Social Work

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Social Work
(907) 474-7240
Chukchi Campus (907) 442-3400
Kuskokwim Campus (907) 543-4500
Northwest Campus (907) 443-2201
www.uaf.edu/socwork/

B.A. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 120 credits

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Graduates in social work qualify for beginning practice positions in child welfare, mental health, services for the aged, family agencies, youth programs, health services, Native corporations and other social agencies. Social work applies knowledge in the behavioral sciences to deal with the emotional and social problems of individuals, families and communities.

The curriculum includes a liberal arts base, foundation requirements in the behavioral sciences, and sequences in social policy and services, practice methods and field instruction. A major emphasis is the preparation of the student for beginning social work practice with rural and Alaska Native populations.

Students learn to work with people on a personal level and are placed in a social agency as part of their course work during the senior year. A Title IV-E entitlement grant provides stipends to senior students doing practicums in child protection.

The UAF baccalaureate social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This degree program is delivered collaboratively within the UA system.

Major--B.A. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete SOC 100X.)
  2. Complete the B.A. degree requirements. (As part of the B.A. degree requirements, complete: ANTH 242 and PSY 101.)
  3. Compete the following program (major) requirements:*
    1. Complete the following:
      SWK 103--Introduction to Social Work 3 credits
      SWK 220--Ethics, Values and Social Work Practice 3 credits
      SWK 305--Social Welfare History 3 credits
      SWK 306W--Social Welfare: Policies and Issues 3 credits
      SWK 320--Rural Social Work 3 credits
      SWK 341--Human Behavior in the Social Environment I 3 credits
      SWK 342O--Human Behavior in the Social Environment II 3 credits
      SWK 375W--Research Methods in Social Work 3 credits
      SWK 460--Social Work Practice I 3 credits
      SWK 461--Practicum in Social Work I 6 credits
      SWK 463--Social Work Practice II 3 credits
      SWK 464--Practicum in Social Work II 6 credits
    2. 2 courses from the following special problems areas:
      ANS 350W,O--Cross Cultural Communication: Alaskan Perspectives 3 credits
      HSV 205--Basic Principles of Group Counseling 3 credits
      HSV 305--Substance Abuse Counseling 3 credits
      JUST 340--Rural Justice in Alaska 3 credits
      JUST 358--Juvenile Delinquency 3 credits
      PSY 345--Abnormal Psychology 3 credits
      RD/WMS 460--Women, Gender and Development 3 credits
      SWK 310--Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder 3 credits
      SWK 350W--Women's Issues in Social Welfare and Social Work Practice 3 credits
      SWK 360--Child Abuse and Neglect 3 credits
      SWK 370--Social Work and the Aging Society 3 credits
      SWK 470--Theories of Chemical Dependency and Social Work Practice 3 credits
      SWK 484--Seminar in Social Work Practice Areas 3 credits
  4. Minimum credits required 120

    * Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.

Minor

  1. Complete the following:
    SWK 103--Introduction to Social Work 3 credits
    SWK 220--Ethics, Values and Social Work Practice 3 credits
  2. Complete 3 SWK designated courses, excluding SWK 460, 461, 463 and 464 9
  3. Minimum credits required 15