For the Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, students are required to complete all the above listed courses. Students desiring the Bachelor of Arts degree in social work will need to complete a minimum of 15 hours of a modern foreign language (Spanish is highly recommended) in addition to the above listed courses.
Provisional admission to the social work program may be made by contacting the program director. Provisional admission requires completion of SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work, a minimum grade point average of 2.0 overall, and completion of a provisional admission application.
Declaration of social work major and provisional admission to the program does not guarantee acceptance into Full Admission status. Only those accepted for Full Admission status may continue on in the program. Full Admission status requires a grade of “C+” or better in entry-level social work courses and completion of a Full Admission application and interview before the Social Work Executive Council. Full Admission interviews are conducted in November and April of each year.
A Pre-Field Placement Consultation is required before students may enroll in SOCWK 297 Field Practicum. SOCWK 210 Micro Practice: Individuals and Families and SOCWK 208 Group Practice or SOCWK 209 Macro Practice: Community Organization, Planning and Administration must be completed with grades of “B-” or better. Students must also have a minimum 2.5 overall grade point average. Finally, students must have completed a minimum of 60 approved volunteer/ shadowing hours prior to the consultation. The Consultation will take place with the Program and Field Directors.
All social practice courses (SOCWK 208 Group Practice, SOCWK 209 Macro Practice: Community Organization, Planning and Administration, SOCWK 210 Micro Practice: Individuals and Families, SOCWK 297 Field Practicum) must be completed with a grade of "B-" or better to successfully complete the program. All other 200-level social work courses must be completed with a grade of "C+" or better.
The social work program at Nebraska Wesleyan University complies with the standards of and is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (C.S.W.E.).
Council on Social Work Education
1725 Duke Street, Suite 500
Alexandria, VA 22314-3457
email: info@cswe.org
web site: www.cswe.org
SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work (3 hours)
Survey of the field of professional social work, including the roles, philosophy, values, skills, and knowledge base needed. Areas of practice and career expectations are explained.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
SOCWK 120 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems (3 hours)
This course studies the historical development of social welfare policies, services, and institutions and addresses contemporary policy and service delivery. The social, political, and value systems that create policies are studied. A systems perspective focuses on the relationship between policy, services, and institutions at the local, state, and federal levels. International perspectives on social policy are discussed for comparative purposes. Primary areas of focus are public welfare, aging, and mental health. Policy implementation and change are discussed.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
SOCWK 127 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3 hours)
A course to synthesize and examine the body of knowledge concerning how the individual, group, family, and community systems interrelate with each other and the larger social context from the lifespan stages of birth through adolescence. Content will be drawn from the biological, psychological, sociological, eco-political, and cultural-environmental systems. The importance of professional ethics in the assessment process is also examined.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
SOCWK 128 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 hours)
A course to synthesize and examine the body of knowledge concerning how the individual, group, family, and community systems interrelate with each other and the larger social context from the lifespan stages of early adulthood through aging and death. Content will be drawn from the biological, psychological, sociological, eco-political, and cultural-environmental systems. The importance of professional ethics in the assessment process is also examined.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
SOCWK 208 Group Practice (3 hours)
This course provides an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings as well as the practical applications of group work as a vehicle for social work. It also explores how and why groups function and develop skills and techniques of membership and leadership.
Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
SOCWK 209 Macro Practice: Community Organization, Planning and Administration (3 hours)
An introductory course to the administration and planning of social service organizations. Major emphasis upon community, organization, and legislative analysis; management skills; program planning; and evaluation. A practice-oriented course including simulations, in-class projects, volunteer experience, and personal introspection.
Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work and SOCWK 120 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems or permission of the social work program director.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
SOCWK 210 Micro Practice: Individuals and Families (3 hours)
Emphasis on social work theory and practice skills. Study of communication patterns, empathic response and assessment of client situations. Experiential learning through role playing, observation, and discussion.
Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
SOCWK 297 Field Practicum (1-9 hours)
Supervised learning experiences in selected social work agencies. The experience introduces a variety of social work practice roles and enables the student to apply social work knowledge, skills, and values in a real practice situation. May be taken as block placement for 9 credit hours or as a concurrent placement over two semesters for a total of 9 credit hours.
Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 210 Micro Practice: Individuals and Families and SOCWK 208 Group Practice or SOCWK 209 Macro Practice: Community Organization, Planning and Administration, with grades of "B-" or better, and approved Pre-Field Placement Consultation.
SOC 003 Introduction to Sociology (3 hours)
This introductory course presents the basic processes of human interaction in everyday life while introducing students to the theories and methods governing social inquiry. The sociological perspective is used to study the impact of the forces of culture, socialization, social stratification, race, gender, and population on human thoughts and actions.
(Normally offered each semester.)
SOC 116 Race Relations and Minority Groups (3 hours)
An analysis of the characteristics and problems of racial and minority groups with special emphasis on the themes of prejudice and discrimination. This course focuses primarily on race relations and minority experiences in the United States.
(Normally offered each semester.)
SOC 150 Hispanics and Latinos in U.S. Society (3 hours)
This course is designed to introduce students to the diverse relationships between minority groups of Spanish speaking ancestry and U.S. society. Mexican-American experiences will be featured along with the topics of immigration and bilingualism. The course will also cover the contributions and experiences of Cuban Americans, Puerto Ricans, and people of Central and South American ancestry.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
ANTHR 154 Native American Cultures (3 hours)
This course examines a wide range of Native American cultures. It includes an exploration of cultures before contact by European populations and contemporary issues facing both reservation and urban Native American populations.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
POLSC 001 United States Government and Politics (3 hours)
An examination of the context, processes, institutions, and outcomes of the U.S. political system. This course introduces the student to basic concepts and theories central to the study of political science.
(Normally offered each semester.)
PSYCH 101 Introduction to Psychological Science (4 hours)
The Introduction to Psychological Science course will engage students in a learner-centered approach to the science of behavior and mental processes by synthesizing these areas of psychology: Scientific Inquiry, Biopsychology, Development and Learning, Sociocultural Context, Individual Variations, and Applications of Psychological Science.
BIO 001 Perspectives in Biological Science (4 hours)
Designed for non-science majors, this general education course will examine the principles of biology within the context of the human experience and covers cell biology, physiology, genetics, evolution, ecology, and the interaction of humankind and the environment.
Three hours of lecture per week.
One 3-hour lab per week.
Not open to biology majors.
(Normally offered each semester.)
SOC 110 Social Statistics (3 hours)
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics and their applications to sociological and social work research. Statistical procedures include central tendency measures, variability, I-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation, univariate regression, and chi square. The course also includes specific emphasis on probability, hypothesis testing, data presentation, and computer analysis of data using existing standard packages such as SPSS and MicroCase.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 003 Introduction to Sociology or SOC 004 Social Problems.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
ECON 110 Business and Economic Statistics (3 hours)
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include the gathering, organizing, interpreting, and presenting of data with emphasis on hypothesis testing as a method for decision making in the fields of business and economics. Procedures examined include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, and simple regression.
Prerequisite(s): Demonstrated proficiency in high school algebra or permission of the instructor.
Corequisite(s): BUSAD 109 Spreadsheet Applications.
(Normally offered each semester.)
BUSAD 110 Business and Economic Statistics (3 hours)
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include gathering, organizing, interpreting, and presenting data with emphasis on hypothesis testing as a method for decision making in the fields of business and economics. Procedures include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, and simple regression.
Prerequisite(s): Demonstrated proficiency in high school algebra or permission of the instructor.
Corequisite(s): BUSAD 109 Spreadsheet Applications.
(Normally offered each semester.)
PSYCH 110 Psychological Statistics (4 hours)
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics as decision-making guides in psychology and related fields. Topics include organization, analysis, presentation, and interpretation of data with emphasis on the hypothesis testing model of inference. Specific procedures include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and Chi-square tests. A laboratory section is required for computational experience.
Prerequisite(s): PSYCH 101 Introduction to Psychological Science and sophomore standing.
(Normally offered each semester.)
BUS 106 Statistics for Business (3 hours)
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include gathering, organizing, interpreting, and presenting data with emphasis on hypothesis testing as a method for decision making in the fields of business and economics. Procedures examined include z-tests, t-tests, ANOVAs, correlation, and simple regression.
Prerequisite(s): Demonstrated proficiency in high school algebra or permission of the instructor.
Pre or corequisite(s): BUS 103 Spreadsheet Applications.
SOCWK 265 Research Informed Practice (3 hours)
An introduction and overview of research methods used in generalist social work practice. Course content includes both quantitative and qualitative methods and emphasizes critiquing research, program evaluation, methods of data collection and analysis, single-subject design, ethical considerations, and the application of evidence-based practice to improve policy and social service delivery.
Prerequisite(s): SOCWK 015 Introduction to Social Work; SOC 110 Social Statistics or PSYCH 110 Psychological Statistics or ECON 110 Business and Economic Statistics or BUSAD 110 Business and Economic Statistics or BUS 106 Statistics for Business; and junior standing.
(Normally offered each semester.)
