Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work, B.S.W.)

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) prepares students for beginning generalist social work practice.  Students will have multiple applied learning opportunities, including a semester long practicum, to prepare them to work in the field across a variety of social service settings. Students will be challenged to create a generalist skill set which includes, one-on-one, group, and community work, critical thinking, self-awareness, and communication.  These skills are framed by the profession’s core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of all individuals, importance of relationships, integrity, and competence. The program offers a variety of electives for expanding a student’s knowledge in specific practice areas.

Missouri Western’s Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The social work program operates under a selective admissions policy. Students are considered "pre-majors" until they meet the minimum requirements to be accepted as a social work major. Admission to the social work program involves the completion of an application packet. Minimum requirements for admission into the social work major include:

• Completion of the general studies math requirement (MAT111 or MAT111E preferred)
• Completion of the ENG 108 College Writing and Research general studies requirement
• Completion of SOC 230 Social Problems, PSC 101 American National Government, and ECO 101 Current Issues in the Economy
• Completion of BIO 101 Principles of Biology or equivalent
• ENG 108 College Writing and Research, SWK 250 Introduction to Social Work, SOC 110 Introduction to Sociology and PSY 101 General Psychology with a minimum grade of C in each course
• Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.50
• Must have earned a C or better in all completed SWK prefix classes required for the major
• Must agree to and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with accepted professional social work practices and the current NASW Code of Ethics (see Social Work Student Handbook)
• Cannot have exhibited behavior (past or present) that will infringe on their present or future ability to adequately fulfill professional social work responsibilities.

Students typically complete the social work admissions process during the fall semester of the junior year when enrolled in SWK 330 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I/SWK 350 Social Work Practice I.  Students must be accepted into the Social Work Program prior to beginning SWK 360 Social Work Practice II unless a student has spoken to the social faculty advisor and plans to submit his/her application concurrently with taking SWK 360 Social Work Practice II.  Admission decisions are based on a student's academic performance, professional, personal and academic conduct, references, and responses to application and interview questions.

The Social Work Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, creed, ethnic or national origin, disability, political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

In accordance with Council of Social Work Education standards, MWSU does not grant academic credit, course waivers, or field practicum credit for previous life or work experiences.

Once admitted to the social work program, social work majors are expected to maintain professional and academic standards of conduct. The social work program at Missouri Western reserves the right to place a student on probationary status or remove a student from the major because of violations of these standards (see Social Work Student Handbook).

Students who choose this bachelor degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.