Admissions Requirements • Social Work • Carthage College

Students interested in a degree in social work must apply for admission to the Social Work Program and be an approved social work major before enrolling in courses above the 2600 level.

NOTE: It is very important that all transfer students see the department chair immediately upon acceptance to Carthage. The Social Work Program does not grant social work course credit for life experience or previous work experience.

To apply to the program, students must:

Students enroll in SWK 1300 and pass this course with a grade of C or better.
Students enroll in SWK 2400 and, during the same semester, complete an application for the social work major as a part of this course. Students must pass SWK 2400 with a grade of C- or better to be formally admitted into the social work major.

Once students are formally admitted to the social work major:

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale at the time of admission and throughout their academic careers.
In addition, students must earn a C- or better in all social work courses in order to remain in the major.
Juniors are required to attend two pre-internship meetings with the director of field education during their junior J-Term session. These meetings will not conflict with J-Term course schedules.
In addition to completing the pre-internship meetings, students must be approved by the department faculty to enter into senior-level courses and senior-level field placements.
To enroll in senior classes, students must demonstrate social work competencies, skills, values, and ethics in supervisory practice and academic settings. Non-academic standards measure a student’s “likely performance as a social work generalist practitioner.” Termination from the program is based on the student’s failure to demonstrate the social work competencies as outlined by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), and academic/non-academic behavior consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

Download the student agreement form

Declaration of Major Form

These forms are available in the Office of the Registrar, located in Lentz Hall 431.

Transcripts

You must request these from the Office of the Registrar. They will give you an unofficial copy at no charge, which is acceptable for admission into the program.

Prepare for increased reading, writing, presentations, and group work.

Prior to transferring, you may want to:

Take a college reading or strategic reading course.
Take an English composition, strategic writing, or written communication course.
Take a speech, communication, oral/interpersonal communication, or public speaking course.
Visit your college’s writing center for an assessment of your writing and valuable assistance.
Plan as much availability as possible during the afternoon and late night for group activities once you arrive at Carthage.

Check out field placements in Racine County, Wis.

See 2-1-1 Racine — Human Services in Racine County

Once you are at Carthage:

Do not ignore your Carthage e-mail. Check it frequently!

Carthage e-mail is a major source of communication with all Carthage offices regarding academic, campus, and personal matters.
Carthage e-mail keeps you up-to-date with various activities and opportunities that you may not otherwise find out about.
Keep in close touch with your social work advisor.
Visit the Financial Aid, Business, and Registrar’s Offices.
Communicate with your professors and classmates.
Keep in touch with contacts for letters of recommendation and other assistance from your previous college, two-year college or university.

How do I know that the social work profession is right for me?

You are your own best guide, so follow your instinct. Read through the course listings, field placements ideas, and visit the NASW website to get a feel for the field. Try skimming the NASW Code of Ethics to see if these ethics match your own. Talk to current social work students about why they joined and where you see yourself working in the future. If possible, take Contemporary Social Work Practice, which will give an overview of the field and your possible place in it.

Why should I choose Carthage’s program?

The Carthage BSW program is fully accredited by the National Council on Social Work Education. Because of this accreditation, many of our students are able to enter graduate school with advanced standing, which means they are able to enter graduate school in the second year of the program.

Our curriculum covers work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Extensive field placements totaling more than 450 hours provide students with the experience and knowledge necessary to enter the social work profession or to continue on to a graduate education.

What are possible careers in social work?

Please refer to the careers page, which includes information on potential salaries, field outlook, and knowledge/skills recommended to become a social worker.

What are the field placements like?

You will have the following placements:

Introduction to Social Work — 32 hours volunteer work in a social work agency
Practice I — 52 hours volunteer work in a social work agency, focusing on micro (working with individuals) practice
Practice II — 52 hours volunteer work in a social work agency, focusing on mezzo (working with groups) practice
Practice III — 52 hours volunteer work in a social work agency, focusing on macro (working with organizations/communities) practice
Senior Field Placement — 450 hours of placement in area of your choice, done during the Fall and Spring semesters of your senior year. Students will work with the Director of Field to arrange all senior field placements.

You will be expected to arrange each of these placements, with assistance from the appropriate social work faculty. By finding these opportunities as undergraduates, students are prepared for finding graduate placements, volunteer work, and paid positions after graduation.

Is it possible to minor in social work?

No. We do not offer a minor in social work.

What are popular minors for students who are social work majors?

Minors in other social sciences, such as sociology and psychology are popular. Modern languages, specifically Spanish are also encouraged. It is not necessary to have a minor to graduate from the social work program.

What opportunities are available to become involved on campus as a social worker?

The Social Work Department has two student organizations, Social Work Advocacy Group (SWAG) and Phi Alpha. SWAG is open to students of all majors, but is primarily composed of social work students. Phi Alpha is the National Social Work Honor Fraternity on campus.