Social Work

The bachelor of social work degree is the entry-level professional degree and the Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. It enables the undergraduate professional to practice social work in a variety of settings. These settings include hospitals, schools, mental health centers, and other public and private human service agencies. The degree allows the practicing social worker to become eligible for professional licensing in some states, including Arkansas. As well as being the entry-level professional degree, the social work major offers a good foundation for students who seek graduate-level professional education. The social work major can prepare students for advanced degrees in disciplines such as social work, psychology, counseling, and other helping fields. The social work program at SAU is grounded in the generalist practice model and works within a multidisciplinary department. It allows the student preparing for a professional practice the exposure to varied disciplines as well as the preparation in social work education.

Social Work Program Mission

The mission of the Social Work Program at Southern Arkansas University is to graduate students from diverse backgrounds who will be well prepared to launch their careers as competent generalist practitioners, as well as to graduate students who continue their education at the graduate level. Through our educational processes, we will promote and provide continued professional development for current service providers and instill in students the need for lifelong learning. The program is committed to incorporating within students a professional identity. Integrated within this identity are professional values and ethics, and an appreciation for social work’s historical task of advancing social and economic justice while empowering populations at risk. The Social Work Program will endeavor to increase the number of professional social workers in regional social service delivery systems. Graduates of the program, recognizing the strengths inherent in diversity and utilizing an understanding of human behavior in the social environment, social policy, research, and generalist practice, will effect positive change in peoples, environments, services, and political systems. The mission will be accomplished by the integration of social work knowledge, values and skills.

Major in Social Work (B.S.W.) - 125 hours

General Education - 43 hours (must include PSYC 2003 and SOC 2003)

Social Work - 52 hours

SWK 2043 Introduction to Social Work
SWK 2053 Community Service Learning Experience
SWK 3003 Cultural Diversity
SWK 3023 Human Behavior and Social Environment I
SWK 3033 Human Behavior and Social Environment II
SWK 3113 Social Policy
SWK 3123 Social Work Practice I
SWK 3153 Research Methods I
SWK 3183 Statistics
SWK 4063 Research Methods for Social Workers
SWK 4123 Social Work Practice II
SWK 4131 Field Practicum Seminar I
SWK 4141 Senior Seminar
SWK 4223 Social Work Practice III
SWK 4231 Field Practicum Seminar II
SWK 4331 Field Practicum Seminar III
SWK 4864 Field Practicum I
SWK 4874 Field Practicum II
SWK 4884 Field Practicum III

6 hours of social work electives

Additional Requirements:

PSCI 2003 American Government: National
PSYC 4033 Abnormal Psychology or
PSYC 3223 Developmental Psychology
SOC 3013 Social Problems

3 hours of either management information systems or computer science
6 hours foreign language
3 hours international options within social science
3 hours cultural diversity options

Completion of remaining additional hours to total 125 hours

A minor is not required, but is optional.

Minor in Social Work - 18 hours

SWK 2043 Introduction to Social Work

15 hours of social work electives, none of which can be practice or practicum courses

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