Social Work
Social Work is a field that attracts students who want to enter a helping profession. Baccalaureate Social Workers (BSWs) are the best trained baccalaureate professionals for social services positions. The BSW is both a professional and liberal arts degree.
Outcomes
The Castleton Social Work program is designed to provide skills for beginning level professional practice and the academic basis for graduate level study in social work. Over 90% of our graduates find employment within the first few months of graduation. Because of the nature of Vermont, Castleton has a rurally oriented emphasis, but the program stresses knowledge and skills that are applicable in any geographic or practice setting. Graduates have responsibilities in child welfare, mental health, services to families, caseworkers in corrections, medical social work, legislative lobbying, anti-poverty programs, school settings, nursing homes, hospice services, and the elderly. Their work includes protecting children, providing services to single adolescent parents and providing services to families and the elderly. Students also have the opportunity to double major in sociology within their four-year course of study.
Field Work
Once you declare Social Work as your major at Castleton, you are provided with 40 hours of supervised volunteer work in an agency. This allows you to determine if you are right for Social Work and if it is right for you. During the senior year, two days per week you will participate in actual practice at local social service agencies, accumulating 400 hours of practice experience. A full-time faculty member directs the field supervision. Students concurrently register for practice courses to augment learning.
Accreditation
The National Council on Social Work Education accredits the Social Work Program at Castleton. Many graduate schools of social work allow up to one year of advanced standing in their master's program for people who have completed an accredited undergraduate program.
The Faculty
With a student to faculty department ratio of 9 to 1, you are ensured personal attention both in the classroom and through advising. The faculty has over sixty years of combined practice experience. The strong professional experience and their continued activity in professional organizations and research guarantees that your education will benefit greatly from their knowledge and compassion.
Luther Brown, Professor of Social Work, B.S., Savannah State College; M.S.W., State University of New York at Albany; M.S., Long Island University; D.S.W., Columbia University
David A. Ellenbrook, Professor of Social Work, B.S., Henderson State University; M.A., University of Memphis; M.S.S.W., University of Tennessee; Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Lillian Jackson, Professor of Social Work, B.A., Brown University; M.S.W., Boston University School of Social Work; M.P.A., Suffolk University
Bachelor of Social Work
All majors must complete the General Education requirements to include:
ANT 1010 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology 3 cr
MAT 2011 - Statistics 3 cr
PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology 3 cr
SOC 1010 - Introduction to Sociology 3 cr
and either:
BIO 1010 - Human Body in Health and Disease 4 cr
or both:
BIO 2011 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 cr
BIO 2012 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 cr
and complete the following related courses:
(or equivalents as determined by the Program Coordinator)
SOC 2130 - The Community in American Society 3 cr
or SSC 1010 - Introduction to the Study of Community 3 cr
SOC 3910 - Research Methods 4 cr
SOC 4020 - Sociology Theory3 cr
and complete the following Social Work courses:
SWK 1010 - Introduction to Human Services 3 cr
SWK 1810 - Field Component 1 cr
SWK 2011 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment I, 3 cr
SWK 2012 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II, 3 cr
SWK 2040 - Discrimination in American Society 3 cr
SWK 3010 - Social Work Practice 3 cr
SWK 3020 - History and Philosophy of Social Work 3 cr
SWK 4010 - Social Welfare Policies, Programs, and Issues 3 cr
SWK 4020 - Interventive Methods of Social Work Practice 3 cr
SWK 4030 - Advanced Social Work Practice 3 cr
SWK 4710 - Social Work Seminar 3 cr
SWK 4811 - Field Experience I 6 cr
SWK 4812 - Field Experience II, 6 cr
Recommended but not required:
CRJ 1010 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 cr
CRJ 3160 - Juvenile Justice System 3 cr
ECO 1010 - Economics and Society 3 cr
PSY 2040 - Social Psychology 3 cr
SSC 1010 - Introduction to the Study of Community 3 cr
NOTE 1: SWK 4811 and SWK 4812 must be taken consecutively during the same academic year. SWK 4020 and SWK 4811 must be taken concurrently; SWK 4030 and SWK 4812 must be taken concurrently.
NOTE 2: SWK 1810 is required of students with no prior human service experience (see course description).
NOTE 3: In the spring semester of the junior year, students sign an agreement, which stipulates expectations and conditions for continuance in the program. In addition to academic requirements, students must demonstrate professionally appropriate skills, attitudes, and values as a condition of remaining in the program.
Program requirements subject to change. Please consult the catalog for more information. Updated August 2006. |
