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Bachelor of Arts Social Work

Social Work
Bachelor of Arts
AT A GLANCE
  • 120 credits
  • Transfer up to 90 credits
  • All courses are available online
  • Select on-site and hybrid courses available
  • Residency restrictions apply
TUITION
  • $250 per credit hour
    (Europe & Downrange)

See our Tuition Rates page for details.

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Prepare for a profession making a difference in the lives of people and their communities at UMGC Europe.

The major in social work allows students to prepare for a profession making a difference in the lives of people and their communities. Offered by Salisbury University (SU) and administered by UMGC Europe, the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) helps prepare you for entry-level generalist social work practice and advanced graduate education. The BASW is a professional degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, which is essential for your licensure after graduation.

In a combination of hands-on practice in the community and theoretical study in the classroom, you will learn how to work with individuals, families, and groups. The goal of this comprehensive program is to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for private and public sector entry-level social work practice.

After earning a BASW, you can advance your studies and earn a Master of Social Work (MSW).

Please note: This program is only available to students located in Europe. For assistance or further details, please contact socialwork-europe@umgc.edu or CIV +49-(0)631-5600-1737.

What is Social Work?

Social work is a profession with many different opportunities and areas, all with the common goal of helping individuals. Social workers are people who care about the needs of others and want to make a difference. According to the National Association of Social Workers, “Social workers are skilled professionals who work to empower individuals, relieve suffering, and affect social change. They are generalists and specialists who work in a wide variety of settings, but apply common core values, principles, and techniques.” For more information about social work, visit Salisbury University: Be the Change You Want to See.

How do I know Social Work is for Me?

Social workers provide a wide range of services to individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations. Working from a strengths perspective, social workers are guided by the values of social justice and human rights. Social workers often reach out to people who may be described as oppressed and underserved.

Where you might work: Social workers most commonly work in non-profit or government agencies. The fields of social work practice include, but are not limited to, mental health, child welfare, family work, substance abuse, adult and juvenile justice, school or medical social work, geriatric social work, homelessness and housing, domestic violence, and community organizing/development. Social work jobs may be found in various environments like schools, hospitals, communities, and other voluntary organizations.

Job Outlook: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for social workers is expected to grow much faster than average in the next decade. In addition, there are increased opportunities for social workers who are bilingual or want to work in rural, underserved areas.

About the Bachelor's in Social Work

A degree with a major in social work requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, with 54 credits required for the major, including 8 credits of supervised field instruction.

Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may require you to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. You should consult your academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options. For additional information about the major and careers in social work, you can also visit the SU program pages.

Bachelor's in Social Work Requirements

Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.

Total Credits Required: 120

  • Required Major Courses: 54
  • Elective Courses: 40-41
  • General Education Courses: 25-26

Required Major Courses

Required Core Courses (54 credits)

  • (4 Credits, SOWK 200)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 300)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 302)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 306)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 309)
  • (2 Credits, SOWK 310)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 320)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 330)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 400)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 410)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 416)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 417)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 420)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 421)

Required Related Courses (9 credits)

  • (3 Credits, PSYC 100)
  • (3 Credits, SOCY 100)
  • (3 Credits, STAT 200)

General Education Courses and Salisbury University Signature Outcomes Requirements (36-46 credits)

See the "Gen. Ed. & Salisbury U. Required Courses" tab.

General Education Courses (36-46 credits)

Salisbury University Signature Outcomes Requirements (3 Courses)

These courses may also meet additional General Education and/or major requirements.

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following Areas (3 Courses):
    • GENE CCE - Civic and Community Engagement (3)
      • (3 Credits, PHIL 110)
    • GENE DI - Diversity and Inclusion (completed in major with (4 Credits, SOWK 309))
    • GENE ES - Environmental Sustainability (3-4 credits)
      • SOWK 210

Additional General Education Requirements (11 Courses)

These courses may also meet SU Signature Outcomes and/or major requirements.
* To be taken in the first 24 credit hours of courses

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following Areas (3 Courses):
    • GENE FYS - First Year Seminar (waived for students with at least 30 credits in transfer)
    • GENE CTW - Communication Through Writing*
      • (3 Credits, WRTG 112)
    • GENE QA - Quantitative Analysis* (3)
      • Choose from:
        • (3 Credits, STAT 200)
        • (3 Credits, MATH 105)
  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following - Must Be From Different Content Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE HE - Human Expression (3)
      • Choose from:
        • (3 Credits, ARTH 204)
        • (3 Credits, ARTT 152)
        • (3 Credits, ENGL 102)
        • (3 Credits, ENGL 103)
        • (3 Credits, HUMN 100)
        • (3 Credits, PHIL 100)
        • (3 Credits, PHIL 140)
        • (3 Credits, SPAN 111)
        • (3 Credits, SPCH 100)
    • GENE HIC - Humanity In Context (3 credits)
      • Choose from:
        • (3 Credits, HIST 156)
        • (3 Credits, HIST 157)
        • (3 Credits, PHIL 110)
  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following - Must Be From Different Content Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE SC - Social Configurations (3)
      • Choose from:
        • (3 Credits, CCJS 100)
        • (3 Credits, ECON 203)
        • (3 Credits, GVPT 100)
        • (3 Credits, GVPT 170)
        • (3 Credits, HIST 115)
        • (3 Credits, HIST 116)
        • (3 Credits, PSYC 100)
        • (3 Credits, SOCY 100)
    • GENE SI - Social Issues (completed in major with (4 Credits, SOWK 200))
  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following - Must Be From Different Content Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE HOS - Hands-On Science (4)
      • Choose from:
        • (3 Credits, BIOL 101) & (1 Credit, BIOL 102) (or (4 Credits, BIOL 103))
        • (3 Credits, BIOL 160)/(1 Credit, BIOL 161)
        • (3 Credits, BIOL 181)/(1 Credit, BIOL 182)
        • (4 Credits, CHEM 103)
        • (3 Credits, NSCI 100)/(1 Credit, NSCI 101) (or NSCI 103)
        • (3 Credits, NSCI 170)/(1 Credit, NSCI 171)
        • (3 Credits, NUTR 100)/(1 Credit, NUTR 101)
    • GENE STS - Solutions Through Science (3)
      • Choose from:
        • (3 Credits, BIOL 101)
        • (3 Credits, BIOL 160)
        • (3 Credits, BIOL 181)
        • (3 Credits, GEOG 100)
        • (3 Credits, GEOL 100)
        • (3 Credits, NUTR 100)
        • (3 Credits, NSCI 100)
        • (3 Credits, NSCI 170)
  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE PW - Personal Wellness (4)
      • HLSC 106 Lifestyle Behaviors for Personal Health and Wellness
    • GENE EL - Experiential Learning (completed in major with (4 Credits, SOWK 420))

Salisbury University Signature Outcomes Requirements (3 Courses)
These courses may also meet additional General Education and/or major requirements.

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following Areas (3 Courses):
    • GENE CCE - Civic and Community Engagement (completed in major with SOWK 410)
    • GENE DI - Diversity and Inclusion (completed in major with SOWK 309)
    • GENE ES - Environmental Sustainability (3-4 credits)
      • NSCI 362 Our Environment: Human Impact and Sustainable Choices (3 credits)

Additional General Education Requirements (11 Courses)
These courses may also meet SU Signature Outcomes and/or major requirements. * To be taken in the first 24 credit hours of courses

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following Areas (3 Courses):
    • GENE FYS - First Year Seminar (waived for students with at least 30 credits in transfer)
    • GENE CTW - Communication Through Writing*
      • WRTG 112 Academic Writing II
    • GENE QA - Quantitative Analysis* (3)
      • Choose from: STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (recommended) or MATH 105 Topics for Mathematical Literacy

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following - Must Be From Different Content Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE HE - Human Expression (3)
      • Choose from: ARTH 204, ARTT 152, ENGL 102, HUMN 100, PHIL 100, PHIL 140, SPAN 111, SPCH 100
    • GENE HIC - Humanity In Context (completed in major with SOWK 306)

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following - Must Be From Different Content Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE SC - Social Configurations (3)
      • Choose from: CCJS 100, ECON 203, GVPT 100, GVPT 170, HIST 115, HIST 116, PSYC 100, SOCY 100
    • GENE SI - Social Issues (completed in major with SOWK 200)

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following - Must Be From Different Content Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE HOS - Hands-On Science (4)
      • Choose from: BIOL 101 & 102 (or BIOL 103), BIOL 160/161, BIOL 181/182, CHEM 103, NSCI 100/101 (or NSCI 103), NSCI 170/171, NUTR 100/101
    • GENE STS - Solutions Through Science (3)
      • Choose from BIOL 101, BIOL 160, BIOL 181, GEOG 100, GEOL 100, NUTR 100, NSCI 100, NSCI 170, NSCI 362

  • Complete 1 Course In Each Of The Following Areas (2 Courses):
    • GENE PW - Personal Wellness (4)
      • HLSC 106 Lifestyle Behaviors for Personal Health and Wellness
    • GENE EL - Experiential Learning (completed in major with SOWK 420)

Please note: Salisbury University may approve additional courses to meet general education requirements. Always consult the UMGC social work office for the most up-to-date information.

Program Admission Requirements

Step 1: Apply for Admission

  • New Students: To apply for the BASW program, submit your application for admission online through UMGC Europe. Select "Salisbury Undergraduate" for level of study.
  • Current UMGC students: Contact the local academic advisor to update your degree program.

Step 2: Complete Pre-admission Requirements

Prior to being fully admitted into the BASW program, you must complete the pre-admission requirements. Completion of all pre-admission requirements does not guarantee your acceptance into the program. To meet pre-admission requirements, you must successfully complete the following courses:

  • (3 Credits, PSYC 100)
  • (3 Credits, STAT 200)
  • (3 Credits, SOCY 100)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 200)
  • (4 Credits, SOWK 300)
  • (2 Credits, SOWK 310)

Register online through MyUMGC

Step 3: Contact Your Academic Advisor

Once you have completed the pre-admission requirements and have achieved junior standing with at least 45 completed credit hours, you may apply to the BASW program. It is advised that you speak with an academic advisor to ensure that you have completed all of the requirements before applying for full admission to the BASW program.

Step 4: Apply for Admission to the BASW Program

Each applicant for the BASW program must submit a Salisbury University application and written personal statement.

General Admission Requirements:

  • Achieve junior standing with at least 45 completed credits (preferably closer to 60)
  • Have an overall GPA of 2.5
  • Have an overall GPA of 2.7 in social work courses

For more information on how to apply to the BASW program once you have completed the pre-admission visit SU Bachelor of Arts in Social Work program.

Salisbury University Policies

  • You are expected to demonstrate ethical and professional behavior while completing the BASW and to become a professional social worker.
  • No social work course may be repeated more than once.
  • You must earn a grade of C or better in all core courses and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for graduation.
  • If the courses required for the major do not equal 120 credit hours, you must register for additional electives to complete 120 credits required for graduation.
  • You must have a minimum of 30 credits of upper-level (300-499) courses with C grade or above; at least 15 of those credits must be taken at SU.
  • It is the student's responsibility to satisfy graduation requirements. Please refer to the program page of the Salisbury University catalog for detailed major requirements.
  • Students must apply online through SU's GullNet portal for graduation by November 15 for spring (May) or summer (August) graduation and by May 15 for fall (December) graduation.
  • Additional policies are found in the Salisbury University BASW Student Handbook and Field Manual


ABOUT OUR PARTNER INSTITUTION SALISBURY UNIVERSITY

Salisbury University, a member of the University System of Maryland, is an accredited university of national distinction. Home to more than 8,700 students from across the U.S. and around the world, Salisbury University has a reputation for excellence in public higher education. SU continuously ranks among the nation’s top colleges and values according to The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, Kiplinger’s, Money, Forbes, and others.

Located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, this four-year university has 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. SU prides itself on being an institution where individual talents are celebrated while big ideas are encouraged and nurtured.

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