Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
Continue to main contentSocial Work (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
-
$55k
Social Worker
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a social worker is $55,350.
-
$74k
Community Service Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a community service manager is $74,240.
-
$60k
Healthcare Social Worker
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a healthcare social worker is $60,280.
The social work curriculum includes core coursework to prepare you for a career in variety of settings. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
Required Courses:
A grade of ‘C’ is required in each core course.
- SW110 Introduction to Social Work (3)
- SW201 Social and Economic Justice (3)
- SW205 Introduction to Social Welfare Policy (3)
- SW207 Understanding Cultural and Social Diversity (3)
- SW221 Interviewing Skills for Generalist Practice (3)
- SW222 Case Management (3)
- SW242 Statistics for Social Scientists (3)
- SW307 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3)
- SW308 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3)
- SW310 Social Welfare Policies and Services (3)
- SW321 Social Work Practice I (3)
- SW322 Social Work Practice II (3)
- SW323 Social Work Practice III (3)
- SW342 Methods of Social Research for Generalist Practice (3)
- SW449 Social Work Integrative Seminar (3)
- SW450 Field Education (12)
Choose 6 hours From:
- HS301 Foundations of Child Maltreatment & Advocacy (3)
- SW343 Social Work in Military Settings (3)
- SW344 Human Sexuality and Social Work Practice (3)
- SW346 Substance Use Disorders (3)
- SW351 Child Welfare Services (3)
- SW352 Social Welfare Services to the Aged (3)
- SW353 Child Development (3)
- SW354 Foundations of Trauma & Crisis Intervention (3)
- SW355 Special Topics in Social Work (3)
- SW356 Social Work in Mental Health (3)
- SW387 Independent Study in Social Work (1)
- SW388 Independent Study in Social Work (2)
- SW389 Independent Study in Social Work (3)
Additional Requirement: 3 Hours
- PY101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
- Completion of 45 hours with a minimum cumulative 2.25 GPA.
- Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’: PY101, SW110*, SW201*, SW205*, SW207*, SW221*, SW222*, SW242*.
- Completion of General Education requirements for Constitution, Natural Sciences (3hrs) and Written Communication.
- Completion of all developmental courses (if applicable).
Once students are formally admitted to the program, they are eligible to enroll in the following courses: SW 307, SW 308, SW 310, SW 321, SW 322, SW 323, SW 342, SW 449, SW 450.
*SW 110, SW 201, SW 205, SW 207, SW 221, SW 222 and SW 242 may NOT be repeated for admission to the social work major without written permission from the student’s faculty advisor and the Social Work Program Coordinator.
Students will be retained as social work majors providing the following retention criteria are met:
- Completion of the following foundation courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’: SW307, SW308, SW310, SW321, SW322, SW323 and SW342.
- Courses may be repeated to raise grades below ‘C’ with written approval from the student’s advisor and the department chair.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25.
- Once a student’s cumulative GPA has fallen below 2.25, the student will not be allowed to enroll in any remaining social work courses until the GPA requirement is met.
In addition to fulfilling all University requirements for graduation, social work majors must satisfy the following criteria:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.25
- Completion of integrated seminar concurrent with field education, i.e., SW449 with a minimum grade of C.
- Completion of 448 hours of field education, i.e., SW450 (Credit/No Credit)
Freshman Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- SW110 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- PY101 (3)
- SW205 (3)
- SW207 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- SW201 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- SW221 (3)
- SW222 (3)
- SW242 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Junior Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- SW307 (3)
- SW321 (3)
- SW342 (3)
- Major Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- SW308 (3)
- SW322 (3)
- Major Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Senior Year
Fall Semester (14 Hours)
- SW310 (3)
- SW323 (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (2)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- SW449 (3)
- SW450 (12)
What will it cost?
Accreditations
Get Funding for Your Education
Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Putting Theory into Practice
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701