Department of Social Work

The department of social work offers the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in human services. The department also offers minors in human services and social welfare. In each of these areas of study, students learn essential knowledge, values, and skills for professional practice. In addition, the department offers certificates in specialized areas of social work practice: Administration and Economic Development, Case Management, Expressive Arts and Integrative Therapies, Gerontology and Health and Mental Health Case Management.

Social work is a profession for those with a strong desire to improve people’s lives. Employment for social work professionals is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. The bachelor of social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and designed according to professional practice standards for generalist practice with different populations in a variety of settings including: health care, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, schools, geriatrics, social services, non-profits, and government agencies. Students successfully completing the degree are prepared to practice generalist social work and to apply for the Licensed Bachelor Social Worker (LBSW) offered by the state of Missouri. Students with the bachelor of social work degree may also apply for advance standing at graduate schools of social work in accordance with the Council on Social Work Accreditation Standards.

The human services degree completion program is designed for students with college coursework completed in human services. Human services coursework will be reviewed and applied as transfer credit towards completion of the BA in human services. The program is designed for students with course work and /or practice experience in the field of human services and offers students participation in selecting coursework that supports their academic and career goals.

The certificate offers students the advantage of an additional professional credential that supports employment and advance academic opportunities. The certificate curriculum includes curriculum content specific to the specialized practice area. The certificate recognizes the bearer as having depth of knowledge and competency in the specific area of social work.

Faculty

Social Work

Laura Beaver, assistant professor of social work
Sharon M. Jackson, associate professor of social work; chairperson of the department of social work

Accelerated and Advanced Standing Opportunities for BSW Graduates

MSW programs acknowledge the accomplishment of those graduates from an accredited BSW program and recognize their readiness for advanced standing in MSW programs. The advanced standing status is developed and designed for those students holding a bachelor’s degree in social work and offer a reduced number of courses to complete for the graduate degree. Social work advisors assist students with MSW graduate application processes including locating programs that are a match with the students advanced skill level and equitable advance standing opportunities.

Accelerated Bridge Program with Saint Louis University School of Social Work

Admission pre-requisites for Fontbonne University’s undergraduate Social Work students for Saint Louis University’s School of Social Work MSW Program are:

A major in Social Work
Completion of Social Work Foundation Courses
Obtained senior level status
An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 including transfer credit; and a 3.2 GPA in major
Registered as a Fulltime Student

*The minimum credit hours for fulltime status at Fontbonne is 12 credit hours. However, Students should not exceed 12 credit hours when registered in the Masters level courses at Saint Louis University.

Timeline

By October 1: Attend Mandatory Information Session led by SLU Graduate Admissions

By November 15: Eligible students notified via email by Fontbonne BSW Program Director

By February 1: Applications due through the online system, including:

Application to Accelerated Program
Resume
Professional Goal Statement
Two letters of recommendation
Transcript

By February 15: Participate in an in-person interview with Director of SLU Graduate Admissions

By March 1: Receive admission decision via email from SLU’S Office of Graduate Education

By March 15: Confirm admissions through the online system described in the admissions email from SLU’s Office of Graduate Education

By April 15: Meet with Fontbonne BSW Advisor and SLU MSW Program Director to plan senior year.

Students with conditional probationary admissions into the Bridge Program may take between 3 - 9 credit hours.

Students will be granted credit for these courses in the MSW Program contingent upon:

Maintaining a “B” or better in all MSW courses and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Completion of all baccalaureate degree requirements at Fontbonne University
Meet all requirements for admission into the MSW Program at SLU

Failure to meet any of these requirements may jeopardize the student’s admission into the MSW Program.

Accelerated Bridge students will be given conditional probationary admissions in to the MSW Program. Saint Louis University School of Social Work tuition rates and fees will apply towards MSW courses taken. Accelerated Bridge students are not eligible to apply for School of Social Work scholarships until they have completed their undergraduate degree and become a classified student in the MSW Program. Students should discuss with their undergraduate financial aid office and Saint Louis University’s Office of Student Financial Services what, if any, federal/state grants or loans will apply to their study at Saint Louis University School of Social Work.

Upon completion of graduation requirements at Fontbonne University, receipt of final transcript and successful completion of MSW courses; student admissions status will be reviewed and updated to classified.

Programs

Undergraduate Certificate

Undergraduate Major

Undergraduate Minor

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