Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina

    Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina

    Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina

    International students can study the Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina at its main campus in Columbia , United States of America. This Bachelor degree is available as a Full Time program delivered on campus in English. The program has a duration of 4 years and is offered at the university's main campus. Students can apply for the next intake starting on August 18, 2027.

    About Social Work, B.S.W.

    Overview

    The College of Social Work offers a four-year undergraduate program on the Columbia campus leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). This BSW program has been fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) since 2012.

    The Mission of the BSW Program

    The mission of the BSW program is to prepare graduates to become competent and ethical generalist practitioners who promote social and economic justice, social well-being, and an appreciation of diversity among vulnerable populations across South Carolina and beyond. This is accomplished through the program's emphasis on teaching, research, creative activity, and community engagement.

    • Graduates will engage individuals families groups organizations and communities. Graduates will be able to: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment and other multidisciplinary frameworks to engage with Use empathy & reflection and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients.
    • Graduates will intervene with individuals families groups organizations and communities. Graduates will be able to critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment and other multidisciplinary frameworks in interventions.
    • Graduates will assess individuals families groups organizations and communities. Graduates will be able to: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment and other multidisciplinary frameworks in the analysis of assessment data. Develop mutually agreed upon goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths needs and challenges. Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment.
    • Graduates will demonstrate ethical and professional behavior. Graduates will able to: Make ethical decisions by using the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics and other models for ethical decision making. Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism. Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior appearance and communication. Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.
    • Graduates will engage diversity and difference in practice. Graduates will be able to: Apply and communicate the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences. Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences. Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influences of personal biases.
    • Graduates will engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. Graduates will be able to: Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry. Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice.
    • Graduates will engage in policy practice.  Graduates will be able to: Identify social policy that impacts social well-being service delivery and access to social services. Apply critical thinking to analyze and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social and economic justice.
    • Graduates will advance human rights and social economic and environmental justice. Graduates will be able to: Apply their understanding of social economic and environmental justice to advocate for human rights. Engage in practices that advance social economic and environmental justice.
    • Graduates will apply critical thinking to evaluate social work practice. Graduates will be able to: Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment and other multidisciplinary frameworks to evaluate outcomes. Critically analyze monitor and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes. Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness.

    Attendance Requirements

    Students are subject to attendance regulations of the University as described in the University of South Carolina Undergraduate Bulletin. In addition, students are expected to attend all required orientations and advisement sessions so they are prepared for all social work courses, including field education courses. Concerns related to attendance are addressed in BSW course syllabi and the field education manual.

    Readmission

    A student who has been suspended or who has withdrawn from the BSW Program and subsequently readmitted will be subject to the current academic standards of the University and the BSW Program.

    Credit for Life Experience

    In accordance with the mandates of the Council on Social Work Education, no credit is given for life experiences. Students will not receive academic credit for life experience or previous volunteer, service learning activities or assignments, or work experience in social work.

    Academic credit will not be granted for life experience or previous work experience, and such experience will not be substituted for any of the courses in the professional foundation areas or the field practicum.

    Transfer of Credit

    Although the USC Office of Admission may grant students semester hours for transfer credit for completed work in another social work program, the BSW Program will determine whether the course meet the requirements of the BSW degree in the College of Social Work. Any student wishing to transfer credit must submit a course syllabus that includes learning objectives, assignments, and the titles and authors of textbooks to the BSW Program Coordinator. If it appears that the requisite competencies, knowledge, and skills have been acquired, the student will be exempted from the BSW course.

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina

    Entry Requirements

    Admissions

    Entrance and Progression Requirements

    In order to be admitted to the BSW Program, students must meet all University and college admission requirements. Transfer students must meet all such requirements and have an overall GPA of 2.50 or better. Enrollment in lower division Social Work courses does not guarantee acceptance into the upper division BSW Program.

    Admission to the Upper Division

    The admission policy for the BSW degree program applies to every applicant. All applicants must fulfill the general admission requirements of both the University and the College of Social Work.  Students must submit a completed College of Social Work BSW Program application by the announced due dates published each year. The College of Social Work is committed to diversity in its student body. Admission is limited and competitive.

    Minimum requirements for admission include:

    • An institutional undergraduate GPA of 2.50 (on a 4.00 scale).
    • A grade of C in their English Carolina Core course requirements.
    • Verified completion of 39 hours of Carolina Core and College Requirements at the time of application.
    • Verified completion of 54 hours of Carolina Core and College Requirements at the time of progression to upper division.
    • Verified completion of SOWK 201, or equivalency for transfer students.
    • At least three letters of reference submitted by individuals who can attest to the student's potential for undergraduate study and social work practice.
    • A personal statement that addresses the student's interests, resiliencies, and community service.
    • An interview may also be required.
    • Meeting with a social work advisor to receive information about and discuss the application process.

    Progression Requirements

    To remain in the BSW Program, students must make satisfactory academic progress toward the degree. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress will be placed on academic probation or terminated from the program. Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.50 in the major and must earn a grade of C or higher in all major courses. Students will be notified by the program when their GPAs fall below 2.50. A meeting with the Program Coordinator may be required.

    Students may attempt a social work core course a maximum of two times to fulfill a major requirement. A grade of W (Withdrawal) will be recognized as an attempt. A student may repeat a maximum of two core courses. In addition, all students are subject to the regulations on probation, suspension, and readmission stated in the Academic Standards Policies section of the Undergraduate Academic Regulations Bulletin.  

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 53
    • IELTSMin 5
    • TOEFLMin 60

    English Program Requirements

    International applicants must be proficient in the English language. A score of 550 or above on the paper version of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required. (A score of 210 or higher on the computerized version is required, and a minimum score of 77 on the Internet version is required.) The Office of Undergraduate Admissions also accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the PTE Academic Test (PTE). Students must score at least a 6.5 on the IELTS, or at least a 53 on the PTE.  English proficiency scores are not required for international students from countries where the primary language of instruction is English nor from graduates of high schools in the United States.

    An English proficiency test will be administered to international students, except those from English-speaking countries, upon arrival at the University. All international students must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in written and oral English to progress at the University level. Students who are not proficient in English will be required to take noncredit, concentrated English language training until proficiency is demonstrated.

    Tuition and Fee Information for Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina

    Application Fee 65

    How to Apply for Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina

    There are two ways you can apply for admission to the University of South Carolina:

    • UofSC Application

    • Common Application

    You should choose the application that you are most comfortable submitting. There is no advantage in the admission process to using one application over the other. Visit our requirements page for details. 

    Regardless of which application you select, you must pay the $65 nonrefundable application fee or use a fee waiver for those who qualify for Common App, ACT, College Board or NACAC application fee waivers. All application deadlines are the same.

    Tips for Applying

    • We communicate heavily through email, so make sure to check it regularly.
    • After you apply, we will direct you to your UofSC Admissions Portal, which will provide important updates and reminders.
    • You are required to list two different majors on the application. For more information on our undergraduate majors, review our website. If you are unsure of your major, you can select "Undeclared" in the College of Arts and Sciences.
    • You'll need to have a copy of your high school transcript when you apply (a web-based copy is fine). You will upload a JPEG or PDF image of your transcript to the application. After you submit the application, we'll review your uploaded transcript and let you know if we need an official one.
    • You'll be asked to list your senior year courses and credits on the application. You must list the exact amount of credit (full, half, trimester) for each course. You will also need to list all dual enrollment courses you are taking.
    • Use the essay to tell us more about the person behind the numbers. Reflect on a personal experience, and make it less about the topic and more about you.
    • When completing the activities section, take the space to explain the activity and your specific involvement.
    • Please do not send letters of recommendation unless you plan to apply to theSouth Carolina Honors College . South Carolina Honors College applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation.

    If you have any questions throughout the admissions process, contact the admissions office or your admissions representative

    Social Work, B.S.W. at University of South Carolina
    University of South Carolina
    University of South Carolina
    United States of America

    United States of America, Columbia

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