Social Work

From the Missouri Western directory, Sep 7, 2026

Social work is a profession that works to enhance individual organizational, and community potential. Social workers are employed in both public and private human service agencies and work with a variety of populations including individuals, families, small groups, organizations and communities.If you are interested in enhancing people’s potential and believe in the worth and dignity of all individuals, then social work may be the career for you. We encourage you to discuss social work career opportunities with one of our faculty members.Program AdmissionThe social work program operates under a selective admissions policy. Students are considered “pre-majors” until they meet the minimum requirements to be accepted as a social work major. Admission to the social work program involves the completion of an application packet online at https://aps3.missouriwestern.edu/socialwork.Minimum requirements for admission into the social work major include:Completion of the general studies math requirement;Completion of ENG 108 general studies requirementCompletion of BIO101 (or equivalent)Completion of SOC 230;Completion of SWK250, SOC110, PSY101, and ENG 108 with a minimum grade of C in each course;Must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5;Must have earned a C or better in all completed SWK prefix classes;Must agree to and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with accepted professional social work practices and the current NASW Code of Ethics (see Social Work Student Handbook);Cannot have exhibited behavior that will infringe on their present or future ability to adequately fulfill professional social work responsibilities. The social work program’s admissions committee reserves the right to require applicants to submit additional materials if the Committee questions the student’s ability to adequately fulfill professional responsibilities (see Social Work Student Handbook);Cannot have violated the University Code of Conduct/Student Disciplinary Code.Students must be accepted into the Social Work Program prior to enrolling in SWK 360 unless a student has spoken to the social faculty advisor and plans to submit his/her application concurrently with taking SWK 360. The formal application packet (an Application Form, a Personal Statement, three letters of reference, a signed Social Work Handbook Form and Code of Ethics Form) must be submitted by the first Friday in October or March. The social work admissions committee will review application materials and interview all applicants. Admission decisions are based on a student’s:interview responses,academic performance,personal statements,complete and pass a criminal background check,references,application responses, andprior personal and academic conduct.All members of the admissions committee, by a simple majority vote will then make one of the following decisions:To unconditionally accept a student into the Program;To conditionally accept a student into the programTo place a student on probationary status; orTo deny formal acceptance.Students may appeal admission decisions based on criteria contained in the Social Work Student Handbook. The social work program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, creed, ethnic or national origin, disability, or political or sexual orientation.Once admitted to the social work program, social work majors are expected to maintain professional and academic standards of conduct. The social work program at Missouri Western reserves the right to place a student on probationary status or remove a student from the major because of violations of these standards Social Work Student Handbook).PracticumSocial work majors must successfully complete a second formal application process before entering SWK 480 Practicum in Social Work and SWK 485 Social Work Practicum Seminar. To be eligible to enroll in SWK 480 Practicum in Social Work and SWK 485 Social Work Practicum Seminar, students must:Have been unconditionally admitted to the major;Have completed all core social work courses prior to entry into field (SWK 250, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 415, 420, 470).Have a C or better in all social work prefixed courses except SWK 485 which will be taught concurrently with SWK 480 (Social Work Practicum);Have a 2.5 overall GPA;In addition, students must continue to meet the professional and academic standards of conduct outlined in the Social Work Student Handbook.Students applying to enter the social work practicum must submit a Field Application, complete an interview with the Field Education Director, and prospective field instructors (agency social workers). The Field Application can be found at the following link https://aps3.missouriwestern.edu/socialwork and consists of the following:Upload a pre-professional resumeUpload the Field EssayObtain an Updated Background CheckAcknowledgement of Risk in the Field PracticumAcknowledgement of Policy and Procedures/Code of ConductPracticum planning regularly begins one or two semesters prior to entering the practicum. While every effort is made to identify those students ready for field practicum, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Field Education Director of their intent to apply to the social work practicum.Graduation RequirementsStudents must maintain certain standards to graduate with a BSW. Theymust maintain a 2.5 overall GPA;must earn at least a C in all SWK prefix courses;Continue to meet the professional and academic standards of conduct delineated by Missouri Western State University and the NASW Code of EthicsThe Social Work Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, creed, ethnic or national origin, disability, or political or sexual orientation.