Social Work

Interim Chairperson: Dr. Michael D. Fimmen
Office: Horrabin Hall 8
Telephone: 309/298-1071
Fax: 309/298-1601
E-Mail: Social-Work@wiu.edu
Website:www.wiu.edu/socialwork

Faculty: Allwardt, Fimmen, Orwig, Zellmann.

Adviser: Dadello.

The Department of Social Work offers the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The BSW prepares students as generalist social workers for entry-level professional employment in social service agencies, providing services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, neighborhoods, and communities. Generalist social workers serve children, adolescents, adults, and elderly persons with a variety of needs.  The social work curriculum provides students with the opportunity to obtain the knowledge, values, and skills needed for beginning professional practice and for continuation of their studies at the graduate level. This curriculum is built upon and integrates the liberal arts through the basic University general education requirements.

Pre-Social Work

Initially, all students entering the Department of Social Work are classified as Pre-Social Work majors. Enrollment in the Pre-Social Work Program does not guarantee acceptance as a candidate for the Bachelor of Social Work degree.

To be accepted as a candidate for the Bachelor of Social Work degree students must satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Complete a minimum of 30 s.h. of credit toward the degree including SW 100 (with a final grade of C or better), Biol 100, Eng 180, Psy 100, and Soc 100.
  2. Have a minimum GPA of 2.00 overall.
  3. Provide acceptable documentation of a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer or paid human service experience, such as direct experience with persons using the services provided in medical settings, day care centers, nursing homes, church-related programs, or other similar settings.
  4. Complete the Social Work Program application materials, have a personal interview with a member of the social work faculty, and complete the Social Work Assessment Exam.
  5. Be accepted, on the basis of the application process, by the social work faculty. If application is denied, the student has the right to appeal to the chairperson. The department will consider the appeal as a committee of the whole.

Social Work Degree Candidacy

Candidates for the Bachelor of Social Work degree must satisfy the following requirements for graduation:

  1. Meet the requirements stated above.
  2. Meet the University and Department general education course requirements for graduation.
  3. Obtain a grade of C or better in every graded core SW course.
  4. Achieve a minimum 2.50 grade point average for all SW courses prior to enrolling in the practicum course, SW 480.
  5. Earn a minimum 2.50 SW grade point average at the conclusion of SW 480.
  6. Demonstrate professional knowledge, values, and skills after formal admission to the program and throughout the practicum. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program.

GradTrac is available to Social Work majors. See more information about GradTrac.

Degree Programs

Bachelor of Social Work

All students seeking the Bachelor of Social Work must complete I, II, III, and IV. The minimum semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree is 120 s.h. Social work students must complete a one-semester practicum in a social service agency to gain experience in social work practice. The practicum is a closely supervised learning experience that helps prepare students for beginning level practice.

  1. University General Education Curriculum: 43 s.h.
    Additional Departmental General Education Requirements
    Social Sciences: 3 s.h.
    Humanities: 3 s.h.
    (Section I must include Anth 110 or Rel 201, Biol 100, Comm 130, Foreign Language, Phil 120, PolS 122, Psy 100, and Soc 100)
  2. Core Courses: 48 s.h.
    SW 100, 212, 213, 312, 313†, 315, 320, 325, 400, 415, 425, 440, 480, 499
  3. Social Work Electives: (at least two required for major)
    SW 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 337, 338, 340, 345, 496: 6 s.h.
  4. Minor or Open Electives: 17 s.h.

†SW 313 fulfills the Writing Instruction in the Discipline (WID) graduation requirement.

Course Descriptions

SOCIAL WORK (SW)

100 (formerly SW 211) Introduction to Social Work. (3) An introduction to the professional values and ethics, history, policies, and services, and methods and fields of social work practice, emphasizing generalist social work. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum.
IAI: SW 911.

212 (formerly SW 310) Human Behavior and the Social Environment I. (3) An exploration of human development theories in the context of biological, physical, psychological, social, and cultural environments that help shape behavior. The focus is on conception through adolescence. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: SW 100 (C grade or better); Biol 100; or consent of instructor.

213 (formerly SW 314) Human Behavior and the Social Environment II. (3) An exploration of human development theories in the context of biological, physical, psychological, social, and cultural environments that help shape behavior. The focus is on young adulthood through late adulthood. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: SW 212 (C grade or better); or consent of instructor.

312 (formerly SW 221) Social Work Research Methodology. (3) An introduction to the research methods used in conducting quantitative and qualitative research. Social work values and ethics and issues of diversity are given special attention. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: SW 100 (C grade or better); completion of math competency; or consent of instructor.

313 (formerly SW 321) Social Work Research Statistics. (3) An introduction to statistical analysis and its application in quantitative and qualitative research in social work. This course continues and completes the research project begun in SW 312. Social work values and ethics and issues of diversity are given special attention. Writing Instruction in the Discipline (WID) course. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: SW 312 (C grade or better); or consent of instructor.

315 Generalist Social Work Practice I. (4) Provides knowledge, values, and skills needed in the generalist method of social work, focusing on working with individuals. A concurrent lab provides skill development. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: Social Work major; permission of adviser; consent of instructor.

320 (formerly SW 311) Introduction to Social Welfare Policy. (3) An introduction to past and present local, state, and national social welfare policies. Policies are analyzed for their philosophical foundations, populations served, and social and political implications. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: SW 100 (C grade or better); or consent of instructor.

325 (formerly SW 442) National Social Welfare Policy. (3) Study and analysis of the formulation and implementation of social welfare policy at the federal level and its impact on all system levels. Policy models, implementation strategies, and budgetary constraints are examined. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: SW 320 (C grade or better); or consent of instructor.

330 (formerly SW 420) Child and Family Services. (3) An introduction to theories, policies, and practices in child welfare. Current trends in protective services, family preservation, adoption, and substitute care will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

331 Social Work and Addictions. (3) An introduction to addictions and their effects on individuals, families, and society. Current theories, treatments, and social work roles and functions will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

332 Social Work with Aging Persons. (3) An introduction to working with persons as they age and as their circumstances change. Social work roles and personal, familial, and societal implications of aging will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

333 Case Management in Social Work. (3) An introduction to case management as a social work function. Theories and models of case management will be studied and case management skills will be developed. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

334 Social Work, Disabilities and Health. (3) An introduction to medical and habilitative social work. Issues of access, managed care, ethics, social policies, and social work roles will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

335 Domestic Violence and Social Work Intervention. (3) An introduction to major topics in the area of domestic violence. Definitions, warning signs, use of appropriate social work services, and prevention will be studied. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

337 Social Work in Rural Environments. (3) An introduction to the special considerations of social work services in rural and small town environments. Content focuses on the characteristics of rural areas, rural populations, lack of social service resources, and appropriate roles for master’s and baccalaureate social workers. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

338 Social Work and Mental Health. (3) Introduction to mental health; impact of mental illness on individuals, families, and society; roles and functions of social workers in mental health services. Introduction to the DSM V will be provided. Focus will be on generalist social work. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

340 Topics in Social Work. (3, repeatable for different topics to 6) Varied topics of interest to social work and other human service majors. Topics might include diversity, advocacy, spirituality, political activity, criminal justice issues, professional ethics, and interdisciplinary teamwork. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

345 Investigation in Social Work. (1-6, repeatable to 6) Investigation into a specific area of social work that requires more intense study of longer duration. Prerequisite: junior standing or consent of instructor.

400 Learning through Community Service. (3) Introduction to applied human service skills through community service in an agency setting. A minimum of 60 volunteer hours required. A concurrent seminar provides opportunities for direction from the instructor and for discussion. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisite: Social Work major; SW 312 (C grade or better); SW 325 (C grade or better); SW 315 (C grade or better).

415 (formerly SW 443) Generalist Social Work Practice II. (3) Covers the theory and skills of the generalist method of social work. Its focus is on families and small groups. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 315 (C grade or better); consent of instructor.

425 (formerly SW 445) Generalist Social Work Practice III. (3) Covers the theory and skills of the generalist method of social work. Its focus is on organizations, communities, society, and international issues. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: SW 315 (C grade or better); consent of instructor.

440 Pre-Practicum. (1) Prepares majors for the practicum. Content includes resume preparation; investigation of agency placement opportunities; interviews for placement; overview of ethical, safety, and liability issues; and the role of participants as adult learners. A grade of C or better is required to continue through the curriculum. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 315 (C grade or better); permission of the Director of Field Education.

480 (formerly SW 444) Generalist Social Work Practicum. (13) An educational experience in an agency setting that offers practical application of social work knowledge, values, and skills. A concurrent integrative seminar provides opportunities for discussion and direction from the instructor. A grade of C or better is required to graduate. Prerequisites: Social Work major; SW 415 (C grade or better); SW 425 (C grade or better); SW 440 (C grade or better); 2.50 GPA in the major; completion of all other required social work courses (C grade or better); being within 20 semester hours of completion of degree; permission of the Director of Field Education and chairperson.

496 Senior Honors Thesis in Social Work. (3 – 6, repeatable to 6) Thesis research under the direction of at least two social work faculty members on a topic of mutual agreement. Minimum of 3 s.h. required for honors. Prerequisite: approval of departmental honors adviser.

499 Senior Assessment Exam. (0) An exam that all social work majors must take at the completion of SW 480. This exam assesses the knowledge gained through completing the social work curriculum. Completion of the exam will result in a grade of S. Prerequisites: Social Work major; senior standing. Corequisite: SW 480. Graded S/U only.

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