Programs

Bachelor of Science in Social Work

Offered by Fort Hays State University
Offered in Dodge City, Garden City and Colby service areas.

Why the Social Work Cohort Program through Access US?

The mission of the Fort Hays State Social Work Program is to prepare competent, professional social work generalists who practice within the University’s primary service area of western Kansas. It also seeks to provide social workers with the cultural competence to practice with the diverse and at-risk populations throughout the state and around the country.

But preparing you for your career isn’t our only goal. We also believe it’s our job to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to “make a life” as well as a “make a living.”

For those persons unable to commute or relocate to the Hays Campus, the Cohort Program offers a viable alternative.

Who will be my Academic Advisor?
Kendal Carswell will be your academic advisor and instructor on campus at Garden City Community College.

Baccalaureate Social Work Program

Fort Hays State Cohort Program
January 2007-December, 2009

Semester I (Spring 2007)
SOCW 260* Introduction to Social Work (On line)
SOC 362 Methods of Social Research (On line)
SOCW 320 HBSE I
SOCW 380 Introduction to Practice

Semester II (Fall 2007)
SOCW 322 HBSE II
SOCW 310 Policy I
IDS 350 Multiculturalism (On line)

Semester III (Spring 2008)
SOCW 410 Policy II
SOCW 429 HBSE III
IDS 300** Econ Ideas (On line)

Semester IV (Fall 2008)
SOCW 381 Helping Relationship
SOCW 382 Group Systems
IDS 400 Bioethics (On line)

Semester V (Spring 2009) Four hours/night
SOCW 461 Family Systems
SOCW 462 Macro
SOCW 463 Intro to practicum (one hour prior to each night class—students go from 6-10 or 4-8 hour Saturday Sessions, roughly one a month or a Dec. Jan. Program).

Semester VI (Fall 2009)
SOCW 467 Professional Seminar – Every other Monday for a (3) hour class.
SOCW 468 Field Practicum – almost anywhere – 32 hours/week average for 4 weeks or 450 hours.

*If introduction to Social Work credit was received from a Community College, you will need another FHSU elective.

**ECFI 202 Principles of Economics: Macro is allowed in place of IDS 300 for students transferring to FHSU from junior colleges and other colleges or universities. If you elect to do this, you will need to take another FHSU elective.

A minimum of 60 credit hours from FHSU is required for graduation.

Social Work Curriculum

Students must take a total of 124 hours to complete the Baccalaureate of Social Work (BSW) degree. Required core and major courses are listed below:

Required Non-Social Work Courses (35 credit hours):
Human Biology & Lab (4)
Economic Ideas & Current Issues (3)
American Government (3)
Multiculturalism in the U.S. (3)
General Psychology (3)
Bioethics (3)
Introduction to Sociology (3)
Elements of Statistics (3)
Technical & Report Writing (3)
Beginning Spanish I & II (7)

Social Work Core Courses (53 credit hours):
Introduction to Social Work (3)
The Helping Relationship (3)
Human Behavior & the Social Group Systems (3)
Environment I, II, III (9)
Family Systems (3)
Methods of Social Research (3)
Organizational & Community Systems (3)
Social Welfare Policy & Services I, II (6)
Introduction to the Practicum (2)
Social Work Professional Seminar (3)
Intro to Practice (3)
Field Practicum (12)

Jobs in Social Work

Anyone seeking services from a professional social worker can expect a skilled practitioner who listens without making judgments, helps identify and link the individual with resources, and provides assistance in helping people achieve maximum potential. Social workers are generally found in:

Social Workers are also involved in community action and community planning. Many take part in social policy development. A professional in the field ultimately tries to improve social conditions by helping the community create and deliver services and support that many people need.

The Field Placement Experience

An important part of graduation requirements for the Bachelor in Social Work is the 450-hour field experience. This is a good opportunity to discover the type of social work you wish to practice upon graduation and to find the type of agency or organization you think will be a good fit with your career goals. The Social Work Program has developed strong partnerships and long-standing relationships with state, local and private agencies throughout Kansas and beyond to find the perfect field experience for you.

Unlike many undergraduate programs in Kansas, FHSU offers a block placement for your field experience. Rather than a concurrent practicum that lasts an entire academic year while you’re still taking classes, you will complete your coursework prior to the field experience. You’ll spend 32 hours a week for an entire semester in your placement (12 credit hours) to give you a better sense of the “real world” work environment and a better chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom. The only class you take will be a 3-hour professional seminar.

The number for the Director of the Social Work programs, Dr. Judy Caprez, is 785-628-4469.

For more information contact:
Dr. Judith V. Caprez
Director of Social Work - FHSU
785-628-4469
jcaprez@fhsu.edu