Social Sciences - Bachelor of Social Work

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at Centenary College prepares competent and effective professionals for entry-level generalist social work practice in a diverse society.

The curriculum is guided by the history, philosophy and knowledge base of the social work profession, and is grounded in the values of service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity and competence.

The BSW Program is committed to providing educational experiences that will encourage students’ commitment to community service and social justice.

Program Goals

1. Provide students with the knowledge base needed to engage in competent and effective entry-level generalist practice in a diverse society.
2. Provide students with knowledge of the history and philosophy of the social work profession.
3. Promote the understanding and integration of social work values and ethics.
4. Develop students’ awareness of social problems, and encourage students to take an active role in addressing issues of discrimination and social and economic injustice.

Application Procedures

Students are invited to apply to the BSW program in the spring semester of their sophomore year.  Application to the BSW program will include:

• Application form
• Personal statement
• 2 references
• In-person interview
• Students applying to the program should have a minimum GPA of 2.8

First-year students who plan to major in Social Work are advised to register as Sociology majors with a concentration in Human Services.  Each student who is admitted to the BSW program will formally change his/her major to Social Work at the beginning of the junior year.
 
Transfer students who will be entering Centenary College as juniors are encouraged to request an application to the BSW program at the time of application to the college.

Accreditation

As of February, 2010 Centenary College has been granted full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Graduates of the BSW program will earn a Bachelor of Social Work degree with CSWE-accreditation.  CSWE-accredited degrees are eligible for Advanced Standing in many MSW programs.

Courses

Courses in the Social Work major include:

• Introduction to Social Work and Human Services: Race, Class and Gender
• Human Behavior and the Social Environment
• Social Welfare Policy I and II
• Social Work Values and Ethics
• Research Methods in the Social Sciences
• Social Work Practice I, II and III
• Fieldwork I and II
• Field Seminar I and II
• Senior Seminar

Each student will spend 420 hours in the field during the senior year. Field education is an integral part of Social Work education because it provides students with opportunities to test what they learn in the classroom and to integrate theory with practice.

** Please note that Social Work is not available as a minor or concentration.