Social Work (BS)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus, Manhattan Online

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Social work is concerned with the interaction between people and their social environments. Social workers help people deal with other people, cope with the many social and environmental forces that affect and control daily life, and help solve problems that inhibit growth and development.

The undergraduate social work program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education to educate entry-level, generalist social work practitioners. The social work major is required for students who intend to pursue a career in social work in Kansas and in many other states.

The bachelor’s degree in social work is recognized as a beginning-level professional degree. Students graduating from the social work program are eligible for licensure as bachelor degree social workers in Kansas and numerous other states. No other bachelor’s degree is recognized, or necessary, for such eligibility. Students who wish to pursue graduate studies in social work will be eligible for advanced standing in many masters of social work programs throughout the United States.

The intervention tasks performed by social workers are derived from a common base of knowledge, values, and skills. Thus, social workers are uniquely qualified to provide resources, services, and opportunities to individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities. Students are required to complete a field practice placement during their senior year to integrate classroom material with practice experience in a professional setting.

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

K-State Core is the foundation for an impactful life and career after time at K-State.

The K-State Core framework covers six disciplinary areas: English, Communications, Mathematics & Statistics, Natural & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. In addition, a seventh area is reserved for institutionally designated use, which K-State is keeping as free electives. In total, the framework takes up 34-35 credit hours of 100 and 200-level coursework. Students who complete their general education elsewhere cannot be required to take additional general education coursework in the disciplinary areas of the framework without permission from KBOR to continue requiring courses in the K-State Core.

General Education: K-State Core

Program Requirements

Orientation: 1 Credit Hour

DAS 101 - Discover, Create, and Thrive: Arts and Sciences Orientation Credits: 1

Outside Concentration: 9 Credit Hours

Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except for Social Work, OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit. Any overlap with the program is allowed.).

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for SOCWK) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with the program).

Any 9 credit hour microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with the program).

Overlays [9] credits

May be filled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

Ethical Reasoning Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
Global Perspectives Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
US Multicultural Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]

Program

Introductory Courses; 12 Credit Hours

If not met through K-State Core requirements, STAT 225 is required.

ANTH 200 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3
OR
ANTH 204 - A General Education Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3
POLSC 110 - Introduction to Political Science Credits: 3
OR
POLSC 115 - U.S. Politics Credits: 3
PSYCH 110 - General Psychology Credits: 3
SOCIO 211 - Introduction to Sociology Credits: 3
KSC-030
STAT 225 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3

SOCWK Foundation Courses; 42-51 credit hours

SOCWK 100 - Social Work: The Helping Profession Credits: 3
SOCWK 300 - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Social Work Practice Credits: 3
SOCWK 315 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I Credits: 3
SOCWK 510 - Social Welfare as a Social Institution Credits: 3
SOCWK 530 - Social Work Research and Evaluation Methods Credits: 3
SOCWK 550 - Field Practicum Preparation Credits: 1-3
Students take for 1 credit
SOCWK 560 - Social Work Practice I Credits: 3
SOCWK 561 - Social Work Practice II Credits: 3
SOCWK 562 - Field Experience Credits: 1-10
Students must complete 10 credits of SOCWK 562
SOCWK 564 - Social Work Professional Seminar Credits: 1-2
Students must complete 2 credits of SOCWK 564
SOCWK 568 - Macro Practice and Theory Credits: 3
SOCWK 570 - Social Work with Groups Credits: 3

Social Work Electives: 9 Credit Hours

Choose 9 credits from the following:

ADC 200, ADC 315, ADC 325, ADC 395, ADC 575, ADC 630, or ADC 650

SOCWK 110 to SOCWK 290, SOCWK 310, SOCWK 320, SOCWK 340 to SOCWK 500, SOCWK 610 to SOCWK 700

BS Natural and Quantitative Restricted Electives: 6 Credit Hours

One course in each of the following, at any level

Natural Science: 3 credits

Quantitative: 3 credits

BS Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Restricted Electives: 3 Credit Hours

3 credit hours the following, at any level

Fine Arts or Humanities: 3 credits

Any course or combination of courses.

Free Electives: 0-4 Credit Hours

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

A&S Common Degree Requirements met by advanced SOCWK courses, SOCWK 330 and SOCWK 530 (quantitative social science) and BS Natural and Quantitative, Fine Arts and Humanities Electives