University of Kentucky Undergraduate Bulletin

2001-2002

Visit the UK College of Social Work Web site.

"Joining the College of Social Work I expected to obtain an education that would prepare me to join the cadre of Social Workers throughout this nation. I received this and much, much more. The College of Social Work has taught me the theories and practical methods to perform as a Social Worker while challenging me to constantly evaluate ethical principles in their implementation. The professional faculty and staff at the University of Kentucky have enabled me to develop as a Social Worker by providing me with support, guidance, and knowledge that I shall carry with me through my future academic endeavors and my career as a Social Worker."

- Jonathan Clay Rouse
Maurice A. Clay Award Recipient
Outstanding Senior in Social Work

Kay S. Hoffman, Ph.D., is Dean of the College of Social Work; David D. Royse, Ph.D., is Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies; Elizabeth L. Rompf, Ph.D., is Director of Field Education; Melanie D. Otis, Ph.D., is Director of the Undergraduate Program.

Social work is a profession with a two-fold mission: to help people function as well as they can within their environment and to work for improved social conditions. Social workers are involved in providing services to people in such areas as education, health, mental health, housing, public welfare, counseling, services to the aging, care for the retarded, recreation, corrections and criminal justice, family services, child welfare services, services for the physically and mentally handicapped, vocational rehabilitation and the like. This includes services designed to protect, promote or restore the well-being of people. Both universal services and services for special-needs groups are included.

Social work is not only restorative in nature, responding to human problems after the fact; there is also a strong commitment towards preventive measures. An emphasis upon institutional change within society is predicated upon the principle that society has a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable groups in its midst from falling prey to damage and injury. This expresses itself in the central thrust of the social work profession towards social justice.

The origins of social work are rooted in the ancient human impulse of altruism, the desire to care for one another's needs. Social work became a profession around the beginning of the twentieth century through the efforts of social reformers to meet the needs of the poor, of neglected children and of exploited workers through the better organization of charities and the first "friendly visitors." Social workers led the fight for child labor laws, more humane industrial conditions, voting rights for women and other progressive causes.

Today, professional social work as described in a publication of the National Association of Social Workers, is a "dynamic, growing profession based on knowledge drawn from the social sciences and its own research and practice. It has a code of ethics, standards for practice, and a nationwide system of accredited educational programs designed to merge the impulse to help others with the skill and knowledge needed to provide that help."

Program Accreditation

Licensing

• BASW graduates for license as "social workers"

• MSW graduates for license as "certified social workers"

Undergraduate Program in Social Work

• Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

THE UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM OF EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL WORK

The principal objective of the undergraduate program is to prepare students for beginning social work practice. Additionally, it prepares students for graduate professional education.

All social work majors have actual experience in the field under faculty direction. These experiences are provided in teaching-learning centers in a variety of agencies located in or adjacent to Lexington.

Courses in social work contribute to the liberal education of all students and help prepare them to be more effective citizens in a complex society in which welfare issues and programs are of increasing importance to everyone. These courses may serve one or more of the following purposes:

1. To enrich and broaden the knowledge of social problems and social issues.

2. To help develop effective interpersonal relations.

3. To provide basic knowledge of social services to students who are preparing for careers in other helping professions (i.e., special education, rehabilitation, nursing, law, medicine).

Financial Aid

Advising

Undergraduate Admission Policy

An application must be filed with the College of Social Work in order for a student to be considered for admission as a major. In general, admission as a major depends upon the qualifications and preparation of the applicant, as well as the availability of resources for maintaining quality instruction.

Admission Criteria to the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Degree Program

1. Admission to the University of Kentucky (students are considered for acceptance by the College only after acceptance by the University);

2. A grade of B or better in both SW 124 and SW 222, or equivalent (or a grade of B or better in SW 322);

3. Submission of an application form;

4. Minimum of a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average on all college work attempted as computed by the Registrar's Office;

5. Ability to articulate reasons for choosing social work as a career, as evidenced in an essay;

6. A passing grade in the introductory psychology course, sociology course, and in the required biology courses.

Applications for admission to the College of Social Work must be received by the Records Office of the College of Social Work no later than May 1 for summer sessions, August 1 for the fall semester, and December 1 for the spring semester.

Individuals who do not meet the admissions criteria may submit additional materials to the College's Admissions Committee. Admission may be granted if there is persuasive evidence of both the capability and motivation to undertake successfully the BASW degree program.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIAL WORK

Degree Requirements

In addition to fulfilling University Studies requirements, students must complete the program requirements listed below.