Bachelor of Social Work Course Descriptions
Accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE), Our Lady of the Lake University's (OLLU) online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is specifically designed to address emerging needs and trends in the social work community while building a time-tested foundation of skills and philosophies.
As a graduate of this program, you can take the licensure exam in Texas and other states.* You may also provide beginning-level counseling services and earn full membership in the National Association of Social Workers.
Below you'll find a breakdown of the courses and credit hours required to complete this degree. You may transfer in up to 72 credits from another university or a community college to apply to your full bachelor's degree, pending approval.
BSW Completion Requirements
Total Number of Credit Hours Required: 120 credit hours
- Social Work Major Credit Hours: 60 credit hours
- General Education and Elective Credit Hours: 60 credit hours
Social Work Major Courses
Required Social Work Courses (39 total credit hours)
SOWK 1300Introduction to SOWK
Overview of social work, its historical roots, the profession’s principles and values, fields of practice, and methods of intervention. Required before taking all other SOWK courses except SOWK 2300.
SOWK 2300Social Welfare Policy: Programs and Service
Descriptive overview of historical and contemporary social welfare policies and programs, and the role of social work in policy development and implementation. Required for social work majors.
SOWK 3311Principles of Generalist Social Work Practice
Introduction to general social work practice with micro, mezzo, and macro systems. Emphasis on basic skill building, the need for culturally sensitive practice and theory-driven intervention.
Prerequisite: Admission to BSW program
SOWK 3312Principles of Generalist Social Work Practice II
Application of general social work practice knowledge, skills and values to professional intervention with individuals, families, and small groups. Emphasis on culturally sensitive practice, theory-driven intervention and evaluation of practice.
Prerequisite: SOWK 3311 and admission to the BSW program.
SOWK 3321Social Welfare Policy: Analysis and Practice
Study of social welfare policy, the processes that influence social policy, and on developing conceptual tools for social policy analysis.
Prerequisite: SOWK 2300 or equivalent.
SOWK 3331Human Behavior: Individuals and Families
Focus on process of human growth and development from pre-conception through death; cultural systems, family process and development are integrated.
Prerequisites: SOWK 1300 or equivalent.
SOWK 3332Human Behavior: Groups, Organizations and Community
Study of human behavior in groups, organizations and communities within the context of political, social economic, global, and cultural systems.
SOWK 3333Human Behavior and Diverse Population
Emphasis on theoretical content focusing on diverse populations. Historical, political, and economic factors that contribute to privilege, power, oppression, and social injustices.
SOWK 4483Social Work Research Methods
Introduction to quantitative and qualitative social work research methods and ethics including the political and cultural context impacting research studies and findings. Attention to assessment of social work practice and evaluation of social programs.
Prerequisites: PSYC 3381 or SOCI 3311.
SOWK 4452Social Work Field Placement
Field placement in a human service organization under the instruction and supervision of a licensed master level social worker. Emphasis on effective application of general social work practice, values, skills and knowledge in an agency setting. A minimum of 450 agency-based clock hours must be completed.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 27 hours in social work; social work GPA of 2.5 or higher, overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and completion of all other requirements for an OLLU degree. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 5314.
SOWK 4552Social Work Field Education
Field placement in a human service organization under the instruction and supervision of a licensed master level social worker. Emphasis on effective application of general social work practice, values, skills and knowledge in an agency setting. A minimum of 450 agency-based clock hours must be completed.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 27 hours in social work; social work GPA of 2.5 or higher; overall GPA of 2.0 or higher and completion of all other requirements for an OLLU degree. Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 5314.
SOWK 5314Generalist Practice in Direct Service
Integrative capstone course with emphasis on application of knowledge, values and skills necessary for general social work practice. Emphasis on context, cultural diversity and evaluation of practice.
Prerequisites: Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 4452 and SOWK 4552.
Required Non–Social Work Courses (21 total credit hours)
ECON 2301Principles of Economics I or
Examines the economy as a whole: systems at the national and international levels. Topics include economics as a social science, supply and demand, and the theoretical models of growth, inflation, interest rates, unemployment, business cycles, stabilization policy, and international trade.
ECON 2302Principles of Economics II
Examines the action of the smaller components that make up the economy: individuals, households, businesses, and governmental units. Most attention is given to the decisions facing a typical firm, and how those decisions impact variables like price, output, and profit. Specific topics include the theory of consumer demand, elasticity, production and cost, market structures, factor markets, and the role of government.
POLS 1301American Government or
Major political federal institutions: executive, legislative, judicial and independent agencies; functions and characteristics of American political systems, its environment, legal framework, electoral process, political parties and pressure groups, and policy outputs.
POLS 1302State Government
Major political Texas institutions: executive, legislative, judicial and independent agencies; functions and characteristics of Texas political systems, its environment, legal framework, electoral process, political parties and pressure groups, and policy outputs.
PSYC 1305Introduction to Psychology
Survey of topics in psychology, such as development, personality, testing, abnormal behavior, emotion, motivation and learning, as well as topics of special interest such as hypnosis, biofeedback, etc.
SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology
Overview of the sociological way of looking at the world. Attention to the uniquely sociological methodology of examining everyday life. Provides a distinctive way for generating greater understanding and theory that clarifies the human experience, with emphasis on socialization, immigration, community health and social change.
PSYC 3381Statistics or
Basis statistical procedures which describe, summarize and analyze information; analysis of data from a wide variety of fields and professional situations.
Prerequisites: ENGL 1313, ENGL 1314 and three semester hours in college-level mathematics (MATH 1301, MATH 1304, MATH 1411). MATH course must be completed prior to registration: grade of D or higher.
SOCI 3311Sociological Statistics
Essentials of basic statistical procedures used to describe, summarize and analyze sociological data.
Prerequisites: MATH 1301 or MATH 1304 or higher.
Additional Requirements
You're also required to take an additional 6 advanced hours from classes in Sociology (SOCI), Psychology (PSYC), Women's Studies (WMST), Criminal Justice (CRIJ) or Comparative Mexican Studies (CMAS). You may also take Social Work (SOWK) courses that you haven't already completed as part of your major.
*NOTE: Licensure requirements vary by state. Students are responsible for understanding the requirements for social work licensure in their resident state. Applicants seeking licensure are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license per the Texas occupations code HB 1508.
Learn More
For more information on the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum at Our Lady of the Lake University, call 855-275-1082 to speak with an admissions advisor or request more information.