Social Work (B.S.)

60-61 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Departmental Requirements (45 hours)

Completion with C or better grade

• SOCW 200 - Field of Social Work
• SOCW 210 - Social Work Interactional Skills
• SOCW 310 - Social Work Practice I
• SOCW 320 - Social Work Research Methods
• SOCW 321 - Statistical Applications in Social Work
• SOCW 330 - Communities and Organizations
• SOCW 340 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment across the Lifespan
• SOCW 350 - Social Work with Families and Groups
• SOCW 400 - Social Policy
• SOCW 496 - Field Experience (C) (12 credit hours required)

•  

• Select 2 elective courses from the following (6 credit hours):

• SOCW 480 - Social Work with Aging Populations and People with Disabilities
• SOCW 482 - Social Work and Child Welfare
• SOCW 484 - Social Work and Mental Health
• SOCW 486 - Social Work and Native Families and Children
• SOCW 488 - Trauma Practice with Children
• SOCW 491 - Independent Study (C) 3 credits *
• SOCW 492 - Topics (C) *

• * Must have approval from department chair

Nondepartmental Requirements (15-16 hours)

Completion with C or better.

• Natural Science (students continuing to graduate degrees are encouraged to select a course with human biology content) 3-4 cr
• POLS 100 - American Government (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]
• PSYC 101 - General Psychology (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]

•  

• SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]

• Or

• SOC 150 - Social Problems (C) [SGR #3, HSDC]

•  

• Select one of the following courses for 3 credit hours:

• ASC 140 - Introduction to Multicultural Studies
• ACP 412 - Substance Use and Addiction in Diverse Populations
• REL 250 - World Religions (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]
• PHIL 220 - Introduction to Ethics (C) [SGR #4, HSDC]

Optional Specialization: Child Welfare (9 hours)

• Select three courses from the list below:

• SOCW 482 - Social Work and Child Welfare
• SOCW 484 - Social Work and Mental Health
• SOCW 486 - Social Work and Native Families and Children
• SOCW 488 - Trauma Practice with Children

Note:

Social Work majors are required to complete a Minor in a discipline of their choosing. Associate Degree accepted as substitution for minor.

Students are encouraged to pursue a minor or double major in Addiction Counseling and Prevention if appropriate to their career plans.

• At least 50% of a student’s declared minor credits must be taken from USD.
• Students may double count 12 hours towards their Major, Certificate, Specialization, Minor, and/or Double Major.
• A Maximum of 90 credit hours may be transferred into USD. University discretion is permitted in the acceptance of the transfer credits applied towards the degree. 
• A minimum of 30 credit hours of the degree requirements must be completed from USD. 

Four-Year Program Guides and Costs

USD encourages students to take 15 credits per semester or 30 credits within the year in order to graduate in 4 years. To help students complete their academic degree program in four years, we provide a sample academic plan. Please work with your academic advisor to confirm your plan. 

• Social Work, B.S. 4-year plan guide

Courses or Programs Leading to Professional Licensure or Certification

The educational curriculum for your academic program may or may not meet educational prerequisites for professional licensure or certification in states other than South Dakota. If you are planning to apply for licensure/certification in a state other than South Dakota after completion of your program, please review that state and your program on USD’s Licensure-Track Programs webpage.  Licensure-Track Programs

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference the USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization