College Level Requirements

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Limited Access - This major has additional admissions requirements as listed in this section.

The Social Work Program is a limited access program that requires a separate application to the School of Social Work. Students are admitted to the undergraduate program only in the Fall and Spring terms and slots are limited.

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites

Students intending to transfer to USF may complete the A.A. degree at a Florida College System institution. Some prerequisite courses may also meet General Education Requirements thereby transferring maximum hours to the university. If students transfer with fewer than 60 semester hours of acceptable credit, the students must meet the university's entering freshman requirements including ACT or SAT test scores, GPA, and course requirements. The transfer student should also be aware of the immunization, foreign language, exit requirements, extra credit hour surcharge and continuous enrollment policies of the university.

A transfer student must successfully complete the following courses, by earning a "C" or better. A grade of "C-" is not acceptable as a passing grade.

One course in each of the following cognate areas:
• POS X041 or POS X042 or PUP X099 American Government
• BSC X005 or BSC X085 or BSC X010 or PCB X099 Human Biology
• ECO X000 or ECO X023 Economics
• PSY X012 or PSY X020 Psychology
• SYG X000 or SYG X010 Sociology

(Incoming transfer students may refer to "State Mandated Common Prerequisites for Students Transferring from a Florida College System Institution" section for clarification of acceptable transfer courses.)

Total Major Hours: 45 Hours

Major Core

A major in Social Work requires 45 credits in a lock-step (pre-set) schedule. 

Major Core Courses - 45 Hours

Students must take the following courses during their first semester admitted in the program (18 credit hours):

• SOW 3203 Introduction to Social Work
• SOW 3101 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
• SOW 4341 Multi-Methods of Social Work Practice I: Micro-System Intervention
• SOW 3401 Research and Statistics for Social Work
• SOW 4522 Multicultural America in a Global Society
• SOW 3210 The American Social Welfare System

Once the above courses have been successfully completed, students must take the following courses during their 2nd semester in the program (15 credit hours):

• SOW 3102 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
• SOW 4343 Multi-Methods of Social Work Practice II: Macro-System Intervention
• SOW 4414 Social Work Data Management
• SOW 4315 Social Work Case Management with Special Populations
• SOW 4233 Social Welfare: Policy and Program

Once all above courses have successfully been completed, students must take the following courses (12 credit hours):

• SOW 4602 Social Work Practice in Mental Health and Health Care
• SOW 4510 Integrative Seminar

Additional Major Requirements

Major Requirements

One course in each of the following cognate areas:

• American Government: POS 2041 American National Government
• Human Biology: BSC 1005 Biology for Life or BSC 1020 Human Biology or BSC 2085 Anatomy & Physiology
• Economics: ECO 1000 Basic Economics or ECO 2023 Microeconomics or ECO 2013 Macroeconomics
• Psychology: PSY 2012 Introduction to Psychological Science
• Sociology: SYG 2000 Introductory Sociology or SYG 2010 Contemporary Social Problems

Complete a formal application to the BSW program during the semester of finishing all requirements for eligibility into the major including the foundation class, SOW 3203 Introduction to Social Work.  Consideration in the admissions process includes GPAs, reference from SOW 3203 professor, essay and volunteer/paid experience related to human services. 

There is a maximum of 2 semester application reviews for admission to the BSW program.

SOW 3203 Introduction to Social Work is the only social work foundation course required for eligibility into the major. It is open to all students.  

Major GPA Requirement

Admission to the University and a minimum USF/Overall GPA of 2.75.

Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in core courses in the major while enrolled in the program and demonstrate behaviors that are congruent with professional standards and values as described previously in order to remain in the major.

Major Course Grade Requirement

SOW 3203 Introduction to Social Work requires a minimum grade of "B" for eligibility into the major (a grade of "B-" is not acceptable). This course may be attempted a maximum of two times for eligibility into the major.

Major Grade Requirement

Completion of 15 semester hours of common program prerequisites with min. "C" grade in each course.

Students must successfully complete their courses, by earning a "C" or better. A grade of "C-" is not acceptable as a passing grade.

If Introduction to Social Work is completed at another institution the student must earn a grade of “B” or better.  If the student does not meet this minimum GPA, the course may be repeated one time at USF for eligibility.  A syllabi must be provided by the student and reviewed in the School of Social Work prior to approval of any transfer of social work courses

Major Foreign Language Requirement

Two years of high school, same foreign language is required.

Research Opportunities

The diverse research interests of the faculty in the School of Social Work provide a wide array of opportunities for students to interface with evidence based research studies.  Current research interests include treatment of childhood trauma; quality of care outcomes for vulnerable populations with particular emphasis on older adults with co-occurring mental and physical health disorders; health effects of intimate partner violence; implications of health care practices and interventions involving Latinos; reduction of health and mental health disparities for Haitians, and the development of psycho-social resources in community and long-term care settings.