The curriculum for the BSW degree consists of a minimum of 122 credit hours provided through required and elective courses. Of these 122 credit hours, 42-45 credit hours are devoted to general/supportive liberal arts courses and 52 credit hours to social work courses (See Appendices A, B, and C). The remainder of the required credit hours are earned through elective courses. Students are free to select elective courses of their choice.
The BSW program is offered on four IU campuses: Bloomington, East, Gary and Indianapolis. Students in the BSW program must successfully complete all freshman, sophomore and junior social work courses and achieve senior standing, as defined by the BSW program, before enrolling in the senior year course work.
General Requirements (8 courses)
For specific course numbers and titles in the Indianapolis, Bloomington, East, and Indianapolis campuses, please see Appendices A, B and C.
The general requirements are divided into three areas:
Supportive Area Requirements (6 courses)
The supportive area requirements link the general area requirements with the social work courses. All BSW students must take the following six specific requirements:
Social Work Requirements (17 courses)
Required Social Work Courses and their Sequencing
In the following course listings, the abbreviation "P" refers to prerequisite and "C" indicates co-requisite courses. The number of hours of credit given a course is indicated in parenthesis following the course title. Since Fall 2005, the Bloomington campus has implemented a year-long senior practicum, and coursework sequencing varies somewhat from what is outlined here. Bloomington students should consult closely with their academic advisors about sequencing of required social work courses.
**S100 Understanding Diversity in a Pluralistic Society (3 cr.)
This course covers theories and models that enhance understanding of our diverse society. It provides content about differences and similarities in the experiences, needs, and beliefs of selected minority groups and their relation to the majority group.
*S141 Introduction to Social Work (3 cr.)
Examination of characteristics, function, and requirements of social work as a profession. Emphasis on ideological perspectives of the profession and the nature of professional function and interaction. Overview of the different fields in which social workers practice.
*S221 Human Behavior and Social Environment I: Individual Functioning (3 cr.)
Understanding of human development and functioning at all system levels as a basis for social work practice. Emphasizes the interaction between the person and family, groups, and communities. Coverage of major theories of individual functioning, life cycle development, and the family context. Exploration of inequality, discrimination, and differential access to opportunities for diverse populations.
*S231 Generalist Social Work Practice I: Theory and Skills (3 cr.)
Development of a critical understanding of social work practice in general and generalist practice in particular. It focuses on the beginning phase of the helping process and related skills. Topics include the nature of the helping relationship, NASW Code of Ethics, practice as it relates to oppressed groups, assessment, and practice evaluations.
Students are to take this course after admission to the program AND in the Fall semester preceding their junior practicum (S381). This course is available only in the Fall Semester of the Junior year.
*S251 Emergence of Social Services (3 cr.)
Examination of the evolution of social services in response to human needs and social problems as related to economic, political, and social conditions.
S322 Human Behavior & Social Environment II: Small Group Functioning (3 cr.)
Examination of the significance of the small group as context and means for social development of individuals and as a vehicle for generalist practice. Discussion of the individual as a member of a variety of groups, including the family. The course covers group theories as well as mezzo practice strategies.
S323 Organization Behavior and Practice within a Generalist Perspective (3 cr.)
Provision of a theoretical and conceptual foundation for understanding organizational functioning and behavior. It focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice and leadership within an organizational context.
*S332 Generalist Social Work Practice II: Theory and Skills (3 cr.)
Examination of middle and ending phases of the helping process and related skills. Topics include the helping relationship with various client system sizes, impact of agency policies and procedures upon practice and resolution of clients' challenges, and practice evaluation. This course is available only in the Spring semester of the junior year.
*S352 Social Service Delivery Systems (3 cr.)
Examination of policies, structures, and programs of service delivery systems at local, regional, and national levels with emphasis on relations among such systems as formal organizations. Students acquire knowledge of the policy development process, which helps them establish beginning capacity for policy analysis and practice. This course is available only in the Spring semester of the junior year.
*S371 Social Work Research (3 cr.)
Examination of basic research methods in social work, the relevance of research for social work practice, and selection of knowledge for use in social work.
S381 Social Work Practicum I (4 cr.)
Guided field experience (15 hours per week) for application of generalist practice concepts and principles and development of basic practice skills. Students practice in a human service organization for a minimum of 240 clock hours, including a bimonthly seminar. This course is available only in the Spring semester of the junior year.
*S400 Field Practicum Seminar (1 cr.)
This course is designed to integrate theoretical material gained from social work practice and theory courses with the realities of practice faced by students in their practicum placements. The discussion of ethics and ethical dilemmas is a strong component of the course. This course is available only in the Fall semester of the senior year.
*S433 Community Behavior and Practice within a Generalist Perspective (3 cr.)
Provision of a theoretical foundation about community functioning and behavior. It focuses on the knowledge and skills of community interventions geared to mitigate social, political and economic injustice and bring social change. This course is available only in the Fall semester of the senior year.
**S442 Practice-Policy Seminar in Fields of Practice (3 cr.) - 2 courses required
Addresses practice and policy issues in specific fields of practice such as child and family, aging, addictions, and developmental disabilities. These two courses are to be taken in the Spring semester of the senior year, after successful completion of the first semester senior courses. That is:
*S472 Practice Evaluation (3 cr.)
Develops the knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate one's own practice with individuals, groups, communities and organizations. This course is available only in the Fall semester of the senior year.
P:
S371 and all other junior level courses
S482 Social Work Practicum II (5 cr.)
Guided field experience (20 hours per week) for application of concepts and principles and the development of skills for generalist practice with selected social systems. Students practice in a human service organization for a minimum of 320 clock hours of supervised field experience. This course is available only in the Fall semester of the senior year.
* Available section online on the IUPUI campus.
** Available section online on the Bloomington campus
Copyright © 2010 The Trustees of Indiana University | Copyright Complaints
ES 4138 | 902 W. New York Street | Indianapolis, IN 46202 | Phone (317) 274-6705 | Fax (317) 274-8630 | Email socweb@iupui.edu