Required for Social Work majors:

• SWK 160
• SWK 280
• SWK 281
• SWK 291
• SWK 340
• SWK 341
• SWK 365
• SWK 381
• SWK 440
• SWK 441
• SWK 480
• SWK 481
• SWK 495
• two SWK electives
• PSY 155
• POL 151
• BIO 158
• SOC 150
• SOC 262
• SOC 301

SOC 301, Social Statistics I, satisfies the “Numbers” component of the core requirements for Social Work majors.

MISSION

The Social Work Program of La Salle University has its roots in the tradition and mission of the Christian Brothers. The Social Work Program supports the University’s mission to pursue the “free search for truth by teaching its students the basic skills, knowledge, and values that they will need for a life of human dignity.” The program seeks to establish an atmosphere in which community members may openly bear witness to their convictions on world peace and social justice. Students integrate Lasallian values with the theory, skills, and values of the social work profession. Building upon the liberal arts foundation of the University, the program prepares students for generalist social work practice in the urban community.

GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE: DEFINITION

Strengths-based generalist social work practice is a collaborative process that employs a professional helping relationship directed toward individual, family, group, organizational, and/or community empowerment and the promotion of social and economic justice. (Poulin, J. and Contributors. (2000). Collaborative social work: Strengths-based generalist practice. Itasca: Peacock. P. 4).

COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION-ACCREDITED BACCALAUREATE

The Social Work Program at La Salle University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, based in Alexandria, Va. The Council uses the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards to review baccalaureate social work programs. The standards to which accredited undergraduate social work programs are held can be viewed at www.cswe.org/epas or by accessing the link on the La Salle University Social Work Program Web site.

ADMISSION TO THE SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM AT LA SALLE UNIVERSITY

The student must formally apply to the La Salle University Social Work Program for admission as a separate and additional process from admission to the University.

The application for admission to the La Salle University Social Work Program may be submitted following completion of SWK 160: Introduction to Social Work, and must be completed by October 15 of the semester the student is enrolled in SWK 340: Preparation for Professional Practice. The student can declare social work as a major upon admission to the University; however, the student is only formally accepted into the Social Work Program with the successful application process described below.

The student must meet the following criteria for admission into the Social Work Program:

1. an overall G.P.A. of 2.30 (Students with a G.P.A. below 2.30 may apply for conditional acceptance to the program)
2. a final grade of C or better in all Social Work courses with a course designation of 200 or above
3. an affinity with and commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession as set forth in the NASW Code of Ethics
4. Two letters of recommendation. One recommendation will be from a person associated with a community service experience in which the student has participated. The second recommendation will be an academic reference from a University faculty member other than La Salle University Social Work Program faculty. A second recommendation from a person associated with a community service experience may be substituted for the academic reference with permission from the Social Work Program director.
5. Autobiographical statement. Complete a personal statement (maximum of four pages, typewritten and double-spaced) discussing your motivations for choosing social work as a profession and describing significant people and life events that have been instrumental in your decision to seek a degree in social work. Address areas of special interest or concern relevant to social work. Note: The autobiography statement completed in SWK 160 will be accepted to fulfill this requirement.
6. Copy of your current college/university transcript.
7. Copy of current criminal clearance.* (Date of clearance must be within one year from date of submission to Social Work Program.)
8. Copy of current child abuse clearance.* (Date of clearance must be within one year from date of submission to Social Work Program.)
9. Review the NASW Code of Ethics and sign the application form.**
10. Submit the completed application to the Social Work Program Director.
11. The full Social Work Program faculty will review your application, and each will vote on your candidacy.
12. The student will be notified of the program faculty’s decision in writing. The admission decisions include:
    1. full admission
    2. conditional admission
    3. no admission

* A history of criminal conviction and/or child abuse does not automatically preclude admission to the Social Work Program. However, the student will be required to share this information with the field practicum supervisor in the agency.

The student is responsible for informing the Social Work Program of any changes in criminal and/or child abuse status.

** In the event of a violation of the NASW Code of Ethics, the student may not be granted admission to or continuation in the Social Work Program.

CONTINUATION POLICY

Continuation in the social work program for majors requires that a student receive at least a C in every SWK course at the 200 and above level. Failure to receive a C or higher means that the student must repeat the course and meet the requirement of a C or higher. In some cases, a student may not proceed to a higher-level course without first receiving a C or better in a lower-level course. A student may take a course a total of three times.