Social Work
Bachelor of Social Work
The BSW program prepares graduates to enter generalist social work practice in various settings, including social service and government agencies, as well as mental health and health care settings. A distinctive feature of the Dalton State BSW program is its emphasis on preparing social workers to work competently with diverse individuals and groups across the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Graduates of the BSW program may apply for admission to Master of Social Work (MSW) programs at the advanced-standing level, shortening the length of time required to complete graduate studies. The Dalton State College BSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Students must apply for admission to the Upper Division of the BSW program to take Junior and Senior-level social work courses. Non-majors may take select upper-division elective courses with the permission of the BSW Program Director.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO BSW PROGRAM UPPER DIVISION
General Information
To apply to the BSW program, you must first be admitted to Dalton State College. Upon admission to DSC, you should declare Social Work as your major, so you will be assigned an advisor with the program. If you are currently a DSC student and are changing your major, please make certain you contact the BSW Program Director as soon as possible to ensure you are properly advised and enrolled in the required prerequisite lower division courses.
Admission to the BSW program is selective. Each applicant’s qualifications, including his or her GPA, performance in lower division courses, recommendations, and essays, will be reviewed when considering the applicant for admission.
The BSW program admits a new cohort each spring for the upcoming fall courses. Students cannot enter the cohort during any other semester. The admissions process opens in February of each year. Early admissions decisions are made in March and April, with final admissions made in May. Late admissions may be available as late as August before the beginning of the fall semester if space is available in the cohort.
Regular admission may be awarded upon successful completion of all lower division requirements. Provisional admission may be awarded for one semester to students who are enrolled in the final required courses of the BSW lower division. All lower-division coursework must be completed before the commencement of upper-division coursework.
The following requirements must be met for regular admission to the BSW program:
1. Completing all BSW lower division requirements at DSC or the equivalent at another institution.
2. A “C” or higher grade in all lower division social work courses (SOWK 2101, 2102, 2103, and 2104).
3. An overall GPA of 2.5
4. Completion of all individual volunteer service hours in SOWK 2103.
5. Completion of a background check as a part of SOWK 2103. (Effective fall 2021)
To apply for admission to the Upper Division, students must:
1. Meet with your social work advisor to obtain the admissions packet and verify successful completion of the lower division course of study.
2. Complete the admissions application.
3. Provide two letters of reference. Recommendations should come from a non-family member (employer is preferred).
4. Completion of the Social Work Code of Ethics quiz with a grade of 80%.
5. Completion of all portions of the application packet, including:
· Acknowledgement of BSW fees
· Acknowledgement of BSW mandatory training dates
· Acknowledgement of BSW Field Education requirement
· Completion of the Assessment of Professional Behaviors
If requested, applicants may be required to meet with the Admissions Committee for a pre-admission interview.
Additional Information
Students may elect to follow a two-year or three-year plan for completing Upper Division courses (60 semester hours). Courses have been arranged sequentially so that new learning builds on previous learning. Students should exercise care when registering for courses and be certain that they are following their approved program of study. A grade of "C" or better is required for all social work upper-division courses.
Transfer Students
The BSW Program welcomes transfer students. Students interested in transferring to DSC to complete the BSW should contact the BSW Program Director to obtain additional information and discuss their particular situations. In keeping with the Council on Social Work Education standards, life/work experience can not be accepted for any social work courses.
Questions?
For questions regarding the application process, students should see their BSW Advisor or contact the BSW Program Director at trice@daltonstate.edu.
Program Course Requirements
Click here to view Core IMPACTS General Education Curriculum requirements.
| Program Advice (Can Share with Core curriculum): | ||
| PSYC 1101 | Introduction to Psychology (Required) | 3 |
Click here to view Core IMPACTS General Education Curriculum requirements.
| Core IMPACTS General Education Curriculum requirements | 42 | |
| NOTE: Core IMPACTS courses can also satisfy requirements in your Program of Study. Please review the requirements for your major to prevent taking extra courses. The USG Core IMPACTS curriculum is designed to ensure that students acquire essential knowledge in foundational academic areas and develop career-ready competencies. There are seven Core IMPACTS areas. Students at all USG institutions must meet the Core IMPACTS requirements in all specified areas. | ||
| Field of Study: Major Related | ||
| SOCI 1101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOWK 2101 | The Social Work Profession (Grade of C or better req'd) | 3 |
| SOWK 2102 | The Social Welfare Institution (Grade of C or better req'd) | 3 |
| SOWK 2103 | Social Work Prac&Serv Learning (Grade of C or better req'd) * | 3 |
| SOWK 2104 | Interviewing & Communic Skills (Grade of C or better req'd) | 3 |
| One of the following electives: | 3 | |
| Intro to Cultural Anthropology | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology I | ||
| Anatomy and Physiology II | ||
| Fundamentals of Computer Appli | ||
| Intro to Criminal Justice | ||
| Intro to Law Enforcement | ||
| The Judicial Process | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Elementary French I | ||
| Elementary French II | ||
| Intermediate French I | ||
| Intermediate French II | ||
| Introduction to Geography | ||
| Intro to Human Geography | ||
| Psychology of Adjustment | ||
| Human Development | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Elementary Spanish I | ||
| Elementary Spanish II | ||
| Intermediate Spanish I | ||
| Intermediate Spanish II | ||
| Upper Level Courses (Grades of C or better required) | ||
| SOWK 3101 | Human Diversity | 3 |
| SOWK 3102 | Human Behavior I | 3 |
| SOWK 3103 | Human Behavior II | 3 |
| SOWK 3201 | Gen Practice of Social Work I | 3 |
| SOWK 3202 | Gen Practice of Social Work II | 3 |
| SOWK 3300 | Found. of Social Work Research | 3 |
| SOWK 3302 | Social Work in Child Welfare | 3 |
| SOWK 3400 | Junior Integrative Sem & Field * | 4 |
| SOWK 3501 | Social Work in Mental Health | 3 |
| SOWK 4201 | Gen Practice of Soc Work III | 3 |
| SOWK 4202 | Gen Practice of Social Work IV | 3 |
| SOWK 4203 | Diversity in Social Work Pract | 3 |
| SOWK 4401 | Senior Capstone I | 3 |
| SOWK 4402 | Senior Capstone II | 3 |
| SOWK 4995 | Senior Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 4996 | Advanced Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| SOWK 4998 | Practicum Social Work I * | 4 |
| SOWK 4999 | Practicum Social Work II * | 4 |
| Social Work Electives | ||
| Choose one of the following electives: | 3 | |
| Social Work with Older Adults | ||
| Substance Abuse | ||
| Advanced Child Welfare | ||
| Health and Social Environment | ||
| Mental Health/Spec Populations | ||
| Special Topics in Social Work (Choose from these topics: Interpersonal Violence, Social Work and Criminal Justice, Human Sexuality and Social Work and Sprirituality) | ||
| Individual Study in Soc Work | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- *
Requires service in a social service agency.
Courses
SOWK 2101. The Social Work Profession. 3-0-3 Units.
The course seeks to introduce the profession of social work. The course covers the history and status of the profession, the role of the social work, the Grand Challenges of Social Work, and the profession's commitment to social and economic justice and human rights for vulnerable, oppressed, and marginalized papulations. The profession's commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion is introduced. Social work practice in many settings will be discussed.(F, S)
SOWK 2102. The Social Welfare Institution. 3-0-3 Units.
This course covers the history of social welfare programs and services in the United States. Philosophical, religious, economic, and political perspectives on social welfare policies and the role of social workers in social welfare and social justice movements across history.(S)
Prerequisites: ENGL 1101.
SOWK 2103. Social Work Prac&Serv Learning. 3-2-3 Units.
This course introduces social work students to a Service Learning modality framed within social work practice. Students will observe and analyze how social workers may work within social agencies work to empower individuals and improve the well-being of others. The course will emphasize the role of community organizations in alleviating social injustice and meeting the needs of individuals impacted by social issues including poverty, racism, marginalization, service disparities, and lack of access. This course includes required individual volunteer service hours and service learning as a part of the course. These activities take place off-campus in social service and community organizations. (F, S) Prerequisites: SOWK 2101
SOWK 2104. Interviewing & Communic Skills. 3-0-3 Units.
This course provides an introduction to methods, skills, and procedures used in interviewing clients in a variety of practice settings. The course incorporates theory, research, and practice skills relevant to relationship building, the change process, and professional communication skills and techniques. Students will learn and practice professional interviewing, and communication skills and techniques. The course will consist of lecture and classroom experience as well as simulation laboratory activities. (S) This course is taken in the spring semester immediately prior to upper-division. Prerequisites: SOWK 2101, 2102, 2103
SOWK 3101. Human Diversity. 3-0-3 Units.
A general introduction to the concepts of diversity in the United States, including the various histories of oppression of minoritized groups. This course specifically covers diversity related to African-American, Appalachian, and Hispanic/Latina cultures as population groups common to Northwest GA region is included. An introduction to cultural competence and the profession's code of ethics and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.(F)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of BSW Program Director.
Corequisites: SOWK 3102.
SOWK 3102. Human Behavior I. 3-0-3 Units.
An overview of theories of human behavior needed for generalist practice. An introduction to ecological systems theory and the ecological perspective in social work with orientation to micro, mezzo, and macro levels of understanding individuals and families across the lifespan.(F)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of BSW Program Director.
SOWK 3103. Human Behavior II. 3-0-3 Units.
The second of a two-course HBSE sequence is a study of the interaction of human behavior and the social environment with an emphasis on larger systems: groups, organizations, and communities utilizing the ecological and multi-level systems perspectives. The course specifically examines issues related to human behavior and environmental justice.(S)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of BSW Program Director and SOWK 3102.
SOWK 3201. Gen Practice of Social Work I. 3-0-3 Units.
Theory and practice of generalist social work. Knowledge, skills, and ethical principles needed for beginning social work practice. Introductory problem identification, interviewing, assessment, intervention and evaluation of practice with individuals and families from a person-in environment perspective. Practice in alignment with the code of ethics and professional writing. Requires demonstration of skills through simulation learning experiences. Corequisites: SOWK 3101
Prerequisites: Admission to upper division or permission of the BSW Program Director.
Corequisites: SOWK 3101
SOWK 3202. Gen Practice of Social Work II. 3-0-3 Units.
This course is intended to help students acquire the knowledge, values and skills to work successfully with groups on the micro, mezzo and macro levels. This course examines the dynamics of the small groups. Different theoretical conceptualizations of the role of the social worker in the group are discussed. Concepts such as group norms, roles, and leadership are examined with a focus on social work values and ethics. There is a special focus on work with community and in community groups. Problem identification, interviewing, assessment, intervention and evaluation of practice with groups. Requires demonstration of skills through simulation learning experiences.(S)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division, SOWK 3201.
SOWK 3300. Found. of Social Work Research. 3-0-3 Units.
Social work practitioners must be able to consume and understand research and apply this information to practice. Social work practitioners must demonstrate the effectiveness of services they deliver to clients. Students will become competent in reading social work research and in the use of research in evaluation of practice. Students will be introduced to research problem formulation, design, data collection and analysis in order to understand qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.(S)
Prerequisites: Admission to Upper Division or permission of BSW Program Director.
SOWK 3302. Social Work in Child Welfare. 3-0-3 Units.
History and practice in the child welfare programs of the United States with special attention to family systems, child development, identifying child abuse and neglect, and child welfare services.(F)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of BSW Program Director.
SOWK 3400. Junior Integrative Sem & Field. 4-5-4 Units.
The junior integrative seminar provides students introductory learning opportunities for increasing self-awareness and reflection as a tool for practice while integrating content from social work courses. The seminar aims to promote and to increase the student's professional social work identity and emerging practice competencies at the BSW level while integrating theory with practice. The course is designed to offer a structured environment in which to integrate academic course work with the first practicum placement. The course complements the practicum placement by delivering and integrating the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for beginning generalist practice. The structure and assignments facilitate the synthesis of theory, research, policy, and practice plus encourage exploration of the profession's ethics as they relate to actual social work practice. This course requires a five-week (50 hour) practicum in a community organization.(S)
Prerequisites: Admission to upper division or permission of the BSW Program Director and SOWK 3101, SOWK 3201.
SOWK 3501. Social Work in Mental Health. 3-0-3 Units.
History of mental illness, treatment, and systems in the U.S., with particular attention to the mental health system in Georgia. An overview of current mental health diagnoses, theories, and treatment modalities. Ecological, systems, and strengths perspectives working with individuals, families, and groups. The role of case management with the chronically mentally ill.(S)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of the BSW Program Director and SOWK 3201, SOWK 3101.
SOWK 3502. Social Work with Older Adults. 3-0-3 Units.
Overview of the impact of aging, using the biopsychosocial-spiritual, ecological, and strengths perspectives. Federal, state, and local programs, services, and social policies are reviewed. Generalist practice models are introduced for working with older adults and their families, with a focus on empowerment.
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of BSW Program Director.
SOWK 3503. Substance Abuse. 3-0-3 Units.
This course is taught from a social work perspective, focusing on client strengths and empowerment. An overview of the history of substance use disorders, social policies, and social justice issues specific to the issue. Categories, properties, and effects of alcohol and drugs on the individual. Impact of substance use disorder on individuals, families, and communities. Current treatment modalities and services, with interventions appropriate for generalist social workers.
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of instructor.
SOWK 3504. Advanced Child Welfare. 3-0-3 Units.
Emphasis on foster care and adoption. Risk assessment, intake and family assessment, case planning, intervention, and documentation will be covered within the context of family-centered child welfare practice. Course includes specific preparation for careers with the child welfare system of Georgia.(S)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of instructor, SOWK 3101, and SOWK 3302.
SOWK 3506. Health and Social Environment. 3-0-3 Units.
History and structure of the health care system in the United States and in other industrial nations. The impact of social determinants of health and illness. Health disparities and discrimination in health care will be discussed along with the roles for professional social workers in health care settings.
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of instructor.
SOWK 3507. Mental Health/Spec Populations. 3-0-3 Units.
This course is a focused study of the mental health needs, diagnoses, and treatment of specific populations, such as children, women, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, older adults, and other groups. This advanced elective builds on the foundational knowledge acquired in SOWK 3501 Social Work and Mental Health, providing students with knowledge, theory, and evidence-based interventions for specific populations encountered in generalist practice. This course will cover issues of mental health disparities with minoritized groups and the impact on access and services. (S) Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division or permission of instructor
Prerequisites: SOWK 3501.
SOWK 3508. Special Topics in Social Work. 3-0-3-6 Units.
Students may take SOWK 3508 twice, with different topics. Courses include: Interpersonal Violence, Social Work and Criminal Justice, Human Sexuality and Social Work and Spirituality.
Prerequisites: Admission to upper division or permission of the instructor.
SOWK 4201. Gen Practice of Soc Work III. 3-0-3 Units.
Theory and practice of generalist social work. Knowledge, skills, and ethical principles needed for entry-level social work practice. The course emphasizes application of theory toward interventions with organizations, and communities. This course builds on the generalist practice with individuals, families and group classes, extending the concepts of empowerment based practice and the strengths perspective to macro client systems. The relationships between organizations and communities and at-risk populations are infused throughout the course. This course examines social workers as implementers of policy change within organizational and community contexts and examines social movements and how social change at the macro level can impact individuals and communities. Students will understand the role of social workers in community organization and social movements and the profession's code of ethics and emphasis on human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.(F)
Prerequisites: Admission to the BSW upper division and SOWK 3101, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3202, SOWK 3102, SOWK 3103.
SOWK 4202. Gen Practice of Social Work IV. 3-0-3 Units.
This course introduces the development and implementation of contemporary social welfare policies in the United States. Through this course, students critically analyze and document the policy making process. The course highlights the influence of social values on policy development and the differential allocation of material and social resources. The course emphasizes the how public policy impacts population groups and the concepts of social justice and equity. Knowledge, skills, and ethical principles for social work at the macro level. Students will practice policy analysis and advocacy skills with simulated and real practice. Students will apply the profession's code of ethics and commitment to engaging in policy practice and the advancement of human rights, social, racial, economic and environmental justice at the macro policy level. (S) Prerequisite: SOWK 3101, SOWK 3102, SOWK 3103, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3202, SOWK 4201, Admission to upper division
SOWK 4203. Diversity in Social Work Pract. 3-0-3 Units.
Diversity in Social Work Practice integrates the knowledge of learned in SOWK 3101 (Human Diversity) with generalist social work practice. The course will provide student learning opportunities for increasing self-awareness and reflection as a tool for practicing culturally competent interventions. Emphasis will be placed on integration of theory with practice. The course will examine how diversity shapes human experience and dimensions of culture impact social functioning. The course will examine diversity as intersection of factors age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Particular emphasis will be placed on culturally competent practice with the largest populations common to Northwest Georgia area including Appalachian, Latino, Hispanic, African-American client systems. (F) Prerequisite: Admission to upper division, SOWK 3101, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3202
SOWK 4401. Senior Capstone I. 3-3-3 Units.
The first of a two-course sequence of directed study experience. Capstone is an applied, experiential, collaborative, and community-engaged effort that is grounded in professional social work education. Capstone is designed to demonstrate and evaluate how students have integrated the nine Council on Social Work Education competencies, the program goals of the Dalton State BSW Program, and the knowledge, values, and ethics necessary for future practice as professional social workers. Student groups will begin to work collaboratively to design the outline for a community-based, research informed Capstone Project designed to address one of the Grand Challenges of Social work or an issue of social justice and human rights.(F)
Prerequisites: Admission to upper division or permission of the instructor.
Corequisites: SOWK 4995, SOWK 4998.
SOWK 4402. Senior Capstone II. 3-3-3 Units.
The second of a two-course sequence of directed study. Capstone is an applied, experiential, collaborative, and community-engaged effort that is grounded in professional social work education. Capstone is designed to demonstrate and evaluate how students have integrated the nine Council on Social Work Education competencies, the program goals of the Dalton State BSW Program, and the knowledge, values, and ethics necessary for future practice as professional social workers. Student groups will collaboratively implement a community-based, research informed Capstone project designed to address on of the Grand Challenges of Social Work or an issue of social justice and human rights. This course will include required activities in the community outside class time. The course will include work on the creation of the culminating presentation at the campus Research and Scholarship Symposium.
Prerequisites: SOWK 4401, Corequisites: SOWK 4999, SOWK 4996.
SOWK 4900. Individual Study in Soc Work. 0-0-1-6 Unit.
1-6 hours. May count as elective hours. Repeatable for a maximum of 6 hours. Individual study, reading, or projects under direction of a social work faculty member. Non-traditional format: Directed study.
Prerequisites: SOWK 4998.
SOWK 4995. Senior Integrative Seminar. 3-1-3 Units.
The primary goal of the integrative seminar is to provide students learning opportunities for increasing self-awareness and reflection as a tool for practice while integrating content from their social work courses and their practicum experiences. The seminar aims to promote and to increase the student's professional social work identity and emerging practice competencies at the BSW level while integrating theory with practice. Emphasis will be placed on achieving a more complex integration of theory with practice and on critical evaluation of practice. This course will include work on the creation of the culminating graduation portfolio. (F) Prerequisite: Admission to upper division and SOWK 3101, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3202, SOWK 3400 Corequisites: SOWK 4998
SOWK 4996. Advanced Integrative Seminar. 3-1-3 Units.
The seminar aims to promote and to increase the student's professional social work identity and emerging practice competencies at a BSW level while integrating theory with practice. Emphasis will be placed on achieving a more complex integration of theory with practice and on critical evaluation of practice. The course complements the concurrent practicum placement by delivering and integrating the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for beginning generalist practice. The structure and assignments facilitate the synthesis of theory, research, policy, and practice plus encourage exploration of the profession's ethics as they relate to actual social work practice. This course will include work on the creation of the culminating graduation portfolio. (S) Prerequisite: Admission to upper division Prerequisites: SOWK 4995, SOWK 4998, SOWK 3101, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3202, SOWK 3400, SOWK 4201, SOWK 4203
SOWK 4998. Practicum Social Work I. 0-20-4 Units.
Generalist practicum. Students complete 20 hours per week supervised social work practice in a community social service agency under the supervision of professional social workers. Students engage in individual learning activities designed to demonstrate the nine Council on Social Work Education competencies. (F) Prerequisites: SOWK 3201, SOWK 3101, SOWK 3202, SOWK 3400 Corequisites: SOWK 4401, SOWK 4995
SOWK 4999. Practicum Social Work II. 0-20-4 Units.
Generalist practicum. Students complete a minimum 20 hours per week supervised social work practice in a community social service agency under the supervision of professional social workers. Students engage in individual learning activities designed to demonstrate the nine Council on Social Work Education competencies. (S) Prerequisites: SOWK 4998, SOWK 4995, SOWK 3101, SOWK 3201, SOWK 3202, SOWK 3400, SOWK 4201, SOWK 4203, Admission to upper division Corequisites: SOWK 4402, SOWK 4996