Boise State University School of Social Work

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Academic programs: BSW programs: faq

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What is Social Work?
The National Association of Social Workers (www.naswdc.org) defines social work as the following:

Social workers help people overcome social and health problems, such as poverty, mental illness, child abuse and neglect, emotional instability, illness, economic uncertainty, domestic violence, homelessness, and drug abuse. They work directly with individuals, couples, families, and groups to identify and overcome these problems. Some social workers also work with communities, organizations, and/or systems to improve services and/or administrate social and health programs.

Social workers are found in many settings, including private practice, mental health, health, schools, community agencies, public welfare, agency administration, and policy and planning. Social work’s approach is unique among the helping professions because it focuses on people’s problems in the context of their social environment. Social workers believe that people are influenced by the strengths and weaknesses of those around them – in their families, communities, workplaces, and organizations.

Social workers apply their professional knowledge and skills to help people make the most effective use of their own abilities. When adequate services do not exist in a community, social workers promote the development of new services and programs.

What do social workers do?
Most Boise State graduates work face-to-face with people in their first job. Direct practice, together with responsibility for supervision or administration, was the primary responsibility for 89 percent. Boise State graduates found their first positions in the following fields of practice:

Field Percentage
Child Welfare 27.7
Disabilities 12.7
Health 9.0
Aging 8.4
Corrections 8.4
Family 7.8
Addictions 6.6
Mental Health 5.4
Public Welfare 4.2

What is a bachelor in Social Work degree?
The BSW prepares students to work in a wide variety of settings, all related to helping individuals, families,' groups, communities and organizations function at their optimal level. The field of social work is concerned with enhancing relationships between people and their environments and is committed to the promotion of social and economic justice.

Why should I choose social work as a major?
Majoring in social work offers a variety of options for career advancement after graduating from college. Students can use their social work education to pursue careers in direct practice, community development, research, policy, or social service administration.

What is the focus of your program?
We focus on developing your skills for generalist practice. Through elective offerings, students can gain depth in many areas of social work practice.

When do you admit students into the program?
We admit in both Fall and Spring. For admission in the Fall, students must submit their application materials no later than the first Friday in April. For Spring admission, students should submit their applications no later than the first Friday in October.

How can I make my application more competitive?
Two factors which help are: 1) completing ALL of the core classes, and 2) achieving grades equal to or better than the grades indicated on the academic checklist.

Is it hard work?
Yes, it's hard work, and it takes training, intelligence, judgment, creativity, interpersonal skills, and tenacity to do it well.

What is a typical class schedule like?
Students in the upper division take all of their classes in a block. Consult the academic checklist to see a projected course schedule.

Do you have a part time or evening program?
No. Our program is full time, Fall and Spring admission only.

How much is it going to cost me?
Consult the Boise State University Catalog for current tuition rates.

I just want to get a social work license without getting a BSW. Can I just drop in a take a few courses here and there?
Maintaining our status as Idaho's oldest and largest accredited school of social work through the Council on Social Work Education prohibits us from offering classes to students not enrolled in the program.

I already have a Bachelors degree, and am thinking about getting a second Bachelor’s in Social Work.
We recommend you apply for the Masters program.

I previously applied to the program and was not admitted. Do I need to reapply?
If you applied previously, we can review your prior application. Please notify the department in writing that you wish us to review your prior application. You are free to include any updates.

How do I get a license?
Licensure to practice social work in Idaho is administered by the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses and requires either a baccalaureate or masters degree from an accredited program of social work education, a passing score on the national licensing examination, and good moral character.

Will I get rich?
Not in dollars.

The median full-time social work salary for Boise State graduates, across all years of graduation, with an average of four years on the job and 1.5 promotions, is between $30,000 and $34,000. Eleven percent report salaries that exceed $42,000. On the other hand, 19 percent report earning salaries below $22,000. But there are other rewards that money can't buy.

Can you send me some information?
Prospective BSW students should have a copy of the Undergraduate Catalog, which is available online, or you can get one from the registrar. All information for the BSW degree is on this web site, and we are happy to take your calls or e-mail if you have additional questions.

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