BSW Program Admission

Academic Requirements for Program Admission

Admission to the BSW Program requires passage of at least 60 semester hours (including MS 110 or 112, and MS 204), a 2.25 overall GPA, a grade of “C” or better in SW 330 (Introduction to Social Work), successful completion of SW 390, and a passing score on the English Competency Exam. Students enrolled in SW 390 are eligible to obtain the application for admission to the program from the Social Work Program Secretary in Room 309 Brewer Hall. This application should be submitted to the Program secretary upon successful completion of SW 390. (No student can take SW 391 without admission to the BSW Program.) Students denied admission and remain eligible are encouraged to complete the application as soon as they meet the requirements and return it to the secretary for the BSW Program in Room 309 Brewer Hall. Students must have been formally accepted to the Social Work Program before taking SW 391, 448, 449, and 450. Students must maintain a 2.50 GPA in Social Work and a 2.25 GPA overall in order to graduate. The completed Application for Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program becomes part of the student's admission file. Generally, decisions regarding admission to the BSW Program are made by the Admissions Committee one month prior to the end of each semester.

The Admissions Committee may take any of the following actions regarding a completed application for admission:

a. acceptance into the program,
b. provisional acceptance, or
c. denial of admission

Acceptance into the program generally means the student has presented evidence of meeting the minimum requirements for admission to the BSW Program.  Provisional acceptance may be for academic or non-academic reasons.

Students may be denied admission to or terminated from the BSW Program for, but not necessarily limited to, any of the following non-academic reasons which are personal or professional:

  1. Overtly expressed attitudes, values, and behaviors in opposition to or contrary to those found in the NASW Code of Ethics;
  2. Evidence of chemical, alcohol, or drug abuse;
  3. Personality, emotional, attitudinal, or personal issues or difficulties which may or actually impair performance, interactions, and relationships with classmates, faculty, agency staff, and/or clients;
  4. Dishonesty, including lying, cheating, or plagiarizing in course work and/or Field Placement; and
  5. Evidence of certain criminal or unlawful activity.

Students are provided written notice of the Admissions Committee's actions. In the case of provisional acceptance, specific conditions which must be met before the student can be admitted to the program are provided. In the event acceptance is denied, the Committee's decision may be appealed. Re-application for admission to the program is possible. When re-application is possible, the student is notified in writing of that possibility. Those denied admissions are not guaranteed readmission after appeal.

The Admissions Committee reviews the records of all social work students admitted to the BSW Program regarding continued enrollment and readiness for Field Placement during the semester prior to enrollment in SW 448 (Social Work Practice III), SW 449 (Field Placement), and SW 450 (Field Instruction Seminar). Action taken by the Admissions Committee regarding any student is reflected in the student's BSW file. Any information relevant to a student's continued enrollment may be placed in the student's BSW file by members of the faculty or staff. An application for Admission to the BSW Program appears below.

Students considering earning a degree in social work and who have been charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony should be aware of the following:

  1. Agencies and organizations that provide Field Instruction placements for social work students may require a criminal background check prior to agreeing to provide Field Instruction.
  2. Agencies employing social workers may also require criminal background checks prior to hiring employees.
  3. Alabama and most other states licensure laws for social workers inquire about whether the applicant has been charged with or convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony prior to allowing the applicant to sit for the licensure examination.

Non-Discrimination

The Social Work Program is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all aspects of its program activities. The program respects and values diversity and does not discriminate on any basis including the following: race, color, gender, age, creed or religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, political orientation, or sexual orientation.