Social Work
Social work is one of the best and most sought-after helping professions! Because of its eclectic knowledgebase, commitment to values and ethics, and high skill requirements, those who complete a degree in social work are able to impact the paths of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Simply stated, social workers are those who have been trained to help others and make positive contributions to the lives of men, women, and children. Social workers help people solve personal, family, as well as community problems so they can lead better lives. Social workers are actively involved in the prevention and treatment of the Grand Challenges facing society today:
Individual Well-Being
- Ensuring healthy development for youth
- Closing the health gap
- Building healthy relationships to end violence
- Advancing long and productive lives
Stronger Social Fabric
- Eradicating social isolation
- Ending homelessness
- Creating social responses to a changing environment
- Harnessing technology for social good
Just Society
- Eliminate racism
- Promoting smart decarceration
- Reducing extreme economic inequality
- Building financial capability and assets for all
- Achieving equal opportunity and justice
750+ Course Options
The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.
Program Requirements
To graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among:
- General Education Requirements (GERs),
- Core courses
- Electives
Core Courses
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 205 | 3 | Writing in Social Work |
| SOWK 210 | 3 | Introduction to Social Work |
| SOWK 260 | 3 | Social Welfare, Social Policy and Social Work I |
| SOWK 360 | 3 | Social Welfare, Social Policy and Social Work II |
| SOWK 379 | 3 |
Social Work Methods I: Introduction to Practice |
| SOWK 388 | 3 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I |
| SOWK 389 | 3 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II |
| SOWK 390 | 6 | Special Topics in Social Work (Students are required to take two SOWK 390 courses totaling 6 credits.) |
|
SOWK 460 |
3 |
Technology in Human Services |
| SOWK 461 | 3 | Social Work Research |
| SOWK 480 | 6 | Beginning Field Experience in Social Work |
| SOWK 481 | 3 | Social Work Methods II: A Generalist's Approach to Practice |
| SOWK 482 | 3 | Advanced Field Experience in Social Work |
| SOWK 483 | 3 | Social Work Methods III: Selected Intervention Strategies, Research, and Evaluation |
| SOWK 490 | 3 | Professional Issues Seminar |
Sample Degree Plan
This plan is only for example purposes. Your academic journey may be slightly different from another student’s journey, so be sure to always communicate with your academic advisor before finalizing your course schedule.
Fall Semester (16 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | 3 | English Composition I |
| SOCI 201 | 3 | Introduction to Sociology |
| BIOL 101 | 4 | Introduction to Biology with Lab |
| HIST 20x | 3 | World History I or US History I or African American History I |
|
IDIS 103 or THEA 211 |
3 |
Music and Dance or Visual Arts and Theatre |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
| course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 102 | 3 | English Composition II |
| PHSC 103 | 3 | Technology and Human Affairs |
|
PHIL 102 or PHIL 103 |
3 |
Introduction to Logic or Introduction to Philosophy |
| MISY 150 | 3 | Technology Fluency |
| HIST 20x | 3 | World History II or US History II or African American History II |
Fall Semester (15 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 210 | 3 | Introduction to Social Work |
| PSYC 201 | 3 | General Psychology |
| WLIT 207 | 3 | World Literature |
| POSC 301 | 3 | US Government |
|
SPCH 204 or HEED 105 |
3 |
Critical Listening or Emerging Issues and Mental Health (Recommended) |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| MATH 203 | 3 | Basic Statistics |
| SOWK 205 | 3 | Writing in Social Work Practice |
| SOWK 260 | 3 | Social Welfare, Policy, and Social Work I |
| XXXX xxx | 3 | Minor or Elective Cluster Option |
| XXXX xxx | 3 | Minor or Elective Cluster Option |
Fall Semester (15 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 360 | 3 | Social Welfare, Social Work Policy II |
| SOWK 388 | 3 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment I |
| SOWK 460 | 3 | Technology in Human Services |
| XXXX xxx | 3 | Minor or Cluster Elective Option |
| XXXX xxx | 3 | General Elective |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 379 | 3 | Social Work MethodsI |
| SOWK 389 | 3 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment II |
| SOWK 461 | 3 | Social Work Research |
| XXXX xxx | 3 | Minor or Cluster Elective Option |
| XXXX xxx | 3 | Minor or Cluster Elective Option |
Fall Semester (15 credits)
| Course | credits | name |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 480 | 6 | Beginning Field Experience in Social Work |
| SOWK 481 | 3 | Social Work Methods II |
| SOWK 390 | 3 | Special Topics Option |
| XXXX xxx | 3 | Minor or Elective Cluster Option |
Spring Semester (15 credits)
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| SOWK 482 | 6 | Advanced Field Experience in Social Work |
| SOWK 483 | 3 | Social Work Methods III |
| SOWK 490 | 3 | Professional Issues Seminar |
| SOWK 390 | 3 | Special Topics Option |
Admission Requirements
We invite pre-social work students to apply to the social work major while enrolled in the following classes:
- SOWK 205, Writing for Social Work
- SOWK 210, Introduction to Social Work
- SOWK 260, Social Work Welfare Policy I
To be considered for fall admission, students must submit their complete application by March 31.
Application Requirements
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for admission and must be maintained throughout the program. Students who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Social Work degree must apply for admission into the program while enrolled in SOWK 210.
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and/or may be denied admission to the social work major.
Prepare to submit the following documentation as part of your admissions packet to the Social Work major:
- Social Work application
- 1 letter of recommendation
- Personal statement
- National Association of Social Work (NASW) policy summary statement
- Transcripts
- Course descriptions (for course substitutions, if requested. Transfer students only)
- Signed Social Work Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
- Signed Ethical Standards Form
- Signed Social Work Code of Conduct
Social Work is in the Department of Social Work in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.