Social Work, B.S.W.

Mission

The mission of the Social Work Program is to prepare beginning generalist and advanced practitioners to practice competently and effectively with urban families, groups, organizations, and communities. In recognition of Morgan State University’s mission to address human service needs of urban residents, the program is committed to the alleviation of human suffering, and the improvement of the quality of life for urban residents. Because African Americans make up a substantial percentage of the urban population, and are also over represented among urban residents facing unrelenting social and economic problems, the program has a major focus on preparing its graduates to address systematically and strategically, issues of poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage, interpersonal and community violence, substance abuse and mental health problems, social injustice and discrimination. The program’s overarching goal is to prepare beginning and advanced social workers whose knowledge, values, ethics, and skills enable them to intervene effectively with distressed African American communities, as well as other communities and populations at risk for negative outcomes and overall well being. The Program’s curriculum is built upon the mission and goals and is supported by the faculty through applied research, scholarship, and ongoing commitment and service to the city and state. The BSW and MSW Programs at Morgan State University are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Ph.D. Program is also offered in the School of Social Work.

Admission

Admission to Morgan State University does not constitute admission to the Social Work Program. Students planning to major in Social Work should contact the School of Social Work for information on the Social Work Program. Students interested in a career in social work may enter the Department under the status of “Prospective Social Work Major” which enables the student to be advised and guided through General Education requirements by a social work faculty member. No credit is granted for life experiences. Social Work admission requirements and guidelines include the following:

1. Completion of General Education Requirements – 40 credits
2. Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.5 
3. Completion of Social Work application (obtained from departmental office)
4. Completion of a Biographical and Personal Statement
5. Two letters of recommendation
6. Possible Interview with Admissions and Retention Committee

Admissions and Retention Committee

The admissions process is designed to assist students in determining the compatibility of their own goals with those of the social work profession.

Statute of Limitation and Transfer

There is a seven year statute of limitation on social work foundation courses. Social Work Practice courses and Field Education internships must be completed at Morgan State University. Students admitted into the social work program from another major within the University must complete the curriculum plan that is in effect at the time of admission to social work, which may differ from the curriculum plan in the catalog under which the student entered the University.

Retention/Graduation

Majors must retain a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average upon graduation.

 

Requirements

Social Work students are required to complete an inter- disciplinary arrangement of courses which make up the liberal arts foundation as a basis for entering the social work curriculum. Many of these courses constitute the General Education Requirements of the University and include: Language Arts and Critical Thinking, Humanities and the Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Mathematics, African and African-American Studies, Biological and Physical Sciences, and Health and Physical Education. In addition, social work majors are required to complete support courses with a grade of “C” or better. Social Work students must complete General Education Requirements prior to taking Social Work courses with the exception of SOWK 200 - Introduction to Social Work and  SOWK 209 - Black Families. These requirements apply to students entering Morgan for the first time as well as transfer students.

 

Requirements for the B.S. Degree in Social Work 

A minimum of 120 credit hours are required to graduate with a B.S. in Social Work.  These credit hours are distributed as follows:

General Education and University Requirements    43

Supporting Courses    12

Required Courses for the Social Work Major    59

Urban Core Requirements    6

Total Credits 120