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College of Applied Arts
School of Social Work

BSW Program Information and FAQs

The Social Work degree at Texas State is completed in phases. Below you will find information on Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III along with frequently asked questions which should provide a comprehensive overview of the Bachelor of Social Work Program at Texas State.

Phase I: Entry Level Social Work Courses and Specified General Education Core Curriculum Courses

Any undergraduate student admitted to Texas State University may declare a Social Work major and may enroll in SOWK 1350, SOWK 2375, as well as SOWK elective courses. Social work students should complete most of the following general education core curriculum and liberal arts courses before applying to Phase II of the Social Work major. They must complete at least 45 credit hours, including the following:

 

Code

Title

Hours

Life and Physical Sciences Component Code 030 1

3

Life and Physical Sciences Component Code 030 1

3

COMM 1310

Fundamentals of Human Communication (Component Area Option Code 090/091)

3

ENG 1310

College Writing I (Communication Component Code 010)

3

ENG 1320

College Writing II (Communication Component Code 010)

3

ENG 3303

Technical Writing

3

or ENG 3304

Professional Writing

HIST 1310

History of the United States to 1877 (American History Component Code 060) 3

3

or HIST 2327

History of Mexican America to 1865

or HIST 2381

African American History to 1877

HIST 1320

History of the United States, 1877 to Date (American History Component Code 060) 3

3

or HIST 2328

History of Mexican America from 1865

or HIST 2382

African American History from 1877

MATH 1315

College Algebra (Mathematics Component Code 020) 2

3

or MATH 1316

Survey of Contemporary Mathematics

PHIL 1305

Philosophy and Critical Thinking (Language, Philosophy, and Culture Component Code 040)

3

or PHIL 1320

Ethics and Society

SOWK 1350

Introduction to Social Work

3

SOWK 2375

Social Services in the Community

3

US 1100

University Seminar (if required)

1

Total Hours

37

Course List

1

ANTH 2301, BIO 1320, BIO 1330, BIO 1331, BIO 1321, CHEM 1310, CHEM 1330, CHEM 1341, CHEM 1342, GEO 1305, GEOL 1410, GEOL 1420, PHYS 1310, PHYS 1315, PHYS 1320, PHYS 1325, PHYS 1340, PHYS 1350, PHYS 1430, PHYS 2425
* Students will not receive general education core curriculum credit for both CHEM 1310 and CHEM 1341. Students will not receive general education core curriculum credit for both PHYS 1325 and PHYS 2425.

2 Math options include MATH 1315, MATH 1316, or MATH 1319.

3History options for HIST 1310 include HIST 2327 or HIST 2381; options for HIST 1320 include HIST 2328 or HIST 2382.

 

A minimum 2.50 overall GPA (at the time that final grades post during the semester within which applications are received) is required for the application for Phase II to be fully considered. 

Students interested in Social Work must contact the College of Applied Arts Academic Advising Center for advisement.

Phase II: Social Work Major (full-major status)

Students submit a formal application for admission to Phase II. Web-based application process opens each long Fall and Spring semester for admission into the program the following long Fall and/or Spring semester.  On the application students select either the online cohort or the on-campus cohort. Dates and information for open and closing of applications are posted on the BSW Admissions Process website. An Admissions Committee screens applicants, considering academic record and suitability for social work practice, and informs applicants in writing of their decision to admit to full major status, conditionally admit to full major status, or deny admission to full major status. Students admitted to Phase II must attend a mandatory orientation to the major prior to beginning Phase II of the degree program. Information regarding the orientation is provided in the written notification of admission to Phase II of the major. When students are admitted to Phase II, they are eligible to register for the first semester of full major courses. 

Admission into Phase II does not guarantee permission to remain in the degree program, nor does it guarantee advancement to Phase III of the major which is Field Placement. Social Work faculty will continuously assess a student’s progress. To be retained, the student must maintain the required minimum Texas State GPA of 2.50. Students must also earn a minimum grade of “C” in each social work course and each supportive course. The School of Social Work outlines academic progress and advancement to graduation requirement, including policies on retaking major courses and sequencing in the Student Handbook. To remain in Phase II, students must agree to adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics, and demonstrate emotional and behavioral stability, competent communication skills, effective interpersonal relationship skills, and high levels of self-awareness.

Phase III: Field Placement/Practicum/Internship

Students who have completed all required courses for the BSW, excluding SOWK 4374 and SOWK 4975, demonstrate emotional and behavioral stability, and who have met all the requirements noted above may apply for field placement. Students apply for field placement with the School of Social Work's Office of Field Education. Students must meet all Office of Field Education requirements prior to full advancement into Phase III Field Placement. 

BSW students complete one block internship with 420 contact hours in a field placement in one semester. 

Note:

Additional academic credit hours will not be approved during the Phase III Field semester.

Students must take SOWK 4374 and SOWK 4975 during the same semester, which requires that the student limit their enrollment that semester to field placement, totaling 12 academic credit hours.

Important:

Online students may take the Phase III (Field Education) Field Seminar SOWK 4374 fully online, and the additional required co-requisite course SOWK 4975 Field Internship/Placement will be completed fully face-to-face within a human service organization or social service agency.

 

 

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