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 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 to “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 main instructor on campus at Garden City Community College. There will also be adjunct instructors from the area who are social work practitioners.

Baccalaureate Social Work Program

Fort Hays State Cohort Program II
August 2009–May, 2012

Semester I (Fall 2009)
*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 CA & CB

Semester II (Spring 2010)
SOCW 381 The Helping Relationship CA & CB
SOCW 310 Policy I
**IDS 350 Multiculturalism (On line)

Semester III (Fall 2010)
SOCW 410 Policy II
SOCW 322 HBSE II
**IDS 300 Econ Ideas (On line)
**ENG303 Professional and Report Writing (On-line EduKan – Tech & Report Writing)

Semester IV (Spring 2011)
SOCW 461 Group Systems CA & CB
SOCW 429 HBSE III
**IDS 400 Bioethics (On line)
Revised April, 2009

Semester V (Fall 2011) Four hours/night
SOCW 461 Family Systems CA & CB
SOCW 462 Organizational and Community Systems
SOCW 463 Intro to Practicum – (one hour prior to each night class – students go from 6 – 10:00 p.m. this semester both nights of class.

Semester VI (Spring 2012)
SOCW 467 Professional Seminar – CA & CB Every other Wednesday for a (3) hour class.
SOCW 468 Field Practicum – almost anywhere – 32 hours/week average for 14 weeks or 480 hours.

*If Introduction to Social Work was taken at a Community College, you will need another FHSU elective.

**These non-social work on-line courses may be taken in any order these first four semesters or they may be taken on-line in the summers. Professional and Report Writing is available on-line from Barton County Community College through EduKan, but it is not available on-line through Fort Hays State University.

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 (38 credit hours):

Social Work Core Courses (53 credit hours):

When starting the 3 year Bachelor of Social Work Cohort Program, students should have most of their non-social work required courses completed already either through a community college or 4-year institution, except for the upper division courses available only from FHSU, and available on-line.

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 480-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, 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 approximately 32 hours per 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 the final semester will be a 3-hour professional seminar that accompanies the practicum.

The number for the Coordinator of the Social Work cohort program , Kendal Carswell, is 785-628-5917.

For more information contact:
Kendal J. Carswell
Coordinator of the Social Work cohort program - FHSU
785-628-5917
kjcarswell@fhsu.edu