The UCCS Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program prepares social workers for ethical and competent generalist social work practice across diverse populations.

Social work is a hands-on profession that strives to help individuals, families, groups, and communities deal with diverse problems. Nationally, the 10-year job growth predictions for social work range between 15% and 22%, much faster than most comparable professions.

Our graduates are prepared for careers as entry-level social workers able to work across client systems as advocates, leaders, and agents of social change. BSW trained social workers to make a difference in the lives of clients and communities.

The UCCS BSW program emphasizes interdisciplinary evidence-based knowledge and skills for ethical, culturally competent, and socially and economically just interventions.

General Information on Admission Criteria

Students may declare Social Work as their major at any time following admission to the University; however, declaration of the social work major does not guarantee admission into the BSW program. Generally, first- and second-year Social Work Majors complete general education requirements and lower-division social work courses.

After successful completion of 60 credit hours and fulfillment of the requirements outlined below, students with a social work major may apply to the Bachelor of Social Work program.

After admission to the social work program, third- and fourth-year Social Work Majors complete upper-division courses and a supervised practicum (internship) in a social service agency. 

Requirements for Admission:

• Evidence of 60 completed credit hours (in-progress coursework will be considered)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.4 for current UCCS students and transfer students
• Successful completion of three prerequisite courses
  • SWRK 1001
  • SOC 1110
  • PSY 1000 (or equivalent SOC, PSY courses)
• Submission of a writing sample used to evaluate your writing skills and your readiness for admission to the BSW program.
  • Writing samples can be submitted here.
• For the writing sample, please choose and respond to one of the following three questions; list the question and then your response. Your answer should demonstrate your interest in and commitment to social work, social justice, and social change. Responses should be double-spaced and no more than 500 words.
  • Beyond your personal desire to help people, why have you chosen social work as a profession over another profession or major?
  • How have your life experiences and identities shaped your understanding of power and privilege?
  • Reflect upon a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged. How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your belief?

Upon successful completion of the application requirements, students will be admitted to the BSW program and permitted to complete upper-division courses.

For additional questions regarding the BSW program, please email the BSW Director, Dr. Laurel Bidwell.

Additional resources for Admissions:

• Tuition Rate
• Cost of Tuition Estimator
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships

The 120-credit hour BSW prepares students for entry-level, professional, generalist social work practice and for graduate social work education.

For a list of courses and course descriptions, please visit the UCCS Academic Catalog.

Example BSW Degree Plan

Social Work Practice Sequence:

The Social Work Practice sequence equips students with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to work with clients and communities across a wide range of client groups.

Students develop social work intervention and problem-solving skills required to work with people of diverse backgrounds using a person-in-environment approach.

Practicum Practice Sequence:

Students develop their skills through our practicum practice sequence by completing no less than 400 hours of field practice (e.g., internship).

Practicum practice integrates theoretical and conceptual classwork with the practice setting. It’s a wonderful way to gain “real world” experience and networking to prepare for social work careers.

Electives & Elective Clusters:

Elective offerings unique to social work practice are designed around the high-need areas of military social work, healthcare social work, and child welfare training.

For additional information, please see the BSW Student Handbook.

To learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work program, join us for one of our information sessions, which are available both in-person and virtually.

The UCCS Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation.

Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process.  An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. 

Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program.  Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation.

Assessment:

All social work programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) measure and report student learning outcomes, which are based on the 9 social work competencies outlined in the CSWE accreditation standards. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice which all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. Click the link below for more information.