Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
Benefits
- Loyola social work graduates have been very successful in obtaining employment in their field, with some becoming employed in the agencies where they had their senior placement. Some graduates have chosen to work in corporate environments; others are pursuing advanced degrees in social work, law, industrial relations, business administration and public health.
- Social work employers recognize the specialized education and skills that empower B.S.W. graduates to make an immediate impact on their organizations and in the lives of their consumers.
Degree Requirements
Core Courses
| SOWK 200 | Introduction to Social Work |
| SOWK 201 | Social Welfare Policy and Services I |
| SOWK 301 | Social Work Methods I |
| SOWK 302 | Social Work Methods II |
| SOWK 305 | Human Behavior and Social Environment |
| SOWK 307 | Social Welfare Policy and Services II |
| SOWK 330 | Social Work Practice I |
| SOWK 340 | Social Work Practice II |
| SOWK 350 | Integrative Practice |
| SOWK 370 | Cultural Diversity |
| SOWK 390 | Introduction to Research Methods |
Sequence of courses: SOWK 200, 201, and 301, 305, and 390 are prerequisites for the social work practice courses.
Related course requirements for social work majors include PSYC 101, SOCL 101, PLSC 101; six hours of social science electives; and a three-credit human biology course (Natural Science 103, 104, 108, or 109).
Petitions for waivers and/or exceptions should be made to the Coordinator of Advising.
Loyola undergraduates also are required to fulfill core curriculum requirements.
Requirements for Field Placement
All students who plan to graduate with a B.S.W. must fulfill the requirement of a one-year practicum in a community agency designed and approved by the School of Social Work.
The application for admission to the social work practicum courses (330 and 340) must be submitted in writing to the director of field practice. Students are not to contact agencies to set up a field placement without approval of the field director. Applications and interviews for the field practicum are scheduled during February and March of each year, and all students planning to begin the practicum must successfully complete the application process. Students must have satisfactorily completed or anticipate completion of SOWK 200, 201, 301, 305, and 390 prior to the fall of their senior year in order to participate in the application process for the field practicum. Ordinarily, the one-year field is designed as a two-semester (330 and 340), two full days each week placement, in which students are required to assume the duties of a professional social worker. The field courses (330 & 340) must each be passed with a grade of "C" or above. If a student receives a grade below "C" in either course, both field courses must be repeated at another field site.
The Minor in Social Work
Students interested in a minor in social work should consult the School of Social Work regarding a sequence of six courses (totaling 18 hours) which must include SOWK 200, 201, 305, 390 and two social work electives. Grades of "C" of better must be earned in all minor courses. An application for the social work minor may be obtained at the Dean's Office.
