Gwynedd Mercy University
AY2020-2021 / Undergraduate Academic Catalog
Requirements : SWK 100 , 203 , 205 , 212 , 301 , 304 , 305 , 400 , 435 , 436 , 445 , 446 , 4000 and two PSY , SOC , CRJ , or SWK electives .
Program Admissions Requirements and Procedures
Admissions Policy 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 202and SWK 241 in the first semester of their sophomore year . They must submit a Candidacy Application to the Program Director by December 1st of their sophomore year .
The Candidacy Application must include :
• A candidacy application form with all required personal information
• 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 .
• All criminal background checks necessary to practice with children and adults .
• 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 non-profit agency . Day camp counselor , babysitter , or running errands are not appropriate volunteer service activities .
• A letter of recommendation from a human service professional who supervised the student ’ s volunteer experience stating they believe the student has qualities for success as a social worker , including what they think will make the student successful .
• A letter of recommendation from a non-social work professor stating they think they have the academic ability and discipline to succeed in the BSW program .
• A three- to five-page self-assessment paper describing student qualities that would make them a good social worker . The paper should address any biases the student may be aware of and how the social work degree fits in to their career goals . The paper should make the case for the student to be admitted into the BSW program including how they can contribute to leadership in the degree program ( participation in the Social Work Club , service , Phi Alpha Honor Society , etc .).
Upon receipt of the completed application packet , the material submitted will be reviewed by the Performance Review Committee consisting of the Program Director , the Director of Field Placement and other social work faculty . Students will be assessed based on their scholarship , self- awareness , motivation for a career in social work , quality of the self-assessment paper , writing quality , and appropriateness of the social work degree for student career goals . A Performance Review Rubric will be utilized to assess student ’ s continuance in the BSW program . Students will be notified of their candidacy status by the Program Director by the beginning of the spring semester . Students who are not accepted into the BSW program will have the opportunity to apply to the Human Services degree program or will be directed to the university ’ s professional advisors to choose another major .
Internal Transfers ( Change of Major ) Students interesting in changing their major to the Bachelor of Social Work program may do so at any time but must have earned a GPA of 2.5 or higher at the time of the Candidacy application . Internal transfers will meet with the Program Director to discuss their interest , the requirements of the program , and the transfer of credits from their previous major . During this meeting , students are provided with a copy of the program handbook , program goals , and program policies . Students will have to take the
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