Social Work, B.S.W.

Social Work is a professional degree program designed to prepare students to utilize social work knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work practice. The program’s goals include professional practice competencies and standards set forth by the Council for Social Work Education.

Bachelor of Social Work Program Goals

1. Prepare students for generalist professional practice and/or graduate studies in social work.
2. Prepare students to understand the values and ethics of the social work profession and how to integrate the values and ethics into practice.
3. Prepare students who strive for social and economic justice, defend human rights, and serve diverse populations.
4. Prepare students to use critical thinking and scientific inquiry to guide professional practice.
5. Prepare students to understand the role of social policy in advancing justice and the delivery of effective social work services.
6. Prepare students to develop and understand professional growth, competency, and integrity.
7. Prepare students to function effectively within agencies and social services delivery systems by using field education for practice, supervision, and consultation.
8. Provide students an educational heritage founded in the unifying values of the university’s Catholic identity, the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and the mission of social work.
9. Prepare students to integrate the liberal arts perspective and respect science, faith, and philosophical and moral reasoning as they pursue knowledge and lifelong learning.
10. Respond proactively to the impact of political and economic trends, technological and biomedical advances, and issues of environmental sustainability on the future of the society.

Bachelor of Social Work Program Values

• Service
• Social Justice
• Dignity and worth of the person
• Importance of human relationships
• Integrity
• Competence

Admission Policy

Students entering Fontbonne University as freshmen may select social work as their major area of study with their initial enrollment application. Students will be assigned a faculty advisor in the social work program. Students who enter undecided and/or change their major to social work should make an appointment with the director of the social work program to insure completion of necessary requirements for admission and assignment of a faculty advisor. All students interested in social work must complete the application for admission to the social work program. The following guidelines apply.

Requirements for Consideration for Admission to the Social Work Program

1. Student submits:
   1. Application for admission to social work program.
   2. Personal statement: Typewritten, in 12-point font, and two to three pages in length. Your statement should answer the following questions:
      1. Why I am choosing social work?
      2. What experiences have led me to select social work?
      3. Social work values are listed below. Describe what these values mean to you. (Values: social justice, service, dignity and worth of the person, importance of relationship, integrity, and competence.)
   3. Transcripts of all university work on file with the registrar’s office.
2. Student must have completed:
   1. A minimum of 24 credits with an average GPA of 2.5 or better.
   2. SWK 100  or SWK 110  with an average of 3.0 or better.
   3. Reading the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and commit to following the ethical standards in academic work and professional practice.
   4. An interview with a social work faculty member.
   5. Major application form submitted to the university’s registrar office.
   6. Enrollment as a student in good standing at Fontbonne University.
   7. Student may submit an application after completing a minimum of 24 credit hours with an average 2.5 GPA including SWK 100  or SWK 110 . (A 3.0 must be maintained in all social work courses.)
   8. Complete all assessments administered by the social work department
   9. Student may be asked to meet with the director of the social work program during the time the application is being reviewed.

Security Checks and Drug Screening

Social service agencies require security background checks, drug screenings, criminal record checks, and social service abuse and neglect screenings as a condition of field placement and employment. Students who fail a security screening or give false or misleading information will be discharged from the social work program.

Application Review Process

All applications are reviewed by full time faculty in the social work program. The Program Director will contact students if their application is denied.

Denied Applications

If the decision is to deny admission, the letter will detail the reasons for denial and request the student to make an appointment with the director to review reasons for the denial. Students may submit a letter of appeal to the director. Students should meet with their advisor to review the appeals process. Students may also reapply for admission after a plan of action is developed between the advisor and student to correct concerns identified in the denial. The application must indicate the conditions of the denial have been corrected.

Students who choose not to utilize the appeals process or develop a plan of action will work with their advisor to determine other options. A maximum of one readmission attempt after the initial denial application will be accepted.

Transfer Education Policy

Transfer requirements for consideration for admission to the social work program:

1. After completing SWK 100  or SWK 110  student submits:
   1. Application for admission to social work program.
   2. Personal Statement: Typewritten, in 12-point font, and two to three pages in length. Your statement should answer the following questions:
      1. Why I am choosing social work?
      2. What experiences have led me to select social work?
      3. Social work values are listed below. Describe what these values mean to you.
         (Values: social justice, service, dignity and worth of the person, importance of relationship, integrity, and competence.)
   3. Transcripts of all university work on file with the registrar’s office.
2. Student must have completed:
   1. A minimum of 24 credits with an average GPA of 2.5 or better, or block agreement.
   2. SWK 100  or SWK 110 , with a 3.0 or better.
   3. Reading the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and commit to following the ethical standards in academic work and professional practice.
   4. An interview with a social work faculty member.
   5. Complete all assessments administered by the social work department.
   6. Major application form submitted to the university’s registrar office.

Applicants may be asked to meet with director of the social work program.

NOTE: Transfer students must complete all Fontbonne degree requirements and the residency requirement of a minimum of 30 credit hours. All courses taken during the semester of degree completion/graduation must be completed at Fontbonne University. Social Work courses completed at C.S.W.E. accredited programs will be applied to equivalent social work courses. Students may not repeat social work courses for additional credits.

Transfer Credit

Transfer of social work course credits from other institutions

Coursework from schools of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education will be accepted as transfer credit according to the following criteria:

1. Completed social work coursework with 3.0 or better;
2. Transfer credits may not reduce the residency requirement minimum of 30 credits hours;
3. Students submit a course outline, syllabus, or description of the transfer course.