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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work Major Pre-Professional Courses | ||
| PY 101 or | Intro To Psychology | 3 |
| PY 105 | Honors Intro Psychology | |
| COM 122 or | Civic Leadership | 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 Of Biology II and Laboratory Biology II | |
| BSC 118 or | Honors Principles of Biology I | |
| BSC 120 | Honors Prin 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 | |
| Select one of the following Social Psychology Courses: | ||
| SOC 205 or | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PY 372 | Social Psychology | |
| Select one of the following Statistics courses: | 3 | |
| Social Work Statistics | ||
| Educational Statistics | ||
| Statistics | ||
| Elem Statistical Methods | ||
| Social Statistics | ||
| Statistical Data Analysis | ||
| Total Hours | 34 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | A Bachelor of Social Work degree requires a minimum of 120 hours with a Social Work GPA of 2.5 and an overall GPA of 2.25. |
| 2 | If you do not meet the World Language requirement upon admission, your advisor will assist you in replacing core and/or free elective courses with World Language courses. |
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work Major Professional Program Courses | ||
| 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 |
| Social Work Elective | 3-6 | |
| Total number of required SW electives depends on which Psychopathology option is chosen | ||
| Total Hours | 40-43 | |
Sample Curriculum Plan
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| EN 103 | 3 | SOC 101 | 3 |
| PY 101 | 3 | COM 122, 121, 123, or 124 | 3 |
| SW 100 | 3 | SW 200 or 205 | 3 |
| SW 101 | 3 | SW 220 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | UA 101 | 1 |
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Biology Core (with lab) | 4 | SOC 205 or PY 372 | 3 |
| Fine Arts Core | 3 | SW 351 | 3 |
| SW 310 | 3 | Literature Core | 3 |
| History Core | 3 | Natural Science Core (with lab) | 4 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SW 401 or 405 | 3 | SW 411 | 3 |
| SW 410 | 3 | SW 420 or 425 | 3 |
| SW 415 or PY 358 | 3 | SW 441 | 3 |
| SW 440 | 3 | SW 442 | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | SW 444 | 1 |
| Free Elective | 1 | Free Elective | 1 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Social Work Elective | 3 | SW 443 or 445 | 3 |
| Free Elective or Social Work Elective | 3 | SW 490 | 9 |
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| Free Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
Practicum Education
The practicum is the signature pedagogy of social work education. Expectations for practicum are rather demanding in terms of placement duties and hours of commitment. This is the culminating experience for BSW students. This generally occurs in their final semester of school. Students complete a 9-credit practicum class in which they complete all 450 hours. The variable option is also available, where students complete the 450 hours over two corresponding semesters. Students employed in full-time work should anticipate meeting this challenge. Employment-based practicums are available if the student’s specific agency of employment meets the standards set by the Council on Social Work Education and the School of Social Work for practicum education sites. Employment placements have enabled many students to complete their education while remaining employed. Students and their work supervisors must complete a thorough application if requesting this.
Placement: Practicum Education Placement Service Area
The primary service area of The University of Alabama School of Social Work is the state of Alabama. The School commits itself to providing education for students located throughout the state, as well as nationally and internationally, and to developing and utilizing qualified practicum agencies as practicum educational sites. Both main campus and distance learning students can explore the Washington DC Practicum program and global placements. However, to be eligible for national placements (outside of the Washington DC program), the student must be a distance learner living in the state where they are seeking placement. It is expected that main campus students will be placed in the Tuscaloosa/Birmingham area. The Practicum Education Program initiates all placements. Students within the state of Alabama should not contact agencies to inquire about placement opportunities. Students who reside out of state will be responsible for helping secure potential practicum placement locations. The Practicum Program will contact out-of-state students at the appropriate time to begin the process and will provide more information about the Placement Exploration Tool (PET) form at that time. The Practicum Education Program cannot guarantee a practicum placement in the town in which you are living. We will make every effort to place you close to home; however, the Practicum Education Program’s priority is making an educationally sound placement. Students need to be prepared to drive at least 60 miles away from their primary geographic location to accommodate placement. It is important to note that changing geographic preferences once the practicum application has been submitted is only considered as an exception. Exceptions will be considered by the Director on a case-by-case basis. Please do acknowledge that changing your location preference may delay your entry to your practicum placement and may impact your graduation timeline.
Background Checks:
ALL students MUST have a background check on file in the Practicum Education Program before entering the Practicum Education. The background information and instructions are provided to the BSW students during their enrollment in SW 444 Leadership and Development. ALL background checks, regardless of whether students are in-state or out of state, should be completed via Castle Branch, a DISA Healthcare company.
Student responsibilities:
Practicum courses are restricted to students who have met the appropriate prerequisites for the practicum they are applying for and to those who have completed the application process. To plan for the practicum, the student is responsible for completing the following:
• Practicum application, to be accompanied by a current résumé
• Background Check
• Practicum Education Orientation
• Appropriate Practicum Forms
The student is responsible for follow-through on utilization of practicum information sources provided by the School; for example, discussions with Practicum Coordinators, and information available through the Practicum Education Program. The student is responsible for conveying sufficient information to the Practicum Education Program about personal needs, goals, interests, constraints, and/or special circumstances regarding the placement site. Once a student receives an email assigning them to a specific agency, the student is responsible for contacting the agency within 72 hours for a confirmation interview. This will allow the student to participate in a confirmation interview with the practicum instructor to ensure quality of fit between the student and the agency. In the event that the confirmation interview raises serious questions in the student’s mind about the viability of the placement, they are responsible for immediately raising those issues with their designated Practicum Coordinator. Throughout the practicum, the student is held accountable to all School and agency policies. Most importantly, the student is responsible for her/his own learning.
Documentation:
Interns are responsible for retaining cumulative documentation of all internship activities. The program requires completion of a supervised internship in the student’s designated program area of 500 clock hours, begun after successful completion of the practicum. The internship is intended to reflect the comprehensive work experience of a professional social worker.
Each student’s practicum includes all of the following:
Required Standards for Interns:
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After successful completion of each practicum, students complete 450 hours of supervised internship in roles and settings deemed appropriate by the Practicum Education Team.
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Students are to co-decide on which competency-supported activities indicated on the Learning Contract they will complete over the course of the practicum with their task supervisors, practicum instructors, and faculty liaisons.
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Students must document all hours and all learning in the Intern Placement Tool (IPT). Hours and learning associated with the 9 CSWE competencies must be documented daily.
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Throughout the duration of the internship, each student receives individual and/or group supervision on a regular schedule that averages one hour a week by the Practicum Supervisor.
Internship Evaluation:
Students enrolled in all practicum education courses will be given both a midterm grade and a final grade. Students are graded according to mastery of the 9 CSWE Social Work Competencies on the Learning Contract in the online tool Intern Placement Tool (IPT). Grades will be recommended by the Practicum Instructor and will be issued by the Faculty Liaison. For the midterm evaluation, Practicum Instructors, students, and Faculty Liaisons will make contact to evaluate the students' practicum performance. If the student is performing in a satisfactory way, the Practicum Instructor will complete the midterm grade on the learning contract and will provide feedback to the Faculty Liaison. If the student is performing in a marginal or unsatisfactory way at midterms, a practicum staffing and corrective action plan should be initiated. All learning competencies will be graded on a point scale, but the learning contract is graded on a Pass/Fail scale. Whenever there is a rating of 1 or 2 at midterm, the student, the student, Practicum Instructor and Faculty Liaison should modify the learning contract to promote student improvement; whenever there is a “NO” (No Opportunity) at midterm, plans should be made to ensure there will be an opportunity for the student to exhibit the behavior before the conclusion of the practicum education placement. There must be no “NOs” at the final. A student who receives a 1 or 2 at the final for any competency-supported activity does not pass this practicum education class.
Practicum Staffing Process: At the earliest indication of difficulties in practicum, a discussion should occur, and if not resolved, the practicum staffing should be called. The Faculty Liaison, Practicum Instructor, Director of OEPCP, and Practicum Coordinator each have the authority to temporarily suspend the practicum until a Practicum staffing is convened and an outcome determined. The Director of OEPCP Program or Practicum Coordinator will officially notify the student of the suspension as soon as possible and provide the date of the practicum staffing.
Reasons for Review: Some difficulties in the practicum may necessitate practicum staffing. The practicum staffing is designed to resolve problems and reach appropriate outcomes in the best interest of all involved parties. Below are some reasons that may prompt consideration of practicum staffing.
The student is not adequately prepared for the practicum. A practicum staffing may be called for if there is reason to believe that the student is not adequately prepared for the practicum experience.
Student fails to meet the expected standards for ethical professional practice. Students are expected to demonstrate professional and ethical conduct and to adhere to the practicum agency’s policies and procedures, as long as said policies and procedures are not in conflict with the NASW Code of Ethics.
Student health condition or impairment. In the event the student experiences a health condition or other impairment that affects his or her ability to participate in the practicum placement.
The agency is unable to provide an appropriate educational opportunity. An OEPCP team member may question whether the agency is able to provide the expected learning experiences and/or appropriate supervision, or to meet any of the expectations identified in the Affiliation Agreement
Agency requests termination of placement. The agency maintains the right to terminate the practicum placement pursuant to the terms of the affiliation agreement.
Possible Outcomes:
A typical practicum staffing will include one or more meetings between the practicum coordinator, practicum instructor, faculty liaison, and student. The practicum staffing is designed to solve problems and determine appropriate outcomes.
No change. In some cases, a practicum staffing results in no change to the practicum placement, and the student will be expected to return to his or her position as of the date of reinstatement.
Voluntary Student Suspension of Placement. A student may decide that it is in his or her best interest to suspend the placement. This outcome will require a timeline from the student, including the date of reinstatement, that must be approved by the Practicum Education Program.
Corrective Action Plan. A Corrective Action Plan (CAP) is created by the Director of OEPCP and/or Practicum Coordinator when a practicum staffing concludes that the student is not satisfactorily meeting competencies in practicum. The CAP will be used to (a) highlight the specific competencies not being performed; (b) identify specific tasks that will need to be completed in order to adequately improve the competency(s); (c) provide a target date for reevaluation; (d) outline the responsibilities of the student, practicum instructor, and faculty liaison; and (e) provide other information that may be deemed necessary to a student in successfully completing the practicum placement. A student’s inability to satisfactorily complete the CAP requirements, as determined in the discretion of the assigned professional social work supervisor, and/or Practicum Coordinator, Director of OEPCP, will result in an “F” for practicum.
Termination of current practicum placement and change of practicum placement. In some cases, a practicum staffing may reveal that the student’s continued participation in the internship would not be in the best interest of the parties, or a practicum agency may decide to terminate a student’s participation in the internship. If an initial internship is terminated prior to completion, the Practicum Coordinator will, in most cases, work to assign the student to a second practicum placement. Assignment to a second internship is contingent on disclosure of the reasons for the termination of the initial placement and the sharing of the last Practicum evaluation form to the new potential practicum instructor/agency. Assignment to a second placement is contingent on the availability of placements. Students should be aware that there could be a potential delay in finding a suitable placement. If a student’s initial internship is terminated based on unsatisfactory performance related to educational competencies, professional behavior, misconduct, or other behavior that does not coincide with the standards, values, and expectations of the practicum agency, the Practicum Coordinator will not work to assign the student to a second placement setting until the student has successfully completed a corrective action plan. This plan will be created by the Practicum Coordinator in consultation with the Director of OEPCP. This WILL delay the reentry into the practicum experience and will impact the graduation timeline. If the student is assigned to a new internship following a practicum staffing, the student will normally be required to complete the full number of hours required for the course during his or her time in the new internship. In exceptional circumstances, the Practicum Coordinator may negotiate with the student to determine “hours credited” from the first internship. In either case, the student will not need to reregister for the course.
If the student is terminated from a second internship, the student will receive an “F” for practicum, and the practicum office will refer the student for an Academic and Professional Assessment Review (APAR). If the student disagrees with the practicum staffing outcomes reached pursuant to the outcomes above, the student may make use of the student-Initiated Review Process or the University-wide Academic Grievance Policy.
Site Supervisors Requirements for Practicum
All students will be supervised for one hour weekly by a Practicum Instructor. Practicum Instructors are individuals who hold an MSW degree with two years of post-experience. It is ideal for the practicum instructor to work within the agency where the student is placed. However, some areas in Alabama and surrounding states have an undersupply of qualified social workers. In such cases, an experienced staff member will be asked to serve as a Task Supervisor to monitor the student’s performance of agency policies and daily responsibilities. In this circumstance, a Practicum Instructor from outside the agency will work with the student and Task Supervisor to oversee the practicum experience. They will also provide the one-hour weekly supervision.
Student Insurance:
The University of Alabama provides professional liability insurance for students. However, if a student would like to purchase professional liability insurance above and beyond the University’s coverage, NASW provides a reasonably priced policy for student members; application forms for NASW membership and Professional Liability Insurance through NASW.
Academic and Professional Assessment Review
Academic and Professional Assessment Review (APAR) ensures that students in The University of Alabama School of Social Social Work Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program meet the academic, ethical, and professional standards required for successful completion of the program and effective social work practice. The review process is designed to assess students' alignment with the core competencies, values, and ethical standards of social work dictated by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) core competencies and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. This policy applies to all students enrolled in the BSW Program who are undergoing academic progression reviews, practicum placement assessments, or demonstrating concerns regarding fitness for social work practice.
Definition of Preparedness for Professional Practice
Preparedness for social work practice refers to the combination of the following competencies:
- Academic Performance: The ability to meet academic requirements and demonstrate proficiency in social work knowledge, skills, and theory.
- Including but not limited to: Class Attendance, Class Participation & Engagement, Quality of Coursework, Grades, etc.
- Professional Conduct: The demonstration of ethical behavior, professionalism, and adherence to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Core Competencies and Accreditation standards
- Including but not limited to: Punctuality, Preparedness, Communication, Self-Regulation, Openness to feedback, Professional appearance, behavior, cooperation, conflict resolution, etc.
- Emotional and Behavioral Suitability: The capacity to manage personal issues in a way that does not interfere with professional responsibilities, including emotional regulation, interpersonal skills, and self-awareness.
- Cultural Competency/Humility: The ability to engage with diverse populations in a manner that is respectful, nonjudgmental, and culturally responsive.
Review Process:
1. Referral for Review: A student may be referred for a fitness review based on concerns regarding academic performance, professional conduct, or other issues that may impair their ability to succeed in the program or practice effectively as a social worker. Such concerns may arise from:
- Faculty evaluations or concerns
- Practicum placement assessments or concerns
- Peer feedback
- Self-reports by the student
- Other relevant factors that may affect the student's ability to meet program requirements or ethical standards
2. Initial Evaluation: Once a student is referred, an initial review will be conducted by a designated Faculty Review Committee (FRC). The committee will consist of the specific program director, the Director of Experiential Programs and Community Partnerships, the corresponding academic advisor, two additional program committee faculty members, and may include a practicum education coordinator and other relevant professionals.
- The student will be notified of the review process and given the opportunity to provide input, including any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted their performance or conduct.
- The committee will review relevant documentation, including academic records and faculty correspondence, practicum evaluations and practicum staffing notes, and any other pertinent information.
3. Review Meeting: The student will be invited to meet with the Faculty Review Committee. During this meeting, the student will have the opportunity to discuss the concerns raised, provide any additional context, and outline plans for addressing the issues. The committee will also offer feedback and clarify expectations for continued enrollment in the program.
4. Assessment of Preparedness for Professional Practice: The Faculty Review Committee will assess whether the student demonstrates the necessary academic, professional, and personal competencies to continue in the program. In making this determination, the committee will consider:
- Whether the student is capable of safely and effectively performing social work responsibilities in academic and field settings.
- Any accommodations or support services that might assist the student in meeting the program's requirements.
Possible Outcomes:
After the review meeting, the Faculty Review Committee may recommend one of the following outcomes:
1. Continuation with Support: If the committee determines that the student is capable of meeting the program’s requirements with additional support or interventions, the student may be allowed to continue in the program under specific conditions. These conditions may include:
- Completion of a remediation plan or corrective action plan(e.g., additional coursework, counseling, or mentoring).
- Ongoing monitoring of progress through periodic check-ins or evaluations.
- Participation in support services (e.g., academic tutoring, professional development, or emotional regulation programs).
2. Conditional Continuation: If the committee finds that the student may benefit from specific conditions or restrictions (e.g., additional supervision, additional projects or assignments, or restricted participation in certain program activities), the student may be allowed to continue under conditional terms.
3. Probation: In cases where the student’s preparedness for practice is significantly in question, the committee may place the student on probation. During the probationary period, the student will be required to meet additional academic, behavioral, or professional standards. The student’s progress will be closely monitored, and failure to meet probation conditions will result in dismissal from the program.
4. Dismissal from the Program: If the committee determines that the student is unable to meet the academic, ethical, or professional standards required for social work practice, or if the student’s behavior or performance presents a risk to clients, peers, or the public, the student may be dismissed from the program. Dismissal may occur for reasons such as:
- Persistent failure to meet academic standards.
- Repeated violations of professional ethics or conduct.
- Inability to demonstrate emotional and behavioral suitability for social work practice.
- Inability to engage in culturally competent practice.
Appeal Process:
Students who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the review process may appeal the decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing within ten (10) business days of receiving the decision. The appeal must include:
- A clear explanation of the reasons for the appeal.
- Any new information or evidence that was not available at the time of the review.
- A request for a re-evaluation of the decision.
An appeals committee, consisting of the Associate Dean and two program faculty who were not involved in the initial review, will evaluate the appeal and make a final determination. The decision of the appeals committee will be communicated to the student in writing.
Confidentiality: All information related to the review process will be treated with strict confidentiality in accordance with university and professional standards. Only those directly involved in the review will have access to the student's records and information.
GPA requirements for students seeking to transfer from other colleges on campus
Students seeking to transfer into the BSW Program from other colleges on campus must have at least a 2.0 GPA.
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