Social Work, B.S.W.

Description

Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to help improve people’s lives. Social workers enhance the fit between people’s needs and capabilities and the demands and resources of their environments. Social workers help clients identify their strengths and concerns, consider effective solutions, and find reliable resources. Through community organizing, program development, and political advocacy, social workers strive to enhance environments to be socially and economically just for all people. For sheer variety, few occupations can match social work, which offers a broad range of opportunities and settings.  Social workers are found in public agencies, private businesses, hospitals, clinics, schools, nursing homes, private practices, the military, legislative bodies, police departments, courts, and countless other interesting workplaces. People who are conscientious, empathetic, caring, dedicated, and passionate will do well within this profession.

For information about career opportunities in social work and voluntary credentials for social workers, contact: National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 750 First St. NE., Suite 700, Washington, DC 20002-4241. Internet:http://www.socialworkers.org

For a listing of accredited social work programs or to order a Directory of Colleges and Universities with Accredited Social Work Degree Programs for a nominal charge, contact: Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), 1725 Duke St., Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314-3457. Internet: http://www.cswe.org

Information on typical salaries and job outlook for social workers, visit: The Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/

http://www.unr.edu/assessment/plans-and-forms/health-sciences/social-work-bsw

Contact Information

School of Social Work 
523 Ansari Business Building
Candace Bortolin
(775) 682-8722/(775) 784-6542

Division of Health Sciences Advising Center
(775) 682-5930 
askDHS@unr.edu

Transfer to Nevada

Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking  at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access established transfer course equivalencies to assist in your planning.

Admission Requirements

Students may declare the social work major after completing 30 credits with a GPA of 2.5 (or higher) and after completing SW 101  with a C (or higher). The social work curriculum is divided into two sequences: the pre-professional sequence and the professional sequence.  The pre-professional sequence is comprised of those classes that may be taken prior to application to the professional sequence and field.  These courses are designed to provide introductory knowledge, skills and values necessary for later practice as well as to provide students an opportunity to explore the social work major prior to applying to the professional sequence. The professional sequence encompasses a series of classes tied to a 450 hour internship in a social service agency.  These classes in conjunction with the internship are designed to provide the professional socialization, knowledge, values, and skills needed for entry level social work practice.  An emphasis on professional practice distinguishes the professional sequence from the other required and elective social work classes. 

Social work students may apply to the professional sequence mid-way through their junior year.  Students entering the professional sequence are expected to be ready to engage with clients, to practice within the boundaries and scope of the profession and to behave in manners congruent with the profession’s values and ethics.  Students who meet the following requirements may apply for admission to the professional sequence:

• Declaration as a social work major
• Completion of all of the University and Departmental Core (excluding capstones)
• Completion of 90 credits or more at the conclusion of the spring semester
• GPA of 2.5 overall (or in the last 30 credits). Faculty may occasionally consider an exception for students who do not meet the 2.5 GPA requirement but who, in the professional judgment of the faculty, demonstrate a strong commitment to and potential for the social work profession as evidenced by extraordinary achievements and leadership
• Completion of SW 101 , SW 250 , SW 310 , SW 321  with a grade of C or higher

Admission to the professional sequence is competitive and selective. To apply to the professional sequence, students must complete an application packet. Admission materials are available on line at http://www.unr.edu/social-work. Students interested in applying to the professional sequence who meet the aforementioned requirements should submit the following materials to the School of Social Work by January 15:

• Completed application (available online)
• Four essays (the topics of which are on the application)
• Two letters of recommendation (BSW recommendation form available online)
• Most recent Academic Advising Report

Graduation Requirements

I. Silver Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)

NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy  .”

Students in this major must meet all Silver Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

II. Additional Silver Core Requirements (3 units maximum)

Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Silver Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

III. Additional Division Requirements (0 units)

IV. Major Requirements (84 units)

V. Minor Requirements (0 units)

VI. Electives (6-9 units)

VII. Recommended Schedule

In order to complete the BSW degree requirements (120 credits) in four years, you must enroll in an average of 15 credits per semester.  The suggested sequence is outlined below.