Social work's special contribution rests on an established body of knowledge, values and skills pertinent to understanding human relationships and the interaction between people as individuals, in families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Undergraduates in the School of Social Work receive a liberal arts education in the social and behavioral sciences and their application to human problems that prepares them to be informed citizens involved in human services or social welfare problems and policies. Students take courses in a variety of social sciences to enable them to view social welfare in its broad social, economic, and political contexts.
Social work courses offer a theoretical understanding of social problems and an introduction to practice methods used by social workers. The curriculum covers such areas as aging, family and child welfare, poverty, mental health, developmental disabilities, alcohol and drug abuse, diversity, race and ethnicity, criminal justice, oppression and social, economic and environmental justice, and at-risk populations.
Mission
The mission of the UW–Madison School of Social Work is to enhance human well-being and promote human rights and social and economic justice for people who are disadvantaged to achieve an equitable, healthy, and productive society. The school aims to:
- Create, advance, strengthen, and integrate interdisciplinary knowledge for students and the profession through research, scholarship, teaching and practice.
- Educate students to become highly skilled, culturally competent and ethical practitioners who will provide effective leadership for the profession of social work within the State of Wisconsin, nationally, and internationally.
- Promote change at levels ranging from the individual to national and international policy, including empowering communities and populations that are disadvantaged and developing humane service delivery systems.
- Create and disseminate knowledge regarding the prevention and amelioration of social problems.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
The School of Social Work offers a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree or a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree with a major in social welfare. The BSW and the social welfare major prepare students for further academic study or for employment in selected human service arenas. The BSW prepares students as beginning-level professional social workers. The social welfare major offers an overview of current social problems.
Certificate Programs
BSW students and social welfare majors often choose the following certificate programs: American Indian studies, business, criminal justice, gender and women's studies, global health, LGBTQ+ studies, and religious studies. More details about certificates are available in this Guide.
Graduate School
BSW students completing professional foundation courses with a grade of B or better are eligible for advanced standing in the master's program. For more information see the School of Social Work website FAQs on "Admissions: Advanced Standing & Exemptions."
Students enter the School of Social Work for either Social Welfare or Social Work begin by declaring the social welfare major. Later, if a student applies to and is accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work program (see admissions requirements below), their major is changed to social work.
Regardless of their program of interest, students begin their course of study by taking SOC WORK 205 and SOC WORK 206 in either the freshman or sophomore year. Students can declare the social welfare major as early as the freshman year as long as they have completed or are enrolled in SOC WORK 205 and SOC WORK 206. More typically, students declare the major in the sophomore year while in or having competed SOC WORK 205 and SOC WORK 206. To declare the Social Welfare major, students should make an appointment and meet with one of the two social work academic advisors at the School of Social Work. In the spring of the junior year, students apply for admission to the BSW program for their senior year.
Admission to the BSW Program
In the spring of the junior year, students who meet the following eligibility criteria apply for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program:
- SOC WORK 205 and SOC WORK 206 completed;
- Statistics completed (or concurrent enrollment);
- Second-semester junior status (minimum of 71 credits completed); and
- Minimum of 2.5 overall GPA from all colleges attended.
Admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program is based on assessment of the applicant's background, preparation and experience for practice in the field of social work. Approximately 30–35 students are admitted to the BSW program each year. Application for admission includes:
- A personal statement on reasons for undergraduate studies in social work including any life experiences that have led the student to pursue a social work degree;
- A summary describing social work or social work-related paid or volunteer experiences, research or community projects, multicultural experiences, and/or work abroad;
- A letter of recommendation; and
- An official transcript (s) from each college attended.
After acceptance, the student completes the Social Work Practice course sequence (fall and spring semesters).
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
College of Letters & Science Breadth and Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Because the School of Social Work is a professional school within the College of Letters & Science (L&S), the college confers the BSW degree. As part of the BSW degree, students also complete the standard requirements of either the bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.).
Complete either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science requirements:
Bachelor of Arts Requirements
Mathematics: Fulfilled with completion of University General Education requirements Quantitative Reasoning A and Quantitative Reasoning B coursework.
Foreign Language: Complete the fourth unit of a foreign language; or complete the third unit of a foreign language and the second unit of an additional foreign language. (A unit is one year of high school work or one semester/term of college work.)
L&S Breadth:
Humanities: 12 credits;
- must include 6 credits in literature
Social Sciences: 12 credits
Natural Sciences: 12 credits:
- must include one 3+ credit course in the biological sciences
- must include one 3+ credit course in the physical sciences
Liberal Arts and Science coursework: 108 credits
Depth of Intermediate/Advanced work: 60 intermediate or advanced credits
Major: Declare and complete at least one (1) major
Total Credits: 120 credits
UW–Madison Experience:
30 credits in residence, overall
30 credits in residence after the 86th credit
Minimum GPAs:
2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison
2.000 in intermediate/advanced liberal arts and science coursework at UW–Madison
Bachelor of Science Requirements
Mathematics: Two (2) 3+ credits of intermediate/advanced-level MATH, COMP SCI, STAT
Only one (1) course in Computer Science (COMP SCI) and only one (1) course in Statistics (STAT) may be counted toward the B.S. mathematics requirement.
Foreign Language: Complete the third unit of a foreign language. (A unit is one year of high school work or one semester/term of college work.)
L&S Breadth:
Humanities: 12 credits;
- must include 6 credits in literature
Social Sciences: 12 credits
Natural Sciences: 12 credits:
must include 6 credits in biological science
must include 6 credits in physical science
Liberal Arts and Science Coursework: 108 credits
Depth of Intermediate/Advanced Work: 60 intermediate or advanced credits
Major: Declare and complete at least one (1) major
Total Credits: 120 credits
UW–Madison Experience:
30 credits in residence, overall
30 credits in residence after the 86th credit
Minimum GPAs:
2.000 in all coursework at UW–Madison
2.000 in intermediate/advanced liberal arts and science coursework at UW–Madison
Requirements for the Major
Social Welfare Policy & Services
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete both: | ||
| SOC WORK 205 | Introduction to the Field of Social Work | 4 |
| SOC WORK 206 | Introduction to Social Policy | 4 |
Social Science Concentration
Complete two Intermediate or Advanced level courses from one of the following social science concentration areas:
Afro-American Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AFROAMER 302 | Undergraduate Studies in Afro-American History (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
| AFROAMER 303 | Blacks, Film, and Society | 3 |
| AFROAMER/HISTORY 321 | Afro-American History Since 1900 | 3-4 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 323 | Gender, Race and Class: Women in U.S. History | 3 |
| AFROAMER/GEN&WS 333 | Black Feminisms | 3 |
| AFROAMER/HISTORY 347 | The Caribbean and its Diasporas | 3 |
| AFROAMER/HISTORY 393 | Slavery, Civil War, and Reconstruction, 1848-1877 | 3-4 |
| AFROAMER/ASIAN AM 443 | Mutual Perceptions of Racial Minorities | 3 |
| AFROAMER/HIST SCI/MED HIST 523 | Race, American Medicine and Public Health | 3 |
| AFROAMER/ED POL 567 | History of African American Education | 3 |
| AFROAMER 631 | Colloquium in Afro-American History | 3 |
| AFROAMER 671 | Selected Topics in Afro-American History (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
| AFROAMER 673 | Selected Topics in Afro-American Society (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
American Indian Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AMER IND/ENVIR ST 306 | Indigenous Peoples and the Environment | 3 |
| AMER IND/ANTHRO 314 | Indians of North America | 3 |
| AMER IND/ENVIR ST/GEOG 345 | Managing Nature in Native North America | 3 |
| AMER IND/ANTHRO 353 | Indians of the Western Great Lakes | 3 |
| AMER IND/LSC 444 | Native American Environmental Issues and the Media | 3 |
| AMER IND 450 | Issues in American Indian Studies (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
| AMER IND/HISTORY 490 | American Indian History | 3-4 |
| AMER IND/HDFS 522 | American Indian Families | 3 |
| AMER IND/SOC 578 | Poverty and Place | 3 |
Anthropology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTHRO 300 | Cultural Anthropology: Theory and Ethnography | 3 |
| ANTHRO/AMER IND 314 | Indians of North America | 3 |
| ANTHRO 321 | The Emergence of Human Culture | 3 |
| ANTHRO 330 | Topics in Ethnology (when topic is appropriate) | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO/RELIG ST 343 | Anthropology of Religion | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 345 | Family, Kin and Community in Anthropological Perspective | 3 |
| ANTHRO 348 | Economic Anthropology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO 350 | Political Anthropology | 3-4 |
| ANTHRO/AMER IND 353 | Indians of the Western Great Lakes | 3 |
| ANTHRO 365 | Medical Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/GEN&WS 443 | Anthropology by Women | 3 |
| ANTHRO 448 | Anthropology of Law | 3 |
| ANTHRO 477 | Anthropology, Environment, and Development | 3 |
| ANTHRO 545 | Psychological Anthropology | 3 |
| ANTHRO/ED POL 570 | Anthropology and Education | 3 |
Asian American Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ASIAN AM/SOC 220 | Ethnic Movements in the United States | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM 240 | Topics in Asian American Studies (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
| ASIAN AM/HISTORY 276 | Chinese Migrations since 1500 | 3-4 |
| ASIAN AM/AFROAMER 443 | Mutual Perceptions of Racial Minorities | 3 |
| ASIAN AM 540 | Special Topics (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHICLA/POLI SCI 231 | Politics in Multi-Cultural Societies | 3-4 |
| CHICLA/GEN&WS/HISTORY 245 | Chicana and Latina History | 3 |
| CHICLA 301 | Chicana/o and Latina/o History | 3 |
| CHICLA/POLI SCI 302 | Mexican-American Politics | 3-4 |
| CHICLA 315 | Racial Formation and Whiteness | 3 |
| CHICLA/CURRIC 321 | Chicano/Latino Educational Justice | 3 |
| CHICLA/COUN PSY 331 | Immigrant Health and Wellbeing | 3 |
| CHICLA 330 | Topics in Chicano/a Studies (when topic is appropriate) | 3-4 |
| CHICLA/GEN&WS 332 | Latinas: Self Identity and Social Change | 3 |
| CHICLA/HISTORY/LACIS/POLI SCI 355 | Labor in the Americas: US & Mexico in Comparative & Historical Perspective | 3 |
| CHICLA/HISTORY/POLI SCI 422 | Latino History and Politics | 3 |
| CHICLA/HISTORY 435 | Colony, Nation, and Minority: The Puerto Ricans' World | 3 |
| CHICLA/LEGAL ST/SOC 443 | Immigration, Crime, and Enforcement | 3-4 |
| CHICLA/SOC 470 | Sociodemographic Analysis of Mexican Migration | 3 |
| CHICLA 501 | Chican@ and Latin@ Social Movements in the U.S. | 3 |
| CHICLA/COUN PSY 525 | Dimensions of Latin@ Mental Health Services | 3 |
Economics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON/FINANCE 300 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| ECON 301 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| ECON 302 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory | 4 |
| ECON/HIST SCI 305 | Development of Economic Thought | 3-4 |
| ECON/A A E/REAL EST/URB R PL 306 | The Real Estate Process | 3 |
| ECON 311 | Intermediate Microeconomic Theory - Advanced Treatment | 3 |
| ECON 312 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory - Advanced Treatment | 3 |
| ECON/A A E/ENVIR ST 343 | Environmental Economics | 3-4 |
| ECON 364 | Survey of International Economics | 3-4 |
| ECON 370 | Economics of Poverty and Inequality | 3 |
| ECON 390 | Contemporary Economic Issues (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
| ECON/URB R PL 420 | Urban and Regional Economics | 3 |
| ECON 441 | Analytical Public Finance | 3-4 |
| ECON 448 | Human Resources and Economic Growth | 3-4 |
| ECON/POLI SCI 449 | Government and Natural Resources | 3-4 |
| ECON 450 | Wages and the Labor Market | 3-4 |
| ECON/HISTORY 466 | The American Economy Since 1865 | 3-4 |
| ECON 467 | International Industrial Organizations | 3-4 |
| ECON/A A E/ECON 474 | Economic Problems of Developing Areas | 3 |
| ECON 475 | Economics of Growth | 3-4 |
| ECON 508 | Wealth and Income | 3 |
| ECON 521 | Game Theory and Economic Analysis | 3-4 |
| ECON 522 | Law and Economics | 3-4 |
| ECON/PHILOS 524 | Philosophy and Economics | 3 |
| ECON/A A E/F&W ECOL 531 | Natural Resource Economics | 3 |
| ECON/POP HLTH/PUB AFFR 548 | The Economics of Health Care | 3-4 |
| ECON 623 | Population Economics | 3-4 |
| ECON/URB R PL 641 | Housing Economics and Policy | 3 |
| ECON/SOC 663 | Population and Society | 3 |
| ECON/A A E/ENVIR ST/URB R PL 671 | Energy Economics | 3 |
Gender and Women's Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEN&WS/SOC 215 | Gender and Work in Rural America | 3 |
| GEN&WS 320 | Special Topics in Gender, Women and Society (when topic is appropriate) | 1-3 |
| GEN&WS/AFROAMER 323 | Gender, Race and Class: Women in U.S. History | 3 |
| GEN&WS/AFROAMER 326 | Race and Gender in Post-World War II U.S. Society | 3 |
| GEN&WS 331 | Topics in Gender/Class/Race/Ethnicity (Social Sciences) (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
| GEN&WS/CHICLA 332 | Latinas: Self Identity and Social Change | 3 |
| GEN&WS/AFROAMER 333 | Black Feminisms | 3 |
| GEN&WS 340 | Topics in LGBTQ Sexuality (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
| GEN&WS 342 | Transgender Studies | 3-4 |
| GEN&WS/HISTORY 353 | Women and Gender in the U.S. to 1870 | 3-4 |
| GEN&WS/HISTORY 354 | Women and Gender in the U.S. Since 1870 | 3-4 |
| GEN&WS 420 | Women in Cross-Societal Perspective | 3 |
| GEN&WS/LEGAL ST 422 | Women and the Law | 3 |
| GEN&WS 424 | Women's International Human Rights | 3 |
| GEN&WS/LEGAL ST/SOC 425 | Crime, Gender and Justice | 3 |
| GEN&WS 426 | Women and Grassroots Politics Across the Globe | 3 |
| GEN&WS/POLI SCI 429 | Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective | 3-4 |
| GEN&WS 441 | Contemporary Feminist Theories | 3 |
| GEN&WS/ANTHRO 443 | Anthropology by Women | 3 |
| GEN&WS 446 | Queer of Color Critique | 3 |
| GEN&WS/POLI SCI 469 | Women and Politics | 3-4 |
| GEN&WS/SOC 477 | Feminism and Sociological Theory | 3 |
| GEN&WS/HISTORY 519 | Sexuality, Modernity and Social Change | 3 |
| GEN&WS/PSYCH 522 | Psychology of Women and Gender | 3 |
| GEN&WS 534 | Gender, Sexuality, and Reproduction: Public Health Perspectives | 3 |
| GEN&WS/INTL ST 535 | Women's Global Health and Human Rights | 3 |
| GEN&WS/HIST SCI 537 | Childbirth in the United States | 3 |
| GEN&WS 547 | Theorizing Intersectionality | 3 |
| GEN&WS/SOC 611 | Gender, Science and Technology | 3 |
Political Science
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI SCI/LEGAL ST 217 | Law, Politics and Society | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/CHICLA 231 | Politics in Multi-Cultural Societies | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 272 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/CHICLA 302 | Mexican-American Politics | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 305 | Elections and Voting Behavior | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 309 | Civil Liberties in the United States | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 311 | United States Congress | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 314 | Criminal Law and Justice | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 330 | Political Economy of Development | 3 |
| POLI SCI 347 | Terrorism | 3 |
| POLI SCI 348 | Analysis of International Relations | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 350 | International Political Economy | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 351 | Politics of the World Economy | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 354 | International Institutions and World Order | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/CHICLA/HISTORY/LACIS 355 | Labor in the Americas: US & Mexico in Comparative & Historical Perspective | 3 |
| POLI SCI 356 | Principles of International Law | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 408 | The American Presidency | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 410 | Citizenship, Democracy, and Difference | 4 |
| POLI SCI 411 | The American Constitution : Powers and Structures of Government | 8 |
| POLI SCI 412 | The American Constitution: Rights and Civil Liberties | 4 |
| POLI SCI 414 | The Supreme Court as a Political Institution | 3 |
| POLI SCI 415 | The Separation of Powers and Federal Courts | 3 |
| POLI SCI 417 | The American Judicial System | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 421 | The Challenge of Democratization | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/CHICLA/HISTORY 422 | Latino History and Politics | 3 |
| POLI SCI/GEN&WS 429 | Gender and Politics in Comparative Perspective | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/INTL ST 431 | Contentious Politics | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 432 | Comparative Legal Institutions | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/INTL ST 434 | The Politics of Human Rights | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/INTL ST 439 | The Comparative Study of Genocide | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI/GEN&WS 469 | Women and Politics | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 470 | The First Amendment | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 510 | Politics of Government Regulation | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 511 | Campaign Finance | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 514 | Interest Group Politics | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 516 | Political Communications | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 561 | Radical Political Theory | 3-4 |
| POLI SCI 601 | Proseminar: Topics in Political Science (when topic is appropriate) | 3 |
Psychology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYCH 311 | Issues in Psychology | 1-4 |
| PSYCH 401 | Psychology, Law, and Social Policy | 3 |
| PSYCH 405 | Abnormal Psychology | 3-4 |
| PSYCH 413 | Language, Mind, and Brain | 3 |
| PSYCH 414 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSYCH 428 | Introduction to Cultural Psychology | 3-4 |
| PSYCH/SOC 453 | Human Sexuality | 4 |
| PSYCH/SOC 456 | Introductory Social Psychology | 3-4 |
| PSYCH 460 | Child Development | 3-4 |
| PSYCH 464 | Adult Development and Aging | 3 |
| PSYCH 501 | Depth Topic in Social Science (when topic is appropriate) | 4 |
| PSYCH 502 | Cognitive Development | 4 |
| PSYCH 503 | Social Development | 4 |
| PSYCH 403 | Psychology of Personality | 3 |
| PSYCH 508 | Psychology of Human Emotions: From Biology to Culture | 4 |
| PSYCH 510 | Critical Issues in Child Psychopathology | 4 |
| PSYCH 513 | Hormones, Brain, and Behavior | 4 |
| PSYCH/GEN&WS 522 | Psychology of Women and Gender | 3 |
| PSYCH 525 | Cognition in Health and Society | 4 |
| PSYCH 526 | The Criminal Mind: Forensic and Psychobiological Perspectives | 4 |
| PSYCH 532 | Psychological Effects of the Internet | 4 |
| PSYCH 607 | Introduction to Clinical Psychology | 3 |
Sociology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC 181 | Honors Introductory Seminar-The Sociological Enterprise | 3-4 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 210 | Survey of Sociology | 3-4 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 211 | The Sociological Enterprise | 3 |
| SOC/ASIAN AM 220 | Ethnic Movements in the United States | 3-4 |
| SOC/A A E/C&E SOC 340 | Issues in Food Systems | 3-4 |
| SOC 421 | Processes of Deviant Behavior | 3-4 |
| SOC/GEN&WS/LEGAL ST 425 | Crime, Gender and Justice | 3 |
| SOC/CHICLA/LEGAL ST 440 | Ethnicity, Race, and Justice | 3-4 |
| SOC 441 | Criminology | 3-4 |
| SOC/CHICLA/LEGAL ST 443 | Immigration, Crime, and Enforcement | 3-4 |
| SOC 446 | Juvenile Delinquency | 3-4 |
| SOC/PSYCH 453 | Human Sexuality | 4 |
| SOC/PSYCH 456 | Introductory Social Psychology | 3-4 |
| SOC/CHICLA 470 | Sociodemographic Analysis of Mexican Migration | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 475 | Classical Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC 476 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC/GEN&WS 477 | Feminism and Sociological Theory | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 533 | Public Health in Rural & Urban Communities | 3 |
| SOC 535 | Talk and Social Interaction | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC/ENVIR ST 540 | Sociology of International Development, Environment, and Sustainability | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 541 | Environmental Stewardship and Social Justice | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 573 | Community Organization and Change | 3 |
| SOC 575 | Sociological Perspectives on the Life Course and Aging | 3 |
| SOC/AMER IND/C&E SOC 578 | Poverty and Place | 3 |
| SOC/GEN&WS 611 | Gender, Science and Technology | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC/URB R PL 617 | Community Development | 3 |
| SOC 621 | Class, State and Ideology: an Introduction to Marxist Social Science | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 623 | Gender, Society, and Politics | 3 |
| SOC 624 | Political Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 626 | Social Movements | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 630 | Sociology of Developing Societies/Third World | 3 |
| SOC 632 | Sociology of Organizations | 3-4 |
| SOC 633 | Social Stratification | 3 |
| SOC 640 | Sociology of the Family | 3 |
| SOC/LAW/LEGAL ST 641 | Sociology of Law | 3-4 |
| SOC/URB R PL 645 | Modern American Communities | 3 |
| SOC/ED POL 648 | Sociology of Education | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 650 | Sociology of Agriculture | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 652 | Sociology of Economic Institutions | 3 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 655 | Microfoundations of Economic Sociology | 3 |
| SOC/ECON 663 | Population and Society | 3 |
| SOC/HISTORY 670 | Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy in America Since 1890 | 3-4 |
| SOC/C&E SOC 676 | Applied Demography: Planning and Policy | 3 |
| SOC 678 | Sociology of Persecution | 3 |
Human Behavior & The Social Environment
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete both: | ||
| SOC WORK 457 | Human Behavior and the Environment | 3 |
| SOC WORK 640 | Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice in Social Work | 3 |
Social Work Practice sequence
BSW students take two semesters (16 hours per week—256 hours/semester) of field education during their senior year (SOC WORK 400 fall semester, SOC WORK 401 spring semester). SOC WORK 441, SOC WORK 442 and SOC WORK 612 are taken concurrently with Field.
A Field Forum, where students learn more about the field program, field units and expectations, and opportunities for field placement, is held in spring semester. The forum provides students with the opportunity to meet the instructors who teach the field units. Following the Field Forum students indicate their field-unit preferences. The director of field education makes final unit placement decisions and field instructors make final agency-placement decisions.
The types of agencies working with the field education program are varied. Field units are organized around a social problem area or a field of practice. Each unit has a range of field placement agencies and settings appropriate to its theme. The emphasis for undergraduate placements is on applying the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes. The focus is on learning and applying analytic and interventive skills within an ethically based, problem-focused approach.
Social work students should be advised that the Wisconsin Caregiver Law requires a Wisconsin background check (Caregiver Check and Wisconsin Criminal History) for all potential field-education students prior to the field placement. More information regarding this process is available at Field Education on the social work website.
| Senior | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOC WORK 400 (A) | 5 | SOC WORK 401 (A) | 5 |
| SOC WORK 441 (I) | 3 | SOC WORK 612 | 2 |
| SOC WORK 442 | 1-2 | ||
| 9-10 | 7 | ||
| Total Credits 16-17 | |||
BSW students are expected to maintain a cumulative 3.0 in the major and a minimum grade of BC in SOC WORK 400 and SOC WORK 401.
For more information about field units, the agencies they work with, and field course expectations see the Field Education Handbook. Field unit availability may vary from year to year.
Social Work Practice in Community Agencies
This unit provides opportunities to work with human service agencies and community programs. The practice perspective is generalist social work in direct and indirect services to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The primary purpose of the field placement and seminar is to provide generalist practice opportunities for the development, integration and application of key competencies that are met through measurable practice behaviors. Theory and concepts learned in the classroom are integrated with practice opportunities, fostering the implementation of evidenced-informed practice. Participating Agencies: Bridge Lake Point Waunona, Goodman, Vera Court neighborhood centers; Center for Families; Dane County Court Appointed Special Advocates [CASA]; Disability Rights-Wisconsin; Second Harvest Food Bank; UW Medical Foundation; Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin (Briarpatch); YWCA (Girls Inc., House-ability, Third Street programs), Community Care Resources, Center for Families.
Social Work Practice in Community Mental Health Agencies
This unit has been developed for generalist practice year students (BSW and first year MSW students) wanting to learn generalist social work practice in settings providing services to people with serious and persistent mental illness who are eighteen years of age and older. The placement settings include private non-profit mental health agencies, primarily providing comprehensive community support services. Participating Agencies: Most of the placements occur in programs of the Journey Mental Health Center’s Community Support Programs (CSP’s) including: Blacksmith House, Cornerstone, Gateway, Community Treatment Alternatives, Yahara House (day services program) and the Emergency Services Unit. Additional placements occur at: SOAR Case Management Services, Chrysalis, Badger Prairie Health Care Center, Tellurian UCAN’s Transitional Housing Program, William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, and Mendota Mental Health Institute’s PACT (Program of Assertive Community Treatment), an outpatient program.
Social Work Practice in County Human Services (Dane Co. or Rural Settings)
This is a county (public) human/social service agency unit with practice including both direct and indirect services with clients, participants and communities. Students are involved in child welfare, child protective services, juvenile delinquency, foster care, institutional reintegration and community social work. Field placement activities include individual and family counseling, child and family assessment, case management, juvenile court services, foster care services, institutional reintegration, group work, neighborhood and community services and overall program planning. Students in this unit may have field placement settings in voluntary community agencies that work collaboratively with the county human services department. Students gain a solid understanding of the place of a county human service agency in the human services/child and family welfare system. Placements provide opportunities to learn, develop and demonstrate competencies through practice behaviors in all or most of the required social work competency areas. Field placements available through this unit are primarily located in Dane and surrounding counties. Depending on resource needs, this unit may include Title IV-E students. Participating Agencies: Division of Children, Youth and Families, Dane County Human Services, in the following specializations: Access and Initial assessment, Ongoing Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care, Independent Living, Juvenile Delinquency, Institutional Reintegration, Neighborhood Intervention Program, and Joining Forces for Families (community social work). Placements may also be arranged in voluntary community agencies that have collaborative relationships with county human services.
Social Work Practice in Intellectual Disabilities
This unit has been developed for generalist practice year students who are interested in doing advocacy and promoting inclusive communities, especially with persons differing abilities. Since the objectives of the 400-level foundation year are primarily to teach and provide experiences in generalist social work practice, students will learn skills and knowledge applicable to a wide variety of social work settings. There is also the opportunity to work with two Madison-based programs doing international projects. Through work with individuals, families, groups, and communities there will be a focus on issues related to human rights, access to services, communication challenges, and community acceptance and inclusion. The integrative seminar will utilize group work, faculty, student, and guest presentations, multimedia and experiential activities. Placement agencies include: Family Support and Resource Center, Waisman Center, Options in Community Living, Bridges Birth to Three programs.
Social Work Practice in Juvenile and Criminal Justice
The focus of this unit is direct social work practice in juvenile and adult criminal justice community and institutional settings. The unit focuses on helping students conceptualize client typologies related to social responses and interventions including: pre-sentence decisions, probation and parole supervision, institutional interventions, group homes, juvenile community treatment, policy and planning administration. Interventions related to conceptualization of client subtypes, demography of crime and delinquency and violent crime are some of the major content areas for study. Participating Agencies: RC Correctional Services for Women, Attic Correctional Services, Dane County Deferred Prosecution, Dane County Family Violence Unit, Dane County Juvenile Detention and Court Services, Dane County Victim/Witness Unit, Domestic Violence Intervention Services, Operation Fresh Start, VA Hospital, Youth Services of Southern Wisconsin, Madison YWCA, Juvenile Group Homes for male and female delinquent youth, Mendota Mental Health Institute, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Facility, U.S. Probation Office, Wisconsin Adult Correctional Institutions, Wisconsin Public Defender’s Office.
Social Work Practice with Older Adults
This field unit provides field placements in a variety of agency, community, health care and institutional settings that primarily serve older adults. All of the field placements deal with issues of aging, community, mental health, policy, and institutions. The primary purpose of the field placement is to provide an opportunity for guided practical experience in social work settings so that students may acquire the knowledge, values, and skills essential for professional gerontological social work practice. This field unit provides opportunities for integrating theoretical content and knowledge with the practice experience. The practice perspective of the aging and mental health unit is generalist practice, which includes a problem-focused generalist approach with a special emphasis on:
- direct service to older adults and their families; and
- resource development and coordination.
Participating Agencies: Agrace Hospice, Alzheimers Association; Attic Angel Place; Badger Prairie Health Care Center; Care Wisconsin; Catholic Charities; Dane County Human Services Guardianship & Protective Placement; East Madison Monona Coalition of the Aging; Fitchburg Senior Center; the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) at the Veterans Administration Hospital; Jewish Social Service; North Eastside Senior Coalition; Retired Senior Volunteer Program; South Madison Coalition; St. Mary’s Adult Day Center; St. Mary’s Care Center; Oak Park Retirement Community; UW Health Geriatrics Clinic.
Social Work Practice in Public and Private Child Welfare
This field unit is a public human/social service agency unit with practice including both direct and indirect services with clients. Students are involved in child welfare and child protective services, juvenile delinquency, foster care and community social work. Placement activities include child protective services initial assessment, family assessment, case planning, individual and family counseling, case management, juvenile court services, foster care services, neighborhood and community services and overall program planning. Students gain a solid understanding of the place of a public social service agency in the human services/child and child welfare system. Placements provide skills in case assessment and planning, case management, counseling, court services, group work and community resource networking. Participating Agencies: Field Placements locations for the field unit include: County Human Service/Social Service offices in Columbia, Dane, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk Counties, and include the following specializations: Foster Care, Child Welfare, Child Protective Services, Access, Initial Assessments, and Ongoing Services.
Statistics and Research
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | ||
| Complete one course from: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistical Methods (recommended) | ||
or STAT 371 | Introductory Applied Statistics for the Life Sciences | |
or PSYCH 210 | Basic Statistics for Psychology | |
| Statistics for Sociologists I | ||
| Research | ||
| Complete one course from: 1 | 3-4 | |
| Methods of Social Work Research (recommended) | ||
or PSYCH 225 | Research Methods | |
| Methods of Sociological Inquiry | ||
| Total Credits | 6-7 | |
| 1 | SOC WORK 650 is recommended for BSW students. Double majors in psychology or sociology or may take PSYCH 225 or SOC/C&E SOC 357 for this requirement. |
Elective
Complete one Intermediate or Advanced level SOC WORK course.
Independent Work (not required for BSW)
Students with an interest in a particular area of study may develop a plan of independent work with the assistance of an interested faculty member. They may obtain information about instructors and their areas of interest from the School of Social Work website. Consent of instructor is required for the following course offerings in independent work:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| SOC WORK 681 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| SOC WORK 682 | Senior Honors Thesis | 3 |
| SOC WORK 691 | Senior Thesis | 2 |
| SOC WORK 692 | Senior Thesis | 2 |
| SOC WORK 699 | Directed Study | 1-3 |
Residence and quality of work
- 2.000 GPA in all SOC WORK courses and all major courses
- 15 upper-level major credits, taken in residence2
- 15 credits in SOC WORK, taken on campus
| 2 | PSYCH 225, SOC/C&E SOC 357, and all SOC WORK courses designated as Intermediate or Advanced count as upper-level in the major. |
Certificate Programs (Not Required for BSW)
BSW students and social welfare majors often choose the following certificate programs: American Indian studies, business, criminal justice, gender and women's studies, global health, LGBTQ+ studies, and religious studies. More details about certificates are available in this Guide.
Graduate School (not Required for BSW)
BSW students completing professional foundation courses with a grade of B or better are eligible for advanced standing in the master's program. For more information see the School of Social Work website FAQs at Admissions: Advanced Standing & Exemptions.
Honors in the Major
Students may apply for admission to Honors in the Bachelor of Social Work in consultation with the Social Work undergraduate advisor before beginning the Senior Honors Thesis. Students must make arrangements with a faculty member to sponsor their research project before admission will be granted.
Honors in the Bachelor of Social Work Requirements
To earn Honors in the Major in Social Welfare, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major (above) and the following additional requirements:
- Earn a 3.300 University GPA
- Earn a 3.400 GPA for all SOC WORK courses and all major courses
- Complete SOC WORK 650
- Complete one SOC WORK elective related to Senior Honors Thesis research topic
- Complete SOC WORK 579 concurrently with SOC WORK 681
- Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in SOC WORK 681 and SOC WORK 682 , for a total of 6 credits, with a grade of B or better
- Present thesis results at a department colloquium.
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
This sample plan is a tool to assist you and your advisor(s). Use it along with your DARS report and the Course Guide. You will make your own four year plan based on your placement scores, incoming credits, and individual interests.
As you become involved in athletics, honors, research, student organizations, study abroad, volunteer experiences, and/or work, you might adjust the order of your courses to make room for these experiences.
Students wishing to apply to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program must do so in Spring of Junior year.
You will likely revise your four year plan several times during college. While your credits per term may vary, they should add up to 120 in the end.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Communication A | 3 | Ethnic Studies | 3-4 |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 | Literature Breadth | 4 |
| Biological Science Breadth | 3 | Physical Science Breadth | 3 |
| Foreign Language (if needed) | 4 | Foreign Language (if needed) | 4 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOC WORK 205 (can be taken Freshman or Sophomore year) | 4 | SOC WORK 206 (can be taken Freshman or Sophomore year) | 4 |
| Humanities Breadth | 4 | Communication B | 4 |
| Literature Breadth | 4 | Science Breadth | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Electives | 5 |
| INTER-LS 2101 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOC WORK 640 (Fall-only) | 3 | SOC WORK 457 (Spring-only) | 3 |
| Social Science Concentration course2 | 3-4 | STAT 301, 371, PSYCH 210, or SOC 360 | 3 |
| Science Breadth | 3 | SOC WORK elective (I/A-level) | 3-4 |
| Electives (I/A-level) | 6 | Social Science Concentration course2 | 3-4 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| SOC WORK 400 | 5 | SOC WORK 650 (Spring-only) | 3 |
| SOC WORK 441 | 3 | SOC WORK 401 | 5 |
| SOC WORK 442 | 2 | SOC WORK 612 | 2 |
| Electives (I/A-level) | 5 | Electives (I/A-level) | 5 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Note: SOC WORK 100 is a pre-major elective course that can be taken in the first year, if offered; it is not required for the major.
| 1 | The College encourages students to take INTER-LS 210 in their second year (or anytime); it is recommended but not required. |
| 2 | Take two Intermediate or Advanced level courses from one of the following social science departments: Afro-American Studies, American Indian Studies, Anthropology, Asian American Studies, Chicana/o and Latina/o Studies, Economics, Gender and Women's Studies, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology. |
Advising
Students interested in either the social welfare major or bachelor of social work meet with the social work advisors to discuss degree requirements; career opportunities; complete the major declaration; and confer on student issues and concerns. Advisors are an excellent resource for information about campus and community services. Students should see an advisor at least once each semester to review academic progress. Advising appointments are made through the school's website or by calling 263-3660. Social work faculty members are available for advice about course work, research, and the social work profession in general.
L&S career resources
SuccessWorks at the College of Letters & Science helps students leverage the academic skills learned in their major, certificates, and liberal arts degree; explore and try out different career paths; participate in internships; prepare for the job search and/or graduate school applications; and network with professionals in the field (alumni and employers). In short, SuccessWorks helps students in the College of Letters & Science discover themselves, find opportunities, and develop the skills they need for success after graduation.
SuccessWorks can also assist students in career advising, résumé and cover letter writing, networking opportunities, and interview skills, as well as course offerings for undergraduates to begin their career exploration early in their undergraduate career.
Students should set up their profiles in Handshake to take care of everything they need to explore career events, manage their campus interviews, and apply to jobs and internships from 200,000+ employers around the country.
- SuccessWorks
- Set up a career advising appointment
- INTER-LS 210 L&S Career Development: Taking Initiative (1 credit, targeted to first- and second-year students)—for more information, see Inter-LS 210: Career Development, Taking Initiative
- INTER-LS 215 Communicating About Careers (3 credits, fulfills Com B General Education Requirement)
- Handshake
- Learn how we’re transforming career preparation: L&S Career Initiative
Professors: Lawrence M. Berger, MSW, Ph.D.; Jan Steven Greenberg, MSSW, Ph.D.; Betty J. Kramer, MSSW, Ph.D.; Katherine Magnuson, Ph.D.; Daniel R. Meyer, MSW, Ph.D.; Stephanie A. Robert, MSW, Ph.D.; Tracy Schroepfer, MSW, Ph.D., Kristen Slack, A.M., Ph.D.
Associate Professors: Marah A. Curtis, MSW, Ph.D.; Tally Moses, MSW, Ph.D.
Assistant Professors: Lauren Bishop-Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.; Pajarita Charles, MPA, MSW, Ph.D.; Lara Gerassi, MSW, Ph.D.; Jooyoung Kong, MSW, Ph.D.; Alejandra Ros Pilarz, Ph.D.; Tova Walsh, MSW, Ph.D.; Yang Sao Xiong, Ph.D.
Clinical Associate Professor: Audrey Conn, MSSW, APSW; Ellen Smith, MSSW
Clinical Assistant Professors: Laura Dresser, MSW, Ph.D.; Amanda Ngola, MSW, LCSW; Lynette Studer, MSSW, Ph.D.; Angela Willits, MSW, LCSW
Accreditation
Council on Social Work Education
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2021.
Certification/Licensure