unique opportunities for BSW students: Some of the unique opportunities the BSW program offers students include:
- Practicum education offerings in Washington, D.C., internationally, or in more than 250 social services agencies in Alabama and beyond
- A social work honors program
- Research experiences with faculty and graduate students
- Policy and advocacy-focused Washington, D.C. Fly-In program
- Opportunities for experiential and service learning
- Community-engaged student organizations
The degree of Bachelor of Social Work requires completion of the courses designated in the following program of study. Elective hours may be used to complete a portion of the University Core Curriculum; additional courses may be required. Students should also review core curriculum requirements in the Academic Records and General Academic Policies section of this catalog. Please note that some courses require proctored exams or skills labs. Students are expected to cover the cost of proctored exams, if applicable. A few courses are not yet available in online format and will need to be completed at another institution.
Note: The School of Social Work reserves the right to make modifications in its program and policies as necessary, but every effort will be made to implement the general program for full-time students.
Social Work Major Courses
| Code and Title | Hours |
| PY 101 or | Intro To Psychology | 3 |
| PY 105 | Honors Intro Psychology |
| COM 122 or | Critical Decision Making | 3 |
| COM 121 or | Crit Decisn Makng Honors |
| COM 123 or | Public Speaking |
| COM 124 | Honors Public Speaking |
| SOC 101 | Intro To Sociology | 3 |
| BSC 108 or | Intro Biology Non Maj I | 4 |
| BSC 109 or | Intro Biology Non Maj II |
BSC 114
& BSC 115 or | Principles Of Biology I
and Laboratory Biology I |
BSC 116
& BSC 117 or | Principles Biology II
and Laboratory Biology II |
| BSC 118 or | Honors General Biology I |
| BSC 120 | Honors Gen Biology II |
| SW 100 or | Intro Fields SW Practice | 3 |
| SW 105 | Honors Intro Field of SW Pract |
| SW 101 | Orientation to Social Work (*) | 3 |
| SW 200 or | Reform and Resistance | 3 |
| SW 205 | Honors Reform and Resistance |
| SW 310 | Professional Writing Seminar | 3 |
| SW 351 or | Anti-Oppression Social Justice | 3 |
| SW 355 | Hnrs Anti-Opprssn & Soc Justic |
| |
| SOC 205 or | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 372 | Social Psychology |
| 3 |
| Social Work Statistics | |
| Educational Statistics | |
| Statistics | |
| Elem Statistical Methods | |
| Social Statistics | |
| Statistical Data Analysis | |
| Total Hours | 34 |
| Code and Title | Hours |
| SW 401 or | Soc Wel Policy & Services | 3 |
| SW 405 | Hon Soc Wel Pol & Serv |
| SW 410 | Human Behav Soc Envir I | 3 |
| SW 411 | Human Behav & the Soc Envir II | 3 |
| SW 415 or | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PY 358 | Psychopathology |
| SW 420 or | Research Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 425 | Research for SW Pract. Honors |
| SW 440 | SW Pract with Indiv & Families | 3 |
| SW 441 | SW Practice with Groups | 3 |
| SW 442 | SW Practice with Communities | 3 |
| SW 443 or | Seminar in Generalist Practice | 3 |
| SW 445 | Social Work Honors Seminar |
| SW 444 | Leadership and Development | 1 |
| SW 490 | Practicum Education | 9 |
| 3-6 |
| |
| Total Hours | 40-43 |
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States. Social workers are employed in a variety of career settings, including schools, hospitals, colleges and universities, mental health clinics, senior centers, nursing homes, elected offices, private practices, prisons, military systems, public defender and criminal court systems, corporations, and numerous public and private agencies that serve individuals and families in need.
Learn more about opportunities in this field at the Career Center
