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Barbara W. White
PhD
Dean
Dorothy Van Soest
DSW
Associate Dean
The Bachelor of Social Work degree program is accredited by the Council on
Social Work Education.
The School of Social Work was established as a graduate program in 1949 and
began classes in the fall of 1950 with twenty-four students enrolled in the
MSSW program. Undergraduate courses in social work were first offered in 1958.
These were incorporated into a full Bachelor of Social Work program in the fall
of 1974.
The Bachelor of Social Work program was accredited by the Council of Social
Work Education in 1975; the first graduate received the degree in December,
1977. Since that time, the program has been strengthened by curriculum
modifications reflecting changes in the profession and in society that have
implications for beginning social work practice. Since the program was
established, more than one thousand students have received BSW degrees.
The School of Social Work also offers programs leading to the Master of Science
in Social Work and the Doctor of Philosophy. These are described in
The
Graduate Catalog.
The School of Social Work provides professional education and leadership in
social work practice, research, and service to promote social and economic
justice, enhance social welfare, and build strong community-University
partnerships.
The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is to prepare students
as beginning-level generalist professional social work practitioners who are
committed to the provision of services that further the well-being of people
and who promote social and economic justice. Building on a broad liberal arts
framework, the BSW curriculum is designed to develop generalist practitioners
who have an understanding of social work knowledge and values and are able to
select methods and resources to meet identified client needs, while recognizing
and engaging the strengths of the client in the process. The curriculum offers
students the opportunity to learn to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance
the social functioning of multiple levels of systems in the environment,
including individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities;
to recognize worker and client limitations; and to know when to refer clients
to other resources.
The BSW student is given the opportunity to learn to work collaboratively in a
variety of settings using an ecosystems/developmental perspective; to recognize
the relationships between client needs and public issues; to work toward the
development of social policies, resources, and programs that meet basic human
needs and empower at-risk groups; and to be sensitive to the diversities among
individuals, including ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion,
and ability. The program is intended to prepare reflective, self-evaluating
practitioners who have a strong identification with the social work profession
and work to alleviate poverty, oppression, and discrimination.
Graduates of the program are expected to be able to enhance the
problem-solving, coping, and developmental capacities of individuals,
especially those from at-risk populations. They also are expected to contribute
to the effective and humane operation of the systems within the environment
that provide individuals with resources, services, and opportunities; to link
individuals in need with the appropriate systems; and to contribute to the
development and improvement of social policies that have an impact on people
and their social environments, especially by empowering at-risk groups and by
promoting social and economic justice.
The BSW program is integrated with and builds upon a liberal arts base that
includes knowledge in language arts, the humanities, and the social,
behavioral, and natural sciences. The program includes content in social work
values, diversity and at-risk populations, social and economic justice, human
behavior and the social environment, research, social welfare policy and
services, and social work intervention.
Students graduating from the BSW program are expected to demonstrate
- A professional identity that incorporates the values and ethics of the
social work profession and the ability to demonstrate the professional
development of self.
- The ability to work with diverse populations with an understanding of and
respect for the positive value of diversity, including ethnicity, gender,
sexual orientation, age, ability, and religion, and to use communication skills
differentially with diverse groups.
- An understanding of the forms and mechanisms of oppression and
discrimination and an ability to apply strategies and skills that advance
social and economic justice and reduce the oppression of at-risk populations.
- An understanding of the social and cultural contexts of changing client
systems, including organizations, communities, and society, and an
understanding of the roles the social work profession plays and historically
has played in promoting social change.
- Beginning-level competencies in research and evaluation, including the
ability to evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice and, under
supervision, to evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other
relevant systems.
- An understanding of how social policy is developed, becomes operational
through legislative and administrative bodies, and affects client systems,
workers, and agencies.
- The attainment of knowledge and skills that demonstrate the ability to use
the problem-solving approach as a method of intervention with individuals,
families, small groups, organizations, and communities in a manner that
empowers client systems and focuses on their strengths.
- The ability to practice effectively with client systems of various sizes
and types, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and
communities, and to link client systems with agency and community resources to
effect planned change.
- An ability to apply critical thinking skills within the context of
professional social work practice.
- An awareness of their responsibility to continue their professional growth
and development, including the use of supervision appropriate to generalist
practice.
In 1994, the School of Social Work relocated to a completely renovated building
located at 1925 San Jacinto Boulevard on the south end of the campus. The
School of Social Work Building provides space for social work classes,
including a classroom equipped for distance learning; offices for the faculty
and staff; an advising center and student services area; and a student lounge.
The building also houses the Learning Resource Center (LRC), which has an
extensive library collection of social work - related books, journals, and
other publications partially funded by the Josleen Lockhart Memorial Book Fund.
The LRC includes a large microcomputer laboratory for class and individual use
and provides space, equipment, and technical assistance for studying, meetings
of small groups of students, viewing audiovisual materials, and videotaping and
completing other skills-based learning assignments. The School of Social Work
Building also houses the Center for Social Work Research, Children's Protective
Services Training Institute, women's studies program, and Junior League
Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program.
Although many University scholarships are awarded through the Office of Student
Financial Services, a limited number are awarded by the School of Social Work
to undergraduate social work students. Awards are made for reasons ranging from
academic promise to financial need. All social work majors who meet the
eligibility requirements for the scholarships listed below are encouraged to
apply. For additional information, contact the Academic Programs and Student
Services Office.
The Charles W. Laughton Memorial Endowed Presidential Scholarship Award
was established in October, 1975, with major assistance from the Hogg
Foundation for Mental Health, the Social Work Foundation Advisory Council, and
alumni of the School of Social Work. The award provides recognition to
outstanding undergraduate and graduate students. Students are nominated on the
basis of academic excellence and potential contribution to the field. The
award, in recognition of excellence, is not made unless there is a candidate
who merits it.
The Lora Lee Pederson Scholarship Fund was established in 1963 by the
Alumni Association of the School of Social Work in honor of the first director
of the school. The income from the endowment fund is used for scholarships or
small grants to cover emergency situations of students or special needs of the
school. In any given year there may be no award winner.
The Victor and Myra Ravel Scholarship in Children's Rights was endowed
in 1989 by Mr. and Mrs. Victor Ravel of Austin and the University Regents'
Endowed Student Fellowship and Scholarship Program. The endowment is
administered through the Austin Community Foundation; the income is used for
scholarships to social work students interested in children's rights or child
advocacy. Students are nominated on the basis of academic excellence and
potential contribution to professional social work in the area of child
advocacy.
The Sylvia Shapiro Scholarship was established in 1985 by Sidney S.
Smith of Austin, in memory of his cousin, Sylvia Shapiro. Students are
nominated on the basis of academic excellence, need, and potential contribution
to professional social work with emphasis on work with the frail elderly.
The George K. Herbert Endowed Scholarship was endowed in 1989 through
gifts from colleagues, alumni, the Wolens Foundation, Tenneco, Inc., the Social
Work Foundation Advisory Council, the University Regents' Endowed Student
Fellowship and Scholarship Program, and others in recognition of Professor
Herbert's dedication to high standards of professional service and
contributions to social work education. Undergraduates are nominated on the
basis of academic excellence and potential contribution to professional social
work.
Other scholarships. Additional scholarships funded by contributions to
the School of Social Work are awarded to undergraduate social work majors each
year. Students are nominated on the basis of academic excellence, financial
need, and potential contribution to professional social work.
Placement assistance is provided to students preparing to enter the
professional job market. Students should inquire in the Career Development
Center located in the Academic Programs and Student Services Office. The center
maintains a list of available social work jobs and provides information about
social work careers, graduate programs, and other opportunities for
professional development, volunteer placements, and social work licensure.
Workshops and other programs are offered on the fields of social work practice,
resume preparation, and job search and interviewing skills.
Professional social workers may seek employment in a number of areas. The Texas
Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation has established quality
control standards that mandate the hiring of holders of BSW degrees in
designated positions. The Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services hires social workers for its child protective services programs, and
the Texas Department of Human Services hires BSW graduates for its client
support services programs. Large nursing home facilities are also now required
to have a social work staff. Substance abuse treatment programs, psychiatric
hospitals, health care programs, school social work and dropout prevention
programs, criminal justice programs, and programs for the elderly also employ
social workers. More than a third of the program's graduates go on to graduate
schools throughout the country.
As a complement to the assistance available from the school, the University
Career Center, located in Jester Center, provides comprehensive career services
to all students. The center offers professional assistance to students in
choosing or changing their majors or careers, seeking an internship, and
planning for the job search or for graduate study.
The University makes no promise to secure employment for each graduate.
The College Council of Social Work is an organization open to all students
pursuing a social work degree or interested in the social work profession. The
council's purposes are to help students acquire a better understanding of the
profession of social work, to provide a mechanism for student input on issues
related to the social work curriculum and the school, and to organize and
support social work - related programs and projects that will benefit students,
the school, the University, and the community.
Council activities include orientations to the BSW and MSSW programs, a career
night, forums with guest speakers from community agencies and the University,
community service projects, special interest groups that meet to discuss social
work - related topics, and social gatherings. Members of the council represent
student concerns as voting members of the school's curriculum committees, the
Cabinet of College Councils, and the Student Government.
Students must purchase professional liability insurance while they are enrolled
in the field practicum. The cost is about fifteen dollars a year. Payment is
made to the Field Office of the School of Social Work.
Admission and readmission of all students to the University is the
responsibility of the director of admissions. Information about admission to
the University is given in General Information.
The School of Social Work maintains two classifications of undergraduate
students: pre - social work majors and social work majors. Pre - social work
majors are usually freshmen and sophomores. After completing the requirements
below, a student may apply for admission to the professional curriculum as a
social work major. Students who are admitted into the major complete at least
four semesters of social work coursework and any other remaining degree
requirements. Students who fulfill all degree requirements receive a Bachelor
of Social Work degree.
The professional practice of social work requires people who are above average
in academic ability and performance, sufficiently emotionally mature to assume
a helping role with people under stress, and committed to the ethical standards
and performance demands of social work practice. Students are encouraged to use
the advising services in the School of Social Work early in their college
careers in anticipation of meeting requirements for admission to the major. A
student who is interested in seeking a social work degree must discuss his or
her intentions with a social work adviser before applying for admission to the
program.
Any student newly admitted to the University may enter the School of Social
Work as a pre - social work major. A student who is enrolled in another college
or school of the University may transfer to the School of Social Work in
accordance with the University's rules on transfer from one division to
another. These rules require a student who has completed more than forty-five
semester hours of coursework to have a University grade point average of at
least 2.00 in order to transfer.
No student may enter the professional curriculum (the required upper-division
social work courses) unless he or she has been admitted to the University as
described in
General Information
and has been admitted to the major in
social work by the dean, following recommendation by the Undergraduate
Committee, according to the procedures below. All students are considered
according to the policies given in the editions of
General Information
and The Undergraduate Catalog that are in effect at the time of the
application.
The School of Social Work considers students for admission to the major once a
year during the spring semester. A student who enters the University as a
freshman in a fall semester will usually apply for admission to the
professional curriculum in the spring semester of his or her sophomore year.
Students who are able to meet the admission requirements earlier or later than
the spring semester of the sophomore year should consult a social work adviser.
Admission applications are available from the Academic Programs and Student
Services Office. Applications to the BSW program must be submitted by February
1 for the student to be considered for admission to the program for the
following fall semester. The application allows the student to outline his or
her background and motivation to enter the social work profession as well as
any special experiences that enhance his or her application.
The School of Social Work limits admission to the major to the number of
students to whom a professional education of high quality can be provided.
Because of enrollment restrictions dictated by the availability of faculty
members and facilities, some applicants may be denied admission even though
they meet the following minimum requirements.
Requirements
- The
applicant must have completed at least forty-five semester hours of coursework,
including at least thirty hours chosen from the following area requirements:
- English 306 and 316K
- A course with a substantial writing component
- Two semesters of coursework in a single foreign language
- Sociology 302
- Psychology 301
- A three-semester-hour course in economics
- Six semester hours in American government, including Texas government
- Six semester hours in American history
- Twelve semester hours of coursework to fulfill the Area C requirement. To
fulfill the mathematics requirement, Mathematics 302, 303D, 316, or an
equivalent course is recommended. A course in human or environmental biology is
part of the major requirements.
- Six semester hours of coursework in fine arts or humanities, including at
least three hours of coursework with content related to cultural
diversity
- The applicant must have completed the following courses with a grade of at
least C in each course: Social Work 310, 312, and 313, and Child
Development 313 or Psychology 304. The applicant must also have a grade point
average of at least 2.50 in all the courses he or she has completed that are
part of the social work major requirements.
- The applicant must have a University grade point average of at least 2.00.
- Application for admission must be made on forms available from the
Academic Programs and Student Services Office in the School of Social Work.
- The following must be submitted to the BSW Program by February 1:
- The completed application for admission to the professional curriculum.
- A personal statement as explained on the application.
- At least two letters of recommendation.
- Documentation of successful completion of at least forty-five hours of
supervised volunteer experience involving direct contact with clients in a
human services organization.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended, if the coursework has not
been transferred to the student's University record.
- Score reports for any credit earned by examination, if the scores are not
on the student's University record.
- The applicant may be asked to appear for a personal interview.
- The applicant is considered on the basis of academic performance and his
or her commitment to and suitability for generalist social work practice. The
committee also assesses the applicant's emotional and professional readiness to
work with clients on the basis of such factors as his or her work in courses
already taken, previous meetings with social work advisers, personal statement,
and the interview, if any, that is part of the application process.
- A student who is unable to attend in the semester for which he or she is
admitted must reapply for admission in order to enroll at a later time. A
student who has been admitted to and enrolls in the professional curriculum,
withdraws, and then wishes to return must apply for readmission on the basis of
the curriculum in effect at the time of the return. A student who has been out
of the University for a semester or more must also submit an application for
readmission to the University.
Applicants are notified of the decision on
admission to the major by the Undergraduate Committee no later than April 15.
As part of the application for admission to the University, students must
submit transcripts from all other colleges and universities they have attended
to the Office of Admissions. Students seeking readmission must submit
transcripts from all schools they have attended since leaving the University.
The Office of Admissions evaluates all transcripts and grants the student
transfer credit when possible for coursework completed at the other schools.
Although the Office of Admissions may grant the student a certain number of
semester hours of University credit for work completed in another social work
program, the BSW program coordinator in the School of Social Work determines
whether this coursework may be counted toward fulfillment of the Bachelor of
Social Work degree requirements. Students who wish to use transfer credit to
meet degree requirements should submit a course syllabus, assignments, and the
titles and names of authors of textbooks to the BSW program coordinator for
evaluation.
Students may also seek transfer credit for coursework they complete at another
institution after enrolling at the University. In this case also the student
should submit a transcript from the other institution to the Office of
Admissions and a syllabus, course assignments, and information about textbooks
to the School of Social Work BSW program coordinator.
General Information
gives information about registration, adding and
dropping courses, transfer from one division of the University to another, and
auditing a course.
The Course Schedule, published before registration
each semester and summer session, includes registration instructions, advising
locations, and the times, places, and instructors of classes. The Course
Schedule and General Information are sold at campus-area bookstores.
They are also published on the World Wide Web and are accessible through the
registrar's Web site, http://www.utexas.edu/student/registrar/.
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28 August 1996. Registrar's Web Team
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