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Applying for your BSW
For current Westfield State Students

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Advance your education and career with a BSW – your pathway to professional growth and impactful change.

Step into a vibrant community committed to your professional success. Experience the advantage of small class sizes and hands-on learning, guiding students not only through their education but beyond, setting the stage for exceptional achievement.

The Baccalaureate Social Work (BSW) Program requires that each student complete the following to obtain their BSW degree:

  1. WSU Common Core Curriculum;
  2. Social work foundation courses;
  3. 60 hours of human service experience prior to junior year;
  4. All social work required courses with a grade of “C” or better;
  5. Additional electives to complete 120 college credits

The BSW Program requires 67 total credits; six foundation courses (19 credits); ten social work courses (30 credits); and a two-semester field practicum and capstone research project (18 credits). To take courses beyond the fall of a student’s junior year they must apply to the program to be a major. Students are strongly encouraged to declare social work as their major before their junior year and be listed as a pre-social work major with a social work faculty member assigned as their advisor.

Next Steps to Apply for your BSW

Students must formally apply for admission into the social work program following acceptance to the University.

Westfield State Students

  • Must have completed a minimum of 54 credits by April 1 of sophomore year, including all or most of the general education credit requirements
  • Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher 

Transfer Students:

  • Must submit an application to undergraduate admission
  • In order to receive a bachelor's degree students must complete 120 credit hours in order to graduate. It is recommended that current Westfield State students complete a total of 60 credits prior to the start of their junior year in the BSW program, though only 54 is required.
  • Must have completed a minimum of 54 credits including all or most of courses equivalent to the general education credits
  • Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

It is recommend that prospective transfer students meet with the BSW Program Director to discuss their individualized course completion plan. Please email bswprogram@westfield.ma.edu to schedule an appointment. 

Required Courses and Sequence of Courses

Foundation Courses (Students should complete these prior to Junior Year at WSU) – 19 credits:
  • SOCI 0101 Principles of Sociology* (3)
  • SOCW 0103 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (3)
  • POLS 0101 American National Government* OR HIST 0132 US History and Government since 1865* (3)
  • EGST 0101 Introduction to Comparative Ethnic Studies* OR EGST 0102 Introduction to Women’s & Gender Studies* (3)
  • PSYC 0101 Introduction to Psychology* (3)
  • BIOL 0104 Human Biology* OR BIOL 0106 Biology Today* (4)

Total=19 credits

* Courses that simultaneously fulfill the common core curriculum.

Social Work Major Courses (Courses must be taken in sequence) – 48 credits:

Fall Junior Year (9 social work credits)

  • SOCW 0241 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3)
  • SOCW 0204 Introduction to Research Methods in Social Work (3)
  • SOCW 0340 Introduction to Generalist Practice (3)

Total credits=9

Student will fill schedule with core courses, electives, and other major/minor courses.

Spring Junior Year (12 social work credits)

  • SOCW 0242 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3)
  • SOCW 0301 Advanced Research Methods (3)
  • SOCW 0342 Generalist Practice with Individuals (3)
  • SOCW 0360 Diversity and Social Justice (3)

Total credits= 12

Student will fill schedule with core courses, electives, and other major/minor courses.

Fall Senior Year (15 social work credits)

  • SOCW 0343 Generalist Practice with Families and Groups (3)
  • SOCW 0351 Social Work Practicum I (7)
  • SOCW 0243 Social Welfare Policy Analysis (3)
  • SOCW 0353 Senior Capstone I (2)

Total credits=15

Student will fill schedule with core courses, electives, and other major/minor courses.

Spring Senior Year (12 social work credits)

  • SOCW 0341 Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations (3)
  • SOCW 0352 Social Work Practicum II (7)
  • SOCW 0354 Senior Capstone II (2)

Total credits=12

Student will fill schedule with core courses, electives, and other major/minor courses.

Ready to apply to the social work major?

Students meeting the criteria above can move forward with applying to the social work major by completing the BSW online application form and accompanying material.

Once completed, please direct your supervisor to complete the Assessment of Performance Form below.

If you have difficulty completing the online application please contact bswprogram@westfield.ma.edu for assistance.

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Prospective students, explore the innovative BSW degree. Request information, plan a visit, or take the next step by applying to the University today!

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Contact Us

BSW Program
Scanlon Hall, Room 259