Peace Through Education

BSW Major

To declare a social work major:

  • Meet with a member of the social work faculty to explore the student’s interests, the nature of the profession, and the requirements of the major. An information packet and appropriate forms will be provided to the student at that time.
  • The change of major form, signed by the student and the faculty member, will be delivered by the student to the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for processing.
  • The Dean's Office will then process the request for a change of major and forward a complete record of the student's work to the office of the School of Social Work.

A formal change of major cannot be made without verification that the student has met with a social work advisor.

We encourage students who are considering a change in major to arrange an appointment in advance of the priority registration advising period or after priority registration has closed so that advisors may be able to spend quality advising time with the potential new student.

For information on Transfer Students, please see the BSW Handbook page 11.

Criteria for Admission to BSW Program Professional Practice Core

In order for social work majors to be eligible to enter the BSW Program’s Professional Practice Core (Social Work Practice I, II, and III; Field Internship I and II; Field Seminar I and II) each student must complete the application process outlined below.

The application process must be completed by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which the student enrolls in Social Work Practice I. The application packet includes the following materials:

  1. Advisor Approval and Application Form. This form becomes the cover sheet for the application packet. Application forms are available from the social work secretary, your advisor, and the Social Work Student Handbook.

  2. Volunteer Experience Form. This form provides documentation of satisfactory completion of the volunteer experience assignment in Introduction to Social Work or equivalent and submission of a positive “Supervisor’s Reference Form” from the supervisor of the experience.

  3. Personal Statement. This narrative statement should include: motivation for becoming a social worker; relevant work, volunteer or life experiences; strengths and limitations for effective social work practice; personal commitment and agreement to abide by the values and ethics of the social work profession; career goals and indication of fields of practice preference or areas where you would not feel comfortable working.

  4. Professionalism and Performance Evaluation. This form needs to be completed by your Human Behavior & Social Environment I and Social Welfare Policy professors.

  5. Ethical Principles/Guidelines for UA Social Work Students. By signing this statement you are acknowledging that you have read, understand and agree to abide by and behave in accordance with the “Ethical Principles/Guidelines for Social Work Students”. This statement is contained in the admissions packet, and is available from the social work secretary, your advisor, the Social Work Program Homepage, or the BSW Student Handbook. A copy of this signed statement will be included in your advising file.

    Documentation of Completion of Pre-Professional Courses: Students applying to the professional core must complete the following nine courses with a grade of C or better.

    Introduction to Social Work (SCWK 2133)
    General Psychology (PSYC 2003)
    General Sociology (SOCI 2013)
    Human Diversity and Social Work (SCWK 3193)
    Composition I (ENGL 1013)
    Communications (COMM 1313)
    American National Government (PLSC 2003)
    Human Behavior and the Social Environment I ( SCWK 4093)
    Social Welfare Policy(SCWK 4153)

    In addition, students must complete the following course with a D or better.
    BIOL 1534 /ANTH1013 General Biology or Biological Anthropology

    Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA in all of the ten courses listed above.
    Note: 1) Most students will also be enrolled in Statistics. The statistics requirement may be taken prior or during SCWK 4073: Social Work Research/Technology I. There are University and College requirements for general education and the Social Work degree in addition to those listed in Items 5 above. Consult the University Catalog, Social Work Student Handbook or your advisor if you have questions about these.

  6. Copy of current transcript documenting overall GPA of 2.0.