Social Work (BSW)
What is Social Work?
The Wayne State University Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program prepares undergraduate students for ethical, competent, entry-level, generalist professional social work practice with diverse, poor, vulnerable, and oppressed individuals, families, groups, and communities.
BSW is offered full-time/part-time, on-campus and online. The online program requires an in-person field placement in the senior year.
What can I do with a Social Work Degree?
Detroit's urban context provides rich and compelling experiences that aid BSW students in developing their professional competence and prepares them to uphold the core values of the profession. In the classroom and in the field, our faculty guide BSW students to make connections between social work practice and broader struggles to advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. We help students understand the need for cultural and intellectual humility and to value and appreciate the strengths and expertise of the clients they serve.
Course planning
Choose an area of study (associate degree), earn Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and complete pathway courses. The pathway below outlines the required Henry Ford College courses. Courses not taken or transferred from Henry Ford College can be completed at Wayne State University.
Choose an area of study
Earn the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA)
| MTA Requirement/Specific Course | Credit Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ENG 131 Intro to College Writing (ENG 1020) | 3 | or ENG 132H |
| ENG 132 College Writing & Research (ENG 3010) | 3 | |
| Approved Mathematics (see MTA) | 4 | |
| *BIO 131 Intro to Biology (BIO1050) | 4 | |
| Approved Natural Science with lab (see MTA) | 4-5 | Second Science must be from different discipline |
| *POLS 131 American Government (PS1010) | 3 | |
| *PSY 131 Intro to Psychology (PSY1020) | 3 | |
| Approved Humanities/Fine Arts (see MTA) | 3 | |
| Approved Humanities/Fine Arts (see MTA) | 3 | Second Humanities/Art must be from different discipline |
| Total | 30 credits (minimum) |
*Meets MTA requirements and required preprofessional WSU BSW course (prerequisites may be required, see HFC Academic Advisor).
Complete pathway courses
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| *SOC 131 Intro to Sociology (SOC1010) | 3 |
| *HHS 100 Intro to Social Work (SW1010) | 3 |
| Total | 6 credits |
*Required preprofessional WSU BSW course.
Course planning
The following courses are required to finish the degree requirements. Any pathway course(s) not completed at the community college can be completed at Wayne State University.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
| Course | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
Fall & Winter Year One | |
| SW 3010 Social Work Practice Method I | 4 |
| SW 3030 Professional Writing for Social Workers | 2 |
| SW 3510 Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 3 |
| SW 3710 Social Welfare and the Social Work Profession | 3 |
| SW 3020 Social Work Practice Method II | 3 |
| SW 3810 Research Methods, Data Analysis/Practice Evaluation I | 3 |
| SW 3110 Diversity, Oppression and Social Justice | 3 |
| SW 3410 Foundations of Ethics and Values in Social Work | 3 |
Fall & Winter Year Two | |
| SW 4010 Social Work Group Theory/Practice | 3 |
| SW 4710 Social Welfare in the United States | 3 |
| SW 4810 Research Methods, Data Analysis/Practice Evaluation II | 3 |
| *SW 4998 Field Practice in Social Work | 5 |
| SW 4441 Field Education Seminar | 1 |
| SW 4020 Social Work Macro Theory/Practice | 3 |
| SW 4997 Integrative Seminar | 3 |
| *SW 4998 Field Practice in Social Work | 5 |
| SW 4442 Field Practicum Seminar | 1 |
| Total | 51 credits (minimum) |
*Students may apply to the BSW WOW! program (online). All courses can be completed online, but the 460-hour, two-semester internship cannot be completed online. The field experience requires students in their senior year to be placed in an organization working with clients so that they can develop the skills to apply their classroom learning to actual real-life social work experiences.
Transfer credit summary
| Transfer credit summary | Credits |
|---|---|
| Henry Ford College transferrable credits | 69 credits |
| Required Wayne State University Major credits | 51 credits |
| Total credits required to complete bachelor's degree | 120 credits (transferred or WSU) |
- WSU requires a minimum of 30 hours in residency.
- You can review how courses transfer using the course equivalency tool for other acceptable equivalences.
BSW Admission requirements
The School of Social Work offers admission to the BSW degree program in the fall semester.
- Submit to the Wayne State University Office of Undergraduate Admissions the Application for Undergraduate Admission with the appropriate fee and official transcripts from colleges or universities.
- Submit to the School of Social Work's Office of Admissions and Student Services, the Application for Admission, Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program.
- Applicants must have 1) earned a minimum overall grade point average of 2.50; 2) completed 16 social service volunteer hours; and, 3) submitted a copy of transcripts from all colleges attended, current resume and personal interest statement demonstrating the ability to pursue successful undergraduate professional social work education.
- Applicants must have completed (or be in the process of completing) 60 credits (which must be transferrable to Wayne State if taken elsewhere) as well as the pre-professional coursework required by the School of Social Work. These courses are:
- Introduction to Social Work
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Sociology
- American Government
- Human Biology
BSW information meetings
The School of Social Work hosts informational meetings on its programs. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend one of these meetings prior to applying.
For additional information on the BSW program or your application, please contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services at (313) 577-4409 or sswadmissions@wayne.edu or Skype us at wsuschoolofsocialwork.
How do I get started?
- Join Wayne State Transfer Pathways
- Schedule a WSU Transfer Success Appointment
- Meet with your academic advisors and track your academic progress
Notes
- The pathway allows multiple associate degree options with the flexibility to customize your degree path. The minimum eligibility to participate in the Wayne State Transfer Pathways is a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), and an associate degree (earned or Reverse Transfer).
- All college-level (non-developmental), non-duplicated courses with a 2.0 (C) grade point average (GPA) or above will be considered for transfer credit. Earned credit will transfer as 1) direct course equivalency, 2) major/department credit, or 3) elective credit. Credits not earned at the community college will need to be taken at WSU.
- These pathways do not replace the importance of community college and Wayne State academic advising. The pathway provides a general roadmap to degree completion.
- Career tool provides a broad overview of how major selection can lead to careers and is provided without any implied promise of employment. Some careers will require further education, skills, or competencies. Actual salaries may vary significantly between similar employers and could change by graduation, as could employment opportunities and job titles.
Primary contacts
Henry Ford College
Academic Advising
313-845-9600 | advising@hfcc.edu
Transfer Student Success Center
313-577-2487 | transfer@wayne.edu
School of Social Work
313-577-4409 | Academic Advising