The mission of the Social Work Program is to prepare students for beginning professional generalist social work practice in a wide range of settings, and with diverse population through education, research, and service with special appreciation for the peoples and institutions of West Virginia, Appalachia, and other rural areas. The program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974. The accreditation applies to beginning level generalist social work practice. Upon completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work degree, the National Association of Social Workers will accept graduates as regular members of the Association. Additionally, graduates will be allowed to sit for the Social Work Licensure Exam. Graduates of the four-year program will be prepared for: A basic arts and sciences education is essential to professional social work education. There is no foreign language requirement. All courses require letter grades except SOWK 4601/SOWK 4602, Field Instruction, which is a pass-fail evaluation due to the nature of field experience. There are no provisions for awarding academic credit for life experience, or previous work experience, in lieu of the field placement requirement or to fulfill any of the foundation course requirements. Beginning with the introductory class, there are opportunities for field experience in many of the required social work courses. Students are eligible to apply for admission after they have completed the required 18 credit hours of designated courses at Concord (see list below). Application into the Social Work program must be submitted prior to enrolling in Social Work Research Methods, SOWK 370. Admissions and Retention Committee meetings are held several times throughout each semester. The Admissions Application is to be completed and submitted to the Social Work Department office, room 107 Marsh Hall or you may email your completed application to Ms. Vanessa Howell. Students will be notified of a time and date for their interview with the Admissions and Retention Committee, which consists of all full-time social work faculty. It is necessary that students attend their scheduled interview session once registered to do so. Failure to comply may result in the delay of admission to the Social Work program. Prerequisite Required Courses BSW Application Requirements If you are interested in Applying to the Bachelor of Social Work program, please apply online or download and complete the PDF application. BSW students who plan to pursue their graduate degree in social work, Master of Social Work (MSW), may apply for the Five (5) year Social Work Program. Within the 5-year plan, students apply for admission to the MSW program when they are seniors in the BSW program (typically when they are registering for SOWK 4601). Thus, positioning the student for completion of both the BSW and MSW in five years. Students must submit two Letters of reference from BSW Faculty for admission to the 5-year program. The graduate application fee is waived for students in the 5-year program. GPA and ethical standards must be maintained throughout the first four years of the BSW program for admission to the MSW program under the 5-year plan. 5-Year Social Work Program Requirements Students following the 5-year plan can be admitted directly to the MSW program. The Social Work profession focuses on issues of equality, social and economic justice while working to strengthen individuals, families, and communities. Here at Concord University, you will develop the knowledge and learn the skills to work in a variety of settings. Our professional social work education includes courses on social work values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations-at-risk, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, and field practicum. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and upon graduation, students are qualified to become licensed social work practitioners. Concord’s Social Work program offers a specialized degree that prepares its graduates for immediate entry into professional social work positions or graduate school. Graduates of our program are well prepared to enter the field. In fact: Graduates of the social work program are trained as generalist practitioners through a wide range of courses enabling them to work effectively with a variety of issues and people. Core Courses Include: Elective Courses Include: Social workers are highly sought after in a wide variety of occupations. Generalist social work practitioners can work in a variety of fields and settings dealing with human behavior. Below are just a few of the many career choices that are possible with a degree in social work. Once you are admitted into the Social Work program, you are invited to become a member of the Concord University Social Work Organization (CSWO). CSWO combines fun and fellowship with service and governance. CSWO is a service based organization that strives to ‘be the change’ and seeks members who have a passion to help our community, our college, and our nation. This student organization was formed in 1975 and has been officially recognized as a Campus organization since 1976. The primary purpose of the organization is to give the students an opportunity to organize on their behalf. There are many opportunities to become involved in the CSWO. Leadership positions and committee memberships are always encouraged. Some ways the students in this organization participate include: For meeting dates and times, visit the CSWO Facebook page. Adviser: Dr. Joan Pendergast Concord Social Work Organization By-Laws (PDF) BSW Program Brochure (PDF) BSW Sample Curriculum – Athens (PDF) BSW Sample Curriculum – Beckley (PDF) Computer Requirements (PDF) BSW Progression Sheet (PDF) BSW Student Handbook (PDF) Concord Social Work Organization By-Laws (PDF) Each year the Outstanding Social Work Graduate of the Year is awarded to the graduating Social Work student achieving the highest standard of academic excellence. The Outstanding Social Work Graduate of the Year not only has the highest Grade Point Average (GPA) of all graduates, but also exhibits superiority in the areas of service to others, community involvement and leadership.Bachelor of Social Work
CSWO Fall 2020 Officers
President
Madyson KennedySecretary
Destiny CleminsSGA Representative
Madyson KennedyVice President
Madison BergTreasurer
Shara MorrisHistorian
Sarah Smith
304-384-5289 | Email
Concord Social Work Organization Core Competencies (PDF)
The mission of the Social Work Program is to prepare students for beginning professional generalist social work practice in a wide range of settings, and with diverse population through education, research, and service with special appreciation for the peoples and institutions of West Virginia, Appalachia, and other rural areas. The program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974. The accreditation applies to beginning level generalist social work practice. Upon completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Social Work degree, the National Association of Social Workers will accept graduates as regular members of the Association. Additionally, graduates will be allowed to sit for the Social Work Licensure Exam. Graduates of the four-year program will be prepared for: A basic arts and sciences education is essential to professional social work education. There is no foreign language requirement. All courses require letter grades except SOWK 4601/SOWK 4602, Field Instruction, which is a pass-fail evaluation due to the nature of field experience. There are no provisions for awarding academic credit for life experience, or previous work experience, in lieu of the field placement requirement or to fulfill any of the foundation course requirements. Beginning with the introductory class, there are opportunities for field experience in many of the required social work courses.Bachelor of Social Work