Social Work
Social work, as a helping profession, involves working with people in a variety of situations. Social workers assist individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities in the areas of child and family welfare, corrections, health, mental health and a variety of other social service settings.
The social work curriculum at UW-Eau Claire is designed to prepare you for entry-level professional social work and for graduate study. You will build knowledge of human behavior, and develop the skills needed for helping individuals, families, small groups, organizations or communities in a diverse society.
Why study social work?
The primary purpose of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being. Social workers help meet the basic human needs of all people and empower those who are vulnerable, oppressed or living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s dual focus on the individual in a social context and the betterment of society. Social workers help people identify and manage the environmental forces that create, contribute to and address problems in living. (NASW, 2002)
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Learn about the advantages of studying social work at UW-Eau Claire. |
Career options
Career paths are varied and flexible. Social workers work with communities and organizations as well as with individuals, groups and families in a wide variety of settings:
- County social services
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Mental health facilities
- Child and family welfare agencies
- Nursing care facilities
- Probation and parole offices
- State legislatures
- Unions
- Domestic violence shelters.
Undergraduate programs
The social work department offers:
Social Work – liberal arts
Comprehensive major; requires no minor.
High school preparation
All students who enroll at UW-Eau Claire are required to have a minimum of 17 college preparatory units including:
– 4 years of English (at least 3 composition and literature)
– 2 years of a single foreign language
– 3 years of math (algebra, geometry, 1 advanced college preparatory math)
– 3 years of natural science
– 3 years of social science (1 must be world or American history)
– 2 additional units in the areas already mentioned or other academic areas
- Because good communication skills – writing and speaking abilities – are important in the profession, high school students considering a major in social work are encouraged to complete additional coursework in English composition and public speaking. Additional courses in biology, psychology and the social sciences also will prove helpful.
- Students who have a strong desire to help others resolve their personal, social or environmental problems will enjoy the social work profession. While challenging and rewarding, the practice of social work requires a sharp intellect, good personal adjustment, strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to maintaining ethical relationships.
Course Work
In addition to a variety of general education courses in the natural sciences, social sciences, communications and humanities, social work majors are required to take the following:
Core Courses in Social Work:
- IDIS 100, Introduction to Social Work, 3 credits
- SW 220, Interpersonal Skills, 3 credits
- SW 285, Social Welfare & Criminal Justice in the U.S., 3 credits
- SW 320, Generalist Social Work Practice with individuals, 3 credits
- SW 323, Methods of Social Work Research, 3 credits
- SW 335, Human Behavior and Social Environment, 3 credits
- SW 383, Social Welfare Policies and Programs, 3 credits
- SW 405, Ethnic-Sensitive Practice, 3 credits
- SW 471, Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups/Families, 3 credits
- SW 472, Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities/Organizations, 3 credits
- SW 481, Social Work Internship, 12 credits
For more information
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