Social Work, Specialization in Environmental Social Work and Community Engagement, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Preparation for the Major

(21-23 units)

These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC. The minimum grade in each class is C (2.0) or better. Complete all courses in preparation for the major with a minimum GPA of 2.50.

• SWORK 110 - Social Work Fields of Service Units: 3
• SWORK 120 - Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare Units: 3

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• BIOL 100 - General Biology Units: 3

• or

• BIOL 101 - World of Animals Units: 3

• or

• BIOL 204 - Principles of Organismal Biology Units: 3

• or

• BIOL 261 - Human Physiology Units: 4

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• ECON 101 - Principles of Economics Units: 3

• or

• ECON 102 - Principles of Economics Units: 3

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• PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Units: 3
• SOC 101 - Introductory Sociology: The Study of Society Units: 3

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• PSY 280 - Statistical Methods in Psychology Units: 4

• or

• SOC 201 - Elementary Social Statistics Units: 3

• or

• STAT 250 - Statistical Principles and Practices Units: 3

Language Requirement

Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

Passing the Writing Placement Assessment with a score of 10 or completing one of the approved upper division writing courses (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

International Experience

All social work majors are required to participate in a pre-approved international experience to increase awareness of cross-cultural issues, global health, economic, political, cultural, social services, and health challenges experienced by local populations in international environments. Students participate in residence for two or more weeks (exemption from the study abroad portion of the requirement must be approved by the dean of the college based on serious and compelling life events or physical limitations; a relevant course will be substituted). Specific details can be found on the college website at http://www.chhs.sdsu.edu/international.

To meet the international experience requirement, majors must complete one of the following:

1. A CSU Study Abroad Program;
2. An SDSU Exchange Program;
3. An SDSU Study Abroad Program;
4. An SDSU Study Travel Program; 
   OR

Major

A minimum of 44 upper division units, in a prescribed course sequence, to include:

• SWORK 350 - Cultural Pluralism Units: 3
• SWORK 360 - Perspectives on Human Behavior and the Social Environment Units: 3
• SWORK 361 - Human Behavior Across the Life Span Units: 3
• SWORK 370 - Social Policies and Social Issues Units: 3
• SWORK 381 - Practice Skills Micro Units: 3
• SWORK 382 - Practice Skills Macro Units: 3
• SWORK 391 - Methods of Social Work Research Units: 3
• SWORK 483A - Generalist Social Work Practice I Units: 3
• SWORK 483B - Generalist Social Work Practice II Units: 3
• SWORK 489A - Field Experience in Social Work Units: 4-8 (4 units)
• SWORK 489B - Field Experience in Social Work Units: 4-8 (4 units)

Time Limitation

All social work courses taken for the major must have been taken and completed within seven years of the granting of the undergraduate degree. Courses taken prior to the seven year rule must be repeated. This policy applies to courses taken at SDSU or transferred from another four-year college or university or appropriate courses from a community college. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

Life Experience

No social work premajor or major courses can be waived or credit given towards the undergraduate degree for life experience including but not limited to employment, time spent in the military, training or workshops or volunteer experiences.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit students may transfer 15 nonsocial work courses in the premajor and six units of SWORK 110  and SWORK 120  from a California community college or four year institution with a signed articulation agreement with SDSU. Students from outside the state must have transcripts evaluated to determine if their courses meet SDSU criteria to be accepted for the premajor. The 44 units in the major can only be transferred from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited or candidacy status social work undergraduate program.

Prescribed Course Sequence

Students must complete all 300-level social work courses (21 units) before they will be allowed to enroll in SWORK 483A  and SWORK 489A . There is no required order of the 300-level courses with the exception that SWORK 382  must be taken prior to SWORK 381 .

Field Practicum

All students must enroll in field practicum. This is a 16-hour per week internship at a School of Social Work arranged and supervised social work community agency (students are not permitted to locate their own agencies). Students begin field practicum during the fall semester only and must concurrently enroll in SWORK 483A  and SWORK 489A . The continuation of field practicum is offered in spring semester only when students must concurrently enroll in SWORK 483B  and SWORK 489B . These courses are sequential and students must complete both “A” courses before going on to the two “B” courses. During the spring semester, preceding enrollment in field practicum, students attend a field orientation meeting. Specific date and time of the orientation is posted on the field bulletin board outside Hepner Hall 119 and announced in class. In addition, students should read the appropriate section in the current student handbook. The section outlines all requirements and processes the student is expected to follow. The coordinator of field instruction evaluates each application to determine whether the student has met all requirements for admission to field practicum (Social Work GPA of 2.00 and senior status) and assigns the student to an agency for internship. Students who do not file a field application by the deadline date will not be able to enter field practicum. Specific times and days of field practicum are arranged between the student and the assigned agency, but most agencies require daytime availability. Evening and weekend placements are not available. Students should arrange their schedules appropriately to meet these criteria.

Specialization in Environmental Social Work and Community Engagement

Student Handbook

The School of Social Work has a student handbook for undergraduate majors. The handbook contains policies and procedures not specified in the catalog in addition to information to aid students in completing the social work major. Student handbooks are available online at the school’s website.