University of Southern Maine

 

The University of Southern Maine’s School of Social Work is committed to educating culturally competent generalist social work practitioners prepared for multilevel, strengths-based practice that values the centrality of community in enhancing the well-being of diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

The School serves southern Maine by responding to the social work education, leadership, service, and evaluation and research needs of the region. The commitment to social and economic justice, and diversity and multiculturalism are integrated. The School strives for excellence in teaching and learning. Graduates are prepared for multi-level professional practice recognizing the centrality of the role of community in the lives of its constituents.

The program in social work prepares the student for the professional practice of social work at the entry level. The social work curriculum of the School is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the baccalaureate level. Students who receive a degree from an accredited undergraduate program in social work may apply to selected graduate schools of social work for advanced standing. It is important to consult individual institutions for their acceptance criteria and procedures, which may vary.

During the first years at the University, with the assistance of faculty advisors, students enroll in a combination of classes fulfilling their Core curriculum requirements, required foundation courses for social work (classes in other fields required by the major), and the major itself. Because many classes are prerequisites for other classes, students must carefully sequence their courses. The model below indicates the desired program for social work majors; starred (*) classes indicate the class is a prerequisite for other social work requirements.

 

 

Major Requirements (45 credit hours of the 120 total credit hours necessary to graduate).

The major in social work consists of 45 credits in required social work courses. In addition, 40 credits of foundation courses must be completed in other departments. Some of these foundation courses may also be used to satisfy the Core curriculum requirements as appropriate.

Required Social Work Courses
SWO 201: Introduction to Social Work
SWO 250J: Introduction to Social Welfare

SWO 301: Methods of Social Work Practice I
SWO 333: Social Work Research I

SWO 334: Social Work Research II

SWO 350: Social Welfare Policy
SWO 365: Examining Oppression and Valuing Diversity
SWO 370: Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SWO 403: Methods of Social Work Practice II

SWO 404: Methods of Social Work Practice III

SWO 411: Field Work I

SWO 412: Field Work II
SWO Elective

Required Foundation Courses in Other Departments
ENG 100C: College Writing

ECO 101J: Introduction to Macroeconomics

BIO 100K: Biological Basis of Human Activity (or BIO 101K: Biological Foundations, or BIO 105K: Biological Principles I)

BIO 102K: Biological Experiences (or BIO 106K: Laboratory Biology)

POS 101J: Introduction to Government
PSY 101J: General Psychology I

An introductory statistics course (MAT 120D, PSY 201D, SOC 307D or SBS 328D)

PSY 102: General Psychology II

SOC 100J: Introduction to Sociology

Core “E” Skills of Analysis/ Philosophy

HRD 200J: Human Growth and Development

= Course is offered in either an online or blended format

Three other intermediate-level (200-399) sociology, psychology, criminology courses, or SBS courses at Lewiston-Auburn College, selected in consultation with the student’s advisor, are required. No more than two classes taken for this requirement may be in the same discipline, with the exception of either external transfer students or Lewiston-Auburn College students.

Students are required to achieve a grade of C or better in all required social work and required foundation courses; and attain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 at the point of application for the social work major.

 

Tuition&Fees | Financial Aid | Class Search | Transfer Students | Core Requirements (pdf)

 

Degree Plan

Year 1
Proficiency in writing, math if needed
ENG 100C: College Writing
PSY 101J: General Psychology I*
PSY 102: General Psychology II
SOC 100J: Introduction to Sociology*
Biology and Biology Lab* (also fulfills K Core requirement)
Core “F” Fine Arts
Core “I” Other Times/Other Cultures
General Electives

Year 2
ECO 101J: Introduction to Macroeconomics*
HRD 200J: Human Growth and Development*
POS 101J: Introduction to American Government*
SWO 201: Introduction to Social Work*
SWO 250J: Introduction to Social Welfare*
Statistics (in math, psychology, sociology, or SBS at Lewiston-Auburn
College)* (also fulfills D Core requirement)
Core “E” Skills of Analysis/ Philosophy
Core “G” History Centered Arts
General Electives

Year 3
SWO 301: Social Work Methods I (spring semester)
SWO 333: Social Work Research I
SWO 334: Social Work Research II
SWO 350: Social Welfare Policy
SWO 365: Examining Oppression and Valuing Diversity
SWO 370: Human Behavior and Social Environment
Electives in sociology, psychology, criminology or SBS
General electives

Year 4
SWO 403 and SWO 404: Social Work Methods II and III
SWO 411 and SWO 412 Field Work (full year)
Social Work elective, 300-level or higher

General electives
Any remaining sociology, psychology, criminology, SBS electives

Students transferring to USM from another college or university must have completed these courses, or their equivalent, as recorded on their Transcript Evaluation form.

To assure consistency and avoid confusion, it is important that social work majors meet with their advisors on a regular basis. Advising in the School of Social Work is a mutual process of exploring career objectives, reviewing School requirements, designing the best possible combination of required courses and electives, determining proper course sequencing, and facilitating a collaborative relationship between the student and the School.

During the field work year, each student is placed in a community social service agency approved by the School of Social Work. Placements begin only in the fall semester and continue throughout the academic year. By the end of the spring semester, each student will have completed 480 hours of field work. A large number of social and community agencies in the Greater Portland area and in cities and towns of southern Maine have been most generous in their cooperation with the School and in making available field instruction resources including supervision for students of the School. All students should refer to School guidelines governing field work for more information and directions.

To major in social work, all students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average, and a grade of C (2.0) or better in all major and foundation classes. In order to prepare for the field work component in the School of Social Work, students must take SWO 301 Methods of Social Work I in the spring semester preceding their field work year. To qualify for enrollment in SWO 301, students must: 1) have at least 54 credits at the time of pre-registration; 2) have a 2.5 cumulative GPA overall; and 3) have a C or 2.0 grade in all social work and required foundation classes. Students must maintain the 2.5 GPAand a grade of C or better in all social work and required foundation courses to complete the major. Please see the Student Handbook and Field Work manual for additional information about requirements of field work.

Because social work is a values-based profession whose principal commitment is to vulnerable clients, a student’s suitability for the profession will be assessed during the process of his or her education. The students of the School have organized a Social Work Student Organization.

More Information

If you would like more information about the B.A. in Social Work Blended degree, visit the School of Social Work Website.

If you would like information about applying for this program, or general information about taking online and blended courses at USM, please contact one of our online student services staff members at online@usm.maine.edu or at 207-780-5921.