SOCWK:BS - Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Specialized Admissions Requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Social Work

Prior to enrollment in the upper division in the social work program, students must have:

(1) Completed 60 semester hours of course work or have completed the Associate in Arts degree or its equivalent;

(2) Satisfied general University requirements for admission including the University’s Core Curriculum requirements;

(3) Met the University’s lower division requirements;

(4) Completed all of the pre-requisite courses or their equivalent with a grade of “C” or higher. These courses include: college-level courses in biology (including coverage of human biology) and statistics, 12 semester hours in the social and behavioral sciences which must include one course each in sociology, psychology, economics and American government.

(5) Achieved a minimum grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

For additional information regarding the undergraduate social work program of study and degree program requirements, contact the School directly.

Transfer Credits

Criteria for considering upper-level transfer credit include: a review of the prior educational institution’s catalog description and syllabi of courses put forth for evaluation, status of the prior institutions with CSWE, and date when the course was taken. Courses that were taken six (6) or more years from the time of admission will not be considered eligible for transfer credit.

A “C” grade is required for a course to be considered eligible for transfer credit; and up to 15 credit hours normally can be transferred toward the degree at the discretion of the BSSW Coordinator. More than 15 upper level transfer credits may be awarded by the BSSW Coordinator to those applicants who present a record of previous study in accredited programs acceptable for substitution.

General Information

The four semester program includes a sequence of academic courses as well as field education under qualified supervision in social service agencies in South Florida. Students are able to engage in practice behaviors that integrate their knowledge from the classroom into their practice in the field. As part of field education, social work students may also participate with students from the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences in the Green Family Foundation Neighborhood HELP™, an inter-professional team approach in Miami-Dade communities.

Evening and weekend field placements are extremely limited and are granted only as an exception. The School of Social Work is under no obligation to provide such placements. Consequently, practicum placement cannot be guaranteed for students who require evening and weekend placements.

Students should be aware that courses in this program are sequenced. Students must check with their advisors for pre and corequisite courses. Prerequisite course requirements will be enforced. Students will be administratively dropped from courses when they lack the required prerequisite course or courses. A grade of "C" or higher in all courses required for the major is necessary for graduation. A passing grade in field courses is required for continuation in the program. Field courses cannot be repeated.

Given the critical nature of course content covered for students in the first meeting of all social work courses, students may be administratively dropped from a course if they do not attend the first class session.

Students must pass, with at least a "C" grade, each required social work course within two (2) attempts. Dropping a course counts as an attempt.

For planning your program of study, please meet with your academic advisor. Additional information regarding admission requirements for the BSSW program as well as major maps can be found at http://mymajor.fiu.edu/browse/470SOCWKBS.

Policies

Policy Statement for the Employment Setting Practicum

The field education experience is designed to offer students new learning opportunities in new practice settings. It is possible for BSSW students to complete the practicum in their place of employment with the permission of the BSSW Field Coordinator and if all other program requirements are met. Students must follow the policy for the Employment Setting Practicum. Up-to-date details for students are in the BSSW Field Manuals on the website.

Policy Regarding Credit for Life or Work Experience

The School of Social Work does not grant social work course credit (including field) for life experience or work experience.

Academic Progression Requirements

Students admitted to the university are admitted directly to their chosen major. Students are expected to make satisfactory progress based on critical indicators, such as GPA in specific courses or credits earned. In cases where students are not making satisfactory progress, a change of major may be required. Advisors work to redirect students to more appropriate majors when critical indicators are not met.

There are no majors associated with this program.

There are no tracks, specializations, concentrations, areas of emphasis, and other curricular offerings associated with this program.