SOCIAL WORK
Professional Major - www.uwgb.edu/socwork
OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM:
The major in Social Work, leading to the Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW), offers a significant opportunity for students who seek careers in the human services. Graduates of the UW-Green Bay Social Work program secure positions in programs serving a broad range of populations in need, including the elderly, children and their families, persons with developmental and other disabilities, the economically dependent, juvenile and adult offenders, and substance dependent persons.
Social Work majors may elect to enroll in a Child Welfare sequence. The sequence, made possible by a Child Welfare Training project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will prepare students for careers in child welfare practice.
TIPS FROM THE PROFS:
(from Judy Martin, Program Chair)
Social work is a profession that is always exciting, frequently challenging, often changing, and never boring. You will have opportunities to make real differences in the lives of people, to help your community become a better place for people to live, and to change the programs and policies that affect the quality of life of all of us. To find out more, contact the Social Work office and ask to speak to one of the faculty.
WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS MAJOR:
- IS IT FOR YOU? Yes, if you’re someone who wants to make a difference and to help people make positive changes in their lives. Do you want to get involved and make things better for individuals, children and families, your community and society in general? If you are challenged by social injustice and moved by the courage of the human spirit – join us.
- ARE YOU A PEOPLE PERSON? Social workers appreciate interaction with people from a variety of backgrounds. They have a desire to engage people in making changes for themselves and others. The qualities of caring, open-mindedness and compassion are typical of social workers.
- DO YOU WANT A CHALLENGING PROFESSION? The Social Work major will be your passport into an exciting, rewarding, and stimulating career. This is a field which is evolving, a field for professionals dedicated to continually educating themselves and striving to improve their skills with new technology and information.
- HOW TO GET IN. To apply to the BSW degree program, students must first be admitted to UW-Green Bay, completed 27 credits taken at or transferred into UW-Green Bay including four supporting courses for the major, and have an overall cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5. They must also demonstrate an interest in the profession and in working with people.
- ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT PROFESSIONALPREPARATION? Our BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. As a result, graduates of the Social Work program are eligible for certification in Wisconsin or licensure in other states for professional practice in the field. Graduates will also receive advanced standing in a program offering a master of social work degree (MSW). This program is comprehensive, successful and highly regarded in the educational and professional community.
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS MAJOR AT UWGB:
- EXPERT FACULTY. Social Work faculty are experienced in social work practice, and continue to engage in social work practice activities. They are respected in the field of social work education. Faculty have contributed to the development of knowledge in the profession through publications, conference presentations, agency consultations and other activities.
- ACCREDITATION AND REPUTATION. The Social Work Professional Program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1987. It is highly valued by the Social Work professional community.
- PERSONALIZED ATTENTION. Low student to faculty ratios allow for individual attention with a strong focus toward the development of each student's strengths that maximize professional competence.
- FIELD EXPERIENCES. Students gain practical experience by completing internships at both the junior and senior levels. These structured 'real world' opportunities allow students to apply social work knowledge, values, and skills in actual practice.
- SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR STATE CERTIFICATION. Graduates of the Social Work Professional Program qualify to apply for certification as a social worker in Wisconsin. Information about the application process is provided during the senior year.
SKILLS & ABILITIES GAINED WITH THIS MAJOR:
- KNOWLEDGE. Applying the theoretical perspectives from other disciplines in the service of helping people and their communities; Learning how to create and use helping relationships for effective practice; Developing and using critical thinking skills.
- VALUES. Strengthening the commitment to helping people recognize their strengths and address their challenges; Recognizing that people live in diverse neighborhoods and communities and need these communities in order to thrive and grow; Enhancing one's commitment to social justice.
- COOPERATION. Learning how to work with groups, professional teams and community organizations, and to work within the political arena to effect positive change.
- SELF-AWARENESS. Becoming more aware of one's values, strengths, and unique characteristics that contribute to social work practice.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS MAJOR :
The program prepares students for professional practice in Social Work and provides educational preparation applicable to a wide range of positions in the human services.
The following list represents a few of the kinds of career titles for Social Work majors:
Agency Director, Aging/Gerontology Specialist, Community Organization Director, Consultant, Criminal Justice/Corrections Specialist, Crisis Center Worker, Developmental Disabilities Specialist, Domestic Violence Advocate, Employment/Occupational Social Worker, HIV/AIDS Case Manager, Health Care Specialist, Intake Counselor, International Social Worker, Mental Health Worker, Medical Social Worker, Policy & Planning Specialist, Policy Advocate, Policy Analyst, Program Manager, Substance Abuse Counselor...
The following list represents a few of the businesses and institutions that employ Social Work majors:
Head Start Centers, Hospitals and Medical Centers, Nursing Homes, Senior Centers, Community Action Programs, Group Homes, Adoption Agencies, Child Day Care Centers, Foster Care Agencies, Public Child Welfare Organizations, Department of Social Services, Mental Health Centers, Family Service Agencies, Elementary and Secondary Schools, Special Education Placement Offices, Counseling Offices, Prisons, Courts, Police Departments, Relief Organizations, Victim Services Programs, …
Want to know more about the nature of the work, working conditions, earnings, training, and job outlook? Then check out the Occupational Outlook Handbook @ http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm
LINKS TO GRAD PROGRAMS:
- Graduate School Guide. The comprehensive on-line guide to doctoral, masters, and professional programs. http://www.schoolguides.com
- Gradschools.com. The most comprehensive online source of Graduate School Information. http://www.gradschools.com/
- Peterson’s.com. The most comprehensive and heavily traveled education resource on the web. http://www.petersons.com/
- Or you can try any of the following search engine sites for information on the graduate school program of your choice! http://www.yahoo.com, http://www.infoseek.com, or http://www.snap.com
LINKS TO WEB SITES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
- National Association of Social Workers. The largest organization of professional social workers in the world. Homepage @ http://www.naswdc.org
- American Network of Home Health Care Social Workers. A professional association organized for the benefit of social workers employed in home health care settings. Homepage @ http://www.homehealthsocialwork.org/
- American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy. The professional association for the field of marriage and family therapy. Homepage @ http://www.aamft.org/
- Council on Social Work Education. A national association that preserves and enhances the quality of social work education for practice that promotes the goals of individual and community well-being and social justice. Homepage @ http://www.cswe.org/
- New Social Worker Magazine. A magazine for social work students and new social work graduates. Homepage @ http://www.socialworker.com
LINKS FOR MORE HELP:
- Call (920) 465-2049 to request an application form or for other information on Social Work, or find the application online at http://www.uwgb.edu/socwork/
- For course listings and descriptions for Social Work and other disciplines, check out UW- Green Bay’s Programs of Study page @ http://www.uwgb.edu/catalog/undrgrad/programs.htm
- More help is available on-campus at the Career Services Office at SS 1600, 465-2163. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/careers
- Contact Academic Advising at SS 1600, 465-2362. Homepage @ http://www.uwgb.edu/advising
- Another service for UW System students on the Web is UW HELP On-Line. This service provides in-depth information on the programs of the UW System. You can find them at @ http://www.uwhelp.wisconsin.edu
Revised 8/08