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 1150 Introduction to Social Work, a minimum grade point average of 2.33 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 4970 Field Practicum. SOCWK 3080 Micro Practice and SOCWK 3090 Group Practice or SOCWK 3100 Macro Practice 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 3090 Group Practice, SOCWK 3100 Macro Practice, SOCWK 3080 Micro Practice, SOCWK 4650 Research Informed Practice, SOCWK 4970 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 1150 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 2200 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 2270 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-environomental systems. The importance of professional ethics in the assessment process is also examined.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
SOCWK 2280 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 3080 Micro Practice (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 1150 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
SOCWK 3090 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 1150 Introduction to Social Work or permission of the social work program director. (Normally offered each spring semester.)
SOCWK 3100 Macro Practice (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 1150 Introduction to Social Work and SOCWK 2200 Social Welfare Policy, Services, and Delivery Systems or permission of the social work program director.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
SOCWK 4650 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 1150 Introduction to Social Work; SOC 2910 Social Statistics or PSYCH 2100 Psychological Statistics or ECON 2100 Business and Economic Statistics or BUSAD 2100 Business and Economic Statistics; and junior standing.
(Normally offered each semester.)
SOCWK 4970 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 3080 Micro Practice and SOCWK 3090 Group Practice or SOCWK 3100 Macro Practice, with grades of "B-" or better, and approved Pre-Field Placement Consultation.
SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology (4 hours)
This course is an introduction to using the sociological perspective as a method of social inquiry. Students explore such basic concepts as culture, socialization, social structure, social interaction, and social change. They study and apply the theories and research methodologies used to investigate human social interaction. These concepts are applied to social topics such as race, class, gender, family, crime, population, environment, and others.
(Normally offered each semester.)
SOC 1330 Race Relations and Minority Groups (4 hours)
This course uses sociological perspectives to examine the causes and consequences of a society stratisfied by racial-ethinic diversity. It looks at the way historical decisions made by the dominant group have impacted the current situation for majority-minority relations in the U.S. A structural assessment of current social relations is emphasized although individual prejudice and discrimination is examined. Concepts such as white-privilege, immigration, and institutional discrimination are investigated. The requirements of the 2330 course will be the same as the 1330 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a 20 hour service-learning component.
(Normally offered each semester.)
SOC 2330 Race Relations and Minority Groups (4 hours)
This course uses sociological perspectives to examine the causes and consequences of a society stratisfied by racial-ethinic diversity. It looks at the way historical decisions made by the dominant group have impacted the current situation for majority-minority relations in the U.S.A structural assessment of current social relations is emphasized although individual prejudice and discrimination is examined. Concepts such as white-privilege, immigration, and institutional discrimination are investigated. The requirements of the 2330 course will be the same as the 1330 course EXCEPT that students in the higher course number will complete a 20 hour service-learning component.
(Normally offered each semester.)
SOC 2340 Latino Experiences in U.S. Society (3 hours)
This course explores the history and contemporary issues of Latinos in U.S. society. It covers the contribuations and experiences of the diverse racial/ethnic/cultural groups from Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean who have become part of the society both as immigrants and as conquered peoples. Topics related to Latino experiences in the U.S. include: identity, language, immigration, population growth, political involvement, education, health, integration, and economics.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)
ANTHR 2540 Native American Cultures (4 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 1000 United States Government and Politics (3-4 hours)
This course will introduce students to ideas about institutional structures, political actors, and constitutional debates in U.S. government and politics. We will explore the historical development and founding of the United States, discuss major debates about the structure of our republican form of government, connect the three branches of government to contemporary politics and elections, examine the role of race and gender in American politics, and critique the American constitutional system.
PSYCH 1010FYW 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 1010 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 2910 Social Statistics (4 hours)
In this course students are introduced to descriptive and inferential statistics and their applications to sociological research. Statistical procedures include central tendency measures, variability, t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlation, univariate regression, and chi square. The course also includes specific emphasis on packages such as SPSS and MicroCase.
Prerequisite(s): SOC 1110 Introduction to Sociology
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
ECON 2100 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 1090 Spreadsheet Applications.
(Normally offered each semester.)
BUSAD 2100 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 1090 Spreadsheet Applications.
(Normally offered each semester.)
PSYCH 2100 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 1010 Introduction to Psychological Science and sophomore standing.
Recommended: College level mathematics course.
(Normally offered each semester.)
MATH 1300 Statistics (3 hours)
An introduction to statistics concepts with an emphasis on applications. Topics include descriptive statistics, discrete and continuous probability distributions, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and linear regression.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)
