Description of Major
The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance the quality of life for people in a wide variety of circumstances. The majority of social workers work directly with individuals, groups, and families, providing counseling services and case management. Social workers also can serve as advocates, community organizers, social planners, and policymakers in helping to bring about social change and social justice. Career options include the field of family services, mental health care, child welfare, aging, health care, women’s services, chemical dependency, corrections, community organizing, advocacy, and social policy. The undergraduate curriculum is designed to prepare students for beginning professional practice and for graduate study in social work and other helping professions. Social work is also an excellent major for students interested in being a therapist or going to law school. The undergraduate social work program includes human behavior, interviewing skills, assessment, social policy, research, and group work.
Prerequisite Coursework
Prerequisite courses may also apply toward meeting CoreFSU/General Education requirements. Students must complete one course in each of the following groups of courses with a grade of C or higher in two attempts or fewer.
- POS X041 (3) American National Government (preferred) or PUP X002 (3)
- BSC X005 (3) General Biology for non-majors (preferred) or BSC X010 (3) or BSC X085 (3) or PSB 2000 (3) or BSCX020 (3)
- ECO X000 (3) Introduction to Economics or ECO X023 or ECO X013 (3)
- PSY X012 (3) General Psychology (preferred) or SOP 3004 (3)
- SYG X000 (3) Introductory Sociology or SYG X010 or SYO 3100 (3)
If you have any questions about prerequisite courses, please contact the BSW Office, (850) 644-5713.
Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of https://www.floridashines.org/.
Admission Requirements
This is a limited access major. The requirements for admission to the program are as follows:
- An application, an updated resume, and a personal statement.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- At least 60 credits earned by the time of entry into the program to include all FSU CoreFSU or an Associate of Arts from a Florida public college.
- All five of the common perquisite courses with a B- or higher in no more than 2 attempts. Prospective students will find the BSW application online at Admissions Information. Applications are considered for fall semester with a June 1 deadline and spring semester with a Nov. 1 deadline.
Major Program of Studies at FSU: 50 hours
In order to graduate, students must have a 3.0 GPA in all social work courses and successfully complete Field Instruction.
- SOW 3203 (3) The Social Work Profession (Introduction to Social Work taken at a Florida community/state college may be substituted for this requirement).
- SOW 3350 (3) Interviewing and Documentation
- SOW 4104 (3) Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- SOW 4232 (3) Policies and Programs in Social Welfare
- SOW 4323 (3) Theory and Practice of Social Work within Groups
- SOW 4341 (3) Individuals and Families
- SOW 4360 (3) Organizations and Communities
- SOW 4403 (3) Introduction to Social Work Research
- SOW 4414 (3) Statistics for Social Workers
- SOW 4620 (3) Social Justice and Diversity
- SOW XXXX (3) Social Work Elective
- SOW XXXX (3) Social Work Elective
- SOW 4522 (2) Integrative Seminar
- SOW 4510 (12) Field Instruction (Internship)
Computer Skills Competency: Met by SOW 4403 Introduction to Social Work Research
Oral Communication Competency: 0 beyond major coursework
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met through appropriate high school speech training or with an approved college-level course. Social Work students take SOW 3350.
Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
CoreFSU 36*
Prerequisite Courses 15*
Major Coursework 50
Minor Coursework 0
Computer Skills 0 beyond major coursework
Oral Competency 0 beyond major coursework
Electives to bring total credits to 120
*NOTE: The CoreFSU requirements must be completed prior to admission into the Social Work program. Students may use required prerequisite/cognate courses to satisfy up to 12 hours of CoreFSU requirements.
Remarks
- A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
- Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
- The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
