Bachelor of Social Work Program
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a Bachelor of Arts degree with a social work major.
The BSW program prepares students for generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities in the community at the entry level. The BSW program also prepares students for advanced graduate work in social work, as well as for degree programs in other disciplines. Students will be able to practice competently, under professional supervision, with a variety of client systems, and at all system levels upon graduation.
The BSW program at Wichita State University is a CSWE accredited program, which allows students to sit for the Bachelors in Social Work licensure after completion of the program.
This program makes specific, continuous efforts to provide a learning context in which understanding and respect for diversity (including age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion and sexual orientation) are practiced.
The BSW Program was accredited in 1976 by the Council on Social Work Education. The BSW program received reaffirmation in June 2021 for eight years, through June 2029.
Mission, Goals & Competencies
Mission of the BSW Program:
The mission of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program at Wichita State University is to prepare students for competent and effective professional entry-level social work practice within a generalist model. The BSW program is grounded in the history of the profession and dedicated to social work values of diversity, ethics and challenging oppression. Students will be prepared to apply evidence-based knowledge and skills to multiple systems to advance human rights and economic, political and social justice. Themes of the program are aimed at:
- Generalist Practice
- Professional Identity
- Values & Ethics
- Diversity
Goals of the BSW Program:
- Prepare students for competent and ethical generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes.
- Prepare generalist practitioners who are committed to lifelong learning in order to effectively promote human rights, social and economic justice, and respect for diversity.
- Prepare generalist social workers who apply knowledge of human behavior and are competent in the problem solving process.
- Develop practitioners who are able to think critically, evaluate practice and understand practice issues related to economically evolving and culturally conservative contexts.
- Educate social work graduates committed to the enhancement of human well-being and to the alleviation of discrimination, poverty and oppression.
BSW Core Competencies
(Core Competencies defined by The Council on Social Work Education)
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice wtih Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Generalist Practice
Preparation for generalist practice is the primary organizing theme of the BSW Curriculum. All courses in each sequence area directly contribute to the generalist perspective and skills for planned change and problem solving. The generalist social work model educates students for practice in a metropolitan environment. It is practice oriented and strives to instill specific values and skills within th estudent drawing upon knowledge and perspectives gained in the liberal arts and social work courses. The generalist model serves as a template for the type of generalist practitioner we seek to graduate. There are nine primary characteristics of the generalist model which, together, form the definition of generalist practice that will be described later in this section. These characteristics consist of attitudinal, knowledge, and skill attributes. The generalist model is linked to the ability to work at multiple levels of practice, with diverse populations, using varied practice roles and change processes that are directed toward problem solving and enhanced social functioning.
Professional Identity
The development of professional identity is particularly relevant to a metropolitan setting where there is convergence of many professional disciplines and roles. Generalist practitioners must have a strong sense of professional identity in a fluid agency and service environment. The development of professional identity is one of the overriding themes of the BSW program. As a generalist, a social worker must be able to view a problem from multiple perspectives, but must understand the problem from the perspective of a skilled and knowledgeable professional. Every course in the curriculum addresses some aspect of professional identity and use of self, in direct and indirect roles, in exercises that raise self-awareness, or in content that illuminates the history and stance of the profession.
Values & Ethics
Content in all sequence areas explores the application of social work values and ethics to a generalist model of practice. Through role plays, readings, discussions, policy analysis, and practicum experience students engage in the application of the Code of Ethics to direct and indirect services. In terms of the generalist model, social work generalist practitioners must demonstrate respect for the individual and for the client self-determination, and must be committed to ethical and empowering practice and social justice.
Diversity
The second integrative theme of the curriculum is human diversity in the context of generalist practice in a metropolitan environment. The curriculum includes content on all aspects of diversity noted in the Code of Ethics and accreditation standards (age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation). However, because of our metropolitan setting, a strong emphasis is placed on content related to communities of color, women, and gays and lesbians. Content on age, disability, national origin, and religion are found in each sequence but not necessarily in all courses. The theme of diversity is tied to the generalist model through that model's emphasis on understanding all aspects of the client's situation and environment. The theme of diversity finds expression in several related aspects:
- Self awareness of personal belief and biases,
- Understanding and respect for diversity including similarities and differences,
- Knowledge of institutionalized oppression,
- The ability to engage clients in an empowering helping process that involves both individual and social change,
- Application of generalist knowledge and skills to work with diverse populations.
The Generalist Social Work Model
The generalist social work model at Wichita State University educates students for practice in a metropolitan environment. It is practice oriented, and strives to instill specific values and skills within the new practitioner, drawing upon knowledge gained in the liberal arts and in their social work courses. As such, the model is more outcome oriented than conceptual, and serves as the blueprint for the type of generalist practitioner we seek to graduate. In this way, the program can be accountable to students, the university, and to the community in educating students in such a way that they meet our criteria for an entry level generalist practitioner.
- The generalist practitioner possesses a deep and abiding commitment to the values of social work, to include respect for the individual and for client self determination.
- Is committed to ethical practice.
- Upholds the integrity of the social work profession.
- Advances social justice through planned change, particularly on behalf of underserved and oppressed groups within the community.
- Develops the capacities of individuals, groups, families, and communities.
- Engages the client in a helping process that empowers them to find creative solutions to their own seemingly difficult situations.
- Is an advocate for clients when their needs are not being met, and takes advantage of opportunities within and outside the work setting to advocate on behalf of those who are most vulnerable.
- Uses the problem solving model to assess a client's situation, plan for change, intervene, and evaluate the outcomes of the planned intervention.
- Incorporates the role of the research practitioner into their generalist practice model.
To access the Social Work checksheet, please click the links below, or by going to the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center, and scroll down until Social Work - BA. Paper copies are available in the Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising Center, Room 115 Grace Wilkie Hall.
Note: SCWK 201 is offered each semester. All other social work classes are offered only in the semester indicated on this guide.
Information sessions are held twice a semester. For dates in the current semester, check out the Current Events page for information.
Admission into the BSW program involves an application submited to the Social Work Department. The following are requirements:
1) Sophomore rank or above (at least 45 credit hours, but most students will have completed 3 semesters of full-time study).
2) Completion of the following "basic skills" courses with a grade of "C-" or better:
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English 100 (English Composition) or English 101 (College English I)
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English 102 (College English II)
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Communications 111 (Public Speaking)
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Math 111 (College Algebra), 131 (Contemporary Mathematics), or 112 (Precalculum Mathematics)
Completion or in the process of completing the following Social Work pre-major courses:
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Biology 106 & 107 (The Human Organism & Lab) or Human Biology equivalent
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Psychology 111 (General Psychology)
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Sociology 111 (Introduction to Sociology)
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Social Work 201 (Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare) or equivalent course from another college
3) Overall GPA of 2.0 ("C") or above
4) Attendance at a BSW Orientation session
5) Submission of BSW application which includes
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Completed BSW Application form
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Personal narrative indicating interests / motivations / experiences to establish suitability for the social work profession (1-2 pages typed)
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Two (2) reference forms
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Copy of transcript (unofficial)
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Model Release Form
Application Review and Admission Decisions
Applications are reviewed after the submission deadline. Admission decisions are made by the BSW Admissions Committee following review of the applications. The admissions criteria will allow decisions to be made on merit. However, the criteria are viewed as minimum standards. Since the population of majors and the enrollment size of advanced practice courses must be balanced with the program resources or available faculty, meeting the minimum does not always guarantee admission.
Admission to upper division social work practice and practicum classes numbered 400 and above is restricted to social work majors.
To be admitted to the BSW Program, please complete the below application and submit two references.
BSW Application Addendum
If you were denied admission due to missing requirements, once the requirements are met complete this form and return it to the social work office. It will be attached to your application form to be reconsidered for admission.
Practicum requires 480 clock hours of field experience. Being located in the state's largest city, over 100 community and state agencies provide supervision for student practice. These settings for field instruction are selected by the director or associate director of field practicum and the student based upon education needs and interests.
To complete your practicum forms, visit the Practicums Website here.
In accordance with Kansas law, graduates must sit for the licensure exam to practivee social work and to be able to call themselves "social workers". To receive an application for the LBSW exam, contact the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) in Topeka, 785-296-3240. The complete application and the BSRB regulations can also be found on the BSRB website at www.ksbsrb.org.