Social Work

Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.

First Year - Fall Semester (16 hours)

BIO 101 Introduction to Biology (Lab optional) – 3
ENG 101/ COM 103 English or Speech – 3
FA/GP/HU/MI Bradley Core – 3
SW 250 Introduction to Social Welfare – 3
PSY 101 Principles of Psychology – 3
EHS 120 The University Experience – 1

First Year - Spring Semester (15 hours)

MATH 111 Elementary Statistics – 3
ENG 101/ COM 103 – 3
SW 350 Foundations for Social Work Practice – 3
FA/GP/HU/MI Bradley Core – 3
SOC 100 The Sociological Perspective – 3

Sophomore - Fall Semester (15 hours)

SW 351 Social Work Practice I – 3
PLS 105 American Government – 3
FA/GP/HU/MI Bradley Core – 3
ETE 280 Exploring Diversity: Learners, Families, And Communities – 3
BCC Core Class (NS) – 3

Sophomore - Spring Semester (15 hours)

GP/HU/MI/QR (BCC CAT10) - 3
SW 353 Social Work Practice III – 3
FA/GP/HU/MI Bradley Core – 3
ECO 100 Introduction to Economics – 3
BCC Core Class (NS) – 3

Junior - Fall Semester (15 hours)

SW 352 Social Work Practice II – 3
SW 354 Human Behavior in the Soc. Environ – 3
ENG (300) Junior English Composition – 3
GP/HU/NS/QR (BCC CAT10) – 3
SW Elective #2 – 3

Junior - Spring Semester (15 hours)

SW 355 Social Work Policy– 3
SW 358 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II – 3
PSY 311 Principles of Abnormal Psychology – 3
LAS OC – 3
BCC Core Class (NS) – 3

Senior - Fall Semester (15 hours)

SW 260 Research Methods – 3
Electives - 12

Senior - Spring Semester (12 hours)

SW 395 (WI#2) Social Work Seminar - 3
SW 393 Social Work Practicum/Internship - 9

S W 250 - Introduction to Social Welfare (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Overview of historical development and contemporary forces shaping the social welfare system in the U.S. Examines social policies, social conditions affecting vulnerable populations, and service delivery systems in which social work is practiced. Includes community agency contact.

S W 260 - Research Methods (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Social research methods: research design and models of observation, including single subject and program evaluation, quantitative and qualitative methods, sampling techniques, questionnaire construction, types of surveys, measurement problems, and data analysis. Prerequisite: Sociology or social work major or consent of instructor; MTH 111 or PSY 205.

S W 310 - Child Welfare I (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Examines the theory and knowledge associated with practice in the field of child welfare. This course covers the areas of policy, normative child development, disruptions in child development, and the continuum of services for children in society.

S W 350 - Foundations for Social Work Practice (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Historical development of social work. Introduction of generalist social work practice; systems perspective; knowledge, skills, values, and ethics required for practice; communication skills and the helping relationship as foundation for the problem-solving process. Overview of fields of practice. Includes required volunteer experience. Prerequisite: S W 250.

S W 351 - Social Work Practice I (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. WI
Assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up phases of the problem-solving process. Students develop interviewing skills and apply knowledge of social systems, human development, diversity, and ethics with focus on the micro level. Prerequisite: S W 350, social work major or consent of social work program director.

S W 352 - Social Work Practice II (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Generalist practice with focus on families and groups as well as individuals in group contexts. Includes required volunteer experience in group setting. Prerequisite: S W 350; social work major or consent of social work program director.

S W 353 - Social Work Practice III (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Generalist practice with focus on organizations, communities, and large social systems. Assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation skills for macro-level practice. Emphasis on issues of diversity, discrimination, and oppression. Prerequisite: S W 350; social work major or consent of social work program director.

S W 354 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Current research and theory concerning interaction of environment with individual behavior. Life span development, strengths, approach, and issues of diversity as influences on individual development.

S W 355 - Social Welfare Policy (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Analysis of social welfare policy from the social work perspective. Impact of social policy on recipients and constituents of social welfare programs. Institutional responses to social problems, social justice, and human needs. Analysis and evaluation of policy at the organizational, community, and legislative levels. Prerequisite: ECO 100; PLS 105; S W 250.

S W 356 - Topics in SW (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Topics of special interest which may vary each time the course is offered. Topic stated in current Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under a different topic for maximum of 6 hours credit. Prerequisite:

S W 358 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Current research and theory concerning interaction of environment with families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social and cultural causes and impact of diversity, discrimination, and oppression. Prerequisite: S W 354.

S W 393 - Social Work Practicum (9 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. EL
Supervised experience in an approved community agency; use of knowledge and skills common to generalist practice; 420 field hours required. Pass/fail. Prerequisite: S W 351; social work major. Corequisite: S W 395.

S W 395 - Social Work Seminar (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Core Curr. WI,EL
Seminar that integrates theory and principles learned in academic courses with field and practice experience. Prerequisite: S W 351; social work major. Corequisite: S W 393.

S W 490 - Individual Study in Social Work (1-3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Special study on topics with faculty supervision. For social work majors; non-majors require approval of Department Chair. May be repeated under a different topic up to a maximum of 3 credit hours. Prerequisite: Consent of director of social work program.

S W 499 - Honors Colloquium (3 hours)
Gen. Ed.
Special study or project conducted under faculty supervision. Oral presentation before a faculty committee. Prerequisite: 3.5 GPA in social work major and consent of department chair.

The Bradley Core Curriculum exposes all students to the requisite range of knowledge, skills and perspectives that prepares them for further learning and guides them on the path of continued growth to facilitate their success and fulfillment in a changing, complex world. In essence, the Bradley Core Curriculum lays the foundation for a lifetime of intellectual development.

More specifically, the Bradley Core Curriculum advances Lydia Moss Bradley’s intent that the university “furnish its students with the means of living an independent, industrious and useful life,” by equipping them with a common set of attributes, understandings and tools to:

Make connections between thoughts, ideas and people through more emphasis on collaboration, critical thinking, decision-making and inquiry across disciplines and cultures;
Become better communicators with the integrative, reflective and multidisciplinary mindset necessary in today’s global society; and
Embrace the flexibility of a customizable Bradley Experience by pursing the subject areas that best support or complement their individual interests, abilities and future plans.

Core Learning Outcomes

The Bradley Core Curriculum was designed to help students achieve specific Core Learning Outcomes that span all aspects of the program.

Critical and creative thinking. Bradley graduates will think critically, independently and creatively, and will employ evidence-based decision-making to solve problems and build new knowledge.
Effective communication. Bradley graduates will be effective oral, written and non-verbal communicators as well as active readers and listeners.
Multidisciplinary integration. Bradley graduates will approach learning in an integrated manner, connecting knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines.
Practical application. Bradley graduates will apply knowledge and skills from the classroom in real-world situations.
Social awareness. Bradley graduates will understand and act ethically upon their connections to larger communities.

Core Values

The Bradley Core Curriculum is grounded in a set of fundamental perspectives, Core Values, that lie at the heart of the university's scholarly enterprise.