THE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW) PROGRAM

Brochure

Curriculum Check Sheet 2009-2010

The School of Social Work at ASU is committed to the preparation of professional social work practitioners who take pride in their practice, who place the highest value on excellence, and who are willing to devote their careers to finding the most effective methods to understanding and serving those most in need. The School of Social Work prepares professional social workers who are committed to empowering individuals, families, and communities. The BSW level practitioner is seen as a generalist with certain areas of special expertise. The Bachelor of Social Work degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The curriculum focuses on such roles as advocacy, referral, casework, and problem solving functions. In addition, a major thrust and identity of the program is to prepare graduates for case management positions, a strongly emerging trend in Arizona and other states. Most case management models include the basic social work skills the program currently covers. These are skills that are handled competently and professionally by BSW graduates.

General Information

Social work is a profession devoted to helping people function as well as they can with their environments. B.S.W. graduates are entry-level generalist social work professionals who provide services to individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. Of particular importance is concern for and willingness to work with oppressed and underserved populations. The BSW level practitioner is seen as a generalist with certain areas of special expertise. The curriculum focuses on such roles as advocacy, referral, casework and problem solving functions. In addition, a major thrust and identity of the program is to prepare graduates for case management positions, a strongly emerging trend in Arizona and other states. Most case management models include the basic social work skills which the program currently covers. These are skills which are handled competently and professionally by BSW graduates.

No academic credit is awarded for life or work experience.

How to Apply

Career Opportunities in the Field

Graduates work in public and private social service agencies that provide such services as medical, psychiatric, and financial assistance. B.S.W. level social workers serve persons of all ages, from infants to elders in society. They help clients who face social problems, including homelessness, drug abuse, chronic mental illness, catastrophic illness (such as AIDS), decreasing resources for the aged population, and racism. Due to the current demand for social services, agencies are now seeking more trained social work graduates. Salaries range from $18,000 to $24,000, depending on qualifications and geographic location.

Program Uniqueness at ASU

The BSW program is one of the three programs in Arizona fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The school also has a continuum of education, including the Master of Social Work and Ph.D. Students are placed in a breadth of agency settings for their "field placements". Some examples are public health service on nearby Indian reservations, child protected service, treatment centers for emotionally disturbed children and adults, senior citizens' centers, and shelters for homeless and abused persons.