Social Work Major (BSW)
Degree: Bachelor of Social Work
Majors: Social Work, Biblical Studies
Major Mission: The Social Work program exists to equip students to serve society and the church through generalist social work practice and lay the foundation for graduate studies in the field of social work within the context of a biblical worldview.
Major Outcomes - Students will:
- Critically evaluate theories and methods for use in direct service.
- Analyze issues of diversity, discrimination, and societal justice as they apply to various socioeconomic and cultural groups.
- Synthesize learning in direct practice.
- Appropriately apply ethical principles to direct service.
- Integrate and evaluate scientific research and literature to professional work.
- Acquire knowledge and ability to assess clients on a micro, mezzo, and macro level to establish appropriate treatment goals and methodology.
Social Work Program Description:
The Social Work Program prepares students to engage in contexts within the broader society in human services as well as in a faith-based context. The students are exposed to a person-in-environment approach to understanding human behavior. This approach drives students to synthesize human well-being at each point along the continuum of the helping relationship. The students are taught to use a strengths based approach in practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. The students in the Social Work Program will be exposed to diversity issues in Social Work woven throughout the curriculum. Valuing human diversity sets the framework for practice within the social work context. The knowledge that the students receive is developed through their research of human behavior. This scientific and methodical approach to understanding the complexities of the human experience is built in an intentional way through the use of the generalist social work approach imbedded in the core Social Work courses. Understanding poverty from a context which intersects with faith challenges student's understanding and broadens the reality of the human condition, encouraging students to speak up for human rights in a practice context. Careful attention is given to expose students to opportunities in which rich dialogue exists to enhance their worldview.
Social Work Program Outcomes:
Students will:
- Critically evaluate theories and methods for use in direct service.
- Analyze issues of diversity, discrimination, and societal justice as they apply to various socioeconomic and cultural groups.
- Synthesize learning in direct practice.
- Appropriately apply ethical principles to direct service.
- Integrate and evaluate scientific research and literature to professional work.
Acquire knowledge and ability to assess clients on a micro, mezzo, and macro level to establish appropriate treatment goals and methodology.
Social Work Program Purposes:
The purpose of the Social Work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person and environment construct, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, social work's purpose is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons. In order to achieve this mission, the Social Work Program integrates the purposes and values of the Social Work profession with a biblical worldview which is the program's context.
The following goals have been identified specific to the Social Work Program:
Goal 1: Prepare students for generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
Goal 2: Develop student understanding of policy and practice, with an emphasis on advocacy which advances human rights
Goal 3: Prepare students for culturally relevant and competent practice with diverse populations, valuing human relationships in every context
Goal 4: Recognize the value of self-awareness opportunities in the classroom, in the community and other interpersonal relationships, instilling in the students a desire to value human relationships in every context
Goal 5: Prepare students to engage in lifelong learning and professional development through research informed practice and practice informed research
Goal 6: Interpret social work knowledge, values and skills through a biblical worldview
Social Work Program Requirements:
The Social Work Program is organized in a linear fashion in line with the development of core foundational knowledge for the student progressing to practice courses. During the first two years, the students will complete the 5 foundational courses (Introduction to Social Work, Cultural Diversity, Social Work Policy, Human Behavior and the Social Environments I and II) which serve as one of the requirements to gain entrance into the Social Work Program. Beginning the junior year, students enter the Practice Courses which include the Junior Practicum and Senior Field Seminar and Internship courses.
Students enter their studies within the Social Work Program as an "intent to major" student through their sophomore year of study. Students apply for formal admission to the Social Work Program during their sophomore year. Once admitted, they are then invited to begin their practice concentration. During the student's junior year of study, they plan for their Field Internship. Social Work faculty assist the students arrange for the full-year, 420 hour Internship within the community.
Educational Level of the Social Work Program:
LBC | Capital’s Bachelor of Social Work program received reaffirmation of its accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 2020.
Program Director:
Tyler Gehman, MSW, LSW
Professor Gehman is a licensed social worker and has taught at LBC since 2017. He is passionate about disability studies, professional writing, and research.
Faculty List:
Tyler Gehman, MSW, LSW
Mary Yager, MSW
Social Work Major Curriculum
Freshman Year
Students must attain a “C” or better in SWK core courses and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Fall Semester
| LBC 100 | Foundations Seminar | 1 |
| THE 105 | Prelude to Biblical & Theological Studies | 3 |
| LAN 101 | College Composition and Research | 3 |
| LAN 104 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| SOC 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SWK 102 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| BIB 106 | Interpreting the Bible | 3 |
| HUM 204/SWK 204 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
LIT ____
| LIT Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
| POL 202 | Intro. to American Government | 3 |
| SOC 203 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| SWK 265/LAN 265 | Professional Writing for the Helping Professions | 3 |
| CSV 201 | Christian Service I | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Sophomore Year
Students must attain a “C” or better in SWK core courses and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Fall Semester
| BIB 103 | Creation & Covenants: OT I | 3 |
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
HIS ____
| HIS Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
| MAT 216 | Statistics for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SWK 206 | Human Behavior & the Social Environment I | 3 |
| CSV 202 | Christian Service II | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| BIB 104 | Israel's Life & Literature: OT II | 3 |
| THE 202 | Christian Political Engagement | 3 |
| THE 223 | Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall | 3 |
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective | 3 |
| SWK 202 | Social Work Policy & Practice | 3 |
SWK ____
| SWK Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Junior Year
Students must attain a “C” or better in SWK core courses and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Fall Semester
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption | 3 |
| THE 320 | Christianity and Culture | 3 |
| SWK 302 | SWK Practice I: Individuals | 3 |
SWK 307
| | |
| SWK 360 | Social Work Practicum I | 0 |
SWK ____
| SWK/Program Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring Semester
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
BOT ____
| Bible Old Testament Exegetical Elective | 3 |
SCI ____
| SCI____ Science with Lab 4 credits | 4 |
SWK ____
| SWK/Program Elective | 3 |
| SWK 303 | SWK Practice II: Family & Groups | 3 |
| SWK 361 | Social Work Practicum II | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Senior Year
Students must attain a “C” or better in SWK core courses and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Fall Semester
BNT ____
| Bible New Testament Exegetical Elective | 3 |
____ ____
| Arts & Sciences Elective | 3 |
| SWK 400 | Cross-cultural Experience | 0 |
SWK 410
| | |
| SWK 460 | Field Seminar I | 3 |
| SWK 460F | SWK Internship I | 3 |
| SWK 485A | Interprofessional Collaboration | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
THE ____
| Theology Elective | 3 |
THE ____
| Theology Elective | 3 |
| SWK 401 | Practice III: Social Work with Communities and Organizations | 3 |
| SWK 461 | Field Seminar II | 3 |
| SWK 461F | SWK Internship II | 3 |
| SWK 485B | Interprofessional Collaboration | 0 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Notes:
Social Work Electives:
| SWK 212 | Social Work and Child Welfare | 3 |
| SWK 213 | Social Work & Addictions | 3 |
| SWK 214 | Social Work and Human Trafficking | 3 |
| SWK 216 | Social Work with Older Adults | 3 |
| SWK 218 | Social Work and Disabilities Studies | 3 |
| SWK 220 | Trauma Informed Care for the Helping Professions | 3 |
SWK 222
| | |
| SWK 320 | Social Work and Mental Health | 3 |