Social Work, B.S.W.

Social work is a professional degree program. Prior to admission to the professional degree program, students who are working to complete program prerequisites and most University Studies courses are “Social Work-Pre-Admit” majors. Students must be accepted into the BSW program as an admitted “Social Work” major in order to proceed in the program and enroll in professional degree courses beginning in the fall semester (usually of the junior year). Application for Admitted Major status are due in the middle of the Spring semester or in the middle of the Fall semester. Students should apply during the semester they are completing all social work prerequisite courses. Acceptance to Admitted Major (professional degree program) is competitive and requires an application. Please see application requirements on the Division of Social Work website. Students accepted into the professional degree program are expected to complete their degree in a timely manner. Students who have not completed social work classes for one year or more must reapply for Admitted Major and submit a plan for readiness to continue in the social work degree program. A plan may include, but is not limited to, repeating or auditing a course taken at an earlier point in the student’s academic experience, completing an independent study that may provide updated social work content for the student, demonstrating knowledge or practice skills. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Criteria for Admission as an Admitted Major

The admissions process is competitive. Students must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered for Admitted Major status.

1. Students must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.500 on all UW course work as well as all course work transferred into the University of Wyoming from other academic institutions.
2. Complete the following prerequisites:
   1. SOC 1000  
   2. PSYC 1000  
   3. POLS 1000  
   4. SOWK 2000  
   5. Human Biology (KIN 2040 /ZOO 2040 or PSYC 2080 )
   6. STAT 2070  
   7. ECON 1010  
3. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all SOWK prerequisite classes.
4. Students must adhere to the UW Student Code of Conduct and the NASW Code of Ethics.
5. Students cannot exhibit behavior that will impinge on the student’s present or future ability to fulfill professional responsibilities as a social work professional.
6. All students seeking admission to programs in the College of Health Sciences are required to undergo a background check as specified by college policy. Criminal convictions may result in rejection of the candidate for admission to Admitted Major.
7. Students must submit an application and an application fee. (See UW Fee Book)
8. Applicants to the social work program cannot receive credit for life experience.

Requirements for Admitted Majors

Once admitted, social work students must:

1. Achieve a C or better in all social work courses, including six hours of required social work electives.
2. Social work classes are offered and must be completed in sequential order.
3. Maintain a 2.500 or above GPA overall every semester after admittance to Admitted Major.
4. Maintain a 2.500 or above GPA overall in all social work course work every semester after admittance to Admitted Major.
5. Registration is restricted and students must meet with their advisor each semester for enrollment.
6. Complete SOWK 4990  with a satisfactory grade.
7. Students must adhere to the UW Student Code of Conduct and the NASW Code of Ethics.

Individuals failing to meet any of the above requirements will be reviewed by faculty and one of the following actions may be taken: remediation, probation, sanction, and/or dismissal from the program. Because many social work courses have prerequisite requirements, receiving a grade lower than a C in a social work course may prevent the individual from moving forward in the social work program.

BSW Field Practicum

All students complete a 450-hour (10 credit hours) field practicum experience in a community-based social agency or social program. Field practicum sites exist throughout the state of Wyoming and students may be placed outside Laramie. Students apply for this program the semester before their actual placement. Students must complete a Field Placement Application and meet with the Field Coordinator prior to determining a practicum site (please review Field Practicum Manual). Background checks and drug screenings may be required by some agencies even though the College of Health Sciences has received a background check during admission to the major.

For the practicum, a grade of U is interpreted as performing below expectations and will not be considered satisfactory completion of the practicum, hence of the BSW program. Based on input from the student, the field instructor, and the faculty liaison during the field evaluation, the field coordinator will determine what remediation would be required. The plan will clarify course objectives and professional skills upon which the student needs to improve. A student wishing to continue in the program would need to reapply for a field placement. Upon the field committee’s approval of the request for placement, the student may then repeat the practicum experience. Consistent with University policy, the most recent grade would be the grade calculated into the GPA. The grade of U is interpreted as not meeting minimal requirements of the course; failure to complete the minimum clock hours in the field placement; failure to complete written assignments in a satisfactory manner; violation of one or more of the tenets of the NASW Code of Ethics (see Appendix B and Termination of Practicum section in the practicum manual); and/or failure to withdraw formally or to terminate the course. A student receiving an U in the practicum will be automatically dismissed from the BSW program with no opportunity to reapply or re-enter. Grades and dismissals may be appealed. (See most current BSW Student Handbook for appeal procedures.)

Requirements for Graduation

The program requires 120 credit hours to graduate. Students must have completed all social work requirements, 42 upper-division hours, maintain a 2.500 GPA overall, a 2.500 GPA in social work coursework, and have achieved a grade of C or better in all social work courses. Courses must be taken for a letter grade unless offered for S/U only. USP H and PN courses must be taken outside the major subject, but can be cross listed with the major.