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    Social Work
    116 Liberal Arts
    Phone: (915) 747-5095
    E-mail: socialwork@utep.edu

     

    PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Fernando Galan
    PROFESSOR: Galan
    ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: Coggins, Hartman, Martinez, Ryan

    Social Work is a challenging and rewarding profession with the primary goal of helping individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities develop knowledge, values, and skills to help themselves to a better quality of life. The purpose of the professional social work education is to enable students to integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession into competent practice. Fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the Social Work program at UTEP prepares students for beginning professionally supervised practice.

    Mission of the Social Work Program at UTEP

    The mission of the Social Work Program is derived from UTEP's own statement of purpose, the standards of accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, and the region served by the University. More specifically, the Social Work Program at UTEP has as its primary mission the training of culturally competent generalist social work practitioners capable of providing an array of social services to the unique bicultural, bi-national populations living within the service areas identified by the University.

    More specifically, the program seeks to achieve its mission through the fulfillment of the following goals:

    1. The preparation of students for beginning generalist professional social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations from an ethnocultural perspective
    2. The preparation of beginning generalist social workers with cultural competence for practice with the bi-national, multi-cultural populations of the El Paso/Juárez border region with particular emphasis on Hispanics, Mexican Americans, and persons of Mexican descent
    3. The preparation of students for graduate education in social work
    4. The preparation of students/graduates to meet the person power needs of social service agencies in Southwest Texas, El Paso, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

    Bachelor of Social Work Degree

    Professional social work advisement allows for early and periodic evaluation of each student's performance and guides students in selecting areas of course work. Professional academic advising is therefore essential for all students (pre-professional, transfer, and admitted) to ensure that course work complies with the current BSW degree plan. Professional academic advising for social work and pre-social work majors may be done only by UTEP social work faculty.

    The BSW degree plan is designed to assure coverage of CSWE accreditation mandated curriculum content. This degree plan is based on the building block analogy of Social Work education. The freshman year is considered the Liberal Arts year. The sophomore year is the pre- professional year. The junior year is the foundation professional year. The senior year is the advanced professional year. Students shall be considered a pre-professional if they have completed at least 30 hours in the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum and have officially declared Social Work as their major

    Social Work classes are sequentially offered and include content on values, ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations at risk, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, and field practicum.

    The Social Work program places a strong value on community involvement and students begin early (SOWK 2310 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare) in their course of study to gain practical experience through volunteer hours in approved agencies. In the foundation professional (junior) year, a pre-internship experience of 60 hours is incorporated into SOWK 3355 Practice I.

    BSW Admissions Policy

    All students who wish to graduate from the BSW Degree Program at UTEP must apply for a separate admission into the Program and gain either clear or conditional acceptance. This acceptance is granted through the Social Work Program office. Only students who have been admitted into the BSW Degree Program and have completed all degree plan requirements in both the liberal arts core and the social work major will be recommended for graduation with a BSW degree.

    All UTEP students who completed course work before the program was accredited in June 1995 and transfer students should review the Policy on Certification of Coursework to ensure that social work courses comply with the requirements of the current BSW degree plan.

    Admissions Criteria

    1. UTEP Students
      1. Completion of the University Core Curriculum and additional required Liberal Arts pre-professional courses (a total minimum of 61 hours). The following is the list of UTEP courses from which the 61 hours will be counted (a minimum of "C" in University Core requirements, indicated by a +):
        (1) English Composition (6 hours): ENGL 1311+ and ENGL 1312+ * ENGL 1611 or COMM 1611 may be used to meet this requirement.
        (2) History (6 hours): HIST 1301+ and HIST 1302+
        (3) Political Science (6 hours): POLS 2310+ and POLS 2311+
        (4) Language (6 hours): Spanish recommended (2300 and above) (placement exam)
        (5) Humanities from menu (3 hours): PHIL 1301+ recommended
        (6) Mathematics from menu (3 hours): MATH 1320+ recommended (placement exam)
        (7) Statistics (3 hours): one course from PSYC 1303, SOCI 2312, STAT 1380, or STAT 2380
        (8) Science (6 hours): University Core Natural Science+
        (9) Biology (7 hours): BIOL 1303 and 1304, plus 1103 or 1104; may be used to meet the University Core requirement
        (10) Social/Behavioral Science (3 hours): University Core Social/Behavioral Science+
        (11) PSYC 1301 and SOCI 1301; either course may be used to satisfy the University Core requirement (6 hours)
        (12) Visual/Performing Arts (3 hours): University Core Visual/Performing Arts+
        (13) Communications (3 hours): COMM 1301+ or 1302+; ENGL 1611 or COMM 1611 may be used to meet this requirement.
        (14) Institutionally Designated Option from menu (3 hours)
      2. Completion of social work prerequisite courses ( SOWK 2310 and 2370)
      3. An overall GPA of 2.5 at the time of application
      4. Approval of the Admissions Committee
    2. Transfer Students
      1. Transfer coursework from community college (2-year program)
        (1) A maximum of 66 semester hours is transferable to a UTEP degree program from a two-year institution.
        (2) Students may satisfy up to 18 semester hours of the 66 semester hours from community college from the following:

          (a) An introduction to social work or human services course (3 hours)
          (b) A computer course (3 hours)
          (c) A course in human behavior in the social environment (3 hours)
          (d) A course in social policy (3 hours)
          (d) Six academic hours in lower-division elective courses in human services (6 hours)

        (3) Students must have a UTEP GPA of 2.5 at the time of application.
        (4) Students must have approval of the Admissions Committee.
      2. Transfer coursework from a four-year university CSWE accredited BSW program:
        (1) Student may transfer up to 30 semester hours from a CSWE accredited BSW degree program from the following:

          (a) An introduction to social work course (three hours)
          (b) Up to six hours of social policy
          (c) Up to six hours of HBSE
          (d) Up to nine hours of practice and/or field courses
          (e) Up to six hours of research courses

        (2) Students must have an overall GPA of 2.5 at the time of application.
        (3) Students must have approval of the Admissions Committee.

    Students must complete at least 25% of the semester hours needed for graduation (a minimum of 32 hours) in residence.

    Students must complete 24 of the last 30 semester hours needed for graduation hours in residence.

    Students must complete 12 advanced hours in their major in residence within 3 years of graduation.

    BSW Admissions Application Process

    1. Admissions Application: All students who wish to apply for the BSW Degree Program must complete an admissions application available from the Social Work Program office. A completed application includes:
      1. Completed application form
      2. Copy of official transcripts
      3. Two letters of professional reference
      4. Completed Transfer Credit Evaluation form, if applicable
    2. Applications Reviews: Application deadlines are December 1st and May 1st of each academic year. Admissions applications are individually reviewed by the BSW Admissions Committee during the months of December and May of each year. Students are notified of faculty decisions by mail.
    3. Admissions Decisions: The following decisions are made on admissions application folders by the Admissions Committee:
      1. Clear Admission: Application is accepted with no problems.
      2. Conditional Admission: Application is accepted with a GPA condition. In order to remain in the BSW degree program following conditional admission, students are required to post a 2.5 GPA in coursework the succeeding semester. Students who post less than a 2.5 GPA in the succeeding semester following conditional admission will not be allowed to enroll in social work practice courses.
      3. Pending Status: Application decision is delayed pending the completion of the admissions application.
      4. Denied Admission: Application is not accepted. Students denied admission should see their advisor and may reapply the following admissions cycle.

    A designation other than clear admission requires a meeting of the student with the faculty advisor. The purpose of the meeting is to design a plan to address any outstanding concerns in the file.

    Professional/Advanced Professional Courses

    To complete the requirements for the BSW degree, the student takes the following courses (for admission to and additional requirements for the Field Work sequence, see below).

    Professional/Advanced Professional Courses (a total of 66 hours)

    Professional Support (6 hours) ENGL 3359 Technical Writing 3 hours open elective

    Social Work Core (36 hours) SOWK 2331, 2320, 3341, 3355, 3320, 3330, 3358, 4480, 4281, 4370, 4490, 4282.

    Social Work Electives (12 hours) select 12 hours from SOWK 3346, 3336, 3345, 3365, 3366, 3385, 3326, 3370.

    Social Work Support Courses (12 hours, approved by Advisor) Subject to approval by the Advisor, courses may be chosen from Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Political Science, Chicano Studies, African American Studies, Asian and African Studies, Women's Studies, and Health Sciences.

    Total hours required for BSW degree: 127

    Field Instruction

    During their professional (senior) year, students complete their field practicum, working 16 hours per week in an approved social service or health care agency under the supervision of a degreed social worker. Students are required to make formal application for the field practicum by contacting the Coordinator of Field Practicum in the academic semester preceding their placement.

    Admission to Field Instruction

    All BSW students must complete a supervised field instruction sequence. In order to be considered eligible for field instruction, students must meet the following criteria:

    1. Have a 2.0 or better cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale in the Liberal Arts foundation
    2. Have a 2.5 or better cumulative GPA for all courses completed in Social Work by the end of the second semester of the foundation professional year of study
    3. Completed SOWK 2310, SOWK 2331, SOWK 2320, SOWK 2370, SOWK 3320, SOWK 3330, SOWK 3341, and SOWK 3355 with a "C" or better in each of these courses

    Upon completion of the program and all requirements for graduation, the student is eligible to test for licensure from the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW).

    Social Work (SOWK)

    2310 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare (3-0)
    Introduction to the human service delivery system in the United States, with an emphasis on the social work profession: its mission, philosophy, ethics, values, diverse fields, and ethnocultural perspectives. Observations of social service agencies and guest speakers provide a career orientation to the social work profession. Volunteer experience required.

    2320 Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3-0)
    Examination of the historical evolution of Social Welfare and the social work profession, with focus on the social policies which comprise the foundation of the welfare state in the United States. Present patterns of social welfare services will also be examined. Emphasis is on the historical evolution of contemporary social problems in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Oppression, discrimination, justice/immigration issues and policies, and their impact on diverse populations at risk will be explored. Required for pre-social work majors. Prerequisites: SOWK 2310 and SOWK 2370.

    2331 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3-0)
    Designed to introduce beginning social work students to some mainstream theoretical explanations by which to view individuals, groups, and families. Students will be given an opportunity to compare traditional mainstream models with newer alternative paradigms that focus on human growth and development from a strengths perspective. Special emphasis is placed on issues of cultural, racial, ethnic diversity, racism, sexism, ageism, and disabling mental or physical conditions. Prerequisites: SOWK 2310 and SOWK 2370.

    2370 Computers and Social Services: Application to Practice and Evaluation (3-0)
    Introduction to the application of computers and information systems to social services, social work practice, and evaluation. Provides "hands-on" experience and application of software. Prerequisites: SOWK 2310 and department approval required.

    3170 Special Issues in Social Work (1-0)

    3270 Special Issues in Social Work (2-0)

    3370 Special Issues in Social Work (3-0)
    Professional concerns and issues of social work will be selected by the instructor dependent on student needs.

    3175 Independent Study (0-0-1)

    3275 Independent Study (0-0-2)

    3375 Independent Study (0-0-3)
    Supervised individual reading and research leading to development of a major paper or report. Prerequisites: 9 hours of advanced course work in Social Work and department approval.

    3320 Social Welfare Policy and Services II (3-0)
    An analysis of current major issues and problems in the formulation of social welfare policies on the local, state, and federal levels in the U.S. Social Security, health, education, public welfare and income maintenance, immigration, and international agreements will be highlighted. The impact of various policies upon Hispanics and other at risk populations in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Application of strategies of change will be emphasized. Prerequisites: SOWK 2320, POLS 2310, and POLS 2311.

    3326 Social Work in Mexican-American Communities (3-0)
    Emphasis is placed on special needs of the Spanish-speaking population in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. This course will focus on the following areas: language and culture as barriers or facilitators to service delivery; cultural competence needed in the delivery of services; international considerations for service delivery; cultural pluralism considerations for service delivery; community organization with groups in Spanish-speaking communities.

    3330 Research Methods in Social Work (3-0)
    An understanding and appreciation of a scientific, analytic approach to building knowledge for practice and for evaluating service delivery in all areas of intervention including student's own practice. Ethical standards, critical thinking, and writing skills will be emphasized. Various methods for analyzing, evaluating, and utilizing research findings will be presented. Theoretical constructs for conducting culturally sensitive, quantitative/ qualitative research in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region will be examined. For Social Work majors only. Prerequisites: SOWK 2320, SOWK 2331, SOWK 2370, and SOWK 3341.

    3336 Child Welfare Practice and Services (3-0)
    Overview of practice and policy issues, problems, and opportunities in the provision of child welfare services in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Emphasis will be given to: collaborative international efforts, culturally sensitive intervention approaches, case management, family preservation, and other intervention strategies. Prerequisite: SOWK 2320.

    3341 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3-0)
    Designed to introduce beginning social work students to various theoretical models by which to view how groups, communities, and organizations interface and interact with the social environment. Students will also examine various theoretical models of poverty, particularly as these influence social welfare policies and/or affect the delivery of social services to impoverished populations. For Social Work majors only. Prerequisites: SOWK 2310 and SOWK 2370.

    3345 Social Work and the Aging: Cross-Cultural Perspective (3-0)
    An examination of the needs and concerns of the aging person in our society from a social/cultural/physiological/ emotional perspective and of methods used to address those needs and concerns. Emphasis will be on advocacy, case management, networking, and direct care methods, and their application to Hispanics and other diverse populations in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region.

    3346 The Process of Addiction: A Cross-Cultural Perspective (3-0)
    An examination of the cross-cultural implications of the process of addiction in the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region. Focus is on the comparative patterns of addictions by gender, age, family, and ethnocultural culturally competent intervention modalities will be explored.

    3350 Diagnostic Systems for Social Workers (3-0)
    Survey of selected diagnostic classification systems, including the DSM-IV, curanderismo/folk-healing practices, and alternative schema based on themes of conflict. Assessment and diagnosis of client and community situations, including cultural understandings of mental and emotional disorders.

    3355 Generalist Social Work Practice I (3-0)
    This is the first of three generalist practice courses designed to provide-entry level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work practice with individuals. Self-awareness, problem solving, interviewing, professional relationships, intervention planning and skills, and ethics are included. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region is emphasized. For Social Work majors only. Volunteer experience required. Prerequisites: SOWK 2331 and SOWK 2370.

    3358 Generalist Social Work Practice II (3-0)
    This is the second of three generalist practice courses designed to provide entry-level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work practice with groups and families. This course continues to build on the problem-solving model, intervention methods, and planning introduced in Social Work 3355. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region is emphasized. Sixty hours of volunteer service are required. For Social Work majors only. Prerequisites: SOWK 2331, SOWK 3320, SOWK 3330, SOWK 3341, and SOWK 3355.

    3360 Community Organization (3-0)
    A general survey of the history, current theories and review of methods and techniques used to develop community organizations in relation to the delivery of human services. Emphasis on urban/rural areas.

    3365 Social Work with Special Populations (3-0)
    Emphasis is placed on theories, concepts, and techniques of social group work in a wide range of social work settings. This course also covers content on the importance of age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, women, sexual orientation, and disabilities in group processes. Prerequisites: Junior standing and department approval.

    3366 Comparative Social Policy and Services: U.S./Mexico (3-0)
    A critical analysis of social policies and services in the United States and Mexico from a comparative perspective including social security, health, mental health, and child welfare. Emphasis is on the areas of possible collaboration between public agencies in the U.S. and Mexico. Field visits to agencies in Juárez will be made to familiarize students with policies and programs. Prerequisites: Department approval, SOWK 2320, and SOWK 3320.

    3385 General Social Work Practice in the Colonias and Rural Areas (3-0)
    Policy and practice issues/problems in "Colonias" and rural areas along the border. The border service area will be examined, with an emphasis on social services, health care, education, housing, and environmental needs. Generalist practice skills and strategies for community development and change in "Colonias" and rural settings will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Department approval.

    4281 Introductory Generalist Field Seminar (2-0)
    A capstone seminar that enables students to integrate the theory, knowledge, values, skills, ethics, and ethnocultural competence of generalist social work practice. Corequisite: SOWK 4480. Prerequisites: SOWK 2331, SOWK 3320, SOWK 3330, and SOWK 3355.

    4282 Advanced Generalist Field Seminar (2-0)
    A capstone seminar that enables students to integrate the theory, knowledge, values, skills, ethics, and ethnocultural competence of generalist social work practice. Emphasis will include an evaluation of one's own practice. For Social Work majors only. Corequisite: SOWK 4490. Prerequisites: SOWK 2370, SOWK 4281, and SOWK 4480.

    4370 Generalist Social Work Practice III (3-0)
    This is the third of three generalist practice courses designed to provide entry-level theory, knowledge, research, values, and skills for social work practice with organizations and communities. This course continues to build on the problem-solving model, intervention methods, and planning introduced in SOWK 3355 and SOWK 3358 with an emphasis on community development skills and strategies of change. An ethnocultural perspective with particular focus on the El Paso/Juárez, urban/rural border region is emphasized. For Social Work majors only. Prerequisites: SOWK 4281 and SOWK 4480.

    4480 Field Instruction I (0-0-4)
    First of two field courses in a supervised, laboratory learning experience in a selected social welfare agency consisting of 240 hours. A weekly seminar ( SOWK 4281) accompanies this course which enables the student to integrate and apply classroom learning (theory and practice) in a field setting. An ethnocultural practice perspective is emphasized. For Social Work majors only. Corequisite: SOWK 4281. Prerequisites: Formal admission to field placement, SOWK 3330, SOWK 3355, and SOWK 3358. Course fee required.

    4490 Field Instruction II (0-0-4)
    The second course of the field learning experience in a selected social welfare agency requires a minimum of 240 minimum. It is accompanied by a seminar ( SOWK 4282) to optimally integrate and apply generalist social work practice. An ethnocultural practice perspective is emphasized. For Social Work majors only. Corequisite: SOWK 4282. Prerequisites: SOWK 3355, SOWK 3358, SOWK 4281, and SOWK 4480.

     

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