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University of Wyoming

BSW Program


Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program

If you are planning a visit to campus, please call (307) 766-6112 to make an appointment.

The Division of Social Work at the University of Wyoming, in the College of Health Sciences, offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). A BSW degree is a professional degree that enables an individual to apply for certification at the state level. The Division of Social Work prepares generalist social work practitioners to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations, communities, and institutions to achieve more effective and efficient functioning. The degree is available on the Laramie and UW/CC campuses. http://www.uwyo.edu/uwcc/ Coursework is offered face-to-face, via compressed video, and on-line (as part of a face-to-face or compressed video course).

Coursework includes the University Studies Program (USP) and the division's course work requirements. Completion of a 120 credit hours, minimum is required for the degree. The curriculum is designed to help students acquire important knowledge and skills in the areas of values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations-at-risk, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, and research. Students select elective courses in areas such as child welfare, aging, substance abuse, corrections, child and adolescent services, mental health, and disability services. The program culminates in a 450-hour supervised field practicum; it allows students to learn under the supervision of social workers and the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in one of Wyoming's many human service agencies.

Because the BSW is a professional degree, students must apply for admission into Admitted Major status during their first semester of social work coursework (typically during a student's junior year). Admitted Major status is required for students to enroll in additional social work courses (see Admitted Major application for information and requirements). It is important that students have met prerequisite requirements, if an individual is interested in pursuing social work as a degree they should contact the Division to meet with an advisor to review his/her coursework.

BSW Program Mission Statement:
The Division of Social Work is guided by a person-in-environment perspective with respect for human diversity and provides opportunities for students, faculty, and the greater community to work toward improving the conditions for persons and communities within Wyoming and beyond.

BSW Program Objectives:
Graduates of the BSW program will be able to:

1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice;

2. Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity, including but not limited to diverse groups distinguished by race, ethnicity, class, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, mental and physical ability, age, and national origin;

3. Demonstrate the professional use of self;

4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice;

5. Understand the distinct circumstances of populations-at-risk: women, people of color and people who are gay and lesbian, and populations- at risk unique to this region, such as Native Americans living on reservations, isolated farm and ranch families, and isolated minority groups scattered throughout the state;

6. Understand the history of the social work profession and its current structures and issues;

7. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes;

8. Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual development and behavior, and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and social systems;

9. Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies;

10. Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice, and, under supervision, to evaluate practice outcomes, through evaluation of their own practice interventions and program evaluation;

11. Use effective communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and member of the community;

12. Use supervision appropriate to generalist, entry-level practice;

13. Function with in the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, and under supervision, seek necessary organizational change; and

14. Value the importance of continuing education.

If you have questions about the BSW Program, please contact Liz Dole, Interim BSW Coordinator, at (307) 766-6864.  She is located in the Health Sciences Buildling, Rm. 327.  Her email is edoleizz@uwyo.edu

 

Last Updated on 9/29/2009 6:34:38 PM