Social Work (BSW)
Credential: Bachelor of Social Work
Majors: Social Work, Biblical Studies
Certification/Licensure: This program does not lead directly to licensure.
Location: Lancaster
Program Mission Statement: The Bachelor of 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.
Program Description: The Bachelor of 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 using 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.
Program Learning Outcomes: As a result of this program, students will:
1. Critically evaluate theories and methods for use in direct service.
2. Analyze issues of diversity, discrimination, and societal justice as they apply to various socioeconomic and cultural groups.
3. Synthesize learning in direct practice.
4. Appropriately apply ethical principles to direct service.
5. Integrate and evaluate scientific research and literature to professional work.
6. Acquire knowledge and ability to assess clients on a micro, mezzo, and macro level to establish appropriate treatment goals and methodology.
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.
Bachelor of Social Work Program Requirements:
The Bachelor of 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 five foundational courses (Introduction to Social Work, Cultural Diversity, Social Work Policy, Human Behavior and the Social Environments I and II) which serve as requirements to gain entrance into the Social Work Program. Beginning in 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.
Modifications to how a student progresses through the program can be necessary at times and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Experiential Learning: By the time students graduate from the BSW program, they will have spent over 480 hours within the community through service-learning opportunities, practicing social work on-the-ground in local human service agencies. This includes junior practicum and senior internship field experiences. BSW faculty assist the students in arranging the practicum and internship opportunities.
Curriculum Structure and Degree Requirements
|
Curriculum Structure
|
Credits
|
|
LBC Foundation Studies Courses
|
4
|
|
Bible & Theology Core Courses
|
30
|
|
Arts & Sciences Core Courses
|
31
|
|
Major Courses
|
48 |
|
Exploration Studies – Elective Courses
|
9 |
|
Program Total
|
122 |
LBC Foundations (4 credits)
Bible & Theology Courses (30 credits)
| BTH 101 | Foundations for Biblical and Theological Studies | 3 |
| BIB 103 | Creation & Covenants: OT I | 3 |
| BIB 104 | Israel's Life & Literature: OT II | 3 |
| THE 223 | Christian Narrative I: Creation & Fall | 3 |
| THE 224 | Christian Narrative II: Redemption & Consummation | 3 |
| BIB 203 | Life of Christ: NT I | 3 |
| BIB 204 | Early Church: NT II | 3 |
| Bible Elective - BOT or BNT | 3 |
THE
| Theology Elective | 3 |
| THE 320 | Christianity and Culture | 3 |
Arts & Sciences Courses (31 credits)
| LAN 101 | Academic Writing, Research, and Rhetoric | 3 |
| LAN 104 | Public Speaking | 3 |
LIT
| Literature Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
HIS
| History Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
SCI
| Science Core (100/200 Level) | 3 |
SCI L
| Science Core Lab | 1 |
| MAT 217 | Applied Statistics | 3 |
| SOC 101/PSY 101 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Arts & Sciences Elective (300 or 400) level | 3 |
| HUM 422 | Christian Perspectives | 3 |
| HUM 204/SWK 204 | Cultural Diversity | 3 |
Science Core options: SCI 101 or SCI 180
Science Core Labs: SCI 101L or SCI 180L
Social Work Courses (48 credits)
Exploration Studies (9 credits)
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
Program Director: Carla Kouterick, MSW, LSW
Carla Kouterick earned her BSW and MSW from Millersville University.
She is a licensed social worker in the state of PA and has over 20 years of field experience. Her areas of work include child welfare, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and mental health.
Mrs. Kouterick has worked in the mental health arena for over 10 years and has a heart for clinical work. She is excited to serve at LBC, having the opportunity to journey with students who desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world through the field of social work.
Faculty
Carla Kouterick, MSW, LSW
Mary Yager, MSW