Division of Social Work

Professor:

MONA C.S. SCHATZ, B.A. Metropolitan State College 1976; M.S.W. University of Denver; D.S.W. University of Pennsylvania; Professor of Social Work.

Associate Professors:
GAIL LEEDY, B.A. Ohio Wesleyan 1976; M.S. Tulane 1979; Ph.D. 1980; M.S.W. Ohio State University 1993; Associate Professor of Social Work 2001.

Assistant Professors
DIANE A. KEMPSON, B.A. Columbia College 1968; M.S.W. Florida State University 1970; Ph.D. University of South Carolina 1998; Assistant Professor of Social Work 2003.

VICTORIA MURDOCK, B.A. Indiana University; M.S.W. University of South Carolina 1995; Ph.D. 2003; Assistant Professor of Social Work 2003.

JOHN TRACY, B. S. Truman State University 1970; M.A. 1976; M.S.W. University of Iowa 1986; Ph.D. Colorado State University 2005; Assistant Professor of Social Work 2008.

Assistant Lecturers:
CAROLYN HANEY, B.A. Chadron State College 1993; M.S.W. University of Wyoming 2000.
LEA GRUBBS, B.S.W. West Chester State University 1975; M.S.W. Temple University 1979; Assistant Lecturer of Social Work 2003.

Professors Emeriti:
Boyer, Chesteen, Miller, Williams

For more than 100 years, social workers have cared for people in every stage of life, from children to the elderly. Social workers help others overcome life’s most difficult challenges and to manage the troubles of everyday living, including the troubles that exist due to poverty, stress, addiction, abuse, unemployment, mental illness, family change, and social violence.

The Division of Social Work prepares students for entry-level generalist social work practice. Two locations offer the social work program: the Laramie campus and the University of Wyoming/Casper College Center on the Casper College campus. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW.) and are prepared to work as generalist social work practitioners with individuals, groups, families, organizations, communities, and institutions to achieve more effective and efficient social functioning.

Our program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The curriculum is designed to help students acquire important knowledge and skills in the areas of values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations-at-risk, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, and research. Students also select elective courses in areas such as child welfare, aging, child and adolescent services, health and mental health, and disability services. The program culminates in a 450-hour supervised field practicum, which allows students to work as social workers in one of Wyoming’s many human service agencies.

Criteria for Admission as an Admitted Major

Students who declare social work as their major are considered Declared Majors while taking SOWK 2000, 3530, and 3630. After completion of these classes, students apply to be Admitted Majors. Social work students must meet the following criteria to be accepted as an Admitted Major.

1. Students must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 on all UW course work as well as all course work transferred into the University of Wyoming from other academic institutions.

2. Students must earn a minimum 2.50 GPA in SOWK 2000, 3530, and 3630.

3. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in SOWK 2000, 3530, and 3630.

4. Students must adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics.

5. Students cannot exhibit behavior that will impinge on the student’s present or future ability to fulfill professional responsibilities as a social work professional.

6. All students seeking admission to programs in the College of Health Sciences are required to undergo a background check as specified by college policy. Criminal convictions may result in rejection of the candidate for admission to Admitted Major.

7. Students must submit an application and an application fee. (See UW Fee Book)

8. Applicants to the social work program can not receive credit for life experience.

Criteria for Social Work Majors

Once admitted as a major, social work students must:

1. Complete all social work prerequisites:

a. LIFE 1010

b. Statistics

c. Human Biology

d. SOC 1000

e. PSYC 1000

f. ECON 1010

g. POLS 1000

2. Achieve a C or better in all social work prerequisites.

3. Achieve a C or better in all social work courses, including six hours of required social work electives.

4. Social work classes are offered and must be completed in sequential order.

5. Maintain a 2.5 or above GPA overall every semester after admittance to Admitted Major.

6. Maintain a 2.5 or above GPA overall in all social work course work every semester after admittance to Admitted Major.

7. Registration is restricted and students must meet with their advisor each semester for enrollment.

8. Complete SOWK 4990 with a C or better.

Individuals failing to meet any of the above requirements will be placed on probation and have twelve months to remedy the situation. Because many social work courses have prerequisite requirements, receiving a grade lower than a C in a social work course may prevent the individual from moving forward in the social work program. Individuals on probation must meet with their advisor to develop a plan for success. This written plan must be placed in the student’s file. If the individual does not remedy the situation in the time specified, the student will be terminated from the major. The individual may apply for readmission into the major if and when they raise their grades.

Field Practicum Process for Social Work Students

All students complete a 450-hour (12 credit hours) field practicum experience in a community-based social agency or social program. Field practicum sites exist throughout the state of Wyoming and many students are placed outside Laramie. Students apply for this program the semester before their actual placement. Students must complete a Field Placement Application and meet with the Field Coordinator to determine a field location (please review BSW Field Practicum Manual). Background checks and drug screenings may be required by some agencies even though the College of Health Sciences has received a background check during admission to the major.

Field practicum includes field seminars scheduled throughout the semester(s). For the practicum, the grade of D is interpreted as performing below expectations and will not be considered satisfactory completion of the practicum, hence of the BSW program. Based on input from the student, the field instructor, and the faculty liaison during the field evaluation, the field coordinator will determine what remediation would be required. The plan will clarify course objectives and professional skills upon which the student needs to improve. A student wishing to continue in the program would need to reapply for a field placement. Upon approval of the request for placement by the field committee, the student may then repeat the practicum experience. Consistent with the University policy, the most recent grade would be the grade calculated into the GPA. The grade of F is interpreted as not meeting minimal requirements of the course; failure to complete the minimum clock hours in the field placement and/or seminar component of the course; failure to complete written assignments in a satisfactory manner; violation of one or more of the tenets of the NASW Code of Ethics (see Appendix B and Termination of Practicum section in the practicum manual); and/or failure to withdraw formally or to terminate the course. A student receiving an F in the practicum will be automatically dismissed from the BSW program with no opportunity to reapply or re-enter. Grades and dismissals may be appealed. (See most current BSW Student Handbook for appeal procedures.)

Criteria for Graduation

The program requires 120 credit hours to graduate. Students must have completed all social work requirements, 48 upper-division hours, maintain a 2.5 GPA overall, a 2.5 GPA in social work coursework, and have achieved a grade of C or better in all social work courses.

Declared Major Plan of Study (4 years)

Social Work (SOWK) Courses

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Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change: 03/04/08