BSW Degree Requirements & Curriculum

Social Work:

• SW 220 Intro to Social Work, Social Welfare and U.S. Society (NOTE: Students must complete SW 220 before entering 500 level classes and must earn a grade of B or higher.)
• SW 303 Human Sexuality (Elective)
• SW 310 Dealing with Stress & Supporting Well-Being (Elective)

English:

• ENGL 101 Composition
• ENGL 102 Critical Reading & Writing (or ENGL 105 Honors)

Speech Communications (Choose One):

• COMS 130 Speaker-Audience Communication
• COMS 322 Audience Centered Public Speaking in the Workplace
• THR 120 Public Speaking as Performance

Mathematics (Choose One):

• MATH 101 College Algebra
• LA&S 108 Personal Numeracy

Western Civilization or Anthropology (May not be used for Intercultural Studies Requirement - Choose One):

• HUM 204 Western Civilization I (includes LA&S 250 Western Civilization I)
• HUM 205 Western Civilization II (includes LA&S 252 Western Civilization II)
• ANTH 160 Varieties of Human Experience

Intercultural Studies (Choose One):

• Approved course from KU Core Goal 4.2 list 
• COMS 246 Introduction to Intercultural Communication

Child/Adolescent/Human Development (Choose One):

• ABSC 160 Intro to Child Behavior & Development
• ABSC 250 Human Development
• EPSY 305 Development and Learning of the Child
• PSYC 250 Human Development
• PSYC 333 Child Development

Biology:

• BIOL 100 & 102 Principles of Biology and Principles of Biology Laboratory

Economics (Choose One):

• ECON 104 Introduction to Economics
• ECON 142 Principles of Microeconomics
• ECON 144 Principles of Macroeconomics

Political Science:

• POLS 110 Introduction to U.S. Politics

Psychology:

• PSYC 104 General Psychology

Sociology:

• SOC 104 Elements of Sociology

NOTE: Other courses not contained on the Master List may meet a distribution requirement; careful review of the syllabus for the course must be completed and written permission granted by the BSW Director. It is strongly encouraged that you seek approval prior to taking a course. 

NOTE:  General education requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) may change in Fall 2024.

Fall

• SW 530 Introduction to Theory for Multi-level Social Work (3 credit hours)
• SW 540 Introduction to Social Work Research (3 credit hours)
• SW 555 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Social Work Practice (3 credit hours)

Spring

• SW 510 Introduction to Social Work Practice: Interviewing Skills (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 512 Skills-Based Policy/Advocacy (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 534 Introduction to Social Policy & Advocacy (3 credit hours)

Topics: Choose any two mini courses*

• SW 570 Centering on Decolonization in Social Work (1.5 credit hours)  
• SW 572 Substance Use (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 573 Intergenerational & Historical Trauma (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 574 Social Work Across & Among Borders: International Social Work and Social Work with Immigrant Populations (1.5 credit hours)

*Note: Mini course offerings will vary by semester and campus location. Not all courses will be offered each semester.

Fall

• SW 600 Field Preparation & Field Seminar (1 credit hour)
• SW 601 Field Practicum (5 credit hours)
• SW 610 Multilevel Engagement & Assessment in Social Work Practice (3 credit hours)
• SW 622 Human Rights, Social, Economic & Environmental Justice (3 credit hours)

Topics: Choose any two mini courses*

• SW 634 Child Welfare: Protecting Children, Strengthening Families (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 635 Gender & Sexual Diversity (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 637 Criminal Legal System: Abolish or Reform? (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 638 Responding to Suicide and Self-Harm (1.5 credit hours)

Spring

• SW 600 Field Preparation & Field Seminar (1 credit hour)
• SW 601 Field Practicum (5 credit hours)
• SW 612 Multilevel Intervention & Evaluation in Social Work Practice (3 credit hours)
• SW 623 Capstone: Social Work Professional Issues (3 credit hours)

Topics: Choose any two mini courses*

• SW 640 Grant Writing and Program Development (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 641 Dismantling White Supremacy (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 642 Financial Capability & Social Work Practice (1.5 credit hours)
• SW 643 Gender-based Violence: What It Is & What Social Workers Can Do To Prevent & Respond To It (1.5 credit hours)

*Note: Mini course offerings will vary by semester and campus location. Not all courses will be offered each semester.