Social Work, B.S.W.

Core Curriculum: 38 - 51 credit hours

Please review the Core Curriculum  page for course options.

Required Core Courses

Students in the Social Work, B.S.W. program need to take the following courses as part of their liberal arts core requirements regardless of whether the core is otherwise met:

Liberal Arts, Mathematics

• MA 117 - Mathematical Reasoning & Modeling (4)  or
• MA 120 - College Algebra (3)  

Liberal Arts, Natural Science with Lab

• BI 105 - Principles of Human Biology (4)  
• BI 111 General Biology: Cells & Genes (4)   or
• BI 112 General Biology: Ecology & Evolution (4) ​ or
• BI 115 Humans & the Environment (4)  

Liberal Arts, Social Science

• SO 101 Introduction to Sociology (3)  

Core Designations

Students majoring in Social Work will meet the Global Studies or Community Engagement Core Designation requirement in the following courses:

Global Studies or Community Engagement

• SW 495 Field Experience I (4)  
• SW 496 Field Experience II (4)  

Major Requirements (49 credit hours)

Criteria for completion of the BSW degree:

Students must complete academic work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all Social Work Courses (the credit/no credit option is not available in the major), and complete at least 45 semester hours of Social Work courses, including the courses below.

• EC 202 - Principles of Microeconomics (3) or
• EC 203 - Principles of Macroeconomics (3)

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• PS 120 - American National Government (3) or
• PS 220 - State and Local Politics (3)

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• PY 101 - General Psychology (3)

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• Choose One of the Following:

• SW 205 - Social Problems/Social Change (3) or
• SW 225 - Introduction to Social Work/Social Welfare (3)

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• SW 230 - Social Statistics (3)
• SW 303 - Generalist Social Work (3)
• SW 350 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3)
• SW 351 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3)
• SW 352 - Practice with Individuals (3)
• SW 397 - Research Methods (3)
• SW 462 - Practice with Groups/Families (3)
• SW 463 - Practice with Communities/Organizations (3)
• SW 465 - Social Policy & Program Analysis (3)
• SW 497 - Integrative Seminar (2)
• SW 498 - Social Work Capstone (2)
• Six credit hours from special interest areas

Electives (minimum of 27 credit hours)

Technology Requirement

Computer competency will be demonstrated by successful completion of SW 397  with a grade of “C” or higher within the major.

Social Work Mission Statement & Admission Policies

Mission Statement for the Department of Social Work

The Department of Social Work at Avila University “seeks to provide a values-based education, grounded in the liberal arts, preparing generalist BSW practitioners for effective social work practice and graduate studies, as well as lifelong professional and personal learning integrating knowledge, skills, and values. Informed in the Catholic tradition and in the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the program is dedicated to the formation of culturally competent social workers as social change agents in a global community who, through ethical practice, are committed to the well-being of self and others, engaged in the pursuit of social and economic justice, empowerment of vulnerable populations, human rights, and the advancement of social work knowledge through research and practice.”

Admission

Students may immediately declare a Social Work major and begin taking Social Work classes. There is also a formal application process for final admission to the major. The process is described in the Social Work Department Student Handbook and on the Avila Social Work Department website. Additionally, prior to field experiences in SW 280 , SW 303 , SW 495 , or SW 496 , field agencies may require a criminal and/or child abuse background check.

Outcomes

Program Goals and Student Competencies:

Program Goals

Goal 1: To prepare students for graduate studies and as entry-level generalist social work practitioners, applying ethical decision-making based on social work values, standards, knowledge, skills, and Avila’s Catholic tradition (C 1).

Goal 2: To prepare practitioners who are grounded in evidence-informed practice (C 4), to work with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (C 6-9) viewing personal and social issues through global, strengths, and empowerment perspectives, identifying and affecting the bio-psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural functioning of people and their environments (C 2).

Goal 3: To prepare students who are committed to influence social policies (C 5), deliver effective social services (C 6-9), advance social and economic justice, advocate for human rights (C 3), and engage in professional growth and lifelong learning (C 1).

Student Competencies:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Assessment

The Avila University Social Work Department is committed to excellence in social work education and considers ongoing assessment as essential in maintaining this standard. The Social Work Department assesses outcomes by utilizing a multi-modal assessment plan, which includes embedded course assignments and objective measurement activities. The resulting data from these assessment tools generate changes that improve, solidify, and enhance the overall Social Work Department. The current Assessment Plan and Results can be found on the Avila Social Work Department website.