Program Description 

Social Work is one of four programs housed in the Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity Department. The others are the Psychology, Legal Studies (including Criminal Justice), and Indigenous Studies Programs.

The undergraduate major in Social Work offers a Bachelor of Science in Social Work degree grounded in an ecological framework and trauma-informed practices. Coursework educates and prepares entry-level generalist social workers for effective direct practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, institutions, and communities. Particular emphasis is on regional needs, culturally responsive practice, and systemic change.

Mission Statement

The undergraduate Social Work program at UW-Superior is structured as a competency-based program. The program implements this structure through its mission, program goals and student learning outcomes.  Outcomes are assessed based on Council on Social Work Education practice behaviors.

The University of Wisconsin-Superior Social Work Program mission is to prepare generalist social workers who are self-aware and ethical in practice with diverse populations, and focus on empowerment, social justice, cultural relevance, and rejection of oppressive systems.

Social Work Accreditation

The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Academic credit for life experience and previous work experience shall not be given, in whole or in part, in lieu of any course required for the Social Work major.

Council on Social Work Education's Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards 2022 (EPAS)

Upon graduation, students will have demonstrated that they are able to:

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior.
2. Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic and Environmental Justice.
3. Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice.
4. Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice.
5. Engage in Policy Practice.
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.

Programs

Program Goals

Goal 1: Generalist Preparation
To prepare students for entry-level ecologically-based generalist practice at all levels of intervention (individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities), utilizing a liberal education foundation and a commitment to life-long learning.

Goal 2: Inclusivity and Cultural Responsiveness
To prepare students for strength-based, culturally responsive and inclusive practice.  Specific attention is given to Indigenous groups, people of color, LGBTQ1A2+ individuals, mental health, and people impacted by poverty.

Goal 3: Anti-Oppressive Practice
To prepare students to recognize, name, reflect upon, and actively reject oppressive structural systems and privilege.

Goal 4: Values and Ethics
To prepare students for ethical and principled decision-making guided by the values and standards of the social work profession with an emphasis on self-awareness through reflection of biases, values, and personal experiences.

Goal 5: Community Engagement
To prepare students to be informed by and engaged in social justice and change efforts within local, regional, and global communities.

Admission to the Social Work Program

To seek formal admission to the program's cohort (method courses), the student submits an application packet with the Social Work Program Coordinator. This usually occurs during the spring semester of the sophomore year. For students transferring to UW-Superior, this occurs also during the spring semester.

Admission pre-requirements include: a grade of C or better in SO W 121 Introduction To Social Work or an equivalent course of Introduction to Human Services, a grade of C or better in either PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology or SOCI 101 Introduction to Sociology, an overall grade point average of at least 2.3 at time of admission to the cohort, and demonstration of suitability and capacity to enter the profession of social work according to Admission/Continuation Competencies listed in the Social Work Student Handbook and assessed in a 30-minute interview with a Social Work Faculty Review Committee. 

Continuation in the Social Work Program

Continuation in good standing in the program is contingent upon the following:

1. Earning a grade of C or better or pass (P) in all required social work courses, and retaking any required social work course in which a grade below C or pass (P) was received.
2. Maintaining an overall grade point average of 2.3 from time of admission to the junior cohort through graduation.
3. Maintaining a grade point average of 2.5 for all courses required for the social work major from the time of admission to the junior cohort through graduation.
4. Continuing to demonstrate suitability and capacity for the profession of social work as expressed in the Students' Rights and Responsibilities statement in the Social Work Student Handbook.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are expected to seek advisement with the Social Work Program Coordinator at or before the time of their first registration.  Contact the Admissions Office, the Center for Academic Advising, or the Social Work Program office to be referred to the coordinator. Advisement is a crucial aspect of the transfer process, as much of the time there are articulation agreements in place with the community colleges from which persons transfer that facilitate the smooth transfer of credits.

The Coordinator will furnish transfer students with academic advisement and Social Work program materials, including the Social Work Student Handbook. Transfer students must meet all admission and continuation standards of non-transfer Social Work majors. Procedures for grievance and appeal and continuation in the program are the same for transfer students as for other Social Work majors.

If a transfer student requests that a requirement for the Social Work major be met by a transfer credit (for major requirements other than core cohort classes and internship), the request may be granted if the course content is comparable. If the course is approved, the grade for the course must be computed as part of the grade point average requirements for the major in Social Work.  Cohort method and practicum courses must be taken at UW-Superior.

Readmission to the Social Work Program

Requirements for readmission to the program include:

1. Resubmission of an application following the standards expressed in Reapplication to the Social Work Program found in the Social Work Student Handbook.
2. Any student who would like to re-enter the social work program must retake cohort and method courses and the Field Internship if previous courses were taken more than 5 years from the time of reapplication.

Faculty and Staff

Rachel Forsyth - Assistant Professor and Field Coordinator, Social Work
Amanda Lilly - Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Social Work