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Social Work
Overview
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Social work is a respected helping profession that seeks to alleviate human suffering, improve the quality of life for the most marginalized in society, and ensure equal access to resources. Social workers are employed in a variety of settings (schools, hospitals, child welfare agencies, homeless shelters, battered women’s centers, criminal justice settings, and more) where they work on a variety of issues (school safety, end-of-life care, sexual assault, poverty and social inequality, discrimination, crisis intervention, advocacy and support services for vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, and more). Social work is grounded in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics with a commitment to diversity, self-determination, and social and economic justice.
Students who complete the BSSW program with a GPA of 3.0 or above will be eligible to apply for admission to the one-year Advanced Standing MSW program.
Social work students engage their learning both in and out of the classroom. Beginning in the junior year, social work majors participate in a 65-hour community service learning experience. Service-learning opportunities expose students to community-based human service agencies and support students in preparing for their senior field practicum. During senior year practicum, social work majors are placed in one of nearly 50 social service agencies serving Staten Island and/or the surrounding area. In this 480-hour field internship, social work knowledge, values, and skills are brought together in real-life settings, working with vulnerable people from a variety of backgrounds on a range of social problems.
Social work is a challenging and rewarding profession with endless opportunities to help others, solve problems, and change the world. If you, too, believe in making a difference, we invite you to join us in the BSSW program.
For a copy of the BSSW Student Handbook, please contact the Department of Social Work.
Career Professional Development Activities
Students are encouraged to complete the following milestones as part of their preparation for future careers or advanced education. A member of your Success Team can help you schedule these activities at the appropriate times to keep you on track for both academic and professional success.
Access your Handshake Account with Career Services
Draft a Cover Letter
Find a Mentor
Requirements
In Residence at the College of Staten Island
Liberal Arts and Sciences Content Courses
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Students who enter the College with fewer than six credits are required to complete the non-credit College Life Unit Experience Program (CLUE) or complete a one-credit orientation course (SPD 101: Issues in College Life, or SKO 100: SEEK Freshman Orientation.) Students are expected to complete this requirement during their first semester or prior to the completion of 12 equated credits.
To satisfy this requirement students must:
Choose one of the following:
Successfully complete a one-credit freshman orientation course: SPD 101: Issues in College Life or SKO 100: SEEK Freshman Orientation (open only to SEEK students)
OR
Complete the five components of the non-credit College Life Unit Experiences (CLUE) program, which include: attendance at a general orientation session on such topics as the purposes of higher education, an overview of College policies and services, and an appreciation of diversity. Students should attend the orientation session prior to the beginning of classes.
ANDAttend four CLUE-certified events: two Personal Growth Experiences and two Co-curricular Experiences. Personal Growth topics include study skills, career development, self-development, substance abuse, and pluralism. Co-curricular Experiences include events offered in conjunction with the scholarly, cultural, and civic programs presented regularly at the College.
MTH 111 or MTH 113 is recommended.
BIO 106 OR BIO 170 is recommended.
Any 112-level language is recommended.
POL 100 is recommended.
PSY 100 or SOC 100 is recommended.
PSY 100 or SOC 100 is recommended.
STEM courses identified as having both the Life and Physical Sciences (LP) and Scientific World (SW) requirement designation may satisfy either/or Common Core area. No single course may be used to fulfill both areas.
PSY 202 or any SOC 200-level course is recommended.
Any 300-level or above course in foreign literature or equivalent courses in other languages will satisfy this requirement. Some courses require reading knowledge of the language; others allow students without knowledge of the language to read the works in English translation.
BIO 107 or BIO 171 is recommended.
If the 114-level language requirement has been met through testing or exemption, an additional TALA or social science course must be substituted.
Students must complete at least six credits in courses at the 200 level or higher.
Social Scientific Analysis (Social Science) and Textual, Aesthetic, and Linguistic Analysis (TALA) may also fulfill Contemporary World or Pluralism and Diversity.
Admission and Retention Requirements
Students must have completed 40 credits and have a 2.5 GPA, including SWK 200, MTH 111 or 113, and POL 100 for entry into the program. Students are to maintain a 2.5 cumulative CUNY College of Staten Island GPA in Social Work courses to remain in good standing in the BSSW Program. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all Social Work courses, except SWK 350, SWK 360 , and SWK 365, where a grade of B or better is required to advance. SWK 454 and SWK 464 are graded pass/fail.
Transfer Students
The academic records of transfer students will be reviewed and equated with the academic major and general education course offerings of the College of Staten Island to determine the placement of the students in the program.
Applications and Deadlines
Application forms can be obtained from the Department of Social Work website or the Department of Social Work office. In addition to the application form, applicants need to include copies of academic transcripts, a resume detailing volunteer, paid, and unpaid experience, and a well-written and structured personal statement addressing questions specified in the application form. The deadline for entry into the Fall of that same year is February 15th. Applications are reviewed by at least two members of the BSSW Admissions Committee and applicants will be notified of decisions in April of the year of the application. Please consult the Program Director for specific admission procedures.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork courses are included in the Professional Foundation Content Requirement. Fieldwork is designed to facilitate the integration of theoretical knowledge and professional skills. Students are placed in health, education, and social service agencies on Staten Island and in other boroughs for two semesters during their senior year. Under the supervision of professional social workers, students work with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Students are evaluated by the agency supervisor at the end of each semester. Students participate in the evaluation process and sign the evaluation forms.
For admission and continuation, and graduation, students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
SWK 454 and SWK 464 are graded pass/fail.
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Students may choose from the following courses: AAD 225, AAD 275, AAD 321, AAD 335, ENH 224, ENH 225, ENL 306, ENL 329, ENL 368, ENL 369, ENL 398, GEG 275, INT 203; any 200-level or higher POL, PSY, or SOC course (including SOC 202, 328, 345, and 350); and SWK 105, SWK 107, WGS 201, WGS 202, WGS 204, WGS 368, and WGS 369.
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Demonstration of proficiency in a foreign language through the Intermediate level 213 or above.