Social Work (BSW)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2022–Spring 2023 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Social Work
Unit: Kent School of Social Work (KE)
Academic Plan Code(s): SW_ _BSW, SW_ _BSWO, SW__BSWADO

Program Information

This program can be completed in a traditional classroom format or entirely online.

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science is a full-time, campus-based and online program that prepares students for entry level professional social work practice. The Program also provides the foundation for graduate study in social work. Students may qualify for entry as Advanced Level students in graduate social work programs. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The BSW Program curriculum builds on a liberal arts base. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for generalist social work practice with diverse, vulnerable and marginalized individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. We take an anti-oppressive stance in educating students to intervene at the micro, mezzo and macro levels through the application of critical thinking and the incorporation of available evidence to inform practice that responds to complex social problems.  Students gain experience through service learning and social work practicum. 

  BSW Program Goals:

• Prepare graduates for generalist social work practice with vulnerable and marginalized individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through the acquisition and demonstration of social work practice behaviors consistent with CSWE educational standards and policies and the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Prepare graduates to understand bio-psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural functioning and apply it to all client systems.
• Prepare graduates to promote social and economic justice through their practice with diverse client systems. 
• Prepare graduates who continue to develop professionally throughout their careers to meet new challenges and opportunities.

Degree Summary

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Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives will be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Entering First-Year Students to Lower Division BSW

1. Either of the following:
   1. Graduation from accredited high school
   2. Successful completion of General Education Development (GED) tests
2. High school GPA of 2.5 or higher
3. Pre-College Curriculum (PCC) GPA of 2.5 or higher
4. ACT/SAT score of 20/1020 or higher
5. Students with admission criteria below the above standards are admitted to Pre-Social Work in the Exploratory Division

Transfer Students to Lower Division

Transfer students with fewer than 24 credit hours

1. College GPA of 2.5 or higher
2. Either of the following:
   1. Graduation from accredited high school
   2. Successful completion of General Education Development (GED) tests
3. High school GPA of 2.5 or higher
4. Pre-College Curriculum (PCC) GPA of 2.5 or higher
5. ACT/SAT score of 20/1020 or higher

Transfer student with 24 credit hours or more

College GPA of 2.5 or higher

UofL Student Switching Major

University GPA of 2.5 or higher, please use major change form on ULink at Louisville.edu

Post-baccalaureate Student

• College cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Applicants with higher GPAs are encouraged to apply to the MSSW program

Upper Division BSW Students

Requires internal application from Kent School. Must have 45 hours of college credit, a minimum of 2.5 GPA. The packet consists of a personal statement, secondary application, resume, and 2 letters of recommendation directly to Kent School BSW Program. Transfer student must submit undergraduate application, all college transcripts to UL Admissions. This is a competitive program approved by the department.

Must meet application deadline: Priority deadline, February 1; Final deadline, May 1 for following Fall acceptance to Upper Division. Late applications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis, please contact the BSW Department for approval to apply late (BSWKent@louisville.edu).  Applicants need to apply directly to Kent School BSW Program before the application deadline.

Admissions to the Lower Division does not guarantee admission to the Upper Division

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Social Work Lower Division Requirements⁴

Program/Major Requirements

Social Work Upper Division Requirements

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Six (6) hours of Diversity (D1/D2) coursework is required. If these competency areas are not covered as part of the program requirements and/or general elective coursework, 6 additional hours will be needed to fulfill the University of Louisville competency-area requirements.

²

Or equivalent as approved/decided by the unit

³

Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

⁴

Students must have a minimum total of 60 credit hours to complete the Lower Division requirements.

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Three of the five Upper Division Social Work Elective courses may be from the College of Arts and Sciences, Division of Social Sciences (minimum 300 level).  Please contact the BSW Advising Team should you have questions.

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The Upper Division BSW Program curriculum has changed for students entering for Summer/Fall 2019.  Students will be required to take SW 307 Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice Practice and five Upper Division Electives to meet the total credit hours of 120. Practicum I and II are now 3 credit hours each.

Track Requirements

Students completing the BSW in Social Work may pursue the standard BSW track or a a specialized track in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. Once accepted into the BSW Upper Division Alcohol and Drug Counseling Track, the following courses will be completed: 

1. SW 361 Intro Special Issues in Alcohol and Drug Counseling  (mandatory)
2. SW 362 Introduction to Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders  (mandatory)
3. SW 460 Intro Motivation and Change  (mandatory)
4. SW 415 Intro Mental Health  (mandatory)

Practicum:  Students are required to complete their practicum in a substance abuse setting.  This placement will be within a setting where a substantial portion of the focus is identification, intervention, or case management of clients who are alcohol and or drug dependent.  Wherever possible, students in practicum settings will receive supervision by a CADC with two years' experience.

Flight Plan

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan.  What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

To create either report:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Next, click on "View my Degree Audit" to run a Degree Audit report in the Undergraduate Advising area. 
4. To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, or create a What-if report.

Flight Planner
Based on your major, the Flight Planner tool may be available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan.  The Flight Planner can be found in the ULink Student Center.  Consult with your advisor for assistance with the Flight Planner.

The Bachelor of Social Work (SW BSW) program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).

For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the licensing disclosures tab).