Undergraduate Catalog 2021-2022 | Page 94

Gwynedd Mercy University AY2021-2022 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

SOCIAL WORK

Degree : BSW Type : Term Modality : On-ground Program Accreditor : Accredited by the Council for Social Work Education ( www . cswe . org ) Program Director / Coordinator : Wade Luquet
Program Description : The Gwynedd Mercy University Bachelor of Social Work Program prepares students for generalist social work practice through a liberal arts education , social work skills acquisition , and developing competencies that reflect the practice and values of the social work profession . The program promotes ethical and competent practices that address social problems and social justice issues in keeping with the mission of the university founders , The Sisters of Mercy . Students are prepared to address various forms of human need , oppression , inequalities , and social justice issues .
Preparation for Professional Licensure : The Gwynedd Mercy University BSW prepares students for the Association for Social Work Board exam utilized by all states that have licensure for bachelor-level social workers . Upon graduation , students can take the exam and complete the process for License Bachelor of Social Work ( LBSW ) status in the State of Pennsylvania .
Program Student Learning Outcomes Derived from the program mission , the Gwynedd Mercy University BSW Program Learning Outcomes ( Goals ) are to : PLO1- Prepare students to think critically about social issues through a liberal arts based curriculum and a strengths-based , person-in-environment generalist social work education ; PLO2- Prepare students to work with a diverse population of clients utilizing social work professional skills and knowledge as a mean to understand social and economic injustice and promote positive social change ; PLO3- Produce graduates who will identify with and practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession with particular attention to diverse and at-risk populations in an effort to promote social and economic justice ; PLO4- Prepare students to utilize research-informed practice skills and conduct practice-informed research so they are able to further influence social policy and programs
For Major Requirements , see Program Handbook and Curriculum Sheets . For Curriculum Sequence , see Program Handbook .
Academic Criteria for Admission , Progression and Retention
Program Admissions Requirements and Procedures : Any student accepted into the University can declare social work as a major . Students will undergo a performance review in the social work major after taking SWK 201 , SWK 202 and SWK 241 in the first semester of their sophomore year . They must submit a candidacy application to the Program Director by December 1 st of their sophomore year .
The Candidacy Application must include : 1 . A candidacy application form with all required personal information 2 . A copy of the student ’ s unofficial transcript indicating an overall GPA of 2.5 or better and a 2.67 or better in required social work courses . 3 . All criminal background checks necessary to practice with children and adults . 4 . A completed and signed volunteer service form verifying that the student has performed 30 hours of volunteer service in the past three years . It is important that this volunteer service has been performed at a
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