THIS PAGE IS MAINTAINED BY DR.
FRANK E. STAPPER
Last revised April 6, 2004
The NSU Social Work Department does not, and will not, sponsor any event
or organization that illegally discriminates against any minority group.
Welcome to the Northeastern State University Social Work Program.
As you begin preparation for a career in the social work profession, please
accept our sincere good wishes for a rich and stimulating professional educational
experience.
Social work education has been a part of the curriculum at NSU since
1981. The NSU Social Work Program was granted professional accreditation
through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 1992. The program
has been fully accredited since that time. Beginning with the Fall
2002 semester the social work program was offered at the Broken Arrow campus.
New cohorts of students are admitted at the beginning of each fall semester
on both campuses and also each spring semester on the Tahlequah campus.
Professional social work accreditation enables graduates of the program
to belong to professional social work organizations such as the National
Association of Social Workers, to apply for professional state licensure,
and to apply for advanced standing in MSW programs.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is recognized as the entry
level professional degree for generalist social work practice in public
and private social service agencies. The NSU social work curriculum
consists of 54 hours of required courses that include the study of human
behavior in the social environment, social work practice, social policy,
research, social and economic justice, populations at risk, values and
ethics, and field experience. Majors must maintain an overall GPA
of 2.5, as well as a GPA of 2.5 in all social work courses, and complete
a total of 440 hours of practicum, which includes experiential learning
activities in a social service agency.
There are four other accredited baccalaureate social work programs in
Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma, Oral Roberts University, East Central
University, and Southwestern State University. Nationwide there are
over 453 such programs. The master's degree is available on both
the Norman and Tulsa campuses of The University of Oklahoma which is one
of 158 MSW programs nationwide.
The NSU Social Work Department has seven full-time faculty and approximately
fifteen part-time instructors. Students have the opportunity to complete
field practicum with one of more than 100 different social service agencies
in various locations throughout northeastern Oklahoma. A professional
social work advisory board consisting of social workers from the practice
community meets twice a year with the faculty.
As a social work major, you will be encouraged to pursue your own interests
and goals as well as those of the program in order to become an active and
independent learner. Each member of the NSU social work faculty stands
ready to assist you, and we look forward to establishing a team effort
towards your social work education.
The Student Handbook is intended to:
*help NSU social work majors learn about the BSW program
*acquaint prospective students with the program
*serve as a reference for students
*supplement the university catalog
We look forward to working with you and getting to know you.
Faculty & Staff
Dept. of Social Work
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
MISSION STATEMENT
The Northeastern State University (NSU) Social Work Department offers
an upper-division professional social work curriculum built upon a liberal
arts foundation which leads to a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) accredited
by the Council on Social Work Education. Its primary mission is to
provide academic preparation and contribute to the professional and intellectual
growth and development of individuals who desire to enter generalist social
work practice in a wide range of social agencies and allied settings with
diverse client systems of various sizes and types. The program is designed
to integrate and apply the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Code of Ethics and the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession into
competent generalist social work practice with populations at risk. As northeastern
Oklahoma possesses a high concentration of Native Americans, the Social
Work Program has chosen Native American populations as an unique focus.
Additionally, the Social Work Program has chosen the global context of social
work practice as an unique focus.
The mission statement of NSU provides the foundation and structure and
is commensurate with the mission statement of the Bachelor of Social Work
program. Both statements are compatible with academic excellence,
as the ultimate mission being reflected in the preparation of students for
their professional endeavors as well as good citizenship and personal conduct.
The Bachelor of Social Work mission statement also reflects the mission
of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences to create an educational
environment that contributes to professional and intellectual growth and
development.
SOCIAL WORK GOALS
To fulfill the above mission, the goals of the social work program are:
1. To prepare a diverse student population for beginning
professional generalists social work practice based on values and ethics
in order to serve client systems of various sizes and types. This includes
direct services to the diverse populations at risk to facilitate the reduction
of poverty, oppression and discrimination that will promote social and
economic justice.
2. To provide a flexible educational program that
increases the students understanding of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual
variables that affect the person within the environment and community which
will include the history of social welfare and the social work profession,
its structures and issues.
3. To provide students the opportunity to acquire,
develop and integrate professional social work knowledge, values, and
skills. To guide their professional social work practice primarily
through course work and field practicum instruction.
4. To provide professional education for practice
which will increase appreciation and understanding of working effectively
with diverse client systems of various sizes and types, with emphases on
Native American populations.
5. To develop analytical skills and critical thinking
that will encourage active participation in the development, evaluation,
and improvement of social work knowledge and skills through research aimed
at advancing social work practice.
6. To encourage students to become aware of the complex
tasks of involvement in practice, both direct and indirect, and the global
impact of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual variables and
political and economic systems.
7. To prepare graduates for generalist social work
practice with diverse populations and to foster their commitment to lifelong
learning and development of social work knowledge, values, and skills with
incorporation of effective supervision throughout their careers, which will
empower them and their clients.
SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Graduates of the Northeastern State University Social Work Program will
be able to:
1. Apply critical thinking and research skills within
the context of professional social work practice.
2. Understand the value base of the profession and
its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.
3. Practice without discrimination and with respect,
knowledge, and skills related to clients: age, class, color, culture, disability,
ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race,
religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression
and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that
advance social and economic justice.
5. Understand and interpret the history of the social
work profession and the social welfare institution and their contemporary
structures and issues.
6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social
work practice with systems of all sizes.
7. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical
evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life
span and the interaction among individuals and between individuals and
families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies
that promote social and economic justice.
9. Evaluate research studies, apply research findings
to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.
10. Use communication skills differentially across
client populations and communities and with colleagues.
11. Use supervision and consultation appropriate
to social work practice.
12. Function within the structure of organizations
and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.
13. Understand the need for cultural sensitivity
in the provision of services for Native American populations.
14. Recognize and implement the global context of
the social work profession.
CURRICULUM DESIGN
The BSW curriculum at Northeastern State University is organized, implemented
and evaluated based on a generalist practice framework. This framework
incorporates a systems perspective which includes the problem-solving approach,
a focus on human diversity, the ability to understand and analyze social
work research and to begin to evaluate one's own practice, a commitment to
serving populations at risk and working toward their empowerment, and a
commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession that leads
toward social change and social justice.
The curriculum design is based upon Northeastern State University's
mission and requirements, and is developed in accordance with the Council
on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards
(EPAS). It is designed to prepare students for beginning-level professional
generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations,
and communities.
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK MAJOR
Admission to the Social Work Program is a prerequisite for enrollment
in SOWK 3953 Practice I, and other courses restricted to Social Work Majors.
The following courses are required for social work majors
SOWK 2013, Introduction to Social Work 3 hrs
SOC 3323, Social Statistics
3 hrs
SOWK 3473, Social Welfare 3 hrs
SOWK 3873, Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
3 hrs
SOWK 3953, Practice I 3 hrs
SOWK 4313, Social Work Research 3 hrs
SOWK 4613, Human Diversity 3 hrs
SOWK 4673, Practice II 3 hrs
SOWK 4733, Practice III 3 hrs
SOWK 4863, Social Policy 3 hrs
SOWK 4873, Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
3 hrs
SOWK 4962, Senior Seminar 2 hrs
SOWK 4984, SOWK Practicum I and Seminar 4 hrs
SOWK 4994, SOWK Practicum II and Seminar 4 hrs
Elective advanced courses from Social and Behavioral
11 hrs
Science subjects. Six of these hours must be Social Work courses,
which may include Social Work workshops. (Only six hours total of
SOWK 4751 will count toward the degree).
TOTAL 54 hrs
At least 27 hours (50% of major) are required to be taken at NSU for
a Social Work major.
ADMISSION TO SOCIAL WORK MAJOR
Prior to declaring a social work major, a student must first be admitted
to Northeastern State University. This procedure is handled by the
University's Office of Admissions in the Administration Building. Incoming
freshmen students are normally advised through Academic Advisement.
That office is responsible for the advisement of students until they are
ready to declare Pre-Social Work as a major, at which time advisement
becomes the responsibility of the Social Work Department. Transfer students,
who have identified Pre-Social Work as their major, are normally assigned
immediately to the Social Work Department for advisement.
A student qualifies to change the major from Pre-Social Work to Social
Work when the following requirements are completed:
• All general education requirements are met
• All Social Work pre-requisite courses are met.
These include
o BIOL 1114 General Biological Science
o SOC 1113 Introduction to Sociology
o PSYC 1113 Introduction to Psychology
o SOWK 2013 Introduction to Social
Work
o MATH 1513 College Algebra
o ECON 2113 Principles of Macroeconomics
o SOC 3323 Social Statistics
• SOWK 2013 Introduction to Social Work must have
a minimum grade of "C"
• 2.5 Graduate/Retention GPA
• University requirements for English Proficiency
are met
EXCEPTIONS TO SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT POLICIES
Exceptions to Social Work Department policies are rare, however, in
unusual situations students may request an exception by submitting a request
in writing. Students who do not meet admission requirements, course prerequisites,
or other stated conditions may also appeal the decision in writing. Requests
and appeals for exceptions, which are made by students, should include a
statement why they believe their case is exceptional and merits additional
consideration. In each instance the request is reviewed and a decision is
made based on the merits of the case and interrelated issues. Exceptions
to existing policies require the approval of a majority of the Social Work
Department faculty. Students will be notified in writing of any faculty decisions
made under this exception policy.
ADMISSION TO PRACTICUM: SOWK 4984 and 4994
# 90 semester hours
# 2.5 GPA overall
# 2.5 GPA in All Social Work Courses
# Proof of Field Practicum Liability Insurance
# Submission of Practicum Application Materials and Approval
of Faculty
# Refer to University Catalog for Practicum Course Prerequisites
See the Field Practicum Manual in the Appendix for information, policy,
and procedures.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A. 2.5 Graduate/Retention GPA
B. 2.5 GPA in all social work courses
C. A total of 124 credit hours must be completed for
a BSW degree. This includes a
minimum of 40 hours general education
and 54 hours in the major. A maximum of 3
credit hours of independent study and 6 credit
hours of workshops will count toward
the 54 hour social work major. The
remaining hours to complete the 124 credit hours
for graduation may be taken as free electives
from any college or department.
D. Twenty-seven hours 3000/4000 level in the major
and 30 hours minimum at NSU.
E. At least forty (40) semester credit hours are required
in the Liberal Arts and Sciences.
F. All candidates for a degree must meet the components
of English proficiency
prior to graduation.
MINOR IN SOCIAL WELFARE
Non social work majors may earn a minor is social welfare by selecting
18 hours from the following courses:
SOWK 2013, Introduction to Social Work
SOC 1113, Introduction to Sociology
SOWK 3473, Social Welfare
SOWK 3873, Human Behavior I
SOWK 4043, Special Topics
SOWK 4613, Human Diversity
SOWK 4623, Social Work w/Elderly
SOWK 4633, Family and Child Welfare Services
SOWK 4643, Case Management
SOWK 4751, Workshop in Contemporary Issues (maximum three hours)
SOWK 4863, Social Policy
SOC 4000, Workshop (maximum three hours)
SOC 4723, Social Stratification
Credit may not be earned in both Social Work courses and Sociology courses
with the same number and title.
SOCIAL WORK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
2013 Introduction to Social Work (3 Hrs.)
Course presents a broad overview of the profession of social work and
familiarizes students with the context in which social workers practice.
Emphasizes student development of knowledge, values and skills as well
as the awareness of the NASW Code of Ethics in micro, mezzo, and macro
levels. Course includes an awareness of diverse populations.
3473 Social Welfare (3 Hrs.)
Focuses on the historical and contemporary development of social welfare
institutions, and their impact on populations at risk. Examines the
development and implementation of social service delivery systems in promoting
social and economic justice. Utilizes the National Association of
Social Workers' Code of Ethics as it applies to the field of Social Welfare.
Social work and pre social work majors must complete SOWK 2013 as a prerequisite.
3873 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
(3 Hrs.)
Provides an introduction to an ecological model of human behavior as
applied throughout the life cycle. Critically examines various theories
of causation as they relate to functional and dysfunctional behaviors, and
examines the impact of social stratification especially by class, race, or
sex on human behavior. Prerequisite: General or Human Biology, SOWK
2013.
3953 Practice I (3 Hrs.)
Utilizing a systems approach to problem-solving, introduces student
to the generalist orientation in social work practice and develops a beginning
level of competence in social work modes of intervention with individuals
and families. Prerequisite: SOWK 2013, 3873. Restricted to Social
Work majors.
4043 Special Topics (3 Hrs)
Designed to explore social work and social welfare issues in greater
depth, in a formal academic setting, than is possibly in other structured
courses offered in social work. May be repeated with different topics
to a maximum of nine hours credit.
4313 Social Work Research (3 Hrs.)
An introduction to the rationale and use of social research methods.
Course utilizes the techniques of problem formulation, data collection,
and data analysis in survey, experimental, evaluative, field research, and
the single subject design. Examines the National Association of Social
Workers' Code of Ethics as it relates to research. Prerequisite SOWK
3953 and concurrent with SOWK 4984. Restricted to Social Work majors.
4613 Human Diversity and Social Work (3 Hrs.)
Critically examines theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and
problem-solving strategies and their effectiveness in providing social
services to culturally-diverse populations. Effects of color or gender-based
discrimination are analyzed in the stress framework, with a focus on the
strengths and resources developed within the minority experience.
4623 Social Work with the Elderly
(3 Hrs.)
Develops a social systems perspective for working with the elderly.
Examines interventive strategies for working with both individuals and institutions
or organizations, and examines issues and policies that enhance or impede
social and economic justice of the elderly.
4633 Family and Child Welfare Services (3 Hrs.)
Examines the development and scope of family and child welfare services,
with emphasis on the child's role in a family system. The impact of
institutional and societal forces on family systems, and the role of social
workers in this interaction are explored, particularly as they affect outcomes
for children.
4643 Case Management (3 Hrs.)
An introduction to the practice of case management as a social work
method of providing services whereby a professional social worker
assesses the needs of the client and the client's family, when appropriate,
and arranges, coordinates, monitors, evaluates, and advocates for a package
of multiple services to meet the specific client's complex needs.
4673 Practice II (3 Hrs.)
A continuation of Social Work Practice I, this course emphasizes social
work interventions with groups. Course develops additional knowledge,
values, and skills for generalist social work practice with diverse populations.
Theories are linked to practice interventions. Restricted to Social
Work majors. Prerequisite: SOWK 3953 and concurrent with SOWK 4984
or SOWK 4994.
4733 Practice III (3 Hrs.)
Course introduces students to a theoretical framework for analyzing
small communities; and the knowledge, values, and skills of generalist
social work practice in small and rural communities. It also
includes the process of grant proposal writing. Prerequisite: SOWK
3953. Restricted to Social Work majors.
4741 Independent Study (1-3
Hrs.)
Contracted independent study for topic not currently offered in regularly
scheduled courses. May include library and/or field projects.
Prerequisite: Social Work major or minor and permission of instructor.
May be repeated with different topics to a maximum of three (3) hours credit.
4751 Workshop in Contemporary Issues (1-6
Hrs.)
An opportunity to study in depth an issue in Social Work of current
significance, either in seminar or field trip situations. May be
repeated with different topics to a maximum of six (6) hours credit.
SOWK 4751 graded by pass/fail.
4863 Social Policy (3 Hrs.)
Introduces the student to social welfare policy issues with emphasis
in the areas of health and mental health, families and children, and economic
security. It provides a beginning knowledge base for professional
practice roles in the analysis, formulation, and implementation of policy,
and emphasizes the need for social reform through policy advocacy.
4873 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
(3 Hrs.)
A study of the social systems theoretical model and knowledge of human
bio-psycho-social development of persons in the environment. Includes
other theories and knowledge about social systems in which individuals live
(families, groups, organizations, communities and institutions). Application
of critical thinking enhances an understanding of the interactions between
human behavior in relation to social, cultural, and economic forces.
Restricted to social work majors. Prerequisite: SOWK 3873.
4962 Senior Seminar (2 Hrs.)
A capstone course that enables students to integrate what they have
learned in the social work curriculum and to evaluate their preparation
for engaging in entry level generalist social work practice in multi cultural
environments. Prerequisite: SOWK 4984 and Senior standing. Restricted
to Social Work majors.
4984 Social Work Practicum I & Seminar (4
Hrs.)
Designed to integrate theoretical concepts with applied learning experience
in an approved human services agency. Students complete a minimum
of 220 hours in the agency, and concurrently attend a weekly seminar on campus
that is intended to integrate the knowledge, values and skills of generalist
social work practice. Restricted to senior Social Work majors.
Approval required. Prerequisite: SOWK 3953. Graded
Pass/Fail.
4994 Social Work Practicum II & Seminar
(4 Hrs.)
Builds upon Practicum I to complete the applied learning experience
necessary for entry level competency in generalist social work practice.
Course is designed to integrate theoretical concepts with applied learning
experience in an approved human service agency. Students complete
a minimum of 220 hours in the agency and concurrently attend a weekly seminar
on campus that is intended to integrate knowledge, values and skills of
generalist social work practice. Restricted to senior Social Work
majors. Approval required. Prerequisite: SOWK 4984. Graded Pass/Fail.