Nov 21, 2024

2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Social Work, B.S.W.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Social Work, B.S.W. Degree Map

The undergraduate program in Social Work is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This educational program leads to the Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW). Social work foundation content is found in nine interrelated areas: human behavior and the social environment (HBSE), social welfare policy, social work research, social work values and ethics, diversity, promoting social and economic justice, working with populations at risk, social work practice and field placements. Considerable attention is focused on the vulnerable populations found in the Houston/Galveston metropolitan area.

The integration of content focused on diversity, values, ethics, and social justice throughout the curriculum is facilitated by the adoption and implementation of the generalist practice perspective. Generalist practice applies a wide variety of theoretical perspectives reflecting an integrated bio-psycho-social approach, professional values, and ethics and skills with diverse persons, families, groups, organizations, and communities utilizing the Planned Change Process.

Once a student has identified social work as a major, they must also apply for and receive formal admission to the BSW program. Students must complete the following requirements to be eligible for consideration for formal admission to the program:

Completion of Texas Core Requirements (see University Core).
Completion of Introduction to Psychology with a grade of “C” or higher.
Completion of Introduction to Sociology with a grade of “C” or higher.
Completion of one of the following natural science courses (with a lab): General Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, General Biology for non-science majors or The Human Body.
Completion of SWRK 2361 with a grade of “C” or higher
Cumulative grade point average of 2.500 or higher.

Students are encouraged to meet with UHCLBSW program faculty early in the process when considering a social work major in order to expedite graduation. For any updates regarding accreditation-related curricular changes, please contact the BSW program faculty.

Once all prerequisites for admission have been completed, a student may apply for formal admission to the BSW program at any time throughout the academic year. The application packet must include the following documents and information:

Admission application and corresponding checklist.
An unofficial copy of all college transcripts
Three recommendation forms from previous instructors or work supervisors; forms are provided by the program.
A 4-6 page autobiographical statement. Applicants should be certain that their autobiographical statement is a strong sample of their ability to express themselves in writing. The statement should include a description of the student’s educational, professional, and/or life goals; personal and professional objectives; social work or human service experience; contact, exposure to, or experience with diverse groups; and any other information the student believes may be important when considering his/her application for admission to the program.

Application packets are available on the BSW program website, at the HSH Office of Advising, and through program faculty. Of important note, the curriculum listed below is not presented in the order the courses should be taken. Students are again, encouraged to visit with BSW program faculty or HSH Advising for questions about course sequencing.

University Core Requirements (42 hours)

Communication (6 hours)

Choose TWO courses from the UHCL core approved list.

Mathematics (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

Life and Physical Sciences (6 hours)

Choose ONE course from BIOL 1306 , BIOL 1308 , or BIOL 2301 .

In addition, students must choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

Language, Philosophy and Culture (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

Creative Arts (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

U.S. History (6 hours)

Choose TWO courses from the UHCL core approved list.

Government/Political Science (6 hours)

Choose TWO courses from the UHCL core approved list.

Social Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)

Choose ONE course from the UHCL core approved list.

Grade must be “C” or better.

Component Area Options (6 hours)

Choose SIX hours from the UHCL core approved list.

Two 1-hour Life and Physical Science Labs are required co-requisites for the chosen science courses.
COMM 1315 and PSYC 1100 recommended for this requirement.

College Core Requirements (54 hours)

54 hours of upper-level credit must be a “C” or better.

Core Requirement

Grade must be a “C” or better. Choose ONE of the following courses.

WRIT 3306 - Advanced Writing for Social Sciences Credit Hours: 3
WRIT 3307 - Advanced Writing Credit Hours: 3
WRIT 3315 - Advanced Technical Writing Credit Hours: 3

Major Requirements (60 hours)

Sociology Course (Program Prerequisite)

Grade must be “C” or better.

SOCI 1301 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3

Interdisciplinary Requirements

Choose any TWO of the following courses. Students pursuing a Women’s and Gender Studies Certificate should complete WGST 1301 and/or WGST 4308 as one of their two courses.

ARTS 3355 - Latin American Art of the Twentieth Century Credit Hours: 3
ARTS 3356 - Mexican Art, 1500-Present Credit Hours: 3
ARTS 4366 - Propaganda and Persuasive Images Credit Hours: 3
HUMN 3374 - Critical Inquiry Credit Hours: 3
HUMN 3375 - Ideas in Transition Credit Hours: 3
PHIL 3331 - Ethics Credit Hours: 3
WGST 1301 - Gender Matters: Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies Credit Hours: 3
WGST 4308 - Perspectives in Women’s and Gender Studies Credit Hours: 3
WGST 4372 - Seminar in Women’s and Gender Studies Credit Hours: 3
SWRK Elective or Course Designated by Major (3000/4000 level)

Overview Requirement

Students must complete two courses from two different HSH disciplines: Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology. Grades must be “C” or better.

Psychology Overview Option

Students pursing a Women’s Studies Certificate can take PSYC 4334 and it will count for the BSW degree and the WGST Certificate; other students may choose any course from the list below.

PSYC 2319 - Social Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 2320 - Abnormal Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 3321 - Learning Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 3331 - Theories of Personality Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 4334 - Psychology of Gender Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 4348 - Development of Gender and Racial Identity Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 4349 - Latinx Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSYC 4382 - Cognitive Psychology Credit Hours: 3

Sociology Overview Option

SOCI 4312 - Social Structure: Class, Power, and Status Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 4328 - Social Conflict and Mediation Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 4358 - Family and Society Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 4359 - Family Policy Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 4367 - Women’s Health and Sexuality Credit Hours: 3

Anthropology Overview Option

Students interested in completing a Women’s Studies Certificate in addition to the BSW should choose either ANTH 4301 or ANTH 4341 . These courses may be taken only if they are cross-listed with WGST. ANTH 4301 must have a topical focus on gender and be cross-listed with WGST.

ANTH 3311 - Contemporary Cultural Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 3330 - Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Global Health Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 3334 - Human Sex, Culture, Health Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 3352 - Political/Economic Anthropology Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 4301 - Studies in Cultural Diversity Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 4333 - Mexico, Central America, and Borderlands Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 4341 - Gender and Sexuality in Global Perspectives Credit Hours: 3
ANTH 4342 - Human Rights, Social Justice, Health Credit Hours: 3

Program Prerequisites (6 hours)

Grade must be “C” or better.

SWRK 2361 - Introduction to Social Work Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 3304 - Issues and Ethics in Social Work Credit Hours: 3

Program Courses (39 hours)

Grade must be “C” or better.

SWRK 3314 - Diversity and Human Behavior in the Social Environment Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 3317 - Social Welfare Policy and Services Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 3324 - Oppression, Diversity, and Social Justice Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4318 - Social Work Practice I Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4319 - Social Welfare Policy Analysis Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4328 - Social Work Practice II Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4338 - Social Work Practice III Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4363 - Experimental Methods and Statistics Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4370 - Nonexperimental Methods and Statistics Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4619 - Social Work Internship I Credit Hours: 6
SWRK 4629 - Social Work Internship II Credit Hours: 6

Additional Information

The following courses require formal admission to the Social Work program:
SWRK 4318 - Social Work Practice I Credit Hours: 3
*SWRK 4318 can also be taken by students with a declared minor in Social Work.
SWRK 4319 - Social Welfare Policy Analysis Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4328 - Social Work Practice II Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4338 - Social Work Practice III Credit Hours: 3
SWRK 4619 - Social Work Internship I Credit Hours: 6
SWRK 4629 - Social Work Internship II Credit Hours: 6

Electives (15 hours)

Can be any courses at UHCL (1300/2300/3300/4300 level) Economics and Spanish courses are highly recommended. Other SWRK courses, if available, are also recommended.

Note

Students pursuing the BSW may also complete a Women’s and Gender Studies certificate (9 SCH) or any of the UHCL minors (15 SCH) as they complete their plans of study. It is recommended that students interested in pursuing a certificate or a minor meet with their BSW program faculty adviser as soon as possible to integrate the required courses into their BSW plan of study.