BA in Social Work
During the first years at the University, with the assistance of faculty advisors, students enroll in a combination of classes fulfilling their Core curriculum requirements, required foundation courses for social work (classes in other fields required by the major), and the major itself. Because many classes are prerequisites for other classes, students must carefully sequence their courses with help from their advisors. The model below indicates the desired program for social work majors; starred (*) classes indicate the class is a prerequisite for other social work requirements.
Courses & Requirements
The minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core curriculum) required for the major: 48 The major in social work consists of 48 credits in required social work courses. In addition, 40 credits of foundation
courses must be completed in other departments. Some of these foundation courses may also be used to satisfy the Core curriculum requirements as appropriate. Students shall not be eligible to repeat a class more than once without the written permission of the director of the School of Social Work.
Required Social Work Courses
SWO 201 Introduction to Social Work
SWO 250 Introduction to Social Welfare
SWO 333 Social Work Research I
SWO 334 Social Work Research II
SWO 350 Social Welfare Policy
SWO 365 Examining Oppression and Valuing Diversity
SWO 370 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SWO 393 Methods of Social Work Practice I
SWO 403 Methods of Social Work Practice II
SWO 404 Methods of Social Work Practice III
SWO 411 Field Work I
SWO 412 Field Work II
2 SWO Electives
Required Foundation Courses in Other Departments
ENG 100 College Writing
ECO 101 Introduction to Macroeconomics
BIO 101 & 102 Biological Foundations, and Biological Experiences
or BIO 105 & 106 Biological Principles I and Laboratory Biology
POS 101 Introduction to American Government
PSY 101 General Psychology I
PSY 102 General Psychology II
An introductory statistics course (MAT 120, PSY 201, SOC 307 or LCC 150)
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology
HRD 200 Human Growth and Development
Two other intermediate-level (200-399) sociology, psychology, criminology courses, or SBS courses at Lewiston- Auburn College, selected in consultation with the student’s advisor, are required. *These may not be in the same discipline, with the exception of either external transfer students or Lewiston-Auburn College students. Students are required to achieve a grade of C or better in all required social work and required foundation courses, and attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 at the point of application for the social work major.
Model Schedule
Year 1
EYE Entry Year Experience
English Composition
Mathematics readiness requirement
PSY 101 General Psychology I*
PSY 102 General Psychology II
SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology*
Biology and Biology Lab*
General Electives
Year 2
ECO 101 Introduction to Macroeconomics*
HRD 200 Human Growth and Development*
POS 101 Introduction to American Government*
SWO 201 Introduction to Social Work*
SWO 250 Introduction to Social Welfare*
Statistics (in math, psychology, sociology, or SBS at Lewiston-Auburn College)*
SWO 365 Examining Oppression and Valuing Diversity
General Electives
Year 3
SWO 333 Social Work Research I
SWO 334 Social Work Research II
SWO 350 Social Welfare Policy
SWO 370 Human Behavior and Social Environment
SWO 393 Methods of Social Work Practice I
Social work elective, 300 level or higher
Electives in sociology, psychology, criminology, or SBS
General electives
Year 4
SWO 403, 404 Methods of Social Work Practice II and III
SWO 411, 412 Field Work I and II (full year)
Social Work elective, 300-level or higher
Any remaining sociology, psychology, criminology, SBS elective
General electives
*To assure consistency and avoid confusion, it is important that social work majors meet with their advisors on a regular basis. Advising in the School of Social Work is a mutual process of exploring career objectives, reviewing School requirements, designing the best possible combination of required courses and electives, determining proper course sequencing, and facilitating a collaborative relationship between the student and the School.
Quick Links
Resources
- Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BSW)
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- Changing your major?
- Transferring to USM?
- Looking for a Work Study job?
- Advising
- Field Education
- Field Manuals
- Forms
- Handbooks
- Graduation
- Licensure
- International Student Information
- Study Abroad
- Social Work Student Organization
- Phi Alpha Honor Society
- Thinking Matters
- Civic Matters
USM Social Dashboard »
Check out our new Social Dashboard to see other ways to stay connected across the USM community.