Bachelor of Social Work Program
The School of Social Welfare provides the education and experience necessary for a career in social work. By helping shape students’ capacity for caring, the school prepares social workers to carry out the unique purposes of the profession — to develop human potential, to promote individual well-being, and to bring about a more just society.
Social work is a major professional discipline in the broad institution of social welfare. The term social welfare denotes the dimensions of society concerned with human needs: health, education, economic security, housing, and mental health.
The undergraduate program of the KU School of Social Welfare prepares graduates for beginning generalist social work practice. The program defines generalist practice as maintaining focus on the interface between systems (i.e., individual, family, groups, organizations, and communities), with particular emphasis on
- The strengths inherent in these systems.
- The need to understand the role of gender, age, race/ethnicity, class, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, disability, and culture in all phases of the social work process.
- The promotion of social and economic justice for those disenfranchised on the basis of the attributes listed above.
- The assumption of a critical perspective regarding different ways of knowing.
Beginning generalist practice uses multilevel methodology, depending on the needs of the client system, and incorporates a knowledge, value, and skill base that is transferable between and among diverse contexts and locations.
The B.S.W. program is offered on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses.
Advising
Once a student is admitted to the School of Social Welfare, an academic adviser will be assigned to assist students in the enrollment process and with other academic program requirements. Students consult with their academic adviser before enrollment each semester and have their advising hold removed by the B.S.W. program office. In addition, a member of the School’s faculty is assigned as a professional/career adviser. Current students can view their advisers on the myKU portal.
For more information on B.S.W. advising, review the student handbook .
Beginning in the fall semester, (4) semesters are necessary to complete professional social work courses required for the B.S.W. degree.
Transfer Students
For undergraduates who plan to transfer to KU but currently attend another college, advising is available by phone or email. The school works closely with counselors from all Kansas colleges.
Degree Progress Report
The Degree Progress Report (DPR) is a computerized advising and degree-audit system, used to assist students and advisers in tracking progress toward completion of general education degree and major requirements. Students should review their DPR each semester and be prepared to review and discuss information contained in the DPR at all advising appointments. The DPR can be accessed through the student's account in the myKU portal under the Advising tab. Although the DPR provides a list of courses taken and grades earned, it is not an official transcript and can be used only for internal advising.
Certificate Programs
Certificate in Child Welfare
The School of Social Welfare’s Certificate in Child Welfare provides seniors in the B.S.W. program with specialized knowledge and skills to prepare them for a career in the field of child welfare. The certificate offers specialized training in social work practice with children and families who are involved
with the child welfare system and provides a Kansas Department of Children and Families (DCF) practicum as part of the experience.
Undergraduate Experiential Learning Certificate Programs
The university offers several experiential learning certificate programs that work well with the undergraduate social work major. Students who complete an engaged learning certificate program receive a notation of it on their transcripts. Learn more about certificate programs.
Undergraduate Admission to KU
Students are directly admitted to the School of Social Welfare as new freshmen and transfer students. Visit the Office of Admissions for information about admission to KU. Visit the Office of International Student and Scholar Services for information about international admissions.
Current KU students changing from another major to Social Welfare should complete a Change of School form and must meet the advancement requirements
Undergraduate Advancement Review for the School of Social Welfare
Advancement Requirements
For students to advance into 500 and 600 level Social Welfare coursework, they must complete the B.S.W. Advancement Review by June 15 preceding the the fall semester in which they intend to begin 500 level classes. The Advancement Review includes the following:
- Completion of a personal essay answering three specific questions.
- Three letters of reference; one from a faculty member or instructor; one from a work or volunteer supervisor; one from any one of the previously listed. Personal or character references are not acceptable.
- Professional resume.
- Documented (50) hours of volunteer or paid work in a social service setting.*
- Earned grade of B or higher in SW 220.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
- Completion of ENGL 101, ENGL 102, Math 101, SW 220, and at least (36) hours of General Education coursework.
- Submitted signed electronic copy of School of Social Welfare Technical Standards and NASW Code of Ethics.
*The (20) volunteer hours required for SW 220 will count towards the total (50) volunteer hours. In addition, any volunteer hours in social service agencies completed through experiential learning courses (Service Learning Certificate courses or Alternative Break experiences) at KU or other institutions of higher learning will count as well. Social service agencies are defined as agencies that serve high risk human populations.
Grade-Point Average
A student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 and a 2.5 in social work required courses. Evaluation of transcripts submitted as part of the application for admission includes computation of grade-point average for all work completed. This admission grade-point average is adjusted to include only courses that transfer to KU. Both transferable credits and all work taken at KU count in the grade-point average when advancement requirements are reviewed.
Bachelor of Social Work Degree Requirements
Primary responsibility for meeting graduation requirements rests with the student.
- A minimum of 120 credit hours of course work, including 12 credit hours of field practicum. At least 30 hours must be taken in residence.
- A 2.5 minimum grade-point average for all classroom work.
- A 2.5 minimum grade-point average in required social work courses.
- Successful completion of field practicum.
- Recommendation by the faculty of the school to the chancellor and the Kansas Board of Regents that the degree be granted.
Curriculum
| Professional Socialization (6) | ||
| SW 220 | Social Work, Social Welfare and U.S. Society (Must earn a B or higher.) | 3 |
| SW 623 | Seminar in Professional Issues | 3 |
| Students prepare for the responsibilities of social work, involving professional functioning, knowledge and use of professional ethics, values, attitudes, and skills. Students analyze their values critically to develop a unified personal and professional framework. Students develop their professional commitment to a code of ethics and understanding of social work to govern their professional behavior. | ||
| Human Behavior and the Social Environment (6) | ||
| SW 530 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| SW 532 | Community and Organizational Dynamics and Human Behavior | 3 |
| Students acquire a knowledge and understanding of individual, group, community, institutional, and cultural dynamics and behavior. Students become familiar with concepts, theories, and empirical findings that enable them to practice effectively as professional social workers. | ||
| Research (6) | ||
| SW 540 | Fundamentals of Social Work Research | 3 |
| SW 541 | Social Work Research Seminar | 3 |
| Students achieve a command of fundamental social work research. A knowledge of the scientific method is acquired and applied to current research. Students learn to apply critical thinking to the professional literature. | ||
| Social Work Practice (21) | ||
| SW 510 | Fundamentals of Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SW 555 | Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice: Culturally Competent Social Work | 3 |
| SW 560 | Study Abroad Topics: _____ | 3 |
| SW 610 | Social Work Practice Seminar I | 3 |
| SW 612 | Social Work Practice Seminar II | 3 |
| SW 630 | Topics in Social Work Practice: Antisocial, Aggressive Behavior in Childhood and Early Adolescence | 1.5 |
| SW 631 | Topics in Social Work Practice: Intimate Partner Violence | 1.5 |
| SW 632 | Topics in Social Work Practice: Substance Abuse and Social Work Practice | 1.5 |
| SW 633 | Topics in Social Work Practice: Crisis Intervention | 1.5 |
| Students acquire knowledge and skills needed for effective social work practice. The accumulated knowledge and understanding of the social work curriculum come together in the practice courses. | ||
| Social Policy (6) | ||
| SW 620 | Social Policies and Program Analysis | 3 |
| SW 621 | Social Policy Analysis and Advocacy | 3 |
| Students develop the capacity for critical analysis of social problems, policies, and programs. Students analyze social work practice to understand the effect of policy on direct service. Basic policy analysis skills acquired in the first course are applied in specified areas of practice, applying analytical skills to problems, policies, and programs. | ||
| Study Abroad (3) | ||
| SW 560 | Study Abroad Topics: _____ | 3 |
| Students get exposure to international aspects of social welfare in countries such as Costa Rica, South Korea, India, and Ireland. An elective course that meets general education credit hour requirements. | ||
Field Practicum (SW 601)
The field education office works with community agencies throughout Kansas and western Missouri to provide field practicum opportunities for students. Students are placed in these agencies through a collaborative process among the field education office, the student, and the agency. The field education office is responsible for ensuring that all field placements are able to provide the appropriate learning opportunities for students and that qualified field instructors will be available to the student.
Learn more about field education.
Required Hours for Field Practicum
Students with 9 or more remaining elective or general education requirement credit hours in the fall of the senior year must complete these hours before beginning field placement. Students who are completing these hours may take SW 620, SW 621, and the mini-courses, but they cannot enroll in SW 610, SW 612, or SW 623.
Liberal Arts Prerequisites for a broad base of understanding
Learn more about the B.S.W. curriculum and liberal arts prerequisites.
| COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS | ||
| English | ||
| Composition | ||
| Critical Reading and Writing | ||
| Literature (One of the following or any 200-level course or above excluding Children's Literature) | ||
| Topics in Reading and Writing: _____ | ||
| Introduction to Fiction | ||
| Introduction to Poetry | ||
| Introduction to the Drama | ||
| Speech Communications | ||
| Speaker-Audience Communication | ||
PHIL 149 does NOT count | ||
Exemption - written verification of two semesters of high school speech/debate with grade of B or better | ||
| MATHEMATICS | ||
| College Algebra | ||
| U.S. CULTURAL STUDIES (one of the following) | ||
| The Black Experience in the U.S. Since Emancipation | ||
| Introduction to American Studies | ||
| American Identities | ||
| Religion in American Society | ||
| American Society | ||
| Studies in: _____ | ||
| History of the United States Through the Civil War | ||
| History of the United States After the Civil War | ||
| The Supreme Court and Religious Issues in the United States | ||
| History of American Women--Colonial Times to 1870 | ||
| History of American Women--1870 to Present | ||
| Contemporary America, 1941-Present | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Politics | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties | ||
| Religion in American Society | ||
| Social Problems and American Values | ||
| WESTERN CIVILIZATION | ||
May not be used for Intercultural Studies Requirement | ||
| Western Civilization I | ||
| Western Civilization II | ||
| INTERCULTURAL STUDIES (one of the following) | ||
| Arabic and Islamic Studies | ||
| Introduction to West African History | ||
| Modern Africa | ||
| Modern Africa, Honors | ||
| African Studies In: _____ | ||
| Introduction to African Literature | ||
| Introduction to Caribbean Literature | ||
| Women in Contemporary African Literature | ||
| Islam | ||
| Africa's Human Geographies | ||
| Introduction to the Languages of Africa | ||
| Postcolonial Theatre and Drama | ||
| Francophone African Literature | ||
| Language and Society in Africa | ||
| Global Ethnic and Racial Relations | ||
| African Studies in: _____ | ||
| Language and Culture in Arabic-Speaking Communities | ||
| Geography of African Development | ||
| Liberation in Southern Africa | ||
| Sexuality and Gender in African History | ||
| Politics in Africa | ||
| The United States in Global Context | ||
| General Anthropology | ||
| Introductory Linguistics | ||
| Introductory Linguistics, Honors | ||
| Introduction to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| The Varieties of Human Experience | ||
| The Varieties of Human Experience, Honors | ||
| Culture and Health | ||
| Culture and Health, Honors | ||
| Myth, Legend, and Folk Beliefs in East Asia | ||
| Anthropology Through Films | ||
| Fundamentals of Cultural Anthropology | ||
| The Varieties of Human Experience | ||
| Indigenous Traditions of Latin America | ||
| People and the Rain Forest | ||
| The Anthropology of Gender: Female, Male, and Beyond | ||
| Indigenous Development in Latin America | ||
| The Social Construction of the Self | ||
| Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I | ||
| Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian I, Honors | ||
| Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian II | ||
| Intermediate Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian II, Honors | ||
| Readings in Classical Chinese: _____ | ||
| Ancient Epic Tales | ||
| Ancient Epic Tales, Honors | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Greek Culture | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Roman Culture | ||
| Approaches to World Dance | ||
| Introduction to Classical East Indian Dance | ||
| Dance History: Research and Reconstruction | ||
| Introduction to Flamenco Dance Technique | ||
| Living Religions of the East | ||
| Living Religions of the East, Honors | ||
| Introduction to Contemporary China | ||
| Myth, Legend, and Folk Beliefs in East Asia | ||
| Survey of Japanese Film | ||
| Modern Japanese Fiction and Film | ||
| Contemporary Japanese Fiction and Film | ||
| Modern Chinese Fiction and Film | ||
| Contemporary Chinese Fiction and Film | ||
| China's Cultural Legacy | ||
| The Culture of Play in Japan | ||
| The Culture of Play in Japan, Honors | ||
| Daily Life in China From the Opium War to 1911 | ||
| Religion in China | ||
| Religion in Japan | ||
| Modern Chinese Fiction & Film | ||
| China's Cultural Legacy | ||
| Asian Film | ||
| Contemporary Japanese Film | ||
| Buddhists and Buddhism in China | ||
| The Structure of Chinese | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Reform in Contemporary China | ||
| Early Modern Japan | ||
| Daily Life in China from the Opium War to 1911 | ||
| Chinese Thought | ||
| Government and Politics of East Asia | ||
| Eastern Civilizations | ||
| Eastern Civilizations | ||
| Eastern Civilizations Honors | ||
| The Economics of Globalization | ||
| World Indigenous Literatures | ||
| Global Environmental Literature | ||
| Studies in British Literature | ||
| Introduction to African Literature | ||
| Introduction to Caribbean Literature | ||
| The London Review | ||
| African Literature: _____ | ||
| European Culture and Society 1945 to Present | ||
| European Civilization in World Context: _____ | ||
| Islam in Europe | ||
| Seminar in European Studies | ||
| Survey of Japanese Film | ||
| Cinemas of the Southern Cone: Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay | ||
| Asian Film | ||
| Contemporary Japanese Film | ||
| France and the French | ||
| Intermediate French I | ||
| Intermediate French I, Honors | ||
| Intermediate French I and II | ||
| Intermediate French II | ||
| Intermediate French II, Honors | ||
| Introduction to French Literature | ||
| Paris, City of Lights and Legends | ||
| French Literature in Translation | ||
| Introduction to French Culture Through Film | ||
| Survey of French Culture I | ||
| Survey of French Culture II | ||
| La France d'Aujourd'Hui | ||
| French-Speaking World (Outside France) | ||
| Francophone African Literature | ||
| French Literature of the Middle Ages | ||
| French Literature of the Renaissance | ||
| Identity, Absolutism, and Power in France, 1589-1715 | ||
| French Literature of the Eighteenth Century | ||
| French Literature of the 19th Century | ||
| French Literature of the Twentieth Century | ||
| Studies in Film: _____ | ||
| French Culture Through Film I, Beginnings to 1950 | ||
| French Culture Through Film II, 1950-Present | ||
| World Regional Geography | ||
| World Regional Geography, Honors | ||
| People, Place, and Society | ||
| Principles of Human Geography, Honors | ||
| Africa's Human Geographies | ||
| East Asia | ||
| Geography of African Development | ||
| Geography of American Indians | ||
| Geography of Latin America | ||
| Study Abroad in Greece: Natural Environment and Civilizations | ||
| Geology and Culture of Polynesia | ||
| Elementary German I | ||
| Elementary German II | ||
| German Cinema in Context | ||
| German Cinema in Context (Honors) | ||
| Today's Challenges in German-Speaking Europe | ||
| Intermediate German I | ||
| Intermediate German II | ||
| Introduction to Business German: Deutsch im Berufsalltag | ||
| High Intermediate German I | ||
| High Intermediate German II | ||
| Border Crossings in German Culture | ||
| Magic, Monsters and the Occult in German Literature | ||
| The Arts in German-Speaking Europe | ||
| Berlin in German Culture | ||
| World Indigenous Literatures | ||
| Global Environmental Literature | ||
| Islam and Politics | ||
| Introduction to Western Art History | ||
| Introduction to Western Art History, Honors | ||
| History of Western Art: Ancient Through Medieval | ||
| History of Western Art : Ancient Through Medieval, Honors | ||
| Introduction to Asian Art | ||
| The Visual Arts of East Asia | ||
| Introduction to Western Art History | ||
| Modern Korean Art and Culture | ||
| Art and Culture of Japan | ||
| Art and Culture of China | ||
| Art and Culture of Korea | ||
| Russia, An Introduction | ||
| History of East Asia | ||
| History of East Asia, Honors | ||
| Colonial Latin America, Honors | ||
| Latin American Culture and Society | ||
| Introduction to West African History | ||
| Modern Africa | ||
| Modern Africa, Honors | ||
| From Mystics to Feminists: Women's History in Europe 1600 to the Present | ||
| The Spanish Inquisition | ||
| Native American Civilizations and their European Conquerors | ||
| The Premodern Middle East | ||
| The Modern Middle East | ||
| Magic and Superstition in European History | ||
| Colonialism and Revolution in the Third World, Honors | ||
| Beyond the Iron Curtain: Soviet Perspectives on the Cold War | ||
| Europe in Crisis: Empire, Extremism, and War, 1890-1945 | ||
| Made in China: Chinese Business History | ||
| History of Sushi | ||
| From Mao to Now: China's Red Revolution | ||
| The Samurai | ||
| Liberation in Southern Africa | ||
| Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union | ||
| The Middle East After World War II | ||
| Modern China | ||
| Beer, Sake, Tea-Beverages in Japan History | ||
| Age of Shoguns: Early Modern Japan | ||
| Sexuality and Gender in African History | ||
| History of Tibet | ||
| Contemporary Greater China | ||
| Medieval Japan | ||
| Biography of a City: _____ | ||
| European Culture and Society 1945 to Present | ||
| European Civilization in World Context: _____ | ||
| Islam in Europe | ||
| Europe Today | ||
| Biography of a City: _____ | ||
| World Indigenous Literatures | ||
| Introduction to Italian Literature and Textual Analysis | ||
| Studies in Italian Culture: _____ | ||
| Italian Literature in Translation: _____ | ||
| 19th and 20th Century Short Stories | ||
| 19th and 20th Century Poetry | ||
| Studies in Italian Cinema | ||
| 19th and 20th Century Novels I | ||
| 19th and 20th Century Novels II | ||
| Living Religions of the West | ||
| Understanding the Bible | ||
| Understanding the Bible, Honors | ||
| Narratives of Jewish Life | ||
| The Spanish Inquisition | ||
| Jewish Secular Culture | ||
| Latin American Culture and Society | ||
| Language and Society in Latin America | ||
| Language and Society in Latin America, Honors | ||
| Indigenous Traditions of Latin America | ||
| Race, Gender, Ethnicity, and Nationalism in Latin America | ||
| Race, Gender, Ethnicity, and Nationalism in Latin America, Honors | ||
| Indigenous Development in Latin America | ||
| Indigenous Traditions of Latin America | ||
| Introductory Linguistics | ||
| Introductory Linguistics, Honors | ||
| Introduction to the Languages of Africa | ||
| Language and Society in Africa | ||
| Language and Culture in Arabic-Speaking Communities | ||
| Introduction to Music in World Cultures | ||
| Music of Latin America | ||
| Music in East Asia | ||
| Music in the Andes | ||
| Music in Mexico and the Caribbean | ||
| Music History I | ||
| Masterworks of Music - Study Abroad | ||
| Introduction to Music in World Cultures | ||
| Music in World Cultures | ||
| Chinese Thought | ||
| Cosmology and Culture | ||
| Intermediate Polish I | ||
| Intermediate Polish I, Honors | ||
| Intermediate Polish II | ||
| Intermediate Polish II, Honors | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics Honors | ||
| Introduction to International Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Politics Honors | ||
| Liberation in Southern Africa | ||
| Governments and Politics of East Asia | ||
| Government and Politics of Southeast Asia | ||
| The Politics and Problems of Developing Countries | ||
| Politics of the Middle East | ||
| Politics in Africa | ||
| Islam and Politics | ||
| Reform in Contemporary China | ||
| Russian Foreign Policy | ||
| International Human Rights | ||
| Brazilian Culture | ||
| Understanding Russia and Eastern Europe | ||
| Understanding Russia and Eastern Europe, Honors | ||
| Societies and Cultures of Eurasia | ||
| Societies and Cultures of Eurasia, Honors | ||
| Understanding Central Asia | ||
| Siberia: Yesterday and Today | ||
| Siberia: Russia's Eastern Frontier | ||
| Ethnicity and Nationalism in Eastern Europe | ||
| Biography of a City: St. Petersburg | ||
| Asian Religions | ||
| Jews, Christians, Muslims | ||
| Asian Religions, Honors | ||
| Jews, Christians, Muslims, Honors | ||
| Understanding the Bible | ||
| Understanding the Bible, Honors | ||
| Myth, Legend, and Folk Belief in East Asia | ||
| Islam | ||
| The Buddhist Tradition in Asia | ||
| Religion in India | ||
| Religion in China | ||
| Religion in Japan | ||
| Religion in Korea | ||
| Buddhists and Buddhism in China | ||
| Introduction to Russian Culture | ||
| Introduction to Russian Culture, Honors | ||
| Survey of Russian Literature in Translation | ||
| Survey of Russian Literature in Translation, Honors | ||
| Introduction to Slavic Folklore | ||
| Introduction to Slavic Folklore, Honors | ||
| The Peoples and Cultures of Southeastern Europe Through Film | ||
| The Peoples and Cultures of Southeastern Europe Through Film, Honors | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe | ||
| Introduction to the Languages and Peoples of Russia and East-Central Europe, Honors | ||
| South Slavic Literature and Civilization | ||
| Comparative Societies | ||
| Comparative Societies, Honors | ||
| The United States in Global Context | ||
| Sociology of the Middle East | ||
| Global Ethnic and Racial Relations | ||
| Cross-Cultural Sociology | ||
| Political Islam | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Honors Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Honors Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Developments in Hispanic Cultures | ||
| The Spanish Inquisition | ||
| Examining Global Perspectives in Speech-Language-Hearing: ______ | ||
| Postcolonial Theatre and Drama | ||
| From Mystics to Feminists: Women's History in Europe 1600 to the Present | ||
| Women in Contemporary African Literature | ||
| The Anthropology of Gender: Female, Male, and Beyond | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Greek Culture | ||
| Gender and Sexuality in Roman Culture | ||
| Topics in Social Welfare: _____ | ||
| Study Abroad Topics: _____ | ||
| CHILD & ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT (one of the following) | ||
| Introduction to Child Behavior and Development | ||
OR | ||
| Child Development | ||
| BIOLOGY (one of the following) | ||
| Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory | ||
OR | ||
| Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | ||
| ECONOMICS | ||
| Introductory Economics | ||
| POLITICAL SCIENCE | ||
| Introduction to U.S. Politics (also meets US Cultural requirement) | ||
| PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| General Psychology | ||
| SOCIOLOGY | ||
| Elements of Sociology | ||
Requirements for the Major in Social Work
| Preprofessional course (3) | ||
| SW 220 | Social Work, Social Welfare and U.S. Society | 3 |
| Students must complete SW 220 before entering 500 level classes and must earn a grade of B or higher. | ||
| Junior | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SW 530 | 3 | SW 510 | 3 |
| SW 540 | 3 | SW 532 | 3 |
| SW 555 | 3 | SW 541 | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| SW 601 | 6 | SW 601 | 6 |
| SW 610 | 3 | SW 612 | 3 |
| SW 620 | 3 | SW 621 | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 3 | SW 623 | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours: 48 | |||