Don Baker, Director
James A. Rosenthal, Graduate Program Coordinator
Roosevelt Wright, Jr., Undergraduate Program Coordinator
211 Rhyne Hall
Norman, OK 73019-1060
Phone: (405) 325-2821
FAX: (405) 325-7072
Internet: http://www.ou.edu/socialwork/
Professors Cherry, Moxley, Rosenthal, Wright; Associate Professors Baker, Burman, Curiel, Davidson, Graham, Miller-Cribbs, Pellebon; Assistant Professors Alzate, Byers, Caselman, Natale, Priddy, Thomas; Clinical Assistant Professors Bramble, Wells, Wisdom.
Information on both undergraduate and graduate programs is included. However, the general information contained in this section mainly covers undergraduate study. For additional information on graduate programs, individual documents detailing each graduate program are available from the Graduate College and their Web site at http://gradweb.ou.edu/. This information is updated yearly and should be referred to for graduate program requirements.
Social work education has been a part of the curriculum at the University of Oklahoma since 1916-17. A separate School of Social Work was established in 1935. The two-year graduate program was fully accredited in 1957 and has maintained continuous accreditation. The undergraduate degree program gained approval in 1970 and has been continuously accredited since the inception of undergraduate accreditation in 1974. Both programs continue to maintain full accredited status from the Council on Social Work Education.
Social work is a profession devoted to positive social change and helping individuals, families, and groups to better resolve personal problems. The expansion of human service programs and areas of practice utilizing social work knowledge and skills has created a demand for professional social workers. Social work offers a challenging and exciting career for the individual who is motivated to help others and has a personal commitment to the advancement of social justice.
The school prepares practitioners for services to various client and community systems. The undergraduate and first-year graduate programs are of a generalist nature emphasizing skills, knowledge and values basic to all social work practice. The second year of graduate study is organized so students may specialize in direct services to individuals, families, and groups or in the planning, organization, supervision, or administration of human service programs.
The School of Social Work, through its programs of professional education, research, and public service is dedicated to the enhancement of human well-being and to the alleviation of poverty and oppression through developing and improving systems of social services, especially public social services.
The school’s primary means of achieving its mission is by preparing skilled social work practitioners who are committed to practice that includes services to the poor and oppressed, by improving and developing social service programs, and by promoting professionalism in social work in Oklahoma. To this end the school offers two degree programs: the undergraduate major in social work leading to a Bachelor of Arts and a graduate program leading to a Master of Social Work. The mission and goals of the school are consistent with the goals of professional social work education and with those of the University of Oklahoma.
To achieve its mission, the School of Social Work has established the following goals:
a. scholarly activities which elaborate and explicate issues relevant to the enhancement of human well-being and the alleviation of poverty and oppression;
b. research and evaluation activities aimed at facilitating effective practice and the generation of knowledge;
c. consultation and leadership to emerging and existing social service programs; and
d. continuing education and training.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services provides financial aid for its employees to attend school on a part-time basis. Additionally, a number of child welfare stipends are available for non-employees as well as employees. Applications should be made in the spring semester to the school. Two federal agencies, the Veterans’ Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, administer scholarships for social work students.
The School of Social Work provides a limited number of stipends which are made available through grant funds and University scholarships. Some stipends are also awarded by practicum agencies during the semesters students are enrolled in practicum.
For further information on scholarships, stipends and loans, consult the Office of Financial Aid Services, University of Oklahoma, 1000 Asp Ave., Room 216, Norman, OK, 73019, (405) 325-4521.
The undergraduate social work program is designed to prepare social workers to assume entry-level professional roles in human and social service systems. In addition to the academic expectations, social work students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior which reflects a commitment to the ethics of the social work profession.
The role of the social worker involves helping people from a variety of backgrounds and with a range of problems, so it is important that the social work student not permit personal issues to interfere with this role and that the student have the emotional and psychological resources to render effective assistance to those in need.
Graduates of the baccalaureate program are eligible for membership in the National Association of Social Workers. They are also eligible to apply for advanced standing in the M.S.W. program at the University of Oklahoma or other graduate programs in social work. Following two years of supervised practice, they are eligible to apply for a license in the State of Oklahoma.
Students interested in pursuing a social work major are encouraged to contact the School no later than their sophomore year to discuss their interest in the social work major. The first step is to declare oneself as a pre-social work major with the College of Arts and Sciences. After pre-advisement from the School of Social Work, the prospective student must obtain and complete an admissions application packet. Entry into the major is through a formal admission process to the School of Social Work. The undergraduate social work curriculum is highly structured and requires no less than four semesters to complete all course requirements. No required courses are offered during the summer.
Primary consideration for admission is given to students whose applications meet the March 1 deadline. A small number of students may be admitted on a space available basis during a secondary admissions period from March 15 to July 30. Applicants will be considered during this period until all slots are full. Failure to meet the above deadlines, or to follow the above procedures, may result in denial of your application. At the time of application, students should have completed or be enrolled in the supportive prerequisite courses and be in the process of completing all General Education core courses. Admissions are limited to 40–45 students per academic year.
Before students can be admitted into the program they must file a declaration as a pre-social work major with the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Services Office. The School of Social Work will pre-advise students before they obtain and complete the admissions application packet. More information and forms can be found on the School Web site, noted above.
Students must complete the following:
1. A signed “Application for Admission”;
2. Three letters of reference; and
3. An admission statement.
Failure to meet the application deadlines or to follow the written procedures may result in delayed consideration for entry into the program. Students cannot enroll into any required social work course prior to admission to the Program. Furthermore, all students must have taken all program prerequisites prior to the junior year, first semester coursework. Consequently, a delay in application or not having completed the above courses will result in up to two additional semesters being required beyond the usual four semesters in the program.
Acceptance into the social work program is based upon an assessment of the student’s capability to achieve academic success, the possession of a value base consistent with professional social work values and ethics, the student’s interest in and commitment to the profession of social work, and the possession of personal characteristics which will enable the student to render effective assistance to those in need.
The undergraduate social work curriculum is highly structured and requires no less than four semesters to complete all course requirements.
In order to graduate with a major in social work, students must achieve an overall grade point average of 2.50 or above, a 2.50 grade point average or above in required social work courses (including a grade of “Satisfactory” in Practicum courses), and a C or better in all required social work courses.
The School of Social Work fully subscribes to and is guided by the NASW Code of Ethics. Social work program applicants and students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior which reflects a commitment to the ethics of the social work profession as exemplified in the Code of Ethics. Behavior and statements contrary to these ethics is cause for denial of the student's admission or for review of continuance in the School of Social Work's programs. Examples of behavior which warrant such denial or a review include, but are not limited to, derogatory oral and written statements towards other students, faculty, and/or persons from populations reflecting racial, ethnic, handicapped status, religious, socioeconomic, gender, and sexual orientation differences. Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics. The most recent version can be read and downloaded from the internet through the national NASW Web site at http://www.socialworkers.org/code.htm.
The undergraduate social work program is built upon a strong liberal arts foundation that emphasizes a biopsychosocial perspective. In order to assure that social work majors have been introduced to the fundamental concepts within this perspective, they must have completed or be currently enrolled in the following course prerequisites (or course content equivalents) before making formal application to the program. Junior college transfers must complete these no later than the first semester of the junior year:
PSY 1113, Elements of Psychology
SOC 1113, Introduction to Sociology
BOT/MBIO/ZOO 1005, Concepts in Biology, or ZOO 1114, Introductory Zoology
and ZOO 1121, Introductory Zoology Lab
S WK 2113, Introduction to Social Work (may be taken in the first semester)
Students who feel they have completed equivalent course content must provide course syllabi and catalog descriptions and have their work approved by the Undergraduate Coordinator. In addition, students need to take a statistics course prior to the fall enrollment of their senior year.
Some of the above courses can be used to meet the general education requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences. For example, S WK 2223, Statistics for Social Workers, will also meet the General Education Core Area I mathematics course requirement. Students planning to apply for admission are encouraged to review carefully the course prerequisites and to include them in their academic planning for the sophomore year.
Listed below are the specifically required courses for Social Work majors and the order in which they will be taken.
FALL — S WK 3003, 3103, 3233, 3323
SPRING — S WK 2223 (may be used to fulfill General Education mathematics requirement), 3113, 3243, 3313
FALL — S WK 4083, 4103, 4311, 4315
SPRING — S WK 4093, 4325, 4331
Students who have completed similar coursework from an accredited social work program may have those credit hours transferred. A copy of the previous course syllabus will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Program Coordinator for necessary action. The student is notified whether credit is approved. Students should provide these materials to their advisor as soon as possible.
The practicum is offered in collaboration with selected agencies and programs throughout the state of Oklahoma. The student is placed in a social agency under an approved supervisor for the purpose of developing professional skills and values.
The concurrent practicum takes place over a two-semester period in conjunction with classroom study during the student’s senior year. Students are in their practicum placement 20 hours each week and must complete 300 hours of practicum each semester for a total of 600 hours. Both practicum courses are graded on an S/U basis.
Practicum settings are selected on the basis of educational merit. The School makes every effort to place students in settings that are consistent with student career goals. Practicum placements may be made in selected agencies within a 50 mile radius of the Norman campus. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the practicum setting, as well as travel connected with the placement.
Each student is required to present evidence of professional insurance coverage. Professional insurance coverage prior to placement can be arranged through the School of Social Work in collaboration with the National Association of Social Work. Information regarding the process should be secured at the School of Social Work Practicum office.
Social Work is a profession devoted to the enhancement of human well-being and to the alleviation of poverty and oppression. This is accomplished through the promotion, restoration, maintenance and enhancement of the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The expansion of human service programs and areas of practice that utilize social work knowledge and skills has created a demand for professional social workers. Social work offers a challenging and exciting career for the individual who is motivated to help others and has a personal commitment to the advancement of social justice.
The Master of Social Work degree is designed to prepare students for advanced professional practice within an organizational context. Two major professional roles predominate. The first of these is direct social work practice with individuals, families and groups. The second is focused on administration, planning and community organization. In recognition of these two distinct areas of practice, the school offers two areas of advanced concentration: direct practice and administration and community practice.
The master’s degree program in social work requires 60 credit hours. The foundation is comprised of 30 credit hours and may be completed either through the on-campus full-time program or through the school’s program of part-time studies described below. The advanced curriculum is a full-time in-residence program, with full-time status defined as enrollment in not less than nine credit hours per semester. Advanced standing status is available to students who have completed a bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited program within the past five years and who meet additional criteria.
The school prepares practitioners who are capable of using an integrated combination of knowledge, values, and skills in service to various client and community systems. The undergraduate and the foundation requirements of the graduate program are based on a generalist model emphasizing skills, knowledge and values basic to all social work practice. The candidacy year of graduate study is organized into two graduate concentrations: direct practice and administration and community practice.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services and other state departments provide financial aid for some of their employees to attend graduate school. Federal agencies which administer scholarships for social work students are the Veterans’ Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The School of Social Work administers a limited number of stipends which are made available through grant funds and University scholarships. Tuition waivers from the Graduate College may also be available. Some stipends are awarded by practicum agencies during the time students are enrolled in practicum.
For further information on scholarships, stipends and loans, consult the University of Oklahoma, Office of Financial Aid Services, 1000 Asp Ave., room 216, Norman, OK 73019.
Admission to the Master of Social Work program may be granted in one of three categories:
1. full-time to the two-year, 60 credit hour program;
2. part-time to the three-year, 60 credit hour program (Two years are required to complete foundation courses as a part-time student. The candidacy year requirements must be completed in full-time status); and
3. full-time to candidacy year status, Advanced Standing (30 credit hour program) is available only to those applicants who have completed a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited baccalaureate degree program in social work within the past five years.
The full-time two-year program is completed on the Norman campus. Two different sites offer the part-time program, Norman and OU-Tulsa. In Norman, students admitted to the part-time program complete their foundation courses at the College of Continuing Education and complete their candidacy year at the School of Social Work on OU’s main campus. In Tulsa, both the foundation and candidacy years are completed at OU-Tulsa. At both part-time sites, only the foundation year is part-time; the student attends full-time in the candidacy year. The Advanced Standing program is offered both in Norman and at OU-Tulsa.
Applicants for admission to the graduate program in social work must meet the following requirements:
1. Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The applicant’s course of study must include liberal arts content which is broadly defined as coursework in the natural and social sciences, and in the arts and humanities. Though not a formal admission requirement, an introductory (undergraduate or graduate) course in statistics is a prerequisite course requirement for S WK 5293, Social Work Research. Students in the full-time (60-hour) program take research and, thus, must complete statistics prior to beginning their graduate program. The precise scheduling of research varies for students in the part-time (60-hour) programs in Norman and Tulsa, but it is typically offered in the first year. Students in these programs are strongly advised to complete statistics prior to beginning their program. (Students in the Advanced Standing (30-hour) program do not take S WK 5293, so the statistics requirement does not apply to them).
Typically, the school will be able to determine if the above coursework has been completed by a review of the transcript. Supplementing this review, each student completes an admission form provided by the school that indicates how this prerequisite work has been (or will be) satisfied.
2. Meet all the general admission requirements of the Graduate College. The Graduate College reviews all previous coursework as listed on the applicant’s official transcripts which are submitted to the University of Oklahoma’s Office of Admissions. The Graduate College requires that all students admitted to graduate programs on non-provisional (non-conditional) basis have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above. The Graduate College calculates the GPA based upon the last 60 semester credit hours of letter-graded coursework for applicants with no post baccalaureate coursework. Should the 60 credit hours fall within a semester’s work, then that whole semester is included in calculating the grade point average. Any applicant who has received a master’s degree or has completed 12 semester credit hours of letter-graded graduate work at an accredited college or university will have the GPA based on the graduate coursework. Students whose GPA is between 2.75 and 2.99 may be considered for a conditional status admission by the Graduate College and the School of Social Work. Students admitted on a conditional basis must meet requirements specified by the Graduate College and the School. These requirements will be specified at the time of admission. The Graduate College will not refer to the School any application where the GPA in the last 60 hours is less than 2.75.
In addition to making formal application for admission through the Office of Admissions, each applicant must also submit the following items to the School of Social Work:
1. Admission cover sheet.
2. Admission statement.
3. Three letters of reference.
If English is not their primary language, international students must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and submit their score to the school and to the Graduate College. Preference in admission decisions is given to those applications for which all materials are received by the school by March 1 (by the first working day thereafter should March 1 fall on a weekend).
All students must complete the degree requirements within a four calendar year period from the time of first admission. A student who has successfully completed the first year or any part of the program in the school and withdraws for any reason must reapply to the Office of Admissions of the University and to the school. The student is subject to the regulations applicable during his/her first term of enrollment so long as continuous enrollments are maintained. A student who interrupts enrollment for one year or more and is readmitted will then be subject to the regulations in effect at the time of readmission. If readmitted to the program, all previous required coursework must have been completed within the four calendar-year period or the coursework must be retaken. The four year requirement also applies to Advanced Standing students.
The school will accept up to six hours of credit from another college or university or a full first year from a school of social work accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (for coursework consistent with the School’s first-year curriculum). This action is contingent upon the approval of the Director of the School and the Dean of the Graduate College.