BSW FAQ

Q: What makes the B.S.W. a limited access program?

A: In order to be eligible for admission into the B.S.W. program you must have a minimum 2.0 g.p.a., satisfy the pre-requisite courses and foundation courses and submit an application for admission into the program by the deadline. Completion of these steps does not guarantee the student’s admission into the program. Limited access justifies limiting program enrollment where student demand exceeds available departmental resources.

Q: What classes must I take before I am eligible for admission into the B.S.W. program?

A: BSW PROGRAM APPLICANT PREREQUISITES (Courses listed are those offered at USF.) (Equivalents may be taken at community colleges. Schedule an appointment with a BSW Advisor for further information.)

1. Students must complete ONE course in EACH of the following cognate areas by earning a grade of “C” or better. A grade of “C-“ is not acceptable as a passing grade:

A. Human Biology – Select ONE: Credit Hour
BSC 1005 - Principles of Biology for Non-majors (3)
BSC 2025 – Food: Personal and Global Perspectives (3)
BSC 2035 – Sex and Today’s World (3)
BSC 2022 – Biology of Aging (3)
WST 2600 – Human Sexual Behavior (3)

B. Political Science – Select ONE:
POS 2041 – American National Government (3)
POS 2080 – The American Political Tradition (3)
POS 2112 - State and Local Government & Politics (3)
POS 3182 – Florida Politics and Government (3)

C. Psychology
PSY 2012 - Psychological Science I (3)

D. Sociology – Select ONE:
SYD 4800 - Gender and Society (3)
SYD 2000 – Introduction to Sociology (3)
SYD 2010 - Contemporary Social Problems (3)
SYO 3520 – Social Inequalities in a Global Society (3)
SYP 3000 – Social Psychology (3)
SYP 4510 – Sociological Aspects of Deviance (3)

E. Economics -
ECO 1000 – Basic Economics (3)
ECO 2013 – Economic Principles (Macroeconomics) (3)

FOUNDATION COURSES

1. To meet the foundation cross-cultural prerequisite, a student must complete EITHER one ALAMEA general education course OR one of the following cross-cultural courses by earning a grade of “C” or better. A grade of “C-“ is not acceptable.

Cross-Cultural Courses Credit Hour
AFA 4331 – Social Institutions and African American Community 3
AFA 4335 – Black Women in America 3
AMH 3561- American Women I 4
AMH 3562 – American Women II 4
ANT 4316 – Ethnic Diversity in the USA 3
ANT 4432 – The Individual and Culture 3
SOP 3742 - Psychology of Women 3
WST 3311 - Issues in Feminism 3
WST 4262 – Literature by Women of Color in the Diaspora 3
WST 4410 – Post Colonial Women Writers 3

3. A student must complete the following two foundation social work courses by earning a “B” grade or better in each course. A grade of “B-“ is not acceptable.

SOW 3303 – Introduction to Social Work 3
SOW 3210 – The American Social Welfare System 3

Q: What are the core courses that must be completed to obtain a B.S.W. degree?

A: BSW PROGRAM CORE COURSES-Required for completing the BSW degree

****Courses must be taken in the order that follows****

FULL MAJOR – SEMESTER I
Credit Hour

SOW 3101 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment I 4
SOW 4522 – Multi-Cultural America 3
SOW 4341 – Multi-Methods of Social Work Practice I: Micro-System Intervention 5


FULL MAJOR – SEMESTER II

SOW 3102 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment II 4
SOW 3401 – Research and Statistics for Social Work 4
SOW 4343 – Multi-Methods of Social Work Practice II: Macro-System Intervention 5


FULL MAJOR – FINAL SEMESTER

SOW 4233 – Social Welfare: Policy and Program 4
SOW 4510 – Integrative Field Seminar 3
SOW 4510L – Field Placement 6

Students must have achieved a GPA of at least 2.75 in the BSW program and have completed all core course work listed in Full Major- Semester I and Semester II prior to enrollment in SOW 4510 and SOW 4510L. A student may not proceed to field placement with a grade of “C-“ in any SOW core course EVEN if his/her GPA is 2.75. No exceptions will be made.

Q: If I am transferring into the program, which prerequisites will count?

A: Equivalent pre-requisite courses may be completed at community colleges. A review of your transfer credits will be completed during your initial appointment with a B.S.W. advisor. You may be asked to provide a syllabus for transfer courses.

Q: What does the application process entail?

A.: There is an application which must be completed prior to the deadline. It requires 3 reference forms, an essay and additional information. The B.S.W. advisors distribute these applications to students in the foundation social work courses (SOW 3210 and SOW 3303).

Q: What are the application deadlines for fall admission?

A: March 15th and July 15th.

Q: What is the application deadline for spring?

A: October 15th.

Q: Do all sections of the CLAST exam have to be completed before entering the program?

A: All sections of the CLAST must be completed, exempted or waived before a student can be admitted into the B.S.W. program.

Q: How is a student informed they are admitted into the B.S.W. program?

A: At the end of each semester, letters are sent to students letting them know their admission status. If a student is admitted, the letter will indicate that permits have been issued for them to register for the courses that they need to take and the student may then register for the B.S.W. core courses. Only students who are admitted into the program may take the core social work courses and obtain a B.S.W. degree.

To schedule an advising appointment, please contact the School of Social Work, 813-974-2063.

B.S.W. Advisors
Amy Weisz- 813-974-7292 or aweisz@cas.usf.edu
Joyce Carpenter- 813-974-1353 or jcarpent@cas.usf.edu