Prospective students who want to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree must apply for admission to WVU and declare social work as their major.
Doing so will classify them as lower-level social work students that are completing the required general education and pre-professional social work coursework. Upon completion of pre-professional requirements and applications, students can continue to the Professional Level of the major.
Steps to earning your BSW:
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Apply to WVU
Incoming freshmen and internal transfer students with less than 58 credits are admitted directly into the Pre-Professional Level of the Bachelor of Social Work major.
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Pre-Professional Coursework (100/200)
and 50 Human Service HoursTypically a student's Freshman and Sophomore year, or transfer in credits
Benchmark expectations must be met*
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Apply to the BSW Professional Level
In order to proceed to the Professional Coursework (300/400), students must apply and be granted admission to the professional level of the major by the BSW Admission Committee. The application process occurs in January of the student's sophomore year or once a student has reached 58 credits.
Transfer Students: 2+2 students, students with an Associates Degree, or students with 58 or more credits to transfer may apply to the BSW Professional Level.
Online Option: The Professional Level Coursework may be completed fully online. Students must apply to both the Social Work Professional Level and WVU Online.
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Professional Coursework (300/400) and Field Education
Typically a student's Junior and Senior year
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Graduate!
Congratulations, you've earned your Bachelors in Social Work!
*Benchmark Expectations
By January of the 4th semester, students must submit a petition to enter the professional level of the major. For the petition, students must have a C or higher in SOWK 147 and 151, completed 50 hours volunteer service, and submit a personal statement and a reference from academic or volunteer service individual. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA overall. All majors must meet with the SOWK adviser each semester. Students who do not meet these benchmarks may be subject to removal from their major.