Criteria For Admission To BSW Program Professional Practice Core

In order for social work majors to be eligible to enter the BSW Program’s Professional Practice Core (Social Work Practice I, II, and III; Field Internship I and II; Field Seminar I and II) each student must complete the application process outlined below.

The application process must be completed by the end of the semester prior to the semester in which the student will enroll in Social Work Practice I. The application packet includes the following materials:

1. Application Form. This form becomes the cover sheet for the application packet. Application forms are available from the social work secretary, your advisor, and the Social Work Student Handbook.

2. Volunteer Experience Form. This form provides documentation of satisfactory completion of the volunteer experience assignment in Introduction to Social Work or equivalent and submission of a positive “Supervisor’s Reference Form” from the supervisor of the experience.

3. Personal Statement. This narrative statement should include: motivation for becoming a social worker; relevant work, volunteer or life experiences; strengths and limitations for effective social work practice; personal commitment and agreement to abide by the values and ethics of the social work profession; career goals and indication of fields of practice preference or areas where you would not feel comfortable working.

4. Ethical Principles/Guidelines for UA Social Work Students. By signing this statement you are acknowledging that you have read, understand and agree to abide by and behave in accordance with the “Ethical Principles/Guidelines for Social Work Students”. This statement is contained in the admissions packet,and is available from the social work secretary, your advisor, the Social Work Program Homepage, or the BASW Student Handbook (see Appendices) . A copy of this signed statement will be included in your advising file.

5. Documentation of Completion of Pre-Professional Courses: The following seven courses must be completed with a GPA of at least 2.5:

SCWK 2133 Introduction to Social Work
PSYC 2003 General Psychology
SOCI 2013 General Sociology
SCWK 3193 Human Diversity and Social Work
ENGL 1013 Composition I
COMM 1313 Communications
PLSC 2003 American National Government

6. Additional Pre-Professional and Pre-Requisite Courses: In addition to the courses listed in Item 5 above, you must have completed or be enrolled in the following courses at the time you apply for admission.

BIOL 1534 General Biology
SCWK 4093 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SCWK 4153 Social Welfare Policy

Note: 1) Most students will also be enrolled in SOCI 3303 (Social Data and Analysis) or equivalent. The statistics requirement must be met prior to entering SCWK 3073: Social Work Research. 2) There are University and College requirements for general education and the Social Work degree in addition to those listed in Items 5 and 6 above. Consult your University Catalog, Social Work Student Handbook or your advisor if you have questions about these.

7. Copy of current transcript documenting overall gpa of 2.0.

The above materials are submitted to the Admissions/Retention Coordinator. The materials are reviewed by the Admissions/Retention Coordinator and by one other social work faculty member (other than the Program Director). If the Admissions Coordinator or the reviewing faculty member has any questions concerning the content of the materials, the student may be asked to interview with a faculty member to resolve any questions or to provide additional information.

Upon completion of the materials review and interview (if necessary), the student will be informed in writing by the BSW Program Director of his or her admission status.