Introduction

The Bachelor of Social Work is a professional degree allowing the student to enter an exciting and growing field. Social workers practice in a variety of settings including child welfare agencies, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, group homes, mental health centers, foster care agencies, and probation offices. Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, institutions, and communities and continually work to improve social conditions. The mission of the Marshall University Baccalaureate Social Work Program is to prepare students for the beginning level of practice as social work generalists grounded in the core professional values and competencies with an understanding and appreciation of the populations and institutions of Appalachia.

Our Commitment to Social Justice

The Marshall University Department of Social Work affirms our strong commitment to human rights and social justice. We offer the reassurance of our unflinching commitment to the values of pluralism that have been crucial in weaving the strong fabric of our civil society. We do not support and will stand against any acts of bigotry, hate, harassment, bullying, or discrimination toward any individual or group. We welcome, stand with, and offer a safe place to all students regardless of race, color, immigrant status, culture, LGBTQ identification, disability, religious affiliation, spiritual belief, gender, or any other nuance of identity that may place one at risk of alienation.

Admission

Students may declare a major in Social Work as early as freshman year. In order to become formally accepted into the program, however, students must complete SWK 203 Intro To Social Work with a grade of C or above and at least 24 hours of general academic requirements with an overall grade point average of 2.0 or above. At that time, a student may complete an application and interview for acceptance into the program. An admission committee made up of Social Work faculty reviews applications and conducts interviews. The committee may recommend accepting students into the program, conditional acceptance, or non-acceptance based on the following criteria:

1. Acceptance
   1. Academic requirements: GPA of 2.0 or above and completion of SWK 203 Intro To Social Work with a grade of C or above.
   2. Ability to maintain positive and constructive interpersonal relationships.
   3. Evidence of communication skill.
   4. Demonstration of self-awareness, ethical behavior and willingness to learn.
2. Conditional Acceptance: based on taking remedial action regarding one or more of the above.
3. Non-Acceptance – with referral – based on:
   1. The student’s application and academic requirements.
   2. Information from faculty knowledgeable about the student.
   3. The interview process.

Students who are not satisfied with a decision may appeal in writing, within 10 days of notification, to the program director who will reconvene the committee to re-evaluate the recommendation. Further appeal may be made in accordance with university procedure as designated in The Academic Rights and Responsibilities of Students policy which is published in the Marshall University Undergraduate Catalog.

Credit for Life Experience

The social work program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or for previous work experiences.

Continuation in the Program

It is expected that once a student is accepted into the program, academic requirements and standards will be maintained. Since it is a professional program, continuance in Social Work depends on continuing progress toward a professional level of performance. The B.S.W. degree is reserved for students who have demonstrated that level of competence. In addition to mastering a body of knowledge, a social worker must possess professional attitudes, skills, values and ethics. Academic performance in the B.S.W. program includes classroom performance, class attendance, ethical behavior, communication skills, and psychological well-being sufficient to maintain positive and constructive relationships with clients.

Occasionally, it is determined that a student in the program may not be suited for the field of social work. In that case, the advisor may recommend remedial action or may counsel the student out of the program. When a decision is made to terminate a student from the program, the student may appeal that decision to the program director. If not satisfied, the student may appeal in accordance with the university procedure, as designated in the “Academic Rights and Responsibilities of Students” published in the Marshall University Undergraduate Catalog.

Requirements

Social Work students complete the general and specific education requirements. Additional requirements for acceptance into the Social Work Program can be obtained by contacting the Social Work office. Electives highly recommended include courses in social work special topics, history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, communications, philosophy, political science, and economics. Students should consult their advisors for recommended electives.

Students should contact the Social Work department faculty for advisement as early as possible.

Accreditation Status

The B.S.W. program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Courses at the Mid-Ohio Valley Center

Students may take Social Work classes at the Mid-Ohio Valley Center in Point Pleasant. Many classes are available at the center, but some attendance at the Huntington campus will be necessary to complete the degree.

Programs

Courses

  - General Education Course

SWK 203   Intro To Social Work3 Credit hours   

Introduction to the field of social work practice.

Attributes: Multicultural

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 260 Substance Use and SWK3 Credit hours   

This course provides information on substance use and addiction from a social work ecosystems perspective emphasizing understanding of addiction and recovery, family dynamics, assessment, and intervention.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 261 Staff Development1-4 Credit hours   

Courses designed for staff development and training needs of social work or para social work professionals or trainees, not degree applicable. Topics will vary. CR/NC grading.

Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit Grade Only

SWK 262 Staff Development1-4 Credit hours   

Courses designed for staff development and training needs of social work or para social work professionals or trainees, not degree applicable. Topics will vary. CR/NC grading.

Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit Grade Only

SWK 263 Staff Development1-4 Credit hours   

Courses designed for staff development and training needs of social work or para social work professionals or trainees, not degree applicable. Topics will vary. CR/NC grading.

Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit Grade Only

SWK 280 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Selected topics not covered in regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 281 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Selected topics not covered in regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 282 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Selected topics not covered in regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 283 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Selected topics not covered in regular course offerings.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 307 Child Welfare3 Credit hours   

Examination of child welfare issues, services, and inter- ventions.

Attributes: No Textbook Required

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 310 Human Behav Soc Envir I3 Credit hours   

Integration of biological, psychological, social and cultural aspects of the individual's growth and development from prenatal period through adolescence including the impact the social environment has on the individual.

Pre-req: SWK 203 and (ENG 201 or ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H) and BSC 105 and PSY 201 and SOC 200 and PSC 202 and ECN 250 and (MTH 121 or MTH 121B or MTH 122 or MTH 123 or MTH 127 or MTH 130 or MTH 130E).

Co-req: SWK 320, SWK 330, SWK 340

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 312   Hum Behav Soc Envir3 Credit hours   

Integration of biological, psychological, social and cultural aspects of the individual's growth and development from early through later adulthood including impact of social environment on the individual. Organizational theory included.

Pre-req: SWK 310 and SWK 320 and SWK 330 and SWK 340.

Co-req: SWK 322, SWK 332, SWK 370

Attributes: Multicultural

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 320   Social Work Practice I4 Credit hours   

Pre-req: SWK 203 and (ENG 201 or ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H) and BSC 105 and PSY 201 and SOC 200 and PSC 202 and ECN 250 and (MTH 121 or MTH 121B or MTH 122 or MTH 123 or MTH 127 or MTH 130 or MTH 130E).

Co-req: SWK 310, SWK 330, SWK 340

Attributes: Multicultural, Writing Intensive

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 322   Social Work Practice II4 Credit hours   

Pre-req: SWK 320 and SWK 310 and SWK 330 and SWK 340.

Co-req: SWK 312, SWK 332, SWK 370

Attributes: Multicultural, Writing Intensive

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 330 Soc Wel Issues in Appalachia3 Credit hours   

The development of Social Welfare as a continuing institution. Rural poverty and other critical social issues in Appalachia.

Pre-req: SWK 203 and (ENG 201 or ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H) and BSC 105 and PSY 201 and SOC 200 and PSC 202 and ECN 250 and (MTH 121 or MTH 121B or MTH 122 or MTH 123 or MTH 127 or MTH 130 or MTH 130E).

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 332   Soc Wel Policy & Legislation3 Credit hours   

Policy formulation, implementation and analysis. Examination and critical analysis of social welfare policies, legislation, and administration.

Pre-req: SWK 310 and SWK 320 and SWK 330 and SWK 340.

Co-req: SWK 312, SWK 322, SWK 370

Attributes: Multicultural

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 340 Social Work Research3 Credit hours   

Introduction to Social Work Research with preparation for evaluation of generalist practice.

Pre-req: SWK 203 and (ENG 201 or ENG 102 or ENG 302 or ENG 201H) and BSC 105 and PSY 201 and SOC 200 and PSC 202 and ECN 250 and (MTH 121 or MTH 121B or MTH 122 or MTH 123 or MTH 127 or MTH 130 or MTH 130E).

Co-req: SWK 310, SWK 320, SWK 330

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 370 Practicum I3 Credit hours   

Supervised field experience in a social agency or organiza- tion for minimum of 100 clock hours. Regular conferences with instructor and weekly seminars.

Pre-req: SWK 310 and SWK 320 and SWK 330 and SWK 340.

Co-req: SWK 312, SWK 322, SWK 332

Attributes: No Textbook Required

Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit Grade Only

SWK 473   Practicum II12 Credit hours   

Supervised field experience in a social agency or organiza- tion for minimum of 400 clock hours. Regular conferences with instructor and weekly seminars.

Pre-req: SWK 312 and SWK 322 and SWK 332 and SWK 370.

Attributes: Multicultural

Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit Grade Only

SWK 475   Social Work Seminar6 Credit hours   

A capstone course integrating course work and field work as preparation for beginning level of generalist Social Work practice.

Pre-req: SWK 312 and SWK 322 and SWK 332 and SWK 370 and SWK 473 (may be taken concurrently).

Concurrent PR: SWK 473

Attributes: Capstone Course

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 480 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Study of topics of interest not covered in regularly sched- uled classes.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 481 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Study of topics of interest not covered in regularly sched- uled classes.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 482 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Study of topics of interest not covered in regularly sched- uled classes.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 483 Special Topics1-4 Credit hours   

Study of topics of interest not covered in regularly sched- uled classes.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 485 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Individual study of topics not offered in regularly sched- uled courses. Advance permission required.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 486 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Individual study of topice not offered in regular sched- uled courses. Advance permission required.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 487 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Individual study of topics not offered in regularly sched- uled courses. Advance permission required.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

SWK 488 Independent Study1-4 Credit hours   

Individual study of topics not offered in regularly sched- uled courses. Advance permission required.

Grade Mode: Normal Grading Mode

Faculty

Professors
Carter, Gottlieb, Larsen