BSW Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I become a Social Work major?
- When can I declare Social Work as my major?
- Is there a formal application required to be considered for the social work program?
- Are there any specific requirements I need to fulfill prior to becoming a social work major?
- Can I minor in Social Work?
- Where can I find additional information about Social Work prior to deciding to become a major?
- Can life experiences or work be used as possible substitutions for specific course requirements?
- If I take classes outside of the University, what do I need to do to find out if they can serve as an equivalent or substitution for a program requirement?
- What is the senior program?
- When does the senior program begin?
- What are the prerequisites to qualify for the senior program?
- When do I complete my internship experience?
Becoming a Major
How do I become a Social Work major?
To become a Social Work major, you are required to meet with an advisor in the School of Social Work. You may call or email to set up an appointment to discuss your interest in social work. During this visit, the social work requirements and curriculum will be discussed, your academic record will be reviewed, and if appropriate, you will be academically advised according to your course needs as a new social work major.
When can I declare Social Work as my major?
You can declare Social Work as a major as early as your freshman year. Social Work has a unique curriculum that allows majors to complete a series of requirements prior to completing the professional program courses. You can discuss this with a social work academic advisor.
Is there a formal application required to be considered for the social work program?
There is no formal application that should be completed before start of professional courses.
Are there any specific requirements I need to fulfill prior to becoming a social work major?
To become a major, you are not required to have already completed any specific program or course requirements. You will work towards completion of all requirements once you become a major. You are encouraged to talk with a social work advisor soon after you begin to consider social work as a major. Occasionally, requirements change and if you are not already within the department, you will not be aware of the changes.
You can only be advised for social work in the School of Social Work by one of our advisors.
Can I minor in Social Work?
The University of Georgia School of Social Work does not offer minors.
Where can I find additional information about Social Work prior to deciding to become a major?
Information on the profession of Social Work and our BSW curriculum are available on the second floor bulletin board of Tucker Hall. You may also set up an appointment to meet a social work advisor to find out more about becoming a major.
Course Requirements
Can life experiences or work be used as possible substitutions for specific course requirements?
The School of Social Work does not allow substitutions for courses as a result of work or life experiences. Students who have associates degrees may be allowed to substitute specific courses based upon the focus of the area of study. The program does not guarantee any substitutions and the decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
If I take classes outside of the University, what do I need to do to find out if they can serve as an equivalent or substitution for a program requirement?
If you are interested in taking courses outside the University, you are strongly encouraged to speak with your academic advisor to discuss your options.
After completion of the course, you will need to have a transcript sent to the University of Georgia undergraduate admissions office from the institution where you took the class. If the University will accept the course as a transfer, they will determine if it is an equivalent course and place the course on your record accordingly.
If they accept the course and it is not found to be an equivalent to a University course and you feel that it closely matches a specific course requirement for the social work curriculum, you should meet with your advisor. You will need to provide the advisor with a course description, a syllabus, possible assignments or tests, or the textbook. You advisor will be able to make a decision regarding the equivalency of the transfer course. If the two courses are found at least equal, your advisor can suggest that our Degree Specialist allow a substitution for the course on your record.
What is the senior program?
The senior program refers to the 5000 level courses of the BSW curriculum. The senior program is composed of 40 hours of intensive professional social work courses needed to complete your degree. Students enter the senior program upon completion of all core and program prerequisites.
When does the senior program begin?
The senior program is setup in three phases and must be taken in order. Phase one begins during the summer. Students must complete the two required senior classes during the first short summer session. Phase two begins in the fall along with the internship experience. Phase three begins in the spring continuing with the same internship experience. All classes must be taken in order.
What are the prerequisites to qualify for the senior program?
As a social work major, you are working on completion of all the University’s core requirements and the department’s specified requirements to fulfill the prerequisites to enter the senior program. They include:
• Foreign Language, completion through the 2001 level
• Multicultural course requirement
• STAT 2000
• BIOL 1103-1103L
• PSYC 1001 and PSYC 3230
• CHFD 2100
• ECON 2105
• SOWK 2154, 2154L, 2155, 2156
You will discuss further requirements with your Social Work academic advisor.
When do I complete my internship experience?
All social work majors complete a two-semester internship (fall and spring) requirement during the senior year of the program. The internship requirement is completed concurrently while attending classes.You are encouraged to contact the BSW field office for more information regarding internships.
If you have other questions about the BSW program, e-mail us at ugabsw@uga.edu, call 706-542-5420, or stop by Tucker Hall 201.
