BSW Plan of Study

The school highly advises that all interested students and current students thoroughly review the BSW Academic Plan of Study. It contains a program summary, program requirements, minimum criteria for admission, a summary of credit hours, and suggested plan of study. The suggested curriculum plan for social work major courses and their course descriptions can be seen below.

The BSW program is an on campus program with classes held during the daytime (not evenings). The BSW program is not a Distance Education program and therefore cannot be completed fully online.

curriculum plan & course descriptions

Listed below is the suggested curriculum plan for the social work major courses. This is to show that there are three required social work courses in Lower Division, along with other prerequisites and general education requirements. This list also shows the rigor of the Upper Division program, with courses planned for students in each semester. Courses are sequenced and must be taken in a certain order, and therefore are only offered in certain semesters. In order to stay on track with two years of Upper Division and graduate on time, students are strongly encouraged to complete the social work major requirements in the ordergiven, in the semesters listed.

Lower Division (2 years*)

*The timeframe for Lower Division may look different depending on the student. For first year students at UNC Charlotte with little to no credits previously earned, Lower Division will likely take two years. Lower Division may take transfer students or students with an associate’s degree less time if they have credits earned from a previous institution. All transfer students are encouraged to check with their advisor to review their status.

• SOWK 1101 – The Field of Social Work
• SOWK 2182 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
• SOWK 2183 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
• Additional Lower Division prerequisites: BIOL ​1110,​ BIOL ​1110L, ​POLS ​1110, ​PSYC ​1101, STAT 1222,​ SOCY​ 1101
• Additional general education requirements to complete (or transfer in)
• Must complete at least 60 credits while in Lower Division

Upper Division (2 years)

First Fall Semester of Upper Division (13 credit hours)

• SOWK 2184 – Writing for the Social Work Profession
• SOWK 3120 – Diversity and Populations-at-Risk
• SOWK 3180 – Case Management
• SOWK 3199 – Professional Behaviors, Ethics, and Communication
• SOWK 3201 – Foundations of Social Welfare

First Spring Semester of Upper Division (12-15 credit hours)

• SOWK 3202 – Social Welfare Policy
• SOWK 3133 – Community Engagement and Outreach
• SOWK 3181 – Practice Methods I
• PSYC 2151 – Psychology Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorders
• Elective (if needed)

Second Fall Semester of Upper Division (9-15 credit hours)

• SOWK 3182 – Practice Methods II
• SOWK 3482 – Social Work Practicum I
• SOWK 3900 – Social Work Research I
• Elective (if needed)
• Population Group Course (if needed)

Second Spring Semester of Upper Division (9-15 credit hours)

• SOWK 3184 – Practice Methods III
• SOWK 3484 – Social Work Practicum II
• SOWK 3988 – Social Work Research II
• Elective (if needed)
• Population Group Course (if needed)

Elective Options

• SOWK 3090 – Topics in Social Work
• SOWK 3895 – Directed Individual Study
• SOWK 4090 – Topics in Social Work
• SOWK 4100 – Ethnicity and Aging
• SOWK 4101 – Social Work Practice with Older Adults
• SOWK 4102 – School Social Work
• SOWK 4103 – Child Welfare
• SOWK 4105 – Mental Health and Substance Use
• SOWK 4106 – Social Work Practice with Latino Communities
• SOWK 4107 – Social Work Practice with African Americans in Urban Environments
• SOWK 4108 – Social Work Psychosocial Treatment
• SOWK 4109 – Systems of Care for Vulnerable Populations
• SOWK 4110 – Social Work Practice with Immigrants and Refugees
• SOWK 4125 – Social Development in Malawi
• SOWK 4126 – Health and Well-Being in India
• SOWK 4365 – Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan

Population Courses

Social Work Students are required to select four courses from a pre-approved list that examines various population groups. These courses must be between the 1000 and 4000 level and cannot be any courses that are restricted, research focused (e.g., SOCY 3755 – Sociological Research Methods), seminar/internship focused (e.g., ANTH 4480 Internships in Anthropology or AFRS 4600 Senior Seminar in African Studies), or honors courses (e.g. CJUS 4700 Criminal Justice Honors Thesis).

Approved 1000 – 4000 Level Population Departmental Courses: 

• African Studies 
• Anthropology 
• Child and Family Development 
• Criminal Justice 
• Global Studies (Asian, European, Holocaust etc.) 
• Japanese Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Languages 
• Psychological Sciences
• Religious Studies 
• Special Education 
• Social Work
• Sociology   
• Women and Gender Studies