Social Work
Cyndi Amato, M.S.W.
Program Director, School of Social Work
camato@une.edu
Mission
The Mission of the Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of New England is to foster an innovative and inclusive learning environment that nurtures a sense of responsibility toward the well-being of individuals, local and global communities, and the environment. Grounded in the values of social work and the person-in-environment framework, our program prepares students to collaborate across disciplines while addressing the dynamic challenges of a changing world. The social work program is committed to educating future social workers to embrace the richness of diversity and challenge oppression in all of its forms.
Major Description
The University of New England Bachelor’s in Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares generalist social work professionals for employment in a wide and varied range of social service, health, mental health, and community- based settings. B.S.W. prepared social workers acquire critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that integrate diverse perspectives, interprofessional collaboration. It instills values that foster culturally informed practice and students’ commitment to support individuals, families, and communities in a complex and ever-changing world in multiple practice settings.
Experiential education is one of the hallmarks of social work education and is realized through two (2) sequential Practicum courses; SSW 410 and SSW 441. These courses provide four-hundred (400) hours of internship experience over two (2) semesters in agency/organization settings.
Curricular Requirements
| Nor’easter Core Requirements | Credits |
|---|---|
| Total Credits | 40 |
| Program Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| BIO 104/104L – General Biology w/Lab | 4 – Fulfills Scientific Method Core |
| BUEC 203 – Macroeconomics | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Open Core |
| IHS 150 – Health Promotions Seminar | 1 |
| IHS 310 – Ethics for Interprofessional Practice | 3 |
| MAT 120 – Statistics or MAT150 – Statistics for Life Sciences | 3 – Fulfills Quantitative Reasoning Core |
| NUTR 410 – Nutrition Across Seven Continents | 3 |
| OS 316 – Reserach Methods or PUB 305 – Research Methods for Public Health | 3 |
| OS 341 – Health and Wellness in an Aging Society | 3 |
| OS 434 – Substance Use and Misuse | 3 |
| PSC 204 – Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Social Science Core |
| PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology | 3 – Fulfills Human Health Core |
| PSY 205 – Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 250 – Lifespan Development | 3 – Fulfills Human Experience - Open Core |
| PUB 200 – Foundations of Public Health | 3 |
| SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology | 3 – Fulfills Power Knowledge & Justice - Social Science Core |
| SSW 200 – Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| SSW 300 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory I | 3 |
| SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy and Advocacy | 3 |
| SSW 320 – Human Behavior and Social Work Theory II | 3 |
| SSW 330 – Advocacy in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 335 – Introduction to Practicum | 1 |
| SSW 350 – Ethics in Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 400 – Social Work Methods I | 3 |
| SSW 410 – Practicum & Integrating Seminar I | 6 |
| SSW 430 – Social Work Methods II | 3 |
| SSW 441 – Practicum & Integrating Seminar II | 6 |
| SSW 460 – Social Work Practice with Groups and Communities | 3 |
| Two (2) Health Promotion Studies Electives (see below) | 6 |
| Four (4) General Electives | 12 |
| Total Credits | 80 |
| Minimum Total Required Credits | 120 |
|---|
Health Promotion Studies Elective Options
| Health Promotion Studies Electives | Credits |
|---|---|
| NUTR 342 – Food Systems and Public Health | 3 |
| OS 301 – Assistive Tech in Schools | 3 |
| OS 414 – Stress Management | 3 |
| OS 425 – Health Education: Theory to Practice | 3 |
| PUB 310 – Social, Behavioral & Environmental Factors in Public Health | 3 |
| PUB 405 – Health Care Organization and Policy | 3 |
| PUB 420 – Community Health | 3 |
| SSW 325 – Interpersonal & Community Violence | 3 |
| SSW 355 – Child & Family Social Work Practice | 3 |
| SSW 435 – Grief & Loss | 3 |
Please note: While some courses can fulfill both core and program requirements, the credits earned do not count twice towards the minimum total required credits for the degree.
Academic and Technical Standards
Students in the Bachelor in Social Work major are subject to University undergraduate academic standards as well as requirements set forth in the Bachelor of Social Work Student Handbook.
In keeping with the guidelines of the University of New England, all undergraduate students must achieve a minimum semester-end grade point average. Failure to maintain the minimum grade point average requirements will result in academic probation as described in the Undergraduate Academic Catalog.
B.S.W. Benchmarks
Students selecting the B.S.W. program must meet certain benchmarks. Prerequisites for progressing into the core social work curriculum include:
A grade of C or better in the following courses:
- OS 316 or PUB 305 – Research Methods
- OS 341 – Health & Wellness in an Aging Society
- OS 434 – Substance Use & Prevention
- PSY 105 – Introduction to Psychology
- SOC 150 – Introduction to Sociology
A grade of C or better in all required social work courses:
- SSW 200 – Intro to Social Work
- SSW 300 – Human Behavior & SW Theory I
- SSW 310 – Social Welfare Policy & Advocacy
- SSW 320 – Human Behavior & SW Theory II
- SSW 330 – Advocacy in Social Work Practice
- SSW 350 – Ethics in SW Practice
- SSW 400 – Advanced SW Methods I
- SSW 430 – Advanced SW Methods II
- SSW 460 – SW w/Groups & Communities
A grade of Pass (P) in:
- SSW 335 – Introduction to Field Practicum
- SSW 410 – Field Practicum & Seminar I
- SSW 441 – Field Practicum & Seminar II
Learning Outcomes
Social Work is a competency-based education. We are, through our accreditors, mandated to ensure that our B.S.W. graduates are competent generalist practitioners in the areas listed below:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
- Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, Communities
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at UNE in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five (5) years. Consistent with the Council on Social Work Education, the B.S.W. program does not offer credit for "life experience" under any circumstance.
Admissions
For entrance into the Bachelor in Social Work major, students must have completed a high school with a GPA of 2.0 in a curriculum reflective of collegiate preparation. This profile includes:
- Four (4) years of English
- Three (3) years of mathematics
- Two (2) years of science with a laboratory
- Two (2) years of social science
Applicants submit their materials to the Office of Admissions during the fall of the year prior to matriculation. Qualified students who apply after the fall are admitted on a space-available basis.
Internal Transfer Students
Students who are enrolled in another major at the University of New England may apply for admission into the B.S.W. program by completing a change of major form and an interview with the B.S.W. Director to determine eligibility. Students requesting to transfer into the B.S.W. program must be in academic good standing with a grade point average of 2.5 or better at the time of the request.
See Undergraduate Admissions also.
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.