Curriculum

The BSW is the first level practice degree in a profession that utilizes its own as well as other professional knowledge in its commitment to a biological, psychological, sociological, political science, economic and spiritual view of human and social systems. Students complete a set of required courses that provides a solid foundation for their work, and have enough choices of content to explore their individual interests. The professional social work courses build upon the liberal arts requirements and add professional social work knowledge, values, and skills. The combination of courses which comprise the social work curriculum are sequential and integrated to prepare students for generalist entry level practice.
In addition to the Core Curriculum and the Professional Social Work Courses, two professionally related upper level courses are required, one in Political Science and one in a Socio-behavioral discipline (i.e., African American Studies, Women´s Studies, P sychology, Sociology or Economics). The core curriculum is described fully in the Undergraduate Bulletin which students receive at orientation. Copies of the bulletin are available in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and on Temple´s Website. The requirements of the core curriculum are also listed in the BSW Handbook.

Bachelor of Social Work Curriculum

The BSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The program consists of 124 credits. It prepares entry level social workers to function in a variety of settings using diverse methods. The preparation of generalist practitioners requires the integration of content from the liberal arts and the socio-behavioral sciences with the professional foundation areas of Social Welfare Policy and Services, Social Work Practice, Human Behavior in the Social Environment and Social Research.

Students receive content in the following CSWE areas infused into their courses: Social work values and ethics, diversity and populations at risk, and social and economic justice. In addition, Temple University has instituted a core curriculum, the requirements of which must be met by all students.

For students matriculated at Temple University before Fall 2008, the requirements for Temple´s Core Curriculum are:

• Composition 3 s.h.
• Intellectual Heritage 6 s.h.
• American Culture 3 s.h.
• The Arts 3 s.h.
• Individual and Society 3 s.h.
• Foreign Language or International Studies 3-6 s.h.
• Studies in Race 3 s.h. SW 3008/R365
• Mathematics, Statistics, Logic 6-8 s.h.
• Science and Technology 6-8 s.h.
• Library Skills 0 s.h.
• 6 Writing Intensive courses.
  
  

  For students matriculated at Temple University before Fall 2008, the specific Temple University core courses required by the School of Social Work for BSW students are:

• Comp 1002/50
• IH 1196/51 & IH 1297/52
• PoliSci 1101/51, Hist 1102/68 or AAHist 1268/68,SW @2003/121
• Arts Course
• Econ 1101/51, Soc 1176/50, Psych 1061/60
• Anthro 1061/61, & one additional IS or 2 foreign language courses
• Math 1011/55, & Stats (4 options)
• Bio 1001/71 & any Science Level B
• Library Skills
• Comp 1002/50, IH 1196/51, IH 1297/52, SW 4096/285, SW 4097/286 and one other.

  In the order courses are usually taken:
  

• SW 1001 (Introduction to Social Work Field and Practice Options) and SW 1002 (Communication Skills)
• SW 2003 (Welfare History) and SW 2004 (Services & Policy Practice)
• SW 3005 and 3006 (Intro Practice) along with SW 3007, (Theories) SW 3011, (Groupwork), SW 3008 (Racism & Oppression)
• SW 3009 (Patterns of Social Service Delivery in Organizations and Environments), SW 4096 & 4097 (Senior Practice), SW 4187 & 4287 (Field Practicum), SW 4013 & 4014 (Research/Program Evaluation)

A social work elective is usually taken in the junior or senior year although may be taken earlier.