Social Work, B.S.

Student Handbook Field Education Policy and Procedures Manual

A degree in social work gives students the skills to improve the quality of life for individuals or communities faced with difficulties such as poverty, serious illness or disability.

Social workers seek to help individuals, families, groups and communities address challenges in their lives. As a part of the College for Public Health and Social Justice, Saint Louis University’s social work degree prepares students for generalist social work practice that integrates knowledge and skills with field experience. 

Additional degree options include:

• Accelerated program: High achieving students may apply to this selective program during their junior year of study. This accelerated program allows students to earn a B.S. in social work in four years and a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) with just one additional year of study.
• Honors courses: For students interested in the stimulating academic experiences and intellectual challenges provided by the University Honors program, social work courses can be taken for Honors as part of the major in addition to fulfilling core course requirements.
• Minor: A minor in social work will give students an understanding of the profession and the core values of the field for students pursuing other majors.

Curriculum Overview

The social work curriculum contains 42 credits of major courses covering topics such as human behavior and the social environment, and three practice courses that address social work with individuals, families and groups, and organizations and communities. During the senior year, students spend two semesters in a social service agency, supervised by an experienced social worker. Science, math and humanities courses and electives fill out the remainder of the 120 credits required for the major.

• Every social work student receives personalized, one-on-one support from a faculty mentor and academic advisor.
• The curriculum allows students to explore areas of interest through the projects they pursue and practicum.
• Through fieldwork and service learning social work students gain real-world work experience outside the classroom.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

For students interested in a global education, there are a wide variety of study abroad programs available at SLU, including a campus located in Madrid, Spain. Students majoring in social work at SLU can also enroll in a two-week experiential course in Belize, Ghana, Ireland, Cuba, or India, which features concentrated study, lectures and interactions with the people of the respective country.

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 from Saint Louis University can look forward to careers in a wide variety of settings. U.S. Labor Department projections indicate a steady demand in 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
• Policymaking and advocacy

Admission Requirements

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University and are used as qualifiers for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

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.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate social work program at Saint Louis University has been continuously accredited since 1974.
 
The master’s social work program at Saint Louis University has been continuously accredited since 1930.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
1701 Duke Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
Phone:+1.703.683.8080 

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
2. Graduates will be able to engage diversity and difference in practice.
3. Graduates will be able to  advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
4. Graduates will be able to  engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
5. Graduates will be able to engage in policy practice.
6. Graduates will be able to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
7. Graduates will be able to  assess with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
8. Graduates will be able to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
9. Graduates will be able to evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Continuation Standards

• Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00.
• Minimum grade of “C” in all 1000- to 4000-level Social Work Courses.

Core Requirements 

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.