Social Work (BSW)
Admission and Program Requirement
The process toward the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree occurs in four different phases:
- initial application to the Social Work program,
- program admission interview,
- field application and interview, and
- exit interview.
Application and Admission Process
The application and program admission interview is required before any student enrolls in upper-division (300-400 level) Social Work (SWK) courses. The program interview is scheduled by the Department of Social Work upon successful completion and submission of the application. Applicants will be notified of a date and time of their interview with the Social Work Program Review Committee. The Social Work Program Review Committee determines the final decision for official acceptance, conditional acceptance, or denial to the program.
Non-SWK majors who are interested in pursuing a BSW degree should seek out the Department of Social Work for advising before this process or during their final year of the Human Services Technician program.
Admission Criteria
- Completion of an Associate Degree in a Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science related field
- Completed Social Work application, which includes the following:
- Student Handbook
- Demographic Information Form
- Two Reference Forms
- Personal Statement/Essay
- Background Check/Disclosure Form
- Student Responsibility Statement of Commitment Form
- NASW Code of Ethics Statement of Commitment Form
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Cumulative GPA of 2.00 (prior to entry)
- “C” or above in SWK 255 Social Work in the Modern Society and SWK 257 Human Behavior & The Social Environment I
- Program Interview
- “Official” or “Conditional” acceptance to enroll in 300-400 level SWK Courses
The application does not guarantee entry to the Social Work program. More information on the application and admission process can be requested through the Department of Social Work.
Program Requirements
Upon admittance to the program, Social Work students are required to maintain a GPA of 2.50 and a “C” or above in all Social Work (SWK) courses. All Social Work students are required to adhere to program policies and guidelines and declare a statement of commitment to uphold the NASW Code of Ethics.
Field Requirements and Exit Interview
Students will undergo another application and interview process before entering their field education. This process ensures students have been assigned a field agency and are prepared for field learning in accordance with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2015 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).
Finally, Social Work students will undergo a final exit interview of the program after completion of Social Work courses with a “C” or above and completion of 450 field education hours.
Background Check
All students entering the Social Work program are required to undergo a background check. This background check is conducted through Sitting Bull College and includes a Federal, State, and Tribal background investigation. The Department of Social Work will be notified of the results of the background check. Note: a criminal history may limit or prevent students from getting field placements, preclude professional licensure, and/or affect employment possibilities.
Sitting Bull College requires a fee of $100 to complete the background check. Students are responsible for this fee and for scheduling the background check with the Human Resources Department. The background check process can take several weeks; hence, students are required to submit applications promptly by the application deadline date.
Program Description and Learning Outcomes
A bachelor’s degree in Social Work or BSW is the most common requirement for entry-level human service and social service positions. Many Social Work graduates are represented in public and private agencies, sectors, and organizations at the local, state, tribal, and international levels. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Social Work is a fast-growing and demanding profession with a median annual salary of $50,470 in May 2019 and projects an 11 percent job growth by 2028. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on June 15, 2020, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm).
Furthermore, Social Workers may specialize in a range of careers, but not limited to: Mental Health, Substance Abuse, School Social Work, Child Welfare, Families, Public Service and Politics, Healthcare and Medical Social Work, Perinatal Social Work, Forensic Social Work, Social Work and the Law, Administration, Education, Community Organization, Disaster Relief, Research and Policy Analyst, Gerontology, and Developmental Disabilities.
The Bachelor of Social Work program prepares students to become Generalist Social Work Practitioners, and life-long leaders and learners of the profession. The program cultivates Social Work leaders to implement and advocate for social, economic, and environmental justice, social programs, and social policy for vulnerable, marginalized, and at-risk individuals, children, families, groups, and communities across diverse populations.
The Bachelor of Social Work program’s mission and goals reflect the values and beliefs of both the social work profession and the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Seven Council Fires). Coursework underscores the nexus between the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ values and the values of the Social Work profession in which students will actively reflect on throughout the program. Finally, the program cultivates students to become leaders of Social Work through the application and integration of knowledge that respects the profession and respects all human beings, their communities, and cultures.
Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies
There is a need for the recruitment of Indigenous students into Social Work programs. More specifically, tribal college Social Work programs that prepare students to work with Indigenous children, families, and communities. This need is a result of the historical and critical health issues that affect the development and life span of Indigenous people across tribal communities. As a result, Indigenous Social Work graduates must be prepared with Social Work knowledge and skills to serve their tribal communities and help improve the disparities of current and future generations.
The BSW program has undergone significant changes and improvements to create a more culturally based Indigenous Social Work program that supports tribal communities. Additionally, program curriculum, syllabi, and course content are in continuous development to meet the CSWE Education Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) and SBC’s mission and goals that are guided by Lakota/Dakota culture, values, and language.
- The student will demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior and Conduct with respect to the NASW Code of Ethics and Ochethi Sakowin values.
- The student will engage Diversity and Difference in Practice with emphasis on Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
- The student will advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice with emphasis on Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
- The student will engage in Practice informed Research and Research informed Practice with concern for Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
- The student will engage in Policy Practice with emphasis on Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
- The student will engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities with emphasis on Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
- The student will assess with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities with emphasis on Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
- The student will Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities with emphasis on Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
- The student will evaluate practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities with emphasis on Social Work with Indigenous People and tribal communities.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 110 | Composition I | 3 |
| ENGL 120 | Composition II | 3 |
| COMM 110 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| MATH 102 | Intermediate Algebra | 4 |
| PSYC 100 | First Year Learning Experience | 3 |
| SOC 120 | Transitions-Graduation & Beyond | 2 |
| NAS 101 | Ochethi Sakowin Language for Beginners | 3 |
| or NAS 103 | Introduction to Ochethi Sakowin Language, Culture & History | |
| CSCI 101 | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
| Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science | ||
| Select three credits of Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science courses | 3 | |
| Health/Physical Education | ||
| Select two one-hour courses or any one two-hour course | 2 | |
| Laboratory Science | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Concepts of Biology | ||
| General Biology I | ||
| Anatomy & Physiology I | ||
| Core Requirements | ||
| HS 203 | Interviewing | 4 |
| PSYC 111 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| SWK 255 | Social Work in the Modern Society | 4 |
| SWK 257 | Human Behavior & The Social Environment I | 3 |
| Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science | ||
| Select 18-22 credits of Humanities or Social & Behavioral Science courses | 18-22 | |
| SWK Professional Core Requirements | ||
| ENGL 342 | Research Writing in the Disciplines | 3 |
| MATH 210 | Elementary Statistics | 3 |
| SWK 256 | Development of Social Welfare | 3 |
| SWK 300 | Technical & Professional Documentation in Social Work Practice | 2 |
| SWK 310 | Child Welfare I | 3 |
| SWK 320 | Child Welfare II: Native American Children & Families | 3 |
| SWK 335 | Social Work Methods I: Work with Individuals & Families | 3 |
| SWK 356 | Social Welfare Policy & Advocacy | 3 |
| SWK 357 | Human Behavior & The Social Environment II | 3 |
| SWK 400 | 1 | |
| SWK 401 | 1 | |
| SWK 435 | Social Work Methods II: Work with Groups | 3 |
| SWK 436 | Social Work Methods III: Work withOrganizations & Communities | 3 |
| SWK 442 | Research Methods in Social Work | 3 |
| SWK 445 | Decolonizing Social Work With Indigenous Communities | 3 |
| SWK 490 | 12 | |
| SWK 491 | 1 | |
| NAS Elective | ||
| Select one three credit NAS 300-400 level course of the following: | 3 | |
| Native American Women | ||
| Comparative Spirituality | ||
| Ochethi Sakowin Social & Kinship Systems | ||
| Total Hours | 121-125 | |