Social Work (BSW)

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We are very pleased that you have an interest in social work as a career choice, and are considering a social work education at Fayetteville State University. A social work educational experience is challenging, rewarding, and exciting. As a social work major you are pursuing a course of study that will make a difference in your life, and empower you to make a difference in the lives of others. Social Workers are special people and as such, you are special to us. As social workers, we are governed by a code of conduct and ethical responsibilities that guide you as students, and ultimately guide us as professionals.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Why Choose Social Work?

The Bachelor's of Social Work Program is designed to prepare students for practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in rural and military settings. In addition, the program prepares students for generalist social work practice with a focus on issues concerning children, families, military, mental health, and substance abuse. Students learn to utilize ethical and evidence based practice in prevention, intervention, and research activities that promote human well being. The program also seeks to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to alleviate oppression, poverty, and discrimination in a multicultural society and the global community. Students matriculate in an environment that promotes diversity, and stimulates a desire for lifelong learning by bringing together faculty, field instructors, and social work professionals, for collaborative learning.

The Fall Application Deadline is April 30th, to begin in August. 

The Winter Application Deadline is November 30th, to begin in January.

Quentin Gilmore

Social Work Student

Quentin is a student working in the School of Social Work. He is grateful to have the opportunity to be in the position to work and earn money while being a student.
Read more

What will you Learn?

Everything you learn within the BSW program align with these nine competencies.
To learn more about specific coursework, view the course catalog.

Nine Competencies

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior.

  • make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of thics as appropriate to context;
  • use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations;
  • demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication;
  • use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes; and
  • use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgement and behavior.

2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice.

  • apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels;
  • present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences; and
  • apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.

3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice.

  • apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels; and
  • engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

4. Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice.

  • use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research;
  • apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings; and
  • use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

5. Engage in Policy Practice.

  • Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services;
  • assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services;
  • apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.

  • apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies; and
  • use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.

7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.

  • collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;
  • apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies;
  • develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objects based on the critical assessments of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies; and
  • select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients aand constituencies.

8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.

  • critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;
  • apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies;
  • use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;
  • negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies; and
  • facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.

  • select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;
  • apply kowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes;
  • critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes; and
  • apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

What will you do?

There are many positions a graduate who earns a BSW degree can fulfill, but here are five of the most popular social work careers:

  • Medical/Public Health
  • Substance Abuse
  • Mental Health
  • Child Welfare
  • School Social Work
Our Mission

"The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work Program (BSW) at Fayetteville State University (FSU) is consistent with the profession's purpose and values, and program's context. The BSW program seeks: to provide the knowledge, skills and values needed to practice beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; to prepare students for practice within a rural context and military setting; to enable students to engage in practice according to the NASW Code of Ethics; to provide the framework needed for students to identify and utilize evidence based practice for intervention; to instill in students the importance of engaging in practices that alleviate oppression, poverty, social and economic injustice and discrimination; to graduate students who will understand the impact of diversity and difference on human behavior; to prepare students for leadership in the professional community, and who will understand the dynamics of practice in a multicultural society, and a global community."

Admission Requirements

Application for formal admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program begins after the completion of 64 semester hours (end of sophomore year) of core curriculum course work. Students with less than 60 hours are considered Pre-Social Work majors and must complete a Pre-Social Work application. Admission requirements to the BSW Program include:

  • Completion of a School of Social Work Undergraduate Admission's Application
  • Two (2) Recommendation Forms to be completed by someone other than a friend or family member.
  • A minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. If the grade point average is below 2.5 the student may be admitted on a conditional basis after an interview with the BSW Admissions Committee
  • A grade of "C" or better in SWRK 230, Introduction to Social Work.
  • A 2-3 page, typed narrative on "Why I Want to Become a Social Worker."
  • Personal characteristics that are aligned with Social Work Values and Ethics as determined by an evaluation (through application, narrative or interview).
  • Signed code of ethical behavior statement, and be in good academic and nonacademic standing within the university.
  • To remain in the program in good academic standing, students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5, and a social work GPA of 2.75.

* The BSW program gives no credit for prior work or volunteer experience.

Jobs

Bachelor of Social Work Careers:

  • Child welfare organizations
  • Adoption agencies
  • Foster care agencies
  • Daycare providers
  • Government agencies
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Nursing facilities
  • Health departments
  • Clinics
  • Hospices
  • Individual and family services agencies
  • Treatment facilities
  • Prisons
  • Private practices
  • Military hospitals
  • Veteran affairs hospitals and outpatient centers
  • Military base family services units
  • Military correctional facilities
  • Community and military base schools
  • Community mental health centers
  • Vocational rehabilitation centers
  • Community-based organizations
  • Social welfare providers
  • Government planning departments
  • Advocacy organizations
  • Political offices
  • Human resource departments
  • Universities
  • Corporations