University of Nebraska at Kearney

1996-98 UNK Undergraduate Catalog

College of Natural and Social Sciences

SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

• Social Work Major - Bachelor of Science Degree
   
• SOWK Courses

Sandra Cook-Fong, Program Director

Assistant Professors: Cook-Fong, Younes
Lecturer: Brown

Social work is concerned with the interactions between people and the institutions of society that affect the ability of people to accomplish life tasks, realize their aspirations, and alleviate stress. The focus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney Social Work Program is to prepare a generalist social worker for entry level professional practice in rural settings.

Department Objectives:

• To gain knowledge and skills in problem solving;
• To acquire an appreciation/understanding of human diversity through knowledge of the interrelationships between people and their environment, biologically, psychologically, and socially;
• To achieve basic skills in social research methodology;
• To acquire the basic competencies needed for entry level professional practice. A supervised field placement in a community social service agency enables students to integrate theory and practice skills in a structured environment and is required of all social work majors.

General Information

A. It is highly recommended that interested students, transfer students, or students located at campuses other than UNK contact the Social Work Program upon their decision to enter into social work as a career. As an accredited, professional program, proper sequencing of courses is required. The social work course sequencing is 5 semesters (2 1/2 years) in length on the UNK campus.

B. All social work majors must have an advisor in the Social Work Program. Students with double majors are required to have an advisor in each program.

C. Students must earn at least a "C" in each required social work course, categories A, B and C and BIOL 103. The exception is SOWK 170 in which a B or better must be earned. Any course in which a "D" or "F" is recorded must be repeated until a "C" or better is earned.

D. Social work courses must be taken in sequence as listed, and the student is responsible for meeting the prerequisites. The first required course for the program is SOWK 170-Introduction to Social Welfare. Students are also required to engage in 40 clock hours of volunteer work in a social service agency concurrently with classroom instruction. SOWK 373-Practice III can be taken prior to, concurrently with, or after Field Placement.

E. A formal admission process must be completed before finishing SOWK 185. Admission is based on a combination of criteria including:

1) Cumulative GPA
2) a grade of B or above in SOWK 170
3) references
4) personal statement and
5) suitability for professional social work practice.

One option is available in this major:

Social Work Major - Bachelor of Science Degree

Courses with the prefix SOWK are offered by the department.