Mission
Undergraduate Degree Programs
Advising
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science—Major in Social Welfare
Bachelor of Social Work
Field Education for BSW Students
Undergraduate Social Work Field Units
Social Science Concentration Courses Approved for Social Welfare Majors and BSW Students
Honors in the Major
Certificate Programs
Accreditation
Graduate School
Course Descriptions
1350 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706; 608/263-3660; http://socwork.wisc.edu
Professors Brower, Cancian, Greenberg, Kramer, Kravetz, Meyer, Reynolds, Seltzer; Associate Professors Magaña, Robert, Slack; Assistant Professors Berger, Magnuson, Mahoney, Moses, Schroepfer, Sellers; Clinical Professor Carbino, Clinical Assistant Professors Coleman, Sleeper
Academic advisors: Judy Switzky (Room 316B), Belinda Velazquez (Room 323)
Disability coordinator: William Heiss, waheiss@wisc.edu
Faculty diversity liaison: Sandra Magaña, Magana@waisman.wisc.edu
Social work's special contribution rests on an established body of knowledge, values and skills pertinent to understanding human relationships and the interaction between people as individuals, in families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Undergraduates in the School of Social Work receive a liberal arts education in the social and behavioral sciences and their application to human problems that prepares them to be informed citizens involved in human services or social welfare problems and policies. Students take courses in a variety of social sciences to enable them to view social welfare in its broad social, economic, and political contexts.
Social work courses offer a theoretical understanding of social problems and an introduction to practice methods used by social workers. The curriculum covers such areas as aging, family and child welfare, poverty, mental health, developmental disabilities, alcohol and drug abuse, diversity, race and ethnicity, criminal justice, oppression and social and economic justice, at-risk populations.
The mission of the UW-Madison School of Social Work is to enhance human well-being and promote social and economic justice for people who are disadvantaged to achieve an equitable, healthy, and productive society. The school aims to:
The School of Social Work offers a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree or a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree with a major in social welfare. The BSW and the social welfare major prepare students for further academic study or for employment in selected human service arenas. The BSW prepares students as beginning-level professional social workers. The social welfare major offers an overview of pressing, current social problems.
Freshmen and sophomores are assisted on academic matters by the Letters and Science Advising Services in 70 Bascom Hall. An advisor is available there to discuss either major with interested students.
Social Work advisors assist students with program planning for degree requirements; discuss career opportunities; help complete the required major declaration forms; and confer on student issues and problems. Advisors are an excellent source of information about campus and community services and opportunities and can help make a large university seem less formidable. Students should see an advisor at least once each semester to review academic progress. The advisors may be reached by calling 263-3660. Social work faculty members are also available for advice about course work, research, and the social work profession in general.
All students initially meet with a social work advisor and regardless of intended degree, declare the social welfare major. They may declare the social welfare major as early as the sophomore year. Later, if a student is accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work program (see admissions requirements below), the student declares the BSW.
The social welfare major is a total of 32 credits; 20 of these are in the School of Social Work. No substitute may be made in the requirements without recommendation of the advisor and subsequent approval by the L&S deans.
Focus on individuals, families, small groups, communities, organizations, social institutions
Two intermediate- or advanced-level courses (6-8 cr total; [I, A, or D]) are required from one of the following social science departments:
Afro-American studies; anthropology; Chican@ and Latin@ studies; economics; political science; psychology; sociology; or women's studies. (An elementary-level course may be a prerequisite.) Courses must be selected from the approved list. (See Social Science Concentration Courses Approved for Social Welfare Majors and BSW students, below.)
Students begin their program of study by taking Soc Work 205 and Soc Work 206 Students declare the social welfare major typically in the sophomore year after completing Soc Work 205 and before enrolling in the Human Behavior and Environment course sequence (Soc Work 640 and Soc Work 457).
*Meets L&S ethnic studies requirement
Two I or A electives in the School of Social Work, 6-8 cr
*No more than 3 credits of SW 699, Directed Study, may be used toward fulfillment of this requirement.
Select one course from the following:
Stat 301 Introduction to Statistical Analysis**, 3 cr (I)
Soc 360 Statistics for Sociologists, 3 cr (I), or Soc 358/359 Design and Statistical Analysis of Social Research, 6 cr (I) (may be taken to fulfill Statistics and Research requirements simultaneously)
Psych 210 Psychometric Methods, 3 cr (E)
**Stat 301 is recommended by the School of Social Work. This course also fulfills three credits of math and natural science toward the Letters and Science breadth requirements.
Take one course from the following:
Soc Work 650 Methods of Social Work Research, 3 cr (A)
Soc 357 Methods of Sociological Inquiry, 3 cr (I)
Soc 358/359 Design and Statistical Analysis of Social Research, 6 cr (I) (may be taken to fulfill Research and Statistics requirements simultaneously)
Psych 225 Experimental Psychology, 5 cr (I)
Social welfare majors are encouraged to gain social service experience through volunteer work. See the social work advisors or contact the Morgridge Center for Public Service, 263-2432, for information on volunteering.
Social welfare majors who intend enter the BSW program are also strongly advised to take a human biology course. (See list of courses options under Requirements for the BSW program below.)
The BSW is a total of 49 credits; 37 of these are in the School of Social Work.
Because the School of Social Work is a professional school within the College of Letters and Science (L&S), and the college confers the BSW degree, students also complete: L&S general education requirements (including Communication Parts A & B and Quantitative Reasoning Parts A & B, either the L&S BA track breadth requirements or the L&S BS track breadth requirements; and L&S Depth and minimum GPA requirements (unless Social Work GPA requirements are higher) for their degree. No substitute may be made in the requirements without recommendation of the advisor and subsequent approval by the L&S deans.
Students begin their program of study by taking Soc Work 205 and Soc Work 206 in fall and spring semesters, respectively (generally in the sophomore year). After completing Soc Work 205 and before enrolling in the Human Behavior and Social Environment course sequence (Soc Work 640 and Soc Work 457), students declare the social welfare major. In the spring of the junior year, students apply for acceptance into the BSW program.
CHANGE IN REQUIREMENT FOR BSW DEGREE, EFECTIVE FALL 2008Effective fall 2008, a course in human biology will no longer be required for the BSW degree. Students should check with the social work advisor for clarification regarding this requirement. (online change 8/3/07) |
Take one course from the following:
Anthro 105 Principles of Biological Anthropology*, 3 cr (BE)
Physiol 335 Physiology*, 5 cr (BI) )
Pop Hlth Sciences 155 Intro to the Biology of Aging, 2 cr (E)
Pop Hlth Sciences 575 Biological Processes of Aging, 3 cr (I)
Psych 454 Behavioral Neuroscience*, 3 cr (BI)
Women St 530 Biology and Gender*, 3 cr (BD)
*Meets L&S biological science requirement
Focus on Individuals, Families, Small Groups, Communities, Organizations, Social Institutions
Two intermediate- or advanced-level courses (6-8 cr total; [I, A, or D]) are required from one of the following social science departments: Afro-American studies; American Indian studies, anthropology; Chican@ and Latin@ studies; economics; political science; psychology; sociology; or women's studies. (An elementary-level course may be a prerequisite.) Courses must be selected from the approved list. (See the Social Science Concentration Courses Approved for Social Welfare Majors and BSW Students.)
*Meets L&S ethnic studies requirement
Take one I or A elective course in the School of Social Work, 3-4 cr
Select one course from the following list:
Stat 301 Introduction to Statistical Analysis**, 3 (I)
Soc 360 Statistics for Sociologists, 3 (I), or Soc 358/359 Design and Statistical Analysis of Social Research, 6 (I) (may be taken to fulfill statistics and research requirements simultaneously)
Psych 210 Psychometric Methods, 3 (E)
**Stat 301 is recommended by the School of Social Work. This course also fulfills three credits of math and natural science toward the Letters and Science breadth requirements.
Soc Work 650 Methods of Social Work Research, 3 cr (A)***
***Students who are double majors in psychology or sociology may substitute one of the following: Soc 357 Methods of Sociological Inquiry, 3 cr (I)
Soc 358/359 Design and Statistical Analysis of Social Research, 6 cr (I)
Psych 225 Experimental Psychology, 5 cr (I)
In the spring of the junior year, students who meet the following eligibility criteria apply for admission to the BSW program:
Admission to the bachelor of social work (BSW) program is based on assessment of the applicant's background, preparation and experience for practice in the field of social work. Approximately 30-40 students are admitted to the bachelor of social work program each year. Application for admission includes:
BSW students are expected to maintain a cumulative 3.0 in the major and a minimum grade of BC in 400 and 401.
Beginning in the fall semester along with Soc Work 440 and Soc Work 441, BSW students take two semesters (16 hours per week—256 hours/semester) of field education during their senior year (SW 400, 401).
A field unit information meeting is held each spring semester so that students can learn more about expectations and opportunities for field placement. The field unit information meeting provides the student with a chance to discuss field placement options with field unit faculty. Students indicate their field unit preferences but the associate director for field education makes final unit placement decisions, while field instructors make final field-placement decisions.
The types of agencies working with the field education program are varied. The field units are organized around a social problem area or a field of practice. Each unit has a range of field placement agencies and settings appropriate to its theme. The emphasis for undergraduate placements is on applying the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes. The focus is on learning and applying analytic and interventive skills within an ethically based, problem-focused approach.
Social work students should be advised that Wisconsin State Statutes require the State Department of Justice to conduct background checks on all potential field education students prior to the field placement. Information regarding this process is provided to students after they are accepted into the BSW program.
The practice perspective of this unit is on advocacy, activism, community organization, and political process in dealing with minority concerns and issues. Students gain skills in problem analysis, intervention, organization and mobilization, public communication and information, and individual and group counseling. Within the unit, there are varied learning opportunities for exposure to diverse racial and cultural backgrounds and activism and advocacy within diverse community settings. Participating agencies include Centro Hispano; Community Action Coalition; Madison Urban League; State Public Defender's Office; Wisconsin Women's Council; Bayview Housing; and various neighborhood centers and agencies.
The practice perspective of this unit is on social work practice with and on behalf of families and children. Students learn to use a broad range of social work skills and knowledge including child development and services, family systems, family problems and services. Participating agencies may vary from year to year but usually include the voluntary child and family service agencies such as Catholic Social Services; Children's Service Society; Community Coordinated Child Care; Salvation Army Homeless Families Program; Advocates for Battered Women; Family Service; Family Resource Center; Family Exchange Center; Respite Center; OASIS; Lutheran Social Services; Mendota Mental Health Institute—Children's Treatment Unit; Parental Stress Center; and Family Enhancement.
This unit focuses on helping students in the conceptualization of client typologies related to social responses/interventions including: pre-sentence decisions, probation/parole supervision, institutional interventions, group homes, research/policy and planning administration. Interventions related to conceptualization of client subtypes, demography of crime and delinquency, and violent crime are some of the major content areas for study. Students develop skills in psychosocial assessment; casework; crisis intervention; client supervision; group work; placement planning; working with special populations; and policy/administration. Emphasis varies with placement. Participating agencies, community groups, and organizations with which the unit deals are: Probation and Parole; Mendota Mental Health Institute Forensics units; First Offender Program; group homes, prisons, jails; Central Office, DHSS; other administrative placements; The Attic; ARC House; Dane County Restitution; Juvenile Court Services; and others as appropriate.
This is a public social service agency unit providing both direct and indirect services to clients. Most students are involved in direct practice as part of the agency services which include court-ordered services to involuntary clients, group work, planning, administration and program planning, and social work practice in small towns, suburbs, and rural settings in Dane County. Students gain a solid understanding of the place of a public social service agency in the social service and community system. Direct service placements provide skills in assessment, resource evaluation, linkages, and time-limited counseling. Indirect services placements include planning, evaluation, and group leading. The Dane County Human Services, with two locations in Madison and three in outlying areas, is the participating agency.
This unit's focus is on social work with persons with developmental disabilities and their families. The primary setting for this placement is the Waisman Center on Mental Retardation and Human Development, which provides exemplary training, clinical services, and community education in the areas of mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. The practice perspective of this unit uses an ecological approach to community-based treatment and services for persons with developmental disabilities. Guided by the principles of normalization and community integration, the unit focuses on learning how to create environmental conditions and support for persons with disabilities, and their families, so that they can lead satisfying lives in their own communities. The unit also stresses interdisciplinary assessment, service planning, and team functioning. Some students will be placed in community-based agencies serving persons with disabilities such as: Options in Community Living; Access to Independence ; ARC; Unified Services Board; Division of Community Services; Family Support Program; United Cerebral Palsy; and others.
This unit provides opportunities to work with human service agencies and community programs providing services to individuals, groups, and the community. Areas of skill acquisition include assessment, provision of direct services, consultation and program development. Students learn skills that are applicable to a number of settings in which social workers practice. The unit works with a large number of agencies that provide services to children, adolescents, families and adults. Agencies may include: AIDS Network; American Red Cross; Atwood, East Madison, Wilmar and Kennedy Heights Community Centers; Briarpatch, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Social Services and the Madison Regional Office (adoption); Children's Service Society; Community Partnerships; Dane County District Attorney's Office; Serenity House; Outreach; State Public Defenders Office; YWCA; Vet Center.
The practice perspective of the aging unit is a problem-focused, generalist approach with special emphasis on: (1) direct service to older adults and their families; and, (2) resource development and coordination. Students have the opportunity to develop skills in counseling older adults, working with groups of older people, and working with task groups. Social problems of the aged, programs and services for older adults, coordination of direct services, and unique needs of older adults are some of the content areas this unit addresses. Participating agencies include: Independent Living, Inc.; Visiting Nurse Service; Mendota Mental Health Institute; Jewish Social Services; Adult Day Center; Alzheimer Family Center; Madison Housing Authority; Near Eastside Coalition for Older Adults; South Madison Coalition; Dane County Aging Program; Advocates for Battered Women; Central Wisconsin Center; Madison Senior Center; Segoe Senior Center; Beloit Hospice; New Ventures of Wisconsin; and Veteran's Administration Hospitals Geriatrics Program.
For more information on field units, the agencies they work with, and field course expectations see the Field Education Handbook available at www.socwork.wisc.edu/field. Field unit availability may vary from year to year because of personnel changes, funding, or curriculum needs.
233 History of Racial Protest Movements in America
303 Blacks, Film, and Society
323 Gender, Race and Class: Women in U.S. History (crosslisted with Women St)
423 Black Feminisms (Crosslisted with Women's Studies)
424 Women's International Human Rights (crosslisted with Women St)
442 Discrimination and Prejudice in American Society
443 Mutual Perceptions of Racial Minorities
467 Slavery in the American South
475 Race, Socioeconomic Status and Intellectual Development (crosslisted with Psych)
523 Race, American Medicine and Public Health
567 History of the African American Education
577 Blacks in Cities (crosslisted with Soc)
624 African American Women's Activism (19th and 20th Centuries) (crosslisted with Women St)
628 History of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States (crosslisted with Hist)
635 Afro-American History to 1900 (crosslisted with Soc)
636 Afro-American History since 1900 (crosslisted with Hist)
650 Seminar: Ethnic/Racial Identity
651 Contemporary Afro-American Society
671 Selected Topics in Afro-American History (when topic is appropriate)
673 Selected Topics in Afro-American Society (when topic is appropriate)
314 American Indians of North America (crosslisted with Anthro)
353 Indians of the Western Great Lakes (crosslisted with Anthro)
437 American Indian Women (crosslisted with Anthro, Women St )
450 Issues in American Indian Studies (when topic is appropriate)
471 Ethnohistory of American Indian Religious and Political Movements (crosslisted with Anthro)
490 American Indian History
516 Indians and the Spanish Borderlands (crosslisted with Chicla)
578 Rural Minority Groups and Poverty in the United States (crosslisted with Soc)
639 American Indians in Contemporary Society
314 Indians of North America (crosslisted with Amer Ind )
321 The Emergence of Human Culture
330 Topics in Ethnology (when topic is appropriate)
343 Anthropology of Religion (crosslisted with Relig St)
345 Family, Kin and Community An Anthropological Perspective
348 Economic Anthropology
350 Political Anthropology
353 Indians of the Western Great Lakes (crosslisted with Amer Ind )
365 Medical Anthropology
374 The Anthropology of War
443 Anthropology by Women (crosslisted with Women St )
448 Anthropology of Law
528 Anthropology of Drugs
545 Psychological Anthropology
570 Anthropology and Education
301 Chicana and Chicano History
303 Chinana/o and Latino/a Immigrant and Diasporic Cultures
330 Topics and Chicano/a Studies (when topic is appropriate)
464 Mexican-American Politics
516 Indians and the Spanish Borderlands
261 Economics of Black America (crosslisted with Afro-Amer)
301 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
302 Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
390 Contemporary Economic Issues
411 Advanced Microeconomic Theory
420 Urban and Regional Economics
440 Urban and Regional Economics
450 Wages and the Labor Market
451 The Economic Approach to Human Behavior
453 Collective Bargaining and Public Policy
460 Race, Gender and Ethnicity: Inequality in the U.S. Labor Market (crosslisted with Afro-Amer)
465 The American Economy to 1865 (crosslisted with Hist)
466 The American Economy since 1865 (crosslisted with Hist)
467 International Comparisons-Industrial Firms and Industrial Organizations
474 Economic Problems of Developing Areas
475 Economics of Growth
508 Wealth and Income
522 Law and Economics
539 Public Sector Bargaining
548 The Economics of Health Care
628/629 Comparative Industrial Relations in Developed Countries (I & II)
641 Housing Economics and Policy
663 Population and Society (crosslisted with Soc)
202 Analysis of Politics
205 Introduction to State Government
213 Urban Politics
217 Law, Politics and Society
219 Introduction to Public Policy
220 Comparative Public Policy
230 Politics in Multicultural Societies
267 Introduction to Political Psychology
271 Introduction to Afro-American Politics
274 Political Choice and Strategy
312 Politics of the World Economy
313 Bargaining in the Global Economy
316 Principles of International Law
317 The Politics of Human Rights
337 International Institutions and World Order
353 The Third World in the International System
379 Globalization: On States, Societies, and the International System
400/1 Topics (when topic is appropriate)
404 American Politics and Government
405 State Government and Public Policy
411-412 Constitutional Law I and II
413 Problems of Urban Areas
417 The American Judicial System
420 Administrative Law
424 American Parties and Politics
426 The Legislative Process
430 Ethnic Politics in America
440 Health Policy and Health Politics
443 Public Administration
444 Administration of Public Policy
445 Politics of Poverty and Social Welfare
446 Politics of Government Regulations
447 Politics and the American Macroeconomy
452 Criminal Law and Justice
461 Organizational Theory and Practice
462 Political Economy of Race in the U.S.
464 Mexican-American Politics (crosslisted with Chicla St)
467 Elections and Voting Behavior
469 Women and Politics
471 Civil Liberties in the U.S.
472 Interest Group Politics
473 Public Opinion
475 Policy-Making in the American States
476 Political Elites and Leadership
477 Political Socialization
479 Political Communications
517 Feminist Political Theory
519 African American Political Theory
530 Ethics and Values in Policy-Making
611 Comparative Political Economy
617 Comparative Legal Institutions
643 Women and Politics in a Global Context
655 The Politics of Cultural Pluralism and National Integration
662 Comparative Social Movements: State, Protest, and Public Policy
664 Women in the Global Economy
311 Issues in Psychology (when the topic is appropriate)
406 Psychology of Perception
408 Psychology of Human Emotions
409 Psychology of Motivation
411 Current Topics in Psychology (when topic is appropriate)
414 Cognitive Psychology
417 Thinking and Problem Solving
430 History of Psychology
431 Modern Viewpoints in Psychology
469 Sociotechnical Systems in Industry
507 Psychology of Personality
509 Abnormal Psychology
511 Behavior Pathology: Neurosis
512 Behavior Pathology: Psychosis
514 Neurodevelopmental Disorders
515 Development of Memory in Children
516 Introduction to Psychodiagnosis and Assessment
517 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
522 Psychology of Women (crosslisted with Women St)
530 Introductory Social Psychology (crosslisted with Soc)
532 Psychology and Law
535 Psychology of Attitudes and Public Opinion
537 Social Behavior Dynamics (crosslisted with Soc)
538 Group Dynamics
560 Child Psychology
561 Psychology of Adolescence
562 Social and Personality Development
563 Development in Infancy
564 Adult Development and Aging
612 Attention and Learning in Children
200 Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies (crosslisted with Women St )
210 Survey of Sociology
211 The Sociological Enterprise
215 Gender and Work in Rural America
217 The Political Economy of Rural America
220 Ethnic Movements in the U.S.
250 Organizations and Society
266 People and Places: The Demography of Rural America
327 Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy in America since 1890
421 Processes of Deviant Behavior
431 Intermediate Criminal Justice in America
441 Criminology
446 Juvenile Delinquency
470 Sociodemographic Analysis of Mexican Migration
475 Classical Sociological Theory
476 Contemporary Sociological Theory
477 Feminism and Sociological Theory
478 Topics in Sociological Theory
496 Topics in Sociology (when topic is appropriate)
515 Gender Roles and Society
525 Sociology of Mental Health and Mental Disorders
530 Introductory Social Psychology (crosslisted with Psych)
531 Sociology of Medicine
532 Health Care Issues for Individuals, Families and Society
533 Sociology of Health in Rural Areas
534 Religion and Health in Social Interaction
536 Public Opinion
537 Social Behavior Dynamics (crosslisted with Psych)
538 Small Groups
539 Personality and Social Structure
543 Collective Behavior
573 Community Organization and Change
575 Sociological Perspectives on the Life Course and Aging
577 Blacks in Cities (crosslisted with Afro-Amer)
578 Rural Minority Groups and Poverty in the U.S.
616 Sociology of Culture
617 Community Development
618 Comparative Rural Societies
619 Rural Social Trends and Issues
621 Class, State, and Ideology: an Introduction to Marxist Social Science
623 Gender, Society and Politics
624 Political Sociology
625 Social Change
626 Social Movements
631 Social Psychology of Organizations
632 Sociology of Organizations
633 Social Stratification
636 Comparative Urban Institutions
639 American Indians in Contemporary Society
640 Sociology of the Family
641 Sociology of Law
642 Social Control
643 Sociology of Occupations and Professions
645 Modern American Communities
646 Race and Ethnic Relations
648 Sociology of Education
649 Industrial Sociology
650 Sociology of Agriculture
651 Foundations of Economic Sociology I
652 Sociology of Economic Institutions
663 Population and Society
666 Rural Population Trends and Problems
677 Urbanism and Urbanization
200 Introduction to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies (crosslisted with Soc)
215 Gender and Work in Rural America (crosslisted with Soc)
320 Special Topics in Women and Society (when topic is appropriate)
321 Women's Work, Women's Lives: 1800 to the Present
322 Women and the Life Cycle: A Cross-Cultural Perspective
323 Gender, Race and Class: Women in U.S. History (crosslisted with Afro-Amer St )
331 Topics in Gender/Class/Race/Ethnicity
332 Latinas: Self Identity and Social Change
340 Topics in LGBTQ Sexuality
350 Daytime Serials: Family and Social Roles
353 Women and Gender in the U.S. to 1870 (crosslisted with Hist)
354 Women and Gender in the U.S. since 1870 (crosslisted with Hist)
392 Women in History
420 Women in Cross-Societal Perspective
421 Constructions of Gender in the Media
422 Women and the Law
423 Black Feminisms
424 Women's International Human Rights
425 Chicana and Latina Feminisms, Arts, and Media
430 The Biology and Psychology of Women
431 Childbirth in the United States
437 American Indian Women
440 Feminist Theory: Historical Perspectives
441 Contemporary Feminist Theories
443 Anthropology by Women (crosslisted with Anthro)
449 Special Topics in Feminism and Social and Cultural Theory (when topic is appropriate)
469 Women and Politics (crosslisted with Poli Sci)
477 Feminism and Sociological Theory (crosslisted with Soc)
522 Psychology of Women (crosslisted with Psych)
523 Gender, Poverty and Family Survival: Cross Cultural Perspectives
560 Gender and Education
643 Woman and Politics in a Global Context
664 Women and the Global Economy
Honors in the Major for social welfare majors and bachelor of social work students prepares undergraduates for research and scholarship in social work. Students interested in completing the requirements for Honors in the Major should consult with and apply for admissions to the program with the social work academic advisor. Majors declare their intention to enter the program no later than the end of the spring semester of the junior year. Students must make arrangements with a faculty member to sponsor their research project before being admitted to the honors program.
Requirements for Honors in the Major include the following: (1) a signed agreement between the student and the faculty research advisor sponsoring the Senior Honors Research Thesis; (2) completion of the majors' statistics requirement; (3) completion of Soc Work 650 Social Work Research Methods; (4) completion of one social work elective related to honors thesis research topic (may include a social work graduate seminar); (5) completion of the Senior Honors Research Thesis (Soc Work 681 and Soc Work 682); (6) completion of Soc Work 946 Faculty Research Seminar in the fall semester of the senior year; and (7) presentation of the thesis results at a department colloquium.
Honors in the Major students are expected to maintain at least a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 and complete the regular major requirements and an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken at UW-Madison. Students are encouraged to apply to the Honors in the Major as early as possible, but no later than the spring semester of their junior year.
Statistics (Stat 301, Soc 360, Psych 210, or Psych 280)
Soc Work 650 Research Methods
Soc Work Elective (related to thesis topic)
Soc Work 946 Faculty Research Seminar
Soc Work 681 Honors Research Thesis
SW 682 Honors Research Thesis
Thesis Presentation
Students with an interest in a particular area of study may develop a plan of independent work with the assistance of an interested faculty member. They may obtain a list of instructors and their areas of interest from the School of Social Work Advising Office. Consent of instructor is required for the following course offerings in independent work: Senior Honors Thesis (681-682, year-long course); Senior Thesis (691-692, year-long course); Directed Study (699).
All students are required to fulfill the L&S requirement of 15 credits of upper-level work in the major taken in residence. Courses that count toward this requirement for Social Work and Social Welfare are: Soc Work 650, Soc 357, 358, 359 or Psych 225; Soc Work 457, 640; Soc Work 440; Soc Work 441; Soc Work 442; and those social work electives designated as I or A.
BSW students and social welfare majors often choose the following certificate programs: American Indian studies, business, criminal justice, gerontology, global cultures, LGBT studies, religious studies and women's studies. See the advisors for information about these programs.
The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The social welfare major is accredited along with the rest of the College of Letters and Science by the North Central Accreditation Association.
BSW students completing professional foundation courses with a grade of B or better are eligible for advanced standing in the master's program. For more information contact the social work advisors.
Occasionally offered courses: 275, 420, 422, 454, 575 (Check with the department to see when these courses will be offered.).
All classes listed in the course descriptions section will be offered regularly unless otherwise noted. Please check with the school admissions office for information on specific courses.
205 Introduction to the Field of Social Work. I; 4 cr (S-E). A basic survey. Historical development, formation of social welfare policies, and the role of the social work professional. P: So st.
206 Introduction to Social Policy. II; 4 cr (S-E). Provides an awareness of problems and concepts of the policy process in the U.S. Explores the political, economic, and institutional frameworks which structure public social welfare choices. Might include income maintenance, child welfare, mental health, corrections. P: So st.
400 Field Practice and Integrative Seminar I. I, II; 2-6 cr (A). An approved professional foundation field placement in direct social work practice in a community agency setting. A minimum of 16 hours per week, including an integrative field unit seminar. The first course of the two-seminar field sequence. P: Sr or Grad st; Social Work major; cons of field director.
401 Field Practice and Integrative Seminar II. I, II; 2-6 cr (A). Continuation of Social Work 400. P: Sr or Grad st; Social Work major; Soc Work 400; cons field director.
440 Practice I: Foundations of Generalist Practice. I; 2 cr (A). Provides a conceptual base for generalist social work practice at all intervention levels. Helps students learn social work purposes, values, ethics, processes, roles, methods, and integrate social work theory and practice. P: Sr or Grad st, soc work major.
441 Practice II: Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families & Groups. I; 3 cr (A). Develops generalist social work knowledge and skills for working with and on behalf of individuals, families, and groups. Lectures and labs focus on development of basic social work direct practice skills. P: Sr or Grad st, soc work major.
442 Practice III: Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations. II; 2 cr (A). Exposes students to the theory and practice of planned change in communities and organizations and helps them incorporate a generalist model into practice at these levels of intervention. P: Sr or Grad st, soc work major, Soc Work 440 & 441.
457 Human Behavior and the Environment. II; 3 cr (S-I). Physiological, psychological, and social changes throughout the life cycle. Major crisis and developmental tasks at each point in terms of their implications for social work practice. P: Soc work/welfare major.
640 Social Work with Ethnic and Racial Groups. I; 2-3 cr (e-S-A). This course prepares students for generalist social work practice in a multicultural society. It discusses Afro-Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asian Americans, and implications are drawn for social policy. P: Soc work/welfare major.
650 Methods of Social Work Research. II; 2-3 cr (S-A). Social research and problems of project design and programming. Distinctive characteristics of investigations directed to planning, administrative, and scientific objectives. P: Jr st, stat requirement filled, soc welfare major, BSW or MSW stdts.
105 Health Care Systems: Interdisciplinary Approach. (Crosslisted with Nursing, S&A PHM, Ther Sci) I, II; 2 cr (S-E). Introduction to health care systems. Factors affecting health and the value placed on health, the delivery of health care in different settings, the roles of various health workers, and the sociological and economic aspects of health care. Does not count as a B.S.-Pharmacy professional elective. P: Open to all undergrads. PRN's & NUR's must register for 2 cr.
275 Contemporary Issues in Social Welfare. Irr.; 1-3 cr (E). Topics will vary, reflecting new issues and trends in the social services. See Timetable for topics. P: Open to Fr.
299 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (I). Program of study devised by a student in collaboration with a faculty member. Graded on a lettered basis; requires consent of instructor. P: Cons inst.
420 Poverty and Social Welfare. Irr.; 3 cr (S-I). Nature and dimensions of poverty in the U.S. Individual and social consequences of poverty. Historic and contemporary approaches. Poverty and social welfare policy and programs. P: Jr st.
422 The Social Problems of Aging and Old Age. (Crosslisted with Soc) Irr.; 3 cr (S-I). Comparison of aging and the role of old people in various societies; age-grading and age-norms; the changing life cycle; factors that account for the changed position of the aged in our society; problems of the aged and proposed solutions. P: Jr st, intro soc crse or Soc Work 205.
453 Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. II; 2-4 cr (S-I). Presentation of social, legal, political, and ethical considerations surrounding the use and abuse of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in the U.S. P: Jr st.
454 Small Groups in Social Work Practice. I or II or SS; 3 cr (S-I). Exploration and application of theory to the formation and development of small groups deliberately used by social workers to effect specified change in interpersonal relationships. P: Soc work/welfare major.
462 Child Welfare. II; 3 cr (S-I). Supportive, supplementary, and substitute child welfare services employed in dealing with the problems of dependent, neglected, delinquent children. Scope, method, problems, trends of the services; child welfare in other countries; sociology of the child welfare worker. P: Soc work/welfare major.
521 African American Families. (Crosslisted with Afroamer, HDFS) I or II; 3 cr (e-S-A). Historical background; variations in contemporary family patterns; courtship and marriage, reproduction, and socialization stresses; "culture of poverty" theories; sources of stability and change. P: Jr st or cons inst.
523 Family Violence. I; 3 cr (S-D). An overview of the risk factors and trauma effects of the major forms of family violence. Models of prevention and intervention will be described. Attitudes about family violence will be explored. Basic skills for detecting abuse and making referrals will be taught. P: Jr or Sr st; soc work/welfare majors.
575 Community Development in Social Welfare. Irr.; 3 cr (S-I). Analysis of theory and practice of community development in selected cultural settings in the U.S. and other countries; role of community development in social welfare systems; problems and techniques of developing local citizen interest and leadership; community development in relation to other social work methods and community institutions and processes. P: Soc work/welfare major.
578 Homelessness: A Service Learning Course. I, II; 4 cr (S-D). Introduction to the complex issues surrounding homelessness in America including epidemiology, demographics, history and public beliefs and attitudes. It explores structural conditions and personal attributes posited as causes of contemporary homelessness. Varying social policies and service needs of homeless persons are discussed. P: Jr or Sr st; soc welfare major.
579 Special Topics in Social Work. I or II or SS; 1 cr (A). Intensive study of selected topics in the field of social work. P: Jr st; cons inst.
600 Interdisciplinary Rural Primary Health Care Practice. (Crosslisted with Nursing, Phm Prac, Phy Asst) I; 2 cr (D). Using a framework of interdisciplinary health care teams and community-based practice models, the course focuses on the provision of primary health care services in rural and underserved populations. P: Sr st in a health professions prgm e.g. nurs, phy asst, pharm, soc wrk, med, nutr, occ ther, phy ther or cons inst.
624 Social Work with the Small Group. I or II or SS; 2-3 cr (A). Exploration of the small group as the interventive unit; major models and techniques; principles guiding the selection of the small group approach to intervention based on research knowledge of problems, processes, and outcomes. P: Sr or Grad st, soc work major & Soc Work 440.
626 Social Work with the Community. Irr.; 2-3 cr (A). Community relationships in public and voluntary social services; principles of community organization and social welfare administration. P: Sr or Grad st, soc work major & Soc Work 440.
642 Social Work and Adolescents. I, II, SS; 2-3 cr (S-A). Drawing on multiple theoretical perspectives and a critical review of the literature, students explore practice implications and interventions regarding problems of adolescents and at-risk youth with a focus on environmental influences that affect normal development. P: Soc work/welfare major.
644 Social Work and Developmental Disabilities. I, II, SS; 2-3 cr (S-A). Definition, incidence, etiology, and prevention of mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Examines the life-cycle needs of this population, as well as social-welfare issues, social services available, and the social worker's role. P: Jr st, soc work/welfare major.
646 Child Abuse and Neglect. I or II; 2-3 cr (S-A). The course is concerned with physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children, child neglect and exploitation. P: Soc work/welfare major.
657 Understanding Latino Families and Communities. (Crosslisted with Chicla) I or II; 3 cr (e-S-A). Examines U.S. Latino families and communities, including social and economic conditions, cultural values, and issues of identity, race, gender, discrimination, acculturation and language. A service-learning course, students gain knowledge of and direct experience with social work issues in Latino communities. P: Jr st.
658 American Indian Affairs. (Crosslisted with Amer Ind) I, II; 2-3 cr (e-S-A). Contemporary concerns and conditions of American Indians examined in historical, cultural and legal perspective. P: Jr st.
659 International Aspects of Social Work. I or II or SS; 2-3 cr (S-A). P: Jr st and Social Work 205 or cons inst.
660 Topics in Contemporary Social Welfare. I, II; 2-3 cr (S-A). Topics change. Examples: Foundations of Social Work Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons; Culturally Competent Social Work Practice; Death and Dying: Practice Skills and Challenges; Disaster Relief and Recovery; Brief Therapies in Social Work. P: Jr st, soc work/welfare major.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. I; 3 cr (S-A). P: Sr st and cons inst.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. II; 3 cr (S-A). P: Sr st & cons inst & Soc Wk 681.
691 Senior Thesis. I; 2 cr (S-A). P: Sr st and cons inst.
692 Senior Thesis. II; 2 cr (S-A). P: Sr st cons inst & Soc Wk 691.
699 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-3 cr (A). P: Jr or Sr st & cons inst.