Bachelor of Social Work (40 credits)

CIP Code

44.0701

(40 credits plus 12 credits of experiential learning)

The Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) builds on Lesley’s liberal education in the arts and social sciences to prepare students for social work practice that considers people in the context of their social environments. Examples of the social environment include individuals (Micro practice) families (Meso practice) cultures, communities, economic conditions, or various forms of oppression (Macro practice) as they influence human well-being. Building on this understanding, the BSW course of study teaches students to use scientific inquiry, ethical principles and critical thinking to engage with, to assess, to intervene and to advocate for and with clients. Throughout the program, acquired knowledge is translated to practice skills through a planned progression of course-related fieldwork and experiential learning.  

Degree Requirements

Experiential Component (12 credits):

CSWRK 4XXX 1	Social Work Integrative Seminar & Capstone 1	6
CSWRK 4XXX 2	Social Work Integrative Seminar & Capstone 2	6

Required Courses:

CSWRK 2101	Introduction to Social Work	3
CSOCL 1101	Introduction to Sociology	3
	or
CSOCL 1404	Social Problems	3
CANTH 1101	Cultural Anthropology	3
CSWRK 2XXX 1	Social Welfare Policy & Practice	3
CHMSR 2551	Concepts and Skills in Professional Practice	4
	or
CSWRK 2XXX 2	Principles of Social Work Practice	3
CSWRK 2XXX 3	Power, Privilege & Helping	3
	or
CSWRK 3301	Challenging Racism	3
CSWRK 3201	Case Management in Social Work and Counseling	3
CSOCS 3444	Research Methods in the Social Sciences	3
CSWRK 3XXX 1	Human Behavior in the Social Environment	3
CSWRK 3XXX 2	Principles of Practice with Individuals, Families & Groups	3
CSWRK 3XXX 3	Principles of Practice with Organizations, Communities & Systems	3

Recommended that students complete CSWRK 2101, CSOCL 1101 or CSOCL 1404, and CANTH 1101 prior to applying to the program

Electives:

Choose two of the following courses from two different prefixes (6 credits):

CSWRK 2XXX 3	Power, Privilege & Helping	3
CSWRK 3301	Challenging Racism	3
CSWRK 3350	Forensic Social Work	3
CSWRK 3450	Child Welfare: Challenges and Solutions	3
CSOCL 3551	Activism and Change in Communities	3
CPLCY 4441	Global Child and Family Policy	3
CSOCL 3820	Girlhood, Identity, and Girl Culture	6
CSOCL 3445	Race, Class and Gender	3
CSOCL 4130	Gender and Globalization	3
CSOCL 3450	HBO's The Wire: The Politics of U.S. Urban Inequality	3

CSWRK 2XXX: Power, Privilege & Helping or CSWRK 3301 can count as an elective if not taken for core