Social Work, B.S.
A Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) degree provides the skills necessary for beginning generalist practice as a professional social worker and is considered the first professional social work degree. This program is offered in collaboration between the School for Professional Studies and the School of Social Work. After finishing the major’s prerequisites in the School for Professional Studies, students transfer to the School of Social Work and take classes on campus in an eight-week format.
Curriculum Overview
The undergraduate social work curriculum includes courses devoted to practical social work knowledge. During senior year students will spend two to three days a week in a social service agency of their choice, supervised by an experienced social worker.
Undergraduate social work students take 39 credits of core courses covering topics such as human behavior and the social environment. Students will explore social work practice and the United States’ social welfare system.
High-achieving students may apply to the accelerated master’s program during their junior year of study, through which they can earn a Bachelor of Science in social work in four years and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) with just one additional year of study.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
From strong service-learning components, students embody the University’s Jesuit mission by using the knowledge they gain in the classroom to serve others. In addition to volunteer work, students can explore different types of social work with guidance from seasoned professionals through partnerships with more than 250 social service agencies around the St. Louis area.
Careers
Social Work graduates can look forward to careers in a wide variety of settings. U.S. Department of Labor projections indicate a steady demand for social work jobs in the years ahead.
Most social workers specialize in an area of practice, including but not limited to clinical work, child welfare or family services, mental health, schools, and policy-making and advocacy.
Admission Requirements
- Age: 22 years or older
- Work Experience: at least 3 years or the equivalent
- Education: high school diploma or composite GED score of at least 2250
- Interview: successful completion of an admission meeting with an admissions counselor. This can be done over the phone or on campus
- Grade Point Average: min transfer cumulative GPA of 2.5 (unless qualified for conditional admittance)
Admission Procedures
Step 1 — Complete Application
Complete the application for admission online at https://www.slu.edu/online. Applications are accepted and processed on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply for admission at least one month before the term in which they wish to enroll.
Step 2 – Request official Transcripts
Have official transcripts mailed directly from all previously attended colleges to:
School for Professional Studies
Attention: Admissions
3840 Lindell Blvd
St. Louis, MO 63108
Applicants seeking a degree or certificate who have not earned a bachelor’s degree must obtain official transcripts for all previous college course work. If students have never attended college or have less than 15 credits of transferable college credits they will need to provide official high school or GED transcripts.
Applicants seeking a certificate who have a bachelor’s degree need only provide an official transcript from their primary higher education institution or evidence of a high school diploma or GED.
Non-degree applicants only need to provide unofficial copies as needed for prerequisites.
Step 3 — Meet with Admissions Counselor
Contact an admissions counselor to discuss the status of the application and educational and career goals. Students may schedule an appointment to speak with an admissions counselor at the St. Louis campus or over the phone in certain instances. Appointments are available during business hours and weekday evenings.
A writing and/or math assessment test may be necessary during or shortly after the admissions meeting.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. The School for Professional Studies offers numerous scholarships and awards specially for new students.
- Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
To determine eligibility for financial assistance, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early for maximum consideration. FAFSA is available online at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
Active Military and Veterans
Students may be eligible for a reduced tuition rate of $410 per credit for this program. In addition, Saint Louis University participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible students.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Graduates will be able to engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Graduates will be able to advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
- Graduates will be able to engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Graduates will be able to engage in policy practice.
- Graduates will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Graduates will be able to assess with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Graduates will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Graduates will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| ENGL 2005 | Writing & Research Methods | 3 |
| ENGL xxxx | Any Literature course | 3 |
| ENGL 4005 | Business and Professional Writing | 3 |
| CMMK 1210 | Public Speaking in Org. Life | 3 |
| HIST 1125 | Origins of the Modern World, 1500 to Present | 3 |
| HIST 3525 | Contemporary America, 1945 - Present | 3 |
| PHIL 1055 | Intro to Phil: Self & Reality | 3 |
| PHIL 2055 | Ethics | 3 |
| THEO 1005 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| THEO 2xxx | Any Theology course (2000 or higher) | 3 |
| CIS 2850 | Principles of Data Analysis | 3 |
| Science | Preferred Human Biology, Env., Biology, Chem. or Physics | 3 |
| FPA | Any Fine and Performing Arts course | 3 |
| Foreign Language | Two language courses | 6 |
| SOC 1105 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| POLS 1105 | Introduction to American Politics | 3 |
| PST 1900 | Survey of Economics | 3 |
| PSYK 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSYK 4390 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Social Work Courses | ||
| SWRK 1000 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SWRK 2100 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
| SWRK 2200 | Human Development Through the Life Span | 3 |
| SWRK 3100 | The American Social Welfare System | 3 |
| SWRK 3200 | Diversity & Anti-Oppression Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 3300 | Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SWRK 3400 | Social Work Practice with Families & Groups | 3 |
| SWRK 3500 | Social Work Practice with Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| SWRK 3600 | Financial Education, Literacy & Capability | 3 |
| SWRK 3700 | Introduction to Social Work Research | 3 |
| or PST 4900 | Social Science Research Method | |
| SWRK 4100 | Social Work Practicum I | 5 |
| SWRK 4150 | Integrative Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| SWRK 4200 | Social Work Practicum II | 5 |
| SWRK 4250 | Integrative Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| Public Health & Social Justice | ||
| PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| General Electives | ||
| Select 18 credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 123 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 GPA.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| SWRK 1000 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| ENGL 1900 | Advanced Strategies Of Rhetoric and Research | 3 |
| PHIL 1050 | Introduction to Philosophy: Self and Reality | 3 |
| SOC 1100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| PSY 1010 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CMM 1200 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| HIST 1120 or HIST 1110 |
Origins of the Modern World, 1500 to Present or Origins of the Modern World to 1500 |
3 |
| THEO 1000 | Theological Foundations | 3 |
| PUBH 2100 | Introduction to Global Health | 3 |
| PSY 4390 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWRK 2100 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment | 3 |
| STAT 1100 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| POLS 1100 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| Science Elective (Any BIOL, EAS, CHEM, or PHYS) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language I | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 2200 | Human Development Through the Life Span | 3 |
| ENGL 2XXX Elective | 3 | |
| Fine Arts Elective (Any ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUSC, THR) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language II | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWRK 3200 | Diversity & Anti-Oppression Practice | 3 |
| SWRK 3300 | Social Work Practice with Individuals | 3 |
| SWRK 3600 or ECON 1900 |
Financial Education, Literacy & Capability or Principles of Economics |
3 |
| HIST 2610 or HIST 2600 |
History of the United States Since 1865 or History of the United States to 1865 |
3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 3100 | The American Social Welfare System | 3 |
| SWRK 3400 | Social Work Practice with Families & Groups | 3 |
| ENGL 4000 | Business and Professional Writing | 3 |
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| SWRK 3700 | Introduction to Social Work Research | 3 |
| SWRK 4100 | Social Work Practicum I | 5 |
| SWRK 4150 | Integrative Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| THEO 2XXX Elective | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SWRK 3500 | Social Work Practice with Organizations & Communities | 3 |
| SWRK 4200 | Social Work Practicum II | 5 |
| SWRK 4250 | Integrative Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| General Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |