Liberal Arts (Code 460-051)

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Liberal Education Core		36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS		a minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): Humanities		Two (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine Arts		One (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral Communication		Two (2) learning experiences
One S1 must meet the University Writing Requirement
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): Mathematics		One (1) learning experience
One S2 to meet the University Mathematics Requirement
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): Creativity		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		Two (2) learning experiences
One R1 must satisfy Design for Diversity
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global Perspectives		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental Issues		One (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): Integration		Two (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning		30 hours

College Degree Requirements

Human Sciences Requirements

Program and Degree Requirements

Specific requirements for some human science degrees are published in conjunction with the Catalog description of the major leading to the degree, with specific courses required in several Liberal Education outcomes.

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Education and Human Sciences

Candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Science from a human sciences department must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.(see University Graduation Requirements)

General Information

Placement Tests. The mathematics/foreign language placement tests are given during the orientation periods for new freshmen and transfers. Further information about the foreign language or the mathematics tests is available from the chair of the appropriate department.

Degree Requirements

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

Human Sciences Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All degree candidates must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 or higher in both the major and the second program if one is required. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the second program are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements.  Each candidate for a baccalaureate degree must present one of the following:

• Comprehensive major (at least 60 credits)
• Standard major (at least 36 credits) plus one of the following:
  • Another standard major (at least 36 credits), or
  • A minor (at least 24 credits), or
  • A certificate (12-18 credits)

No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major or with two majors of 36 credits each.

Certain degree programs which include Comprehensive Majors may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Admission Requirement

The Social Work Program operates under a selective admissions policy. The policy is based on the need to maintain a program of excellence in the classroom and to assure availability of quality internship placements. The Department of Social Work reserves the right to admit a limited number of students each semester. Meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee a student will be admitted to the major.

Social Work is a professional discipline on the baccalaureate level, and, thus, admissions and retention processes are implemented and strictly followed. Students are evaluated on a regular basis. Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Social Work Degree must first be admitted to the Social Work major. Enrollment in selected upper division social work courses is restricted to students who have been formally admitted to the major. This formal application to the major is the first step in meeting requirements for graduation with a B.S.W. degree. A second review of continued eligibility occurs with application for admission to internship (SW 481). Students with any concerns regarding eligibility are urged to consult their academic advisor. Students will be asked to sign a statement that they have read and agreed to abide by the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics. Students may appeal a denial of admission to the major or internship by following procedures outlined in the Social Work Student Handbook or the Social Work Internship Manual, as applicable.

Application Process and Procedures

1. Students seeking admission are required to complete an application E-form (electronic form) available from the student portal of listed forms. At the point of admission:
   1. Students must have accumulated 30 credits.
   2. The university service learning requirement must have been completed. SW 290 has Service-Learning embedded for all students.
   3. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in SW 100 and SW 290. Each course must be completed with a grade of C or above.
   4. A minimum total GPA of 2.0 is required, which includes courses transferred from other colleges and universities.
   5. Students will show knowledge of social work and a commitment to social work values as demonstrated by the submission of a single-spaced essay up to two pages that addresses how your values and experiences have formed your decision to select social work as a major.
   6. Students must be in good academic standing in the semester in which they apply.
   7. Any student who withdraws from the social work major at UW-Eau Claire or who does not take classes at UW-Eau Claire for two or more sequential semesters must reapply for admission into the program. Readmission to program is not guaranteed.
   8. Students may repeat a grade below C in SW 100 and/or SW 290 according to University guidelines. Repeat of course(s) must be completed (not current) for any such courses before application for admission will be processed. 
   9. Completion of University Writing Requirement

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 460-051)

Core courses in Social Work

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Sixty semester credits, including:
SW 100	Introduction to Social Welfare (Meets LE - I1 and R2)	3
SW 220	Interpersonal Skills	3
SW 290	Human Rights and Global Justice (Meets LE - R2 and R3 and SL)	3
SW 320	Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals	3
SW 323	Methods of Social Work Research (Meets LE - S3)	3
SW 335	Human Behavior and the Social Environment	3
SW 383	Social Welfare Policies and Programs	3
SW 405	Culturally Competent SW Practice	3
SW 471	Generalist Social Work Practice with Families/Groups	3
SW 472	Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities/Organizations	3
SW 481	Social Work Internship (Meets LE - I1)	6-12
or SW 482	Social Work Internship - International
Select any elective from the following:		3
SW 309	Community-based Corrections
SW 315	Aging and the Aged
SW 360	Death and Bereavement
SW 377	Self-Care in the Helping Professions
SW 389	Understanding Trauma
SW 490	Mental Health and Substance Abuse
SW 385	Child Welfare
SW 491	Special Topics
SW 492	Advanced Child Welfare
Additional Requirements:
PSYC 100	Introduction to Psychology	3
Any Sociology course		3
Any Political Science course		3
Any Economics course		3
One course with K3 designation 1		3
Total Credits		60

¹

This is in addition to the university requirement of two K3 learning experiences

 

NOTE 1:  A maximum of nine credits earned in Directed Studies, Independent Studies and Instructional Assistant may count toward the major.

NOTE 2:  To Graduate with a  Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree, students must have:

     1:  a GPA of 2.5 in SW 100 and in all courses with the SW prefix

     2:  achieve completion of SW 100 and all required SW courses, including transfer courses, with a grade of C or above

NOTE 3:  Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Policy.  No degree credit may be earned under the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory option in SW 100 or any Social Work Department course numbered 200 or higher which is required for the major.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Recommended learning experiences to fulfill LE requirements:
K1 (Natural Sciences)
BIOL 105	General Biology	3
BIOL 130	Human Sexual Biology	3
BIOL 151	Biology of Humans	4
K3 (Humanities)
AIS 101	Introduction to American Indian History and Cultures	3
AIS 240	American Indian History	3
AIS 243	Introduction to Contemporary American Indian Communities	3
ENGL/WGSS 296	Perspectives on Women's Literature	3
HIST 205	American Women's History	3
WGSS 100	Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies	3
WGSS 210	Contemporary Feminisms	3
WGSS 215	African-American Feminism in the Humanities	3
WGSS 260	Masculinity Studies and Feminist Theories	3
S1 (Written and Oral Communication)
Spanish is recommended and may be used for S1. Non-foreign language S1 courses such as the following may be substituted if desired.
CJ 201	Introduction to Interpersonal Communication	3
CJ 203	Fundamentals of Human Communication	3
R1 (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity)
AIS 101	Introduction to American Indian History and Cultures	3
AIS 240	American Indian History	3
AIS 243	Introduction to Contemporary American Indian Communities	3
ENGL 268	Survey of American Ethnic Literature	3
ENGL 296	Perspectives on Women's Literature	3
HUMS 210	Voices of Color in America	3
PSYC 230	Human Development	3
PSYC 332	Psychology of Adolescence	3
SOC 101	Introduction to Sociology	3
SOC 312	Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.	3
WGSS 100	Introduction to Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies	3
WGSS 111	Gender, Race, Class, and Communication: The Social Construction of Identity	3
WGSS 205	American Women's History	3
WGSS 206	Perspectives in LGBTQ Studies	3
WGSS 215	African-American Feminism in the Humanities	3
WGSS 260	Masculinity Studies and Feminist Theories	3
		6
Some Social work positions require fluency in a foreign language, and students are encouraged to consider a minor in Spanish

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes: 

• Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
• 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.

Social Work, Comprehensive Major (B.S.W.)

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2024-2025 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SW 100	Introduction to Social Welfare (Required prior to admission - LE-I1 & LE-R2) a	3
SECOND SEMESTER
SW 290	Human Rights and Global Justice (Required prior to admission - LE-R2, LE-R3, LE-SL) a	3
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
One WRIT course from below is required prior to admission		2-5
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (5 credits, LE-S1)
or
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (5 credits, LE-S1)
or
WRIT 118	Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (2 credits, LE-S1)
or
WRIT 120	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing for Transfer Students (2 credits, LE-S1)
TOTAL FIRST YEAR		30
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER - Apply for Admission to Major
SECOND SEMESTER
SW 220	Interpersonal Skills	3
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST OR SECOND YEAR
PSYC 100	Introduction to Psychology	3
LE Core Elective: Skills 2 (LE-S2) Mathematics - MATH 246 suggested		4
SOC - Any Sociology course		3
ECON - Any Economics course		3
POLS - Any Political Science course		3
LE Core Elective: Skills 1 (LE-S1) Written and Oral Communication - Foreign Language or Communications - 101 level or higher b		3-4
LE Core Elective: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1, DDIV) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity with Design for Diversity		3
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 4 (LE-K4) Fine Arts		3
LE Core Elective: Responsibility 1 (LE-R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		3
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities		3
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities		3
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1L) Natural Sciences with Lab		4
LE Core Elective: Knowledge 1 (LE-K1) Natural Sciences		3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR		30
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SW 335	Human Behavior and the Social Environment	3
SECOND SEMESTER
SW 320	Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals	3
SW 323	Methods of Social Work Research (LE-S3)	3
SW 383	Social Welfare Policies and Programs	3
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
SW Elective - Any Social Work elective c		3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (LE-K3) Humanities - additional required LE-K3 course for major)		3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR		30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
SW 471	Generalist Social Work Practice with Families/Groups	3
SW 405	Culturally Competent SW Practice	3
SW 472	Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities/Organizations	3
Electives		6
SECOND SEMESTER
Internship:		12
SW 481	Social Work Internship (LE-I1)
or
SW 482	Social Work Internship - International (LE-I1)
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR		27

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits 

a

Denotes admission to the major course sequence. Each course must be completed with a grade of C or above. 

b

Spanish is recommended and may be used for LE-S1. Language proficiency is encouraged for career opportunities.

c

Social Work Electives:

SW 309: Community Based Corrections

SW 315: Aging and the Aged

SW 360: Death and Bereavement

SW 377: Self-Care in the Helping Professions

SW 385: Child Welfare

SW 389: Understanding Trauma

SW 490: Mental Health and Substance Abuse

SW 491: Special Topics

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)