Social Work Major

The social work major consists of 54 semester hours – 42 hours in social work and 12 hours in supportive courses. Consistent with the program’s emphasis on a liberal arts foundation, during the freshman and sophomore years, students will typically take courses in English, speech, political science, economics, sociology, psychology, statistics, western civilization, and the humanities. These courses will also fulfill Colonnade (general education) requirements.

View WKU Undergraduate Catalog

Prerequisites

The BSW program requires that some courses be completed before admission to the program. For complete application procedures and guidelines, visit the BSW Admissions page.

View All Prerequisites

All prerequisites must be completed or in progress of completion at the time of application. The following courses are prerequisites for the Social Work Major for WKU students with a catalog term of Summer 2024 and prior:

SWRK 101 (Must earn a "C" or better)
ENG 100
Statistics (SWRK 344, MATH 183, SOCL 300, PSY/S 313, OR PH 383)
PSY/S 100 OR 220
PS 110
SOCL 100 OR AGRI 108
ECON 150 OR 202 OR 203
BIOL 113 OR 120 OR 131

The following courses are prerequisites for the Social Work Major for WKU students with a catalog term of Fall 2024 and later:

SWRK 101 (Must earn a "C" or better)
ENG 100
PSY/S 100 OR 220
SOCL 100 OR AGRI 108
DEI Course (from approved list found in catalog/degree works audit)

Additional required courses for BSW Program, Fall 2024 Catalog Term, are:

Statistics (SWRK 344, MATH 183, SOCL 300, PSY/S 313, OR PH 383)
PS 110
ECON 150 OR 202 OR 203

Required Courses

Expand the area below to view all of the required courses in the Social Work major.

View All Required Courses

SWRK 101
Foundations of Human Services

Starting with the basic principles, concepts and a historical perspective, the course will examine problems addressed by diverse social service programs and explore their activities. Colonnade E-SB

SWRK 301
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Human Services

Prerequisite: SWRK 101 with a minimum grade of C. Explores how students' personal identity and experiences shape their view of social, economic, and environmental justice issues affecting marginalized populations. Focuses on building upon this understanding to begin to develop cultural competence in preparation for social work practice with vulnerable client systems. Note: Admission to the BSW progra required. Restriction: Enrollment is limited to students in Social Work (459) or Social Work (594).

SWRK 330
Human Behavior in the Social Environment

Prerequisites: None. The social, natural, and behavioral sciences are used to examine human behavior across the life span, especially as influenced by ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. Colonnade K-SY

SWRK 345
Social Work Research Methods

Prerequisites: SWRK 378 and 379. An introduction to concepts, research design, and program evaluation in social work research. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills in utilizing research information in social work practice.

SWRK 357
Case Management

Prerequisites: None. This course introduces students to the fundamental aspects of case management (service coordination), including common case management roles, processes, responsibilities, and employment challenges. Major content areas include: case management roles (including advocate, broker, resource coordinator), the roles and responsibilities of the multidisciplinary team (including nurses, social worker, physicians, and other disciplines), case management with special populations (forensic, geriatric, children, diverse populations), and the responsibilities of a case manager working in health care and mental health settings. Students will be introduced to the employment challenges of case management (types of programs that hire case managers, workforce retention issues, expectations of case manager, and job satisfaction). Students will develop familiarity with how case managers and clients interface with individual, group and family systems. Students will develop knowledge of case management ethics and explore common ethical dilemmas and boundaries issues that confront case managers.

SWRK 375
Social Work Practice I

Prerequisites:SWRK 330, restricted to social work majors. Corequisite: OR SWRK 330. Emphasizes development of knowledge, values, and skills necessary for effective interventions with individuals and families. Course content will be examined from an ecological social systems perspective that emphasizes empowerment and cultural competency.

SWRK 378
Social Work Practice II

Prerequisites: SWRK 330 and SWRK 375. The second of three practice classes that equip students with theory and skills for effective generalist social work practice with groups.

SWRK 379
Introduction to Social Work Communication Skills

Prerequisites: SWRK 330 and SWRK 375. Study and practice of interviewing individuals, families, and groups. The skill of relationship building as it relates to both micro and macro practice of social work is emphasized.

SWRK 381
Social Work Practice III

Prerequisites: SWRK 378 and SWRK 379. The third of three practice classes that equip students with theory and skills for effective generalist social work practice with organizations and communities.

SWRK 395
Social Welfare Policy and Issues

Prerequisites: SWRK 345 and SWRK 381. An understanding of the historical perspectives of social welfare policies as they affect current policy issues. Includes examination of the processes of policy formulation. Models of policy analysis assist students in identifying, and their impact on citizens representing a diversity of backgrounds.

SWRK 480
Social Work Field Practicum I

Prerequisites: SWRK 378 and 379. Corequisite: SWRK 481. Social Work practice experience in a social agency.

SWRK 481
Social Work Field Seminar I

Prerequisites: SWRK 378 and 379. Corequisite: SWRK 480. Integration of the knowledge, skills, values, and experiences gained in the internship.

SWRK 482
Social Work Field Practicum II

Prerequisites: SWRK 480 with a minimum grade of P and SWRK 481. Corequisite: SWRK 483. Continued social work practice experience in a social service agency.

SWRK 483
Social Work Field Seminar II

Prerequisites: SWRK 480 with a minimum grade of P and SWRK 481. Corequisites: SWRK 482. Integrates the knowledge, skills, values, and experiences gained during the second semester of the internship.

Electives

In addition to the required courses, two SWRK electives (not duplicated from above) and two advisor consent electives (typically at the 300-and 400-level) must be completed. These electives must be approved by the advisor. You can find a description of all SWRK courses in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Life or Work Experience

Consistent with the expectations of the Council on Social Work Education Board of Accreditation's Handbook of Accreditation Standards, 4.1 on Student Development, section 4.1.5 (2022, p. 26), the WKU BSW program does not grant academic credit for life or work experience.

Course Sequence

The following rotation describes the classes that entering social work majors must take during each of their four semesters in the major. The sequence includes the core required courses as well as twelve hours of electives within the major. Students are encouraged to work with their advisor to select these electives.

First Year Course Sequence

Fall Semester

SWRK 301: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Human Services
SWRK 330: Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SWRK 375: Social Work Practice I

Spring Semester

SWRK 357: Case Management
SWRK 378: Social Work Practice II
SWRK 379: Introduction to Social Work Communication Skills

Second Year Course Sequence

Fall Semester

SWRK 345: Social Work Research Methods
SWRK 381: Social Work Practice III
SWRK 480 & 481: Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar I

Spring Semester

SWRK 395: Social Welfare Policy & Issues
SWRK 482 & 483: Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar II

Note: The sequence of SWRK courses must be taken in the order presented.

Continued Retention in the Social Work Program

Students must earn a "C" or better in any course used for the Social Work Major. Students receiving a grade of “D” or lower in any course used for the social work major will be required to repeat the course and may not be able to proceed in the Major until the course is passed. Because the courses must be completed in sequence and are only offered in the semesters listed, this may mean that a student must sit out of some of the required courses for a semester. This could potentially delay a student completing the Major by an academic year.

Continued retention is further contingent upon upholding the principles of the NASW Code of Ethics, being able to demonstrate an understanding of social work knowledge, values, and skills, and completing any corrective actions recommended by the BSW Program. For further details, see BSW Student Handbook.