Social Work Major

Students completing the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSW) will have an understanding of the history and ethics underlying the social work profession, how to engage in a professional capacity aligned with the social work profession, to demonstrate the ability to assess and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, and to evaluate their practice.

The BSW degree will prepare students to work with diverse populations in Micro, Mezzo, and Macro client system settings. The social work profession has over 15 different fields in social work. Individuals with a BSW degree may work in the following areas of practice in the social work profession (depending on the agency and state requirements): Community, Administrative, Political, Child and Family, Hospital, Forensic, Geriatric, Mental Health/Substance Abuse, Hospice/Oncology, School, Military, and others.

At Charter Oak, our Social Work Program features an innovative and fresh model for students, especially working, adult students. Our model is new to social work education and allows flexibility in how students complete practicum education. Students can balance their coursework, practicum experiences, and work/personal life responsibilities through this model. Students currently working in human services or social welfare are also eligible for employment-based placement classification. Student assignments and employee tasks may qualify as field hours when linked to competences and level of practice. Practicum start terms are only in fall and are completed over 15-weeks in the fall and spring semesters and 8-weeks in the summer consecutively. Our Director of Practicum Education works with students individually to select and support day, evening, or weekend experiences to ensure access to successful field work.

*Practicum Experience is completed as follows for a total minimum of 408 hours:

Fall Semester of Junior Year: SWK 370 Social Work Practicum Experience 1. 104 hours to be completed. 8-hours over 15-weeks (Hours Per Week and Number of Weeks (including 1hr Supervision)).

Spring Semester of Junior Year: SWK 372 Social Work Experience 2. 120 hours to be completed. 8-hours over 15-weeks (Hours Per Week and Number of Weeks (including 1hr Supervision)).

Summer Semester between Junior and Senior Year: SWK 474 Social Work Experience 3.
64 hours to be completed.8-hours over 8-weeks (Hours Per Week and Number of Weeks (including 1hr Supervision)).

Fall Semester of Senior Year: SWK 476 Social Work Experience 4. 120 hours to be completed. 8-hours over 15-weeks (Hours Per Week and Number of Weeks (including 1hr Supervision)).

*Transfer students may not follow the same junior/senior schedule due to the need for prerequisite courses. 

Note: Students will remain in the same setting for practicum education. Changes in placement are rare. When changes are needed or requested, they generally happen between the first (SWK 370) and second (SWK 372) placements or the second (SWK 474) and third (SWK 476) placements.

Students completing the bachelor’s of science degree in social work will be required to complete 31 credits through Charter Oak State College courses. Of the 31 credits that must be earned at Charter Oak State College 28 are directly in the Social Work major and three (3) credits are in IDS 101 Cornerstone Seminar an academic residency requirement.

In order to earn a Bachelor's degree at Charter Oak, all Major, General Education, Liberal Arts and Electives, Upper Level credit, and academic residency requirements must be met. Total credits earned must be a minimum of 120 credits.

Major Requirements

All students interested in pursuing the Social Work Major will be classified as Social Work Pre-Majors at the point of admission. After matriculation, students will need to formally apply for secondary admission to the Social Work Major and be accepted before they will be allowed to enroll in the Practicum sequence

Candidates for admission to the Social Work program need to have completed or be enrolled in the following courses:    

• ENG 101: English Composition 1 
• ENG 102: English Composition 2  
• MAT 105: Statistics/PSY 216 Psych Statistics  
• SWK 101:  Introduction to Social Work/HSE 101 Intro to Human Services  
• SWK 110: History of Social Welfare  

Note: ENG 101, ENG 102, PSY 410 and MAT105/PSY216 need a grade of "C" or higher in order to pass.

Candidates must submit electronically:   

• An application to the BSW program.   
• An essay that speaks to the NASW Code of Ethics and how the candidate’s background/experience prepares them to be successful in the BSW program.   
• A professional resume.   

Candidates will also be required to complete a virtual interview with the Program Director or their designee (typically 15-30 minutes in length). Candidates will be apprised in writing of the admissions decision.   

Conditional admission may be granted for students currently enrolled in required coursework.   

All social work courses must be completed with a "B" or higher. 

^ These courses can only be taken once a student is formally accepted into the BSW program and must be taken at Charter Oak.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a major in Social Work will be able to:

• demonstrate proficiency to make sound judgments regarding ethical and professional behavior;
• demonstrate proficiency in understanding diversity and difference in practice;
• demonstrate proficiency in understanding anti-racism, equity, and inclusion (AEDI) in practice;
• learn about and make sound judgments regarding the advancement of human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice;
• demonstrate the ability to engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities;
• demonstrate the ability to assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; 
• demonstrate the ability to intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities; and 
• evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.