Social Work - B.S.W.

Foundational Courses (9 credit hours)

• PSYC 101 - General Psychology: The Science of Behavior
• SOC 110 - Introduction to Sociology
• MATH 211 - Principles of Statistics

Required Social Work Courses (35 credit hours)

• SWK 101 - Introduction to the Profession of Social Work
• SWK 102 - Ethics, Values, & Experiental Learning in Social Service Settings
• SWK 410 - Anti- Oppressive Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
• SWK 411 - Field Practicum I
• SWK 412 - Community Based Participatory Research through a Social Work Perspective
• SWK 413 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE I): Decolonized Critical Life Span Development
• SWK 414 - Introduction to Social Work, Social Justice and Advocacy
• SWK 415 - National and Global Perspectives of Social Welfare Policy in a Globalized Society: A Human Rights Perspective
• SWK 420 - Anti- Oppressive Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities
• SWK 424 - Social Work Professional Development and Social Entrepreneurship for Social Change
• SWK 441 - Field Practicum II
• SWK 453 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment (HBSE II): Topics on Anti- Racism, Oppression, Power, and Privilege

Elective Courses from Psychology or Sociology ( 9 credit hours)

Possible elective courses from Psychology include:

• PSYC 245  
• PSYC 250  
• PSYC 255  

Other 200-level courses may apply. Sociology and Criminology courses will be determined with consultation of the Soc/Crim departments.

Complimentary Minors: (18 credit hours except where noted below)

• Black World Studies
• Criminology
• Educational Studies
• Entrepreneurship
• Health Communication (21 credit hours)
• Informatics
• Latinx/Latin Studies (22 credit hours)
• Management
• Psychology (23 credit hours)
• Social Justice & Civic Engagement (21 credit hours)
• Sociology 
• Special Education 
• Study of Women & Gender (21 credit hours)
• Theology (15 hours)

Other minors may be accepted with approval.

Application to the Bachelor of Social Work Program

Students interested in pursuing the Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) degree should enroll in SWK 101 , Introduction to the Profession of Social Work, and SWK 102 , Ethics, Values, & Experiential Learning in Social Service Settings, in their second year of study. These courses are designed to aid students in deciding if they would like to pursue teh BSW. At this time, students can declare Pre-BSW as their degree. Students may also begin to take courses toward their minor during this time. 

During their second year of study, students must apply for acceptance into the BSW program. The acceptance criteria are as follows:

1. 2.75 Grade Point Average
2. Complete SWK 101  and SWK 102  with a grade of B or better.
3. Completed application with personal statement.
4. Sophomore Status
5. One (1) academic reference.

Once students are accepted into the BSW program, they may begin taking the required social work courses and electives. 

Licensing

Graduates with a BSW degree and three years of post-BSW supervised professional experience can apply to become Licensed Social Workers (LSW) in the State of Illinois. No licensing exam is required.

Transfer Students

Transfer students with an Associate of Arts degree in Social Work may immediately apply to the Bachelor in Social Work degree as long as they meet the acceptance criteria stated above. Students would begin taking required social work courses and coursework toward the complimentary minor in their first semester at Dominican. Transfer students may have SWK 101  and SWK 102  waived if completed introduction courses to social services. 

Bachelor in Social Work to Master of Social Work

Students who complete the CSWE accredited BSW program may move seamlessly into the Master of Social Work degree program. With the BSW, they will begin the MSW program with advance standing completing 30 credit hours (full time, 1 year; part time, 2 years).  Students interested in the MSW can apply to the program during their last semester of undergraduate studies. They must meet the MSW criteria for acceptance. For more information, see the Master of Social Work degree section of this Bulletin.