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Student Handbook B.S.W. Program Academic Year 2006-2007










Student Handbook
B.S.W. Program


Academic Year 2006-2007













This handbook is available at www.socialwork.ua.edu/bsw/handbook.htm


Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the information provided in this handbook is subject to
modification without advance notice.


June 2006
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School of Social Work Mission Statement

The faculty of the School of Social Work adopted the following mission statement on February 10, 1993, and
reaffirmed this statement at a strategic planning session at the beginning of the 2000 academic year: The
mission of the UA School of Social Work is to integrate teaching, research, and service to increase knowledge
of social problems and their solution, to improve social conditions, and to promote social justice and human
dignity for all people. A diverse community of researchers, teachers, learners, and support persons with
shared values and aspirations, the School endeavors to promote research, life-long learning, and development
among individuals, groups, and communities concerned with improving human conditions.

The School achieves its mission through awarding:
The Bachelor of Social Work degree preparing graduates for generalist social work practice.
The Master of Social Work degree preparing graduates for advanced social work practice.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree preparing graduates for a research career in social work.

The School also achieves its mission through activities that extend the resources of the School through
partnerships with community agencies and organizations, internationally, nationally, regionally, statewide, and
locally; improve the delivery of social services, with an emphasis on the public social services context; and
develop research-based knowledge about social problems and their solution.
Cultural Diversity

The faculty adopted the following statement on December 11, 1991. As stated in the National Association of
Social Workers Code of Ethics and consistent with the University of Alabama's Equal Opportunity Policy, we
the faculty, staff, and students of the School of Social Work:
1.

Advocate the elimination of any form of discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual
orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, mental or physical limitation,
or socioeconomic status.
2.

Are committed to teach, encourage, and promote an appreciation for and understanding of diversity
in the School of Social Work, The University of Alabama, our professions, and our community.

3.

Affirm the value of soliciting and incorporating diversity into all aspects of our educational
experiences, our profession, and our personal lives as one way to enrich our total life experience
individually and collectively as members of a world community.
Information Self-reliance

The School of Social Work is dedicated to preparing social work students to retrieve, identify, and assess
information relevant to professional social work practice during their course of study at the school. Our goal
is that students be competent to identify, locate, and effectively use information in print, machine-readable,
and electronically-transmitted formats. These skills are essential to the competent practice of professional
social work.

The faculty believes that these competencies not only contribute to the quality of professional practice and
scholarship, but can also enhance an individuals lifelong information needs and quality of life. (School Policy,
adopted by the faculty on April 24, 1996)

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Greetings from the Program Chair

The faculty, staff, and administration of The University of Alabama School of Social Work and its B.S.W.
Program welcome you as a social work major, social welfare minor, or prospective applicant to our program.
We have an excellent academic program with many resources available to you. Several of our students have
noted that we provide a friendly, homey environment on a large university campus. The program and its
curriculum stress the value of diversity and the importance of the promotion of social and economic justice.

The primary goal of the B.S.W. program is to prepare students for generalist social work practice. Graduates
are prepared to assist people of all ages, from all walks of life, with all kinds of problems in a variety of
settings. Students can declare a major in social work when they are freshmen, sophomores, or juniors. The
School of Social Work also offers a minor in social welfare.

Many resources are available to help students as they navigate through their programs of study to earn their
B.S.W. degrees. In this handbook, you will find information regarding requirements for admission to the
program, graduation with a B.S.W. degree, and the social welfare minor. As chair of the B.S.W. program, I
am available to answer your questions by e-mail, phone, or appointment. Other members of the
administration, faculty, and staff are available as wellplease see the list on page 3.

Best wishes to you on the beginning of an exciting and challenging academic journey in pursuit of your
B.S.W. degree or your social welfare minor. Welcome to the University of Alabama School of Social Work
community.


Kathleen A. Bolland, Ph.D.
B.S.W. Program Chair
Kbolland@SW.UA.Edu
205-348-3926
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Table of Contents
School of Social Work Mission Statement ................................................................................................................. ii

Cultural Diversity ........................................................................................................................................................ ii

Information Self-reliance ............................................................................................................................................ ii

Greetings from the Program Chair ........................................................................................................................... iii

Purpose of the Handbook ...........................................................................................................................................1

The University of Alabama School of Social Work ....................................................................................................1

The School of Social Work in the University Context ..........................................................................................1

History of the University of Alabama School of Social Work ..............................................................................2

School of Social Work Administrators and Program Staff....................................................................................3

School of Social Work Faculty ................................................................................................................................4

The B.S.W. Program ....................................................................................................................................................5

Goals and Objectives of the Undergraduate Program in Social Work................................................................5

Curriculum ..............................................................................................................................................................6

Admissions Requirements .......................................................................................................................................6

Academic Advising and Student Responsibilities.................................................................................................7

B.S.W. Degree Requirements ..................................................................................................................................8

Declaration of a Minor............................................................................................................................................9

Application for Degree Form..................................................................................................................................9

The B.S.W. Program Curriculum................................................................................................................................9

Required Courses.....................................................................................................................................................9

Admission to the Professional Program................................................................................................................10

Field Education (SW 490) .....................................................................................................................................11

Academic Policies ......................................................................................................................................................11

Academic Bankruptcy...................................................