Academic Advising

Office of Admissions and Student Services
Ritter Annex 521
215-204-8623

Academic professionals serve as academic advisors to social work majors.  Early and regular contact with the advisor can be extremely helpful. The advisor is a knowledgeable person with whom students may discuss issues of concern in relation to university regulations, as well as course selection.  At SSW, advising services are provided through the Office of Admissions and Student Services.

Academic advisors are particularly important for social work majors.  The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) curriculum is organized so that courses scheduled to be taken taken later in the program assume, and build on, the knowledge and skill foundation provided in the liberal arts and social work courses taken earlier.   For this reason, most social work courses designate successful completion (with a C- or better) of earlier courses as prerequisite to taking later courses.   Additionally, SSW requires that three of the social work courses required in each semester of the senior year -- research, the seminar in social work practice, and the field practicum -- be taken concurrently.   This program of study for B.S.W. students has been carefully designed and approved by faculty.  It is intended to provide students with a coherent, integrated, and high quality learning experience.   Advisors can be especially helpful in suggesting the best ways to complete the program of study.

Although students must assume primary responsibility for knowing the requirements for their degree and for acquiring information about their academic status, student advisors can help students if they have any questions.  Academic advisors attempt to avoid errors when advising students about their program requirements, but schools and colleges cannot assume liability for errors in advising.

Transfer Students from Schools Outside of Temple

Persons expecting to transfer to Temple's Undergraduate Social Work Program are urged to contact the School at 215-204-8623 for an appointment as soon as they have identified interest in this program. (See Undergraduate Admissions regarding transfer admissions.) Those who transfer more than 30 semester hours will begin their coursework with Social Work 2003: The History and Values of Social Welfare, and 3005: Helping Processes in Social Work I.  Although 2003 and 2004 are also offered in the summer, 3005 is usually only offered during the fall semester and 3006 during the spring semester.

Students are expected to be majors in the program a minimum of two years and a summer.

Students who transfer from two-year associate degree programs in Human Services are expected to complete all professional courses as well as the Temple University courses required by the School of Social Work.