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Preparation for Social Work

Special Features of the Social Work Offerings

Academic: A 31 credit minor Native American and Rural Social Work and a 9-credit Social Work Emphasis within the 34-credit major in Sociology is offered by the Department of Sociology. A significant part of these programs are a student's participation in the Social Work Practicum (Sociology 494) and the concurrent seminar (Sociology 495) for which a student may typically spend one or two days each week during a semester in a social service agency. In order to qualify for the Social Work Practicum and Seminar (Sociology 494 and 495), the student must satisfy the prerequisites that follow:

1. Earn at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA or

2. Earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA in Sociology courses

3. Complete Sociology 261 (Introduction to the Field of Social Work - 3 cr) and Sociology 361 (Social Work Methods: Casework and Group Work - 3 cr)

4. Have at least a junior standing.

HOWEVER, MEETING OR EXCEEDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR THE SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM DOES NOT GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL BE PLACED IN AN INTERNSHIP.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point does not award practicums. The selected agencies interview, screen and ultimately select candidates for internships. Students interested in social work should consult the department's social work advisors their first year on campus.

Objectives: The Native American and Rural Social Work minor and Social Work emphasis within the Sociology major is designed to educate students to have a working knowledge of both individual and collective human behavior, and to have a firm grasp of the history of social work, the development of the profession and the current role of social welfare institutions. The student should have a thorough understanding of methods of social work, including logical thinking and problem solving with individuals and groups and the processes of advocacy. He/she should be aware of his/her own feelings regarding the people and problems he/she will meet in professional practice and have the ability to work well with and relate professionally to peers and clients. He/she should have an identification with the profession of social work and accept a professional code of ethics.

More specifically, the Native American and Rural Social Work minor and the Social Work emphasis within the sociology major seeks to prepare students who:

1. are competent to successfully enter the social work profession at the beginning level of practice;

2. possess a working knowledge of human behavior, both individual and collective, and who are prepared to assess and develop a plan of action for problems which they will face in their professional roles in micro and macro social systems;

3. identify with the profession of social work including the acceptance of a professional code of ethics;

4. are sensitive to the individual and cultural needs of human beings and who are able to respond appropriately to these needs in professional practice having developed these skills in the environment of the University campus;

5. have developed the skills to communicate effectively with professional peers, community representatives, and personnel from various community agencies;

6. have been actively involved with the faculty and the agencies in planning, developing and delivering of services to clients;

7. possess a foundation in social work which will serve as a base of knowledge for professional education beyond the Bachelor degree if such additional study is desired.

Facilities: Formal agreements between UWSP and several agencies in the local area have been arranged to provide social work field placements for selected students minoring in Native American and Rural Social Work or choosing the Social Work emphasis within the Sociology major.

Employment Opportunities: Some social work and related jobs are open to any major in Sociology and minor in Native American and Rural Social Work. A few jobs now require a Bachelor's degree in social work, and the Master of Social Work (MSW) is the recognized professional degree. Although the potential need is substantial, public sector employment in social work and human services is very sensitive to changes in the level of government funding. Recent graduates have found narrow choices of location and/or agency type, although the opportunities are improved for persons who are free to relocate. Private agencies, halfway houses, outreach programs for new services and child care institutions have provided initial employment opportunities for several students.

NOTE: Students considering the Native American and Rural Social Work minor and the Social Work Emphasis (in Sociology major) will find it helpful to purchase a copy of our Social Work/Social Agency Placement Manual at the University Bookstore. It contains further details on the program, placement sites, application forms, etc.

Social Work Licensing: Beginning July 1, 1994, a person applying for Social Worker certification must have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited school. Therefore, the law states that those people without a BSW or MSW (this obviously includes all students at UW-SP) will not be eligible for jobs titled "Social Work." Our students should be aware that this legislation may limit their opportunity to successfully compete with those who hold the Bachelor of Social Work degree for positions with the specific title of Social Worker. Titles such as Human Services Worker or Case Manager will still be available. Other fields of opportunity, such as Criminal Justice or AODA work, are not likely to be affected by this legislation.

Social Work Training Certificate: In 1995, the Wisconsin legislature provided a window of opportunity for our students by creating a provision for a Social Worker Training Certificate. This two year certificate is designed for an individual who has received a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, sociology, or criminal justice (some other human services majors may qualify, but must be reviewed by the Social Work Section of the Dept. of Regulation and Licensing) and who is working as a social worker while attaining the four courses required by the Dept. of Regulation and Licensing. The four required 3-credit courses are: Social Welfare Policy and Services, Social Work Practice Methods (2), and Human Behavior and the Social Environment. At UW-Stevens Point, these courses are SOC 262, 361, 362, and 376. This certificate authorizes the holder to use the title "social worker" during the period in which the certificate is valid (24 months or until the certificate holder successfully completes both the national examination and state jurisdiction examination, which ever occurs first). The only sure way to determine eligibility for a social work training certificate is to submit an application and transcripts to the Department of Regulation and Licensing for review. Applications can be obtained by calling (608) 266-0145. For more information, contact the State of Wisconsin Department of Regulation & Licensing, PO Box 8935, Madison, WI 53708; email: dorl@mail.state.wi.us

After these equivalencies have been met, holders of this temporary certificate will be eligible to take the state and national examinations and will be granted a social worker certificate. [AB 150 sections: 6564, 6619 and 6620]

Programs in Sociology

Preparation for Social Work

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