Social Work (B.S.)

63 Major Hours, 120 Degree Hours

Departmental Requirements (51 hours)

Completion with C or better grade

• SOCW 200 - Introduction to 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 340 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
• SOCW 341 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
• SOCW 350 - Social Work Practice II
• SOCW 400 - Social Policy
• SOCW 430 - Social Work Practice III
• SOCW 470 - Pre-Practicum
• 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 - Social Work and Trauma Informed Practice
• SOCW 491 - Independent Study (C) 3 credits *
• SOCW 492 - Topics (C) *

• * Must have approval from department chair

Nondepartmental Requirements (12 hours)

Completion with C or better.

• 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 - Social Work and Trauma Informed Practice

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

Distance Program Leading to Professional Licensure

Location Matters. This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification and allows students to enroll in at least one course through distance education during the first semester. Pursuant to Federal Regulations, the program may only admit students who are located in states where the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or who attest in writing that they intend to seek licensure or employment in a state where the program meets those requirements. As part of your application to this program, you will be asked to provide additional information regarding your location to assist the program in determining your eligibility for admission. 

If you have questions regarding licensure, we encourage you to contact a program representative prior to submitting your admission application. For more information, visit USD’s Licensure-Track Programs page for links to the USD program websites and state licensure board websites. 

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative. 

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outsides of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) whether the program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country including the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.