Bachelor's Degree in Social Work
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Social Work (BS) Degree Map
Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.
Outcomes & Careers
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$55k
Social Worker
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a social worker is $55,350.
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$74k
Community Service Manager
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a community service manager is $74,240.
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$60k
Healthcare Social Worker
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a healthcare social worker is $60,280.
The social work curriculum includes core coursework to prepare you for a career in variety of settings. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.
60 hour major – no minor required
A grade of ‘C’ is required in each core course
- SW110 Introduction to Social Work (3)
- SW121 Professionalism for the Human Services (3)
- SW205 Social Justice and Social Welfare Policy (3)
- SW207 Understanding Cultural and Social Diversity (3)
- SW221 Interviewing Skills for Generalist Practice (3)
- SW222 Case Management (3)
- SW242 Statistics for Social Scientists (3)
- SW307 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (4)
- SW310 Social Welfare Policies and Services (3)
- SW321 Social Work Practice I (4)
- SW322 Social Work Practice II (4)
- SW342 Methods of Social Research for Generalist Practice (3)
- SW449 Social Work Integrative Seminar (3)
- SW450 Field Education (12)
Choose 6 Hours From:
- SW343 Social Work in Military Settings (3)
- SW344 Human Sexuality and Social Work Practice (3)
- SW346 Substance Use Disorders (3)
- SW351 Child Welfare Services (3)
- SW352 Social Welfare Services to the Aged (3)
- SW353 Child Development (3)
- SW354 Foundations of Trauma and Crisis Intervention (3)
- SW355 Special Topics in Social Work (3)
- SW356 Social Work in Mental Health (3)
- SW387 Independent Study in Social Work (1-3)
Additional Requirement: 3 Hours
- PY101 Introduction to Psychology (3)
Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.
- Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
- Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
- Written Communication – 6 hours
- Oral Communication – 3 hours
- Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
- Mathematics – 3 hours
- Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
- Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
- Civics examination
- Completion of 45 hours with a minimum cumulative 2.25 GPA.
- Completion of the following courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’: PY101, SW110*, SW201*, SW205*, SW207*, SW221*, SW222*, SW242*.
- Completion of General Education requirements for Constitution, Natural Sciences (3hrs) and Written Communication.
- Completion of all developmental courses (if applicable).
Once students are formally admitted to the program, they are eligible to enroll in the following courses: SW 307, SW 308, SW 310, SW 321, SW 322, SW 323, SW 342, SW 449, SW 450.
*SW 110, SW 201, SW 205, SW 207, SW 221, SW 222 and SW 242 may NOT be repeated for admission to the social work major without written permission from the student’s faculty advisor and the Social Work Program Coordinator.
Students will be retained as social work majors providing the following retention criteria are met:
- Completion of the following foundation courses with a minimum grade of ‘C’: SW307, SW308, SW310, SW321, SW322, SW323 and SW342.
- Courses may be repeated to raise grades below ‘C’ with written approval from the student’s advisor and the department chair.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.25.
- Once a student’s cumulative GPA has fallen below 2.25, the student will not be allowed to enroll in any remaining social work courses until the GPA requirement is met.
In addition to fulfilling all University requirements for graduation, social work majors must satisfy the following criteria:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.25
- Completion of integrated seminar concurrent with field education, i.e., SW449 with a minimum grade of C.
- Completion of 448 hours of field education, i.e., SW450 (Credit/No Credit)
First Year
Fall Semester (16 Hours)
- UI100 (1)
- EN100 (3)
- SW110 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- PY101 (3)
- SW205 (3)
- SW207 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Second Year
Fall Semester (15 Hours)
- SW121 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- SW221 (3)
- SW222 (3)
- SW242 (3)
- General Education (3)
- General Education (3)
Third Year
Fall Semester (14 Hours)
- SW307 (4)
- SW321 (4)
- SW342 (3)
- Major Elective (3)
Spring Semester (16 Hours)
- SW322 (4)
- Major Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
Fourth Year
Fall Semester (14 Hours)
- SW310 (3)
- SW323 (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (3)
- Elective (2)
Spring Semester (15 Hours)
- SW449 (3)
- SW450 (12)
Our course descriptions can be found on the Courses Page. This page lists all courses including social work courses with their details to help you plan your studies.
The Criminal Justice, Social Work, and Sociology Department offers courses on a two-year rotating schedule. To see when each course is available (spring, fall, first 8 weeks, second 8 weeks, or online), please check the Social Work Course Rotation. This will help you plan when to take your classes.
What will it cost?
Get Funding for Your Education
Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.
Experiential Learning
100% of our Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Sociology students graduate with real-world experience. They don’t just learn theories—they apply them, making a real impact before they even earn their degree.
Accreditations
Social Work Accreditation Data
The Southeast Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). See the mission and benchmark data for the program.
More Resources
Find the resources that you need to be successful in the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology.
Become a Redhawk.
Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.
Getting the Job
Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.
Putting Theory into Practice
Your Success, Our Priority
Got questions? Our faculty are here to help! Whether you're trying to pick the right major, need career advice, or want to understand more about our programs, we're just an email or call away. No question is too big or small – we're your personal roadmap to success.
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701