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Sociology and Social
Work at NMU
The
Sociology
and Social Work Department offers major programs in sociology,
sociology in liberal arts and social work. The department also
offers minor programs in anthropology, gerontology, research
analysis and substance abuse.
Sociology
The
sociology program includes a wide range of courses suitable for
majors or minors in sociology, and for other students who would
benefit from an understanding of human social behavior. The core
of the major emphasizes both theory and methodology, particularly
as these may be brought to bear on the study of human interaction,
social institutions, or analysis of contemporary social problems.
In addition, majors have the opportunity to investigate a variety
of areas; such as crime and deviance, family, minority groups,
religion and social change.
The
department participates in an interdisciplinary social science
major and a minor in international studies. See "Interdisciplinary
and Individually Created Programs" and "International Studies"
sections of this bulletin.
Social Work
The
mission of the social work program is to provide quality
educational preparation for entry into beginning social work
practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and
communities. Our primary goal is to prepare every bachelor of
social work graduate for beginning generalist practice. All
bachelor of social work students receive a professional education
based on a liberal arts perspective. Students will be versed in
content about social work practice with client systems of various
sizes and types, and will be taught to practice with diverse
populations. The program provides content about the contexts of
social work practice, the changing nature of those contexts, the
behavior of organizations, and the dynamics of change. Throughout
the curriculum, students will be exposed to the values and ethics
that guide professional social work practice. Students will be
taught the importance of continuing their professional growth and
development.
Additional secondary goals include providing a knowledge base in
social welfare for students in other programs and meeting a
regional need for substance abuse training. Final program goals
are to contribute to the advancement of social work practice and
to facilitate professional growth opportunities for social workers
in the Upper Peninsula.
Sociology and Social Work Programs
Sociology Programs
The
general sociology major is valuable in a variety of fields,
including business, community work, corrections, government
services, health services, public relations, research and social
services. In addition, students who hold this degree are also well
prepared for graduate study.
The
sociology in liberal arts major is designed for students who wish
to get a liberal education but with significant content on
sociological perspectives relating to social structure, social
institutions and social inequality. The sociology minor is
recommended for students requiring a concentration in a social
science as part of their curriculum. The research analyst minor is
designed for students in a wide variety of majors who wish to
develop significant skills in research, data analysis,
interviewing, report presentation, and report writing.
Anthropology Minor
The
anthropology minor provides a general introduction to archaeology
and cultural and physical anthropology. Enrollment in this minor
requires department approval.
Note:
The anthropology minor is being suspended beginning Fall 2003 due
to limited resources. New students will not be able to declare
this minor until the suspension is lifted. If current minors are
unable to complete the necessary courses due to limited offerings,
allowance may be made for compatible course substitutions.
Social Work Programs
Majors
receive the bachelor of social work degree, which is recognized as
the entry level credential for social work practice. Graduates are
prepared as generalists for careers in mental health, health care,
the court system, substance abuse, and spouse abuse programs,
among others. The bachelor of social work program is accredited by
the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
The
social welfare minor focuses on the institution of social welfare
and the service delivery system. It is especially appropriate for
students pursuing degrees in other human service curricula.
The
substance abuse minor provides students with additional training
for substance abuse counseling positions in both community and
inpatient settings. Students will be prepared to complete the
Office of Substance Abuse Services (OSAS) apprentice counselor
credentialing process.
Substance Abuse Minor
The
substance abuse minor is designed for students in human
service-related professional programs. Students with majors other
than social work must secure approval from the social work program
director.
Note:
The substance abuse minor is being suspended beginning Fall 2003
due to limited resources. New students will not be able to declare
this minor until the suspension is lifted. If current minors are
unable to complete the necessary courses due to limited offerings,
allowance may be made for compatible course substitutions.
Department Policies
Sociology
Students must receive at least a "C" in each sociology course in
order for it to count toward either major. Furthermore, students
must have at least a 2.50 grade point average in sociology courses
(NMU and transfer courses) in order to graduate with a major in
sociology or sociology in liberal arts.
Social Work
Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit Policy
No
credit will be granted for social work practice or field placement
courses based on life experience. Transfer credit for practice
method and field placement courses at the 300 level and above will
be granted only for course work completed at other Council on
Social Work Education (CSWE)accredited schools. Field instruction
courses and 300-400 level practice method courses may not be
included in the social welfare minor.
Social Work
Admission Requirements
The
social work curriculum culminates in a BSW degree with an inherent
"Human Behavior Cluster Minor." Courses contained in the cluster
minor are as follows: SO 101, PY 100, EC 101, BI 104, SO 208 (or
other statistic course), SO 282, and PS 215. The first five
courses may "double-count" as liberal studies requirements. All
courses in the human behavior cluster must have been completed or
in the process of being completed at time of social work
admission. A student must have a 2.50 grade point average in the
cluster minor.
The
social work curriculum contains three "lower-division" courses (SW
100, SW 230, and SW 240) that also must be completed (or in the
process of) prior to being admitted into the practice methods
courses. A student must have a 2.50 grade point average in these
courses, and must maintain this minimum GPA for all social work
courses (SW prefix).
Although a student may enroll in a few social work courses (SW
308, SW 331, SW 341) prior to applying for the upper division
practice methods courses, the sequencing of courses become
paramount. Practice methods courses (SW 370 and SW 372) are only
offered in the winter semester, prior to a student’s senior year.
Consequently, application into these two courses only occurs in
fall semesters (Oct. 1). Admission is restricted to qualified
applicants and limited by faculty and field placement resources.
Application forms will be provided through the social work program
and may also be downloaded from the program’s
Web site. A minimum of a "C" must be earned in both practice
methods courses. After the completion of these courses, students
then enter the senior social work curriculum, where courses are
scheduled into a one-day block, allowing ample time to complete
the necessary field practicum requirements.
Retention Policy
Students in the bachelor of social work degree program must meet a
set criteria for continuous retention in the program. Students
must maintain a 2.50 grade point average in all course work
applicable to the social work curricula, defined as all courses in
the major, required minor(s) and other required courses. Students
must provide evidence of compliance with the National Association
of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and show progress toward
possession of personal characteristics and competencies that
personify the professional social worker.
Field Instruction
While
completing the practice methods courses during the winter
semester, students will also be required to submit their
application (March 1) for field placement. Necessary forms may be
downloaded from the
Social Work Web site and/or may be obtained from the Social
Work Field Coordinator. Students must complete a minimum of 400
clock hours of field instruction in their senior year (SW 480 in
the fall and SW 481 in the winter). Schedules should be planned to
allow for approximately 16 hours per week at the field site each
semester. Students are expected to complete two consecutive
semesters of senior field placement and will be admitted to
placement only in the fall term.
Program Completion
Students must complete all course work comprising the social work
curriculum as defined above with a minimum 2.50 grade point
average, show evidence of compliance with the NASW Code of Ethics,
be recommended by the BSW faculty and meet all other requirements
established by the university for graduation.
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