Social Work Program brochure

Social Work Program

VALUES

SOCIAL WORK

DEVOTION

MINORITY

JUSTICE FACILITATING ACCEPTING

TOGETHER PASSION

LISTENING

HELPING COMMUNITY

TEACHING BEHAVIORAL EMPATHY PROFESSIONALISM SUPPORTING LOVE

LEADER

COUNSELORS

CHILD REWARDING

PRACTICUM

FAMILY

ENCOURAGING

CHANGE KNOWLEDGE

RIGHTS

THERAPY

INTEGRITY

ADVOCATE

About the major The Social Work major at the University of Montevallo, building on a liberal arts education, requires 36 hours over four semesters. Students spend 26 hours in the classroom and 10 in the practicum. The Social Work practicum provides an opportunity for students to learn to understand social problems and how to help provide solutions. In the final semester of their senior year, students spend five days each week in the practicum. Possible placements include Birmingham AIDS Outreach, Chilton-Shelby Mental Health Center, Children’s Aid Society, Department of Human Resources, UAB Women’s Clinic, Hill Crest Hospital, Gateway Family Services, 1917 AIDS Clinic, and Shelby County Public Health Department.

Small classes provide the opportunity for individual attention from faculty, and minority students are encouraged to apply to the program. Full admission to the program occurs in SWK 350, and a student must have an overall GPA of 2.3 and a GPA of 3.0 in SWK 203, 322, and PSYC 306.

The program was like boot camp for the helping profession; it was tough and very rewarding. I will forever be grateful for the lessons and experiences I gained.

-Molly McConville, ‘12

What is Social Work?

Social work is a profession devoted to helping people function as well as they can within their environment. Social workers help people by providing social services to individuals, families, and groups as well as working with organizations and communities to improve social conditions.

Social workers work with people who are elderly, those with low-incomes, individuals with a mental illness, families who neglect and abuse their children, individuals with developmental challenges, people who are ill or disabled, people in crisis, families who are homeless, and other people who have problems in daily living.

History The Social Work Program at UM was established in 1925, making it the oldest social work program in Alabama. The program has been accredited since 1974 by the Council on Social Work Education to provide such an education at the undergraduate level.

Mission The University of Montevallo Social Work Program provides a professional education for beginning level generalist practice with emphasis on the poor, vulnerable, and underserved. Generalist practice is founded upon the purposes of the profession and core social work values.

The passion and commitment to social justice in the Social W University of Monevallo is unparalleled. The education I rec practice social work confidently in all settings. -Kelly Duke

Requirements In order to complete the Social Work major in four semesters, a student should have completed a basic psychology course, introduction to sociology, and a biology course with human body content.

Other courses required of Social Work majors include: American National Government, State & Local Government, Economics, Developmental Psychology and Abnormal Psychology.

Scholarships The Social Work Program has several scholarships which are available to junior and senior students.

Student Honorary The Social Work Program has a Phi Alpha Chapter, the National Social Work Honor Society.

To learn more about the Social Work Program at the University of Montevallo, please visit our website at www.montevallo.edu/bss/swk or email us at: socialwork@montevallo.edu You can also call us at 205-665-6180.

Work Program at the ceived there allows me to e, '08

Employment Graduates have begun their professional careers in such areas as mental health centers, nursing homes, child welfare agencies, group homes, hospitals, agencies that serve individuals with AIDS/ HIV, public health clinics & programs for juvenile offenders.

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100

Social work is listed as #71 in CNNMoney's Top 100 Jobs in America, with a median annual salary of about $42,000.

+16%

71

Employment of social workers is expected to increase by 16 percent in the next five years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Social Work Program not only gave me exceptional training to be a social worker, it also helped me form bonds with my professors and fellow students that have remained strong long after I graduated. – Jeffery Sutton, ‘11

Social Work/Psychology Double Major The University of Montevallo offers a double major in social work and psychology to help prepare students for graduate school in social work or psychology as well as a wide variety of jobs in the helping professions. The majors are very compatible, as social work majors are required to have 12 hours of coursework in psychology. Additionally, many courses in psychology, such as Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, are helpful to practicing social workers.

Unconventional Wisdom 205-665-6180 socialwork@montevallo.edu www.montevallo.edu/bss/swk