Once you identify social work as your major field of study, your development as a professional person is a primary concern to the social work faculty. Accordingly, we encourage you to frequently consult with your BSW advisor for advising and other related questions regarding the BSW degree. The information that follows is vital to your academic progress and professional development while in the BSW program.
Academic Advising and Career Counseling
If you intend to major in social work, you will be enrolled as a social work major at the initial level in the program until you complete the requirements to be admitted to the professional level. Our BSW Recruitment and Advising Coordinator, Rebekah Dunaway, assists all social work majors in the on-campus delivery option in planning an academic program through advising for pre-registration of courses. The BSW Recruitment and Advising Coordinator’s office is located in 4302 Field Hall. She may be reached by email at rjdunaway@mail.wvu.edu or by phone at 304-293-6374. Our BSW Online Coordinator, Challice LaRose, assists all social work majors in the online delivery option in planning an academic program through advising for SOWK courses. She may be reached by email at challice.larose@mail.wvu.edu or by phone at 304-293-6373. Once on-campus students are in their senior year in the major, they are assigned to Dr. Megan Gandy, BSW Program Director, to be their advisor. Online students remain assigned to Challice LaRose throughout their BSW program. Dr. Gandy’s office is located in 4303 Field Hall and she may be reached by email at megan.gandy@mail.wvu.edu or by phone at 304-293-4482.
Your BSW advisor will keep you informed of your progress in the major and will be available to assist you with both academic and career decisions. It is important that you discuss your career objectives with your advisor. This will enable her to help you make appropriate curricular choices, including declaration of one or more minors. Office hours are posted outside the faculty members’ offices and made available online. You are responsible for making appointments with your advisor, as well as for using DegreeWorks to monitor your progress through the major.
Degree Plans and Student Records
All students will work with their BSW advisor to formulate a plan of study consistent with the policies of the BSW Program, the School of Social Work, and the University, as well as the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation requirements. During every registration period your DegreeWorks plan will be updated in consultation with your BSW advisor. Periodically check your record of completed coursework on DegreeWorks to stay current with your academic progress. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor their progress through their degree plan.
Course Registration Announcements
The University announces priority registration dates well in advance. This allows you time to schedule an appointment to meet with your academic advisor who will release the STAR registration hold (advising PIN) on your account after your advising appointment has been held. The last day to add a class is usually at the end of the first week of classes. The last day to withdraw from classes is usually shortly after midterm. All such transactions require your advisor's approval.
Human Service Activity and Volunteer Work
As part of your professional development, you are required to complete 50 hours of human service activity, paid or volunteer, by the time you apply for admission to the social work major. The form to document this activity is included in the admission packet available on our program website and through their advisor. This requirement provides experience that allows you to determine if a career in social work is right for you. In addition, it allows you to gain some insight into and experience with working as a helper. Basically, we want you to have post-high school, face-to-face helping experience as opposed to hotline work, agency training experiences, life guarding, physical labor, running errands, or doing secretarial work for the agency, etc. Pre-approval of your activity is required to ensure that you meet the requirements.
To gain approval, please submit the following via email to the BSW Recruitment and Advising Coordinator or BSW Online Coordinator:
- A detailed paragraph explaining where you worked or plan to work
- What type of duties you performed or will perform
- The population of people you worked with or will work with
- The number of hours being requested for approval.
The BSW Program Director makes the final decision regarding the use of paid experiences toward the 50-hour requirement.