Program Overview
The undergraduate program in Social Work, which leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Social Work, is designed to prepare students for entry-level, generalist social work practice in urban social service agencies and organizations, and for graduate social work education. The program fulfills the requirements of the New York State Education Department and is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Since the program is accredited, program graduates may apply for advanced standing status in a graduate program in social work. Social work courses required for the major are available in both day and evening sections; some weekend classes may also be available.
All Social Work majors must complete the 55 credits in the basic program; a minor is not required. No credit for life experience will be given for the required Social Work courses.
The program in Social Work builds upon a liberal arts base and integrates knowledge from required study areas with the professional curriculum, particularly as it applies to an understanding of human behavior, human diversity, political and social systems, and the helping process. Senior students in the program complete a two-semester field placement in which they spend two days a week in one of many community agencies that provide services to children, adults, and families. Graduates of the program will have gained the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession essential for ethical, competent, and effective practice with diverse individuals, groups, communities, and organizations in the urban environment. Graduates will be prepared for beginning generalist social work practice in such fields as child and family welfare, substance abuse, health, mental health, developmental disabilities, immigration, gerontology, income maintenance, and homelessness.
