University Catalogue: 2007-08
Social Work
Human Sciences and Services 253
(715) 836-4435
http://www.uwec.edu/Lists/Acad.htm
Carol Langer , Chair
Lavonne Cornell-Swanson, Gloria Fennell, Ardyth Krause, Donald Mowry, Pamela Richmond, Richard Ryberg, Nicholas Smiar, Steven Tallant.
Through its curriculum and program activities, and consistent with the historic mission of professional social work, the Department of Social Work seeks to empower students to improve the quality of life for themselves and the clients whom they will serve; to develop moral, passionate, and practical leadership among its students; and to promote social and economic justice in its programs and services, among its students, and in the urban and rural communities of Western and Northwestern Wisconsin. The goals of the Social Work Program are (1) to prepare entry-level generalist social workers for practice, within the context of professional values and ethics, in public and private social service agencies, especially in those services which meet the needs of oppressed and at-risk individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; (2) to prepare students to integrate scholarship into practice through an evidence-based process; (3) to prepare students for and instill in them a commitment to continuing or graduate education and lifelong learning; and (4) to prepare students for practice with diverse populations and for effective participation in community affairs in a diverse society through promotion of social and economic justice.
The baccalaureate degree in social work (B.S.W.) is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Graduates of the program are eligible for certification as social workers in the State of Wisconsin, and many schools of social work offer graduates advanced standing, which can substantially decrease the number of credits required for the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree.
Honor Societies and Student Organizations:
As members of the university community, social work students have an opportunity to participate in many student organizations, including the Association of Student Social Workers (ASSW). In addition to providing important chances for identification and socialization with the profession of social work, ASSW selects student representatives to participate actively in faculty committees. Other professional organizations open to students are the Council on Social Work Education, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Wisconsin Social Service Association. The Eta Upsilon Chapter of Phi Alpha, a National Social Work Honor Society, offers recognition for scholarship to eligible upper-class members who maintain total GPAs of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale and have achieved a 3.25 or higher average in required Social Work classes. Visit department office for further information.
COMPREHENSIVE MAJOR: SOCIAL WORK, Liberal Arts
(Code 460-051)
Seventy-five semester credits, including: |
||
I. Core Courses in Social Work |
Credits |
|
Idis 100 |
Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
SW 188 |
Volunteer Services | 1 |
220 |
Interpersonal Skills | 3 |
285 |
Social Welfare and Criminal Justice in the U.S. | 3 |
320 |
Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
323 |
Methods of Social Work Research | 3 |
335 |
Human Behavior and Social Environment | 3 |
383 |
Social Welfare Policies and Programs | 3 |
405 |
Ethnic-Sensitive Social Work Practice | 3 |
471 |
Generalist Social Work Practice with Groups/Families | 3 |
472 |
Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities/Organizations | 3 |
481 |
Social Work Internship, or | |
482 |
Social Work Internship International | 12 |
| TOTAL | 43 |
|
| II. Other Required Courses (to be used in partial fulfillment of General Education requirements) | ||
| GE-IB-Analytical Skills: | ||
| Math 246, or Math 104 or higher, or competency to enter Math 111 as demonstrated by the mathematics placement test | 4 |
|
GE-II-Natural Sciences: |
||
Biol 151 |
Biology of Humans | 4 |
GE-III-Social Sciences: |
||
Econ 103 |
and 104 Principles of Micro/Macroeconomics or | 6 |
Econ 201 |
Introduction to Political Economy | 3 |
Pols 110 |
American National Politics | 3 |
Pols 301 |
State and Local Politics | 3 |
Psyc 100 |
General Psychology | 3 |
Psyc 230 |
Human Development | 3 |
Psyc 265 |
Statistical Methods in Psychology I or | |
Math 246 |
Elementary Statistics | 0-3 |
Soc 101 |
Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| GE-IV-Humanities: | ||
| At least six credits from the following: | ||
AIS |
102 | |
ArtH/AIS |
324, 335 | |
Engl |
268 | |
Engl/AIS |
142, 242, 345, 346 | |
Engl/Wmns |
296, 332, 396 | |
Hist |
210, 444 | |
Hist/AIS |
240, 468, 482 | |
Hist/Wmns |
394, 473, 474 | |
Hums |
110, 210 | |
Musi/Wmns |
306 | |
Phil/Wmns |
377 | |
Rels/AIS |
330 | |
Rels/Wmns |
353, 355 | |
Span |
353 | |
Span/LAS |
352 | |
Wmns |
100, 280, 301, 480 | 6 |
| TOTAL | 32-38 |
|
Engl 201, Advanced College Writing, is required for all students who receive a grade below B- in Engl 110 or its equivalent, and is recommended for inclusion in General Education Category I-A. Some social work positions require fluency in a foreign language, and students are encouraged to consider a minor in Spanish (a minimum of 24 semester credits beyond Span 102, or 16 credits beyond Span 202 or 210 including Span 301, 302, 325; and one civilization class, Span 355, 356, or Span/LAS 352). Social work majors may substitute Span 353 for other courses in civilization.
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Policy. No degree credit may be earned under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option in any Social Work Department course numbered 200 or higher which is required for the major.
Prerequisites. Students must note all course prerequisites.
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS
The Social Work Program offers social work majors two certificates within the program, the Social Work—Child Welfare Certificate and the Social Work—Gerontology Certificate. These certificates require a concentration of courses and learning experiences (e.g., workshops, conferences) and a portfolio of academic products related to the certificate, meeting the standards for the certificate as defined by the University and the Department of Social Work. A notation of the certificate will appear on the student's official transcript. Only social work majors who have completed the B.S.W. degree and have met requirements for the certificate will be awarded the certificate.
Requirements:
1. An approved learning contract, which incorporates a plan to meet all of the requirements below, must be drawn up by the student and the academic adviser and placed in the student's file in the Department of Social Work.
2. The student must complete, at a grade level of B- or above, the required Social Work course within the selected certificate program and three other electives from the list of electives for the certificate program (see the following).
3. The student must attend at least one external workshop and one conference (two- or three-day), in the area of the certificate, and provide documentation of attendance.
4. The student's internship placement must be in the field of the certificate.
5. The student must create and maintain a portfolio which documents the completion of the basic requirements for the certificate outlined above, plus:
a. at least one research paper from one of the following courses, on the topic of the certificate: SW 285, 323, 383, 472;
b. internship documentation which verifies that the student's intern- ship is in the area of the certificate program, including a copy of the research project required in the internship;
c. copies of documents related to the certificate, e.g., statutes, regula-
tions, etc., indicating the student's knowledge of policy and proce- dure;
d. evidence of membership in a professional association in the area of the certificate.
6. Upon completion of the B.S.W. degree and the requirements for the certificate, the student must submit to the department a verification of completion of all items on the checklist, signed by the student's academic adviser. The Department will then notify the Registrar that the student has completed all requirements.
| Social Work - Child Welfare Certificate | ||
| Courses: | ||
| Required: | ||
| SW 385 | Child Welfare | |
| Electives: | ||
| SW 395 | Directed Study: Child Welfare II | |
| Psyc 331 | Child Psychology | |
| Psyc 332 | Adolescent Psychology | |
| Psyc 334 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | |
| Soc 316 | Sociology of the Family | |
| Soc 329 | Juvenile Delinquency | |
| Soc 417 | Comparative Family Systems | |
| Social Work - Gerontology | ||
| Courses: | ||
| Required: | ||
| SW 315 | Aging and the Aged | |
| Electives: | ||
| Adtn/SW 360 | Death and Bereavement | |
| Biol 160 | Biology of Aging | |
| Biol 196 | Human Nutrition | |
| CSD 410 | Communication Changes and Disorders of the Older Adult | |
| Psyc 333 | Psychology of Adulthood and Aging | |
| Soc 364 | Social Gerontology | |
| Other electives from list in the gerontology minor | ||
CAREGIVER LAW
All individuals involved in experiential education courses for credit in the Social Work Department must complete the background check process and are responsible for the associated processing fees. Students must complete these forms at registration or the beginning of the course or show evidence of a recently completed (within one year) criminal history report. This applies to the following courses: SW 188, 315, 395 (Building Bridges section), and 481.
Students are also advised that past or future serious crimes that are substantially related to the duties of the position may limit or inhibit the student from securing service-learning opportunities, or internship placements, or both. In addition, the student may become ineligible to receive certification as a social worker in the state of Wisconsin.
ADMISSION TO THE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM
The Social Work Program operates under a selective admissions policy. The policy is based on the need to maintain a program of excellence in the classroom and to assure availability of quality internship placements. The Department of Social Work reserves the right to admit a limited number of students each semester. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee a student will be admitted to the major.
Social Work is a professional discipline on the baccalaureate level, and, thus, admissions and retention processes are implemented and strictly followed. Students are evaluated on a regular basis. Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Social Work Degree must first be admitted to the Social Work major. Enrollment in selected upper division social work courses is restricted to students who have been formally admitted to the major. This formal application to the major is the first step in meeting requirements for graduation with a B.S.W. degree. A second application process and meeting additional eligibility requirements are necessary for admission to internship (SW 481). Students with any concerns regarding eligibility are urged to consult with their academic adviser. Students will be asked to sign a statement that they have read and agreed to abide by the National Association of Social Workers' Code of Ethics. Students may appeal a denial of admission to the major or internship by following procedures outlined in the Social Work Student Handbook or the Social Work Internship Manual, as applicable.
Application Process and Procedures
1. Students seeking admission are required to complete an application form available from the department office and must have completed the following courses prior to applying: Idis 100, and SW 188, 220, 285.
2. Students must have earned: (1) a minimum GPA of 2.50 in Idis 100 and in SW 220 and 285; (2) a minimum grade of C in Idis 100; SW 220 and 285; and (3) an S in SW 188.
3. Students must be in good academic standing in the semester in which they apply and must have a total GPA of 2.50 or higher. This includes courses taken at UW-Eau Claire and courses transferred from other colleges.
4. Any student who withdraws from the social work major at UW-Eau Claire or who does not take classes at UW-Eau Claire for two or more sequential semesters must reapply for admission into the program.
5. Application materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday of the second week of classes.
6. A completed application will contain: (1) Social Work Admissions Application; (2) one copy of the most recent UW-Eau Claire degree audit; (3) a completed criminal background check must be on file (no more than two years old).
7. Students may repeat a grade below C in Idis 100 and/or SW 220 and/or SW 285 according to University guidelines. Repeat of course(s) must be completed (not current) for any such courses before application for admission will be processed.
ADMISSION TO SOCIAL WORK INTERNSHIP
Applying for Admission to the Internship: Students planning to enroll in SW 481 or 482 in the summer, fall, or spring must apply no later than February 1 of the year of internship for summer and fall enrollment or February 1 of the year preceding internship for spring enrollment. Applications for admission to Social Work Internship are available in the department office after December 1. Notification of internship orientation meetings will be posted in the Social Work department office and announced in Social Work classes.
Criteria for admission into Internship: The Social Work Internship Committee will determine eligibility for internships on the basis of the following criteria. A student must have (1) obtained an adviser from the Department of Social Work; (2) completed Idis 100; SW 188, 220, 285, 320, 323, 335, 383, 405, and 471 with a grade of C or above. This includes courses that are transferred in as equivalent to any of these courses; (3) earned a minimum GPA of 2.50 in Idis 100 and all courses with an SW prefix; (4) earned a total GPA of 2.50; and (5) (a) participated in the Internship Orientation Sessions prior to registration which typically take place between March 15 and April 15 of the spring semester; (b) been accepted by a social agency approved for field instruction by the Department of Social Work; (c) provided for transportation; and (d) maintained a minimum 2.50 GPA in Idis 100 and all courses with an SW prefix. SW 472 may be taken concurrently with the first semester of Internship.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
To graduate with the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree, students must have (1) a GPA of 2.50 in Idis 100 and in all courses with the SW prefix; (2) achieved completion of Idis 100 and all SW prefix courses, including transfer courses, with a grade of C or above; (3) demonstrated competencies suitable for the profession; and (4) completed all program requirements.
APPEALS
A student whose GPA in Social Work courses is less than 2.50 is ineligible to register in SW 481 but may enroll in other Social Work classes while attempting to improve the GPA. A student who does not meet requirements for enrollment in SW 481 may appeal for permission to participate in the Internship Orientation Sessions and/or placement in a social agency. This appeal must be discussed with the student's Social Work adviser prior to submission to the Social Work Internship Committee.
Appeals of denial of an application for admission to internship or for removal from the internship must follow policies and procedures as published in the most recent edition of the Social Work Student Handbook.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS PROGRAM
Eligibility: Acceptance into the program is limited to upper-class majors with resident and total GPAs of 3.50 or higher, an average of 3.50 or higher in Social Work courses, and the consent of the department.
Requirements: Completion of at least six credits in a Seminar and/or Independent Study; completion of an honors examination demonstrating superior performance in Social Work research, Social Work methodology, and an area of the student's choice; and graduation with a total GPA of 3.50 or higher and a GPA of 3.50 or higher in Social Work pre-fixed courses.
