BYU–Hawaii's Social Work curriculum has recently changed, and with the university’s new academic calendar of two semesters and three terms, students in the program can now graduate in three years.
"We were asked to design our program so we could get a social work major out in three years," said Dr. John Reeves, Social Work department chair. The revamping of the program began back in 2009 when the new academic calendar was created for all students. The changes to the social work program are now being finalized. "In our minds, we are now a year-round school," said Reeves.
Reeves said, "Social work majors will now have to complete 60 credit hours to receive their BSW [Bachelor of Social Work]. The department is doing away with electives. In lieu of electives, social work majors will now have to take six content courses." The six new courses that have been added to the required curriculum are:
- Community Mental Health
- Social Work with Substance Abusers
- Social Services for Children
- Social Services for Women
- Populations at Risk
- Community Based Organizations and Program Development
Students planning to apply to the Social Work major may do so in May for the Fall semester or October for the Winter semester. Social Work majors are to have completed their GE course work as well as all required classes for the major prior to registering for their practicum (internship). The practicum lasts for 14 weeks. Students are to average 35 hours per week and obtain a total of 450 hours at their placements.
Reeves commented that the new changes eliminate the guess work that was involved previously. "Now when students go to see their academic advisor they will know exactly what they need to take," he said.
--Photo courtesy of SocialWork.byuh.edu