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
Core General Education		10 courses, 36 credits
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 Universities 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

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CGER Categories
Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR)		4 credit hours, 1 course min
Includes University Math Requirement 1
Communication & Literacy (CL)		8 credit hours, 2 course min (including CL-W)
Includes University Writing Requirement (CL-W) 2
Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW/NSWL)		6 credit hours, 1 course min (NSW-Lab required)
Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Humanities & Arts (HA)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Civics & Perspectives (CP)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
CGER Totals 3
Credits		minimum 36 credits
Courses		minimum 10 courses

¹

University Mathematics Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing an approved university-level mathematics course (MQR) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the UW Math Placement Test
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics exams
• achieving a suitable score on a Credit by Examination administered by the Department of Mathematics.   

²

University Writing Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Writing Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing a Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing course (WRIT 102, WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the English Placement Test (WPT ENGL)
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exams
• achieving a suitable score on the University Writing Program Portfolio.

³

Completion via Placement Tests

• Writing: If the CL-W subcategory is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Communication and Literacy requirement will be reduced from 8 credits (2 courses) to 3 credits (1 course).
• Mathematics: If the University Math Requirement is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning requirement will be considered fully met, replacing the 4-credit (1 course) requirement.
• Students must still complete 36 credits across 10 courses, with any remaining credits or courses eligible to be taken from any CGER category.

College Degree Requirements

Program and Degree Requirements

Specific requirements are published in conjunction with the Catalog description of the major leading to the degree.

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.

College of Health and Human Sciences Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All degree candidates must earn minimum resident and total GPAs as required by their chosen major, minor, or certificate.  The specific GPA requirements for majors within the College of Health and Human Sciences are as follows:

• Exercise Science, Comprehensive Major:  2.5 total GPA.
• Professional Studies, Comprehensive Major:  2.0 total GPA.  
• Rehabilitation Science, Comprehensive Major:  2.75 total GPA.
• Social Work, Comprehensive Major:  2.00 total GPA.
• Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Comprehensive Major:  2.00 total GPA.

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)

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

Admission Requirements

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 or SW 482). 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.

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. A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required in SW 100 and SW 220. Each course must be completed with a grade of C or above.
   3. A minimum total GPA of 2.0 is required, which includes courses transferred from other colleges and universities.
   4. 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.
   5. Students must be in good academic standing in the semester in which they apply.
   6. Students may repeat a grade below C in SW 100 and/or SW 220 according to University guidelines. Repeat of course(s) must be completed (not current) for any such courses before application for admission will be processed. 
   7. Completion of University Writing Requirement.

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 the program is not guaranteed.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 460-051)

Core courses in Social Work

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS		60
Social Work Core		42
SW 100	Introduction to Social Work (CGER CP)	3
SW 220	Interpersonal Skills	3
SW 290	Human Rights and Global Justice	3
SW 320	Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals	3
SW 323	Methods of Social Work Research	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	12
or SW 482	Social Work Internship - International
Social Work Electives		3
Select one:
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 Use
SW 385	Child Welfare
SW 491	Special Topics
SW 492	Advanced Child Welfare
Required Courses Outside of Social Work		15
PSYC 100	Introduction to Psychology (CGER SBS)	3
Any Sociology course		3
Any Political Science course		3
Any Economics course		3
One additional CGER CP course 1

¹

This is in addition to the university requirement of two CP courses.

 

A maximum of nine credits in Directed Studies (SW 395), Independent Studies (SW 399 and SW 499), or Instructional Assistant (SW 402) coursework may count toward the major.

All SW-prefix courses used to meet major requirements must be taken on an A-F grading basis.  

To graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, students must have a 2.0 or higher in all courses with a SW prefix and earn a C or above in all required SW courses.

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 current 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 Core General Education Requirements (CGER).  CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course.  Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
First Semester
SW 100	Introduction to Social Work (CGER CP) a	3
PSYC 100	Introduction to Psychology (CGER SBS)	3
CGER Option: Communication & Literacy (CL)		2-5
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL) a
or
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL) a
or
WRIT 118	Accelerated Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL) a
CGER Course Option
Second Semester
SW 220	Interpersonal Skills a	3
ECON, SOC, or POLS course
CGER Option: Communication and Literacy (CL) b
CGER Course Option
Elective
TOTAL FIRST YEAR		30
SECOND YEAR
First Semester
Apply for Admission to Major
SW 290	Human Rights and Global Justice	3
CGER Option: Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning c
ECON, SOC, or POLS course
CGER Course Option
Elective
Second Semester
SW 335	Human Behavior and the Social Environment	3
ECON, SOC, or POLS course
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP) e
CGER Course Option
Elective
TOTAL SECOND YEAR		30
THIRD YEAR
Anytime in Third Year
SW 320	Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals	3
SW 323	Methods of Social Work Research	3
SW 383	Social Welfare Policies and Programs	3
SW Elective - Any Social Work elective d		3
CGER Course Option
Elective
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
CGER Course Option
Elective
Second Semester
SW 481	Social Work Internship
or SW 482	Social Work Internship - International
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR		30

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

A Spanish language course is recommended.

c

Math 246 or Math 247 is recommended.

d

This is in addition to the two CGER CP courses needed to fulfill graduation requirements.

e

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

SW 492:  Advanced Child Welfare

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs):  The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study Abroad, Intercultural Immersion, Internship, and/or  Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire. Students in the Social Work major complete twelve credits of internship during their final year.