Undergraduate Catalog 2024-2025

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work Program is competitive. Students begin as a major during the fall semester after they have completed most of their general education requirements. Students apply during the fall or spring semester the year before starting the BSW Program.  Applications to the BSW Program are accepted until March 1st. 

To be eligible for admission to the BSW Program, applicants (from SIUE or who are transferring in) must submit the following materials through the online portal to the Department of Social Work by March 1st that precedes the fall semester the student wishes to enroll in the BSW Program:

• An online application form for the BSW Program form which includes:
  1. General information about the student
  2. Information related to general education courses and prerequisites taken
  3. Cumulative GPA (minimum of 2.5)
• A personal statement synthesizes information that addresses the following prompts: 
  1. Describe your understanding of the social work profession and the profession's values (see NASW Code of Ethics https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English)
  2. Describe a social problem or social justice issue that inspires you to want to major in social work
  3. Describe how you would address the social problem or social justice issue by implementing the values of the social work profession.
• Unofficial copies of transcripts from all higher education institutions the BSW applicant has attended.
• A signed statement that they have read and agree to abide by:
  1. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics (https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English),
  2. The SIUE Student Code of Conduct (https://www.siue.edu/policies/3c1.shtml),
  3. The SIUE Department of Social Work Academic and Ethical Standards of Professional Behavior Policy (https://www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/social-work/degrees-and-programs/index.shtml)
  4. The SIUE Department of Social Work Student Handbook (https://www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/social-work/current-students/index.shtml)
• A signed statement indicating that the applicant understands that they must complete a 400-hour practicum experience and may be expected to engage in other service-learning or community engaged learning requirements throughout the BSW Program. These activities will require students to have reliable transportation, alternative caregivers, flexible work schedules, and be open to exploring diverse settings of social work practice.

Students applying for entry into the program must:

• Have a GPA of at least 2.5 and have completed the equivalent (30 hours) of at least two full-time semesters at any college or university
• Demonstrate written proficiency in English by completing English composition I and II with a grade of C or better
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively by completing an applied communication studies course in interpersonal communication with a grade of C or better
• Read, sign and agree to abide by:
  • The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics
  • The SIUE Student Code of Conduct
  • The SIUE Department of Social Work Academic and Ethical Standards of Behavior Policy
  • The SIUE Department of Social Work Student Handbook
• Completion of SOCW 202 or another introduction to social work course (note that an outside Introduction to Social Work can qualify a student for admission to the program, but all students must complete SOCW 202 in order to graduate with a BSW degree from SIUE.)
• Attendance to an SIUE BSW Program Orientation session prior to BSW Program admission

Application materials are reviewed for approval or denial by Social Work faculty, including the BSW Program Director and members of the BSW Committee. Students who plan to enter the program are expected to attend an orientation session prior to applying for the program and to complete all on-boarding activities once they enter the program.

Decisions regarding admission to the major are made in early March, and students admitted will be allowed to declare as social work majors. Should spaces within the program remain after this date, the program will continue to consider applications until spaces are filled.

Only students who have been admitted into the program will be enrolled in the first major semester courses (SOCW 202, SOCW 211, SOCW 390, and SOCW 302) in the fall term.

It is important that students become familiar with sequencing and required courses for this major as well as the required supporting courses offered, which are listed in the undergraduate catalog and the BSW handbook.

Transfer

Transfer course credit from other CSWE-accredited social work programs will be considered for acceptance toward the BSW  from SIUE, though different programs have different course sequencing. No course credit will be awarded for work or life experience.