Social Work Department

Michael J. Lawler, Chair
Julian Hall, Room 254
(605) 677-5589
michael.lawler@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/socialwork

FACULTY:

Professors:

Michael J. Lawler, Children and Families, Research, Policy, Leadership

Associate Professors:

Debra Norris, Rural Practice, Macro Practice, Gerontological Social Work
Elizabeth B Talbot, Master of Social Work Program Director

Assistant Professors:

Deborah S. Aden, Department of Social Work Field Education Director
Jarod T. Giger, Research Methods, Micro Practice
Peter A. Kindle, Research Methods, Statistics, Policy, Macro Practice
Kathy LaPlante, Child Welfare and Family Services, Micro Practice

MAJOR:

Social Work, B.S.

The undergraduate program in social work is the only accredited Social Work program in South Dakota’s system of higher education. The Program serves three purposes: to prepare graduates for entry level practice at the first professional level; to provide a sound foundation for graduate education in social work; and to provide knowledge about social welfare programs in a democratic society to students in other university programs.

The program received accreditation at the baccalaureate level from the Council on Social Work Education in 1974 and has been reaccredited continually since that time. Working relationships are maintained with the social work practice community in South Dakota and with graduate schools of social work.

Social work majors of junior standing (a minimum of 64 total semester hours) must apply for formal admission to the major. Social work majors should apply in the spring semester before they accumulate 64 semester hours of credit for entry into the program the next fall. The four year program requires admission to the social work program in the fall of a student’s junior or senior year. Minimum admission requirements are: Completion of SOCW 200, SOCW 210, and 19 course hours of specific prerequisites with at least the grade of “C;” a 2.3 overall grade point average, and completion of 60 clock hours of volunteer or paid experience in a human services field. Application for admission procedures are furthered specified in the Program’s Student Handbook and include completion of a criminal background check before program entry. Students who apply for admission to the major should have completed the 30 semester hours of the System General Education requirements and a substantial portion of the University Institutional Graduation Requirements by the time they apply. No credit hours may be awarded for “life experience” towards the social work major.

Employment opportunities for graduates include entry-level positions in a wide variety of social and human services agencies, institutions, and organizations in South Dakota and in the immediate region. Graduates are eligible for social work professional licensing in South Dakota and in the nation. Graduates are also eligible for “advanced standing” in graduate schools offering the master of social work degree.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Helen Anderson Quirk Scholarship (Junior and Senior Majors)
Elizabeth Booth King Scholarship (Sophomore and Junior Majors)
Harrington Book Award (Sophomore through Senior Majors)
Faithe Family Medicine and Health Sciences Scholarship (Seniors)