Forensic Science Major (B.S.)
For information, contact Professor Lawrence Quarino, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3567
Program Description
The forensic science major at Ģý is unique in that it combines many of the most exciting educational features into one package. The major is integrated, multi-disciplinary and highly applied and offers a foundation from which to launch a career in forensic science. Students in the program have opportunities to interact with forensic professionals, work on forensic research projects, and apply for internships.
The liberal arts component provides exposure to disciplines and develops skills that will be important when students are called upon to act as expert witnesses, communicate with law enforcement personnel, and present their work to the public.
The forensic science concentration is accredited by the Forensic Science Educational Programs Accreditation Commission.
Program Requirements
Students must earn an overall grade-point average of at least 2.000 in all required courses. A grade of C- or better is required for all –courses at the 100 and 200 level that fulfill major requirements. -. No grades of D and only two grades of C- will be allowed for -courses at the 300 level that fulfill major requirements. If a required course is not completed within 2 attempts, the student will be dismissed from the program.
Program Mission Statement
To provide Cedar Crest students wishing to enter a career in the forensic sciences with a solid foundation in the natural sciences, to emphasize the importance of critical thinking skills in approaching forensic problems, and to educate students in a broad range of forensic analytical techniques from a generalist perspective.
Course Requirements for the Forensic Science Major
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHE 230 Analytical Chemistry 4 credits
FSC 101 Survey of Forensic Science 3 credits
FSC 241 Crime Scene Pattern Analysis 3 credits
CHE 300 Technical Information 3 credits*
FSC/CHE 302 Forensic and Chemical Instrumental Analysis 4 credits
CHE 307 Biochemistry I 4 credits
CHE 314 Toxicology 2 credits
FSC 321 Forensic Chemistry 2 credits
CHE 335 Physical Chemistry I 3 credits
FSC 347 Trace Evidence and Microscopy 3 credits
FSC 348 Forensic Molecular Biology 3 credits
FSC 349 Professional Issues in Forensic Science 3 credits
BIO 123 Foundations in Biology 4 credits
BIO 124 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology 4 credits
BIO 231 Genetics 4 credits
BIO 248 Biostatistics 3 credits
BIO 335 Molecular Genetics I 4 credits
COM 225 Digital Photography 3 credits
MAT 141 Calculus I 3 credits
MAT 142 Calculus II 3 credits
PHY 104 College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 105 College Physics II 4 credits
PHI 210 Ethics 3 credits
Minimum number of credits required: 92
*Students who double-major in biology may substitute BIO 350 (Junior Colloquium).
Double-Major
Students majoring in forensic science are encouraged to double-major in either biochemistry, biology, or chemistry (B.S. or B.A.). Students electing to double-major in one of these disciplines must take the following courses:
Biochemistry (B.S.):
CHE 308 Biochemistry II 4 credits
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry 3 credits
CHE/FSC 391 Research 4 credits (2 semesters)
CHE 352 Chemistry Seminar 1 credit
Biology (B.S.):
BIO 239 Animal Ecology, Development, and Evolution 4 credits
BIO 358 Science, Ethics, and Society 3 credits
Chemistry (B.S.):
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry 4 credits
CHE 336 Physical Chemistry II 3 credits
CHE/FSC 391 Research 4 credits (2 semesters)
CHE 352 Chemistry Seminar 1 credit
Chemistry (B.A.):
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry (3 or 4 credits)
Student Learning Outcomes
Foundational Knowledge in Criminalistics. Students will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the core principles, topics, techniques, and concepts central to criminalistics including evidence handling and analysis.
Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills. Students will perform qualitative and quantitative critical analysis to interpret scientific research, fostering problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
Proficiency with Instrumentation and Technology. Students will demonstrate proficiency in using modern forensic instrumentation and emerging technologies, understanding both their theoretical foundations and practical applications in forensic analysis.
Engagement with Scientific Literature. Students will be able to access, critically evaluate, and synthesize primary scientific literature across forensic and related scientific disciplines to support evidence-based practice and research.
Effective Communication. Students will develop advanced writing, oral communication, and presentation skills to effectively communicate scientific concepts, findings, and implications to diverse audiences, including peers, faculty, and professionals.
Role of Forensic Science in Society. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the forensic scientist’s role within the criminal justice system, including knowledge of legal standards, evidence admissibility, and interagency collaboration.
Ethical and Professional Practice. Students will apply professional codes of ethics to identify, evaluate, and resolve ethical dilemmas encountered in forensic science, emphasizing integrity, accountability, and consequentialism.
Application of the Scientific Method to Crime Scenes. Students will be able to apply scientific reasoning to crime scene management, reconstruction, and interpretation, ensuring the integrity and reliability of evidence.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration. Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, integrating knowledge from forensic science, law, and other relevant fields to solve complex problems.
Lifelong Learning and Innovation. Students will cultivate a mindset of continuous learning to stay current with advances in forensic science, including emerging methodologies, legal developments, and technological innovations.
Fulfillment of LAC Requirements
Students fulfill the Natural Sciences (CHE 111 and 112), Writing 2 (CHE 300), Ethics (PHI 210), and one of two ART courses (COM 225) requirements upon successful completion of the major.
Child Welfare Certificate
For information contact Director of the Undergraduate Social Work Program and Assistant Professor Dr. John Lichtenwalner, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3502
Program Description
The Child Welfare Certificate is a 16-credit certificate offered through the Social Work Program and utilizes courses from social work, criminal justice, and psychology.
Program Mission Statement
The Child Welfare Certificate is an interdisciplinary certificate designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed to work with children and adolescents. This certificate is designed to educate students for specialized training in the child welfare system. Child welfare is one of the oldest fields of practice and there is an increasing demand for qualified workers to enter child welfare settings.
Total number of credits required by program: 16 credits
Program Requirements
To earn a Child Welfare Certificate, a student must have a C- or better in all courses. Social Work majors must earn a C or better in SWK 303.
Course Requirements
Core Courses (3 required)
SOC 321 Family as a Social Institution 3 credits
SWK 303 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 credits
SWK 304 Child Abuse Maltreatment and Neglect 4 credits
Electives (2 electives)
SWK 203 Addiction, Assessment & Intervention – Winter/Spring 3 credits
SWK 306 Victimology – Fall 3 credits
CRJ 202 Probation and Parole – Fall 3 credits
CRJ 221 Victimization – Spring (even year) 3 credits
CRJ 223 Hostage Negotiation – Spring (even year) 3 credits
CRJ 301 Juvenile Justice – Fall (odd year) 3 credits
CRJ 306 Corrections: Crisis in America – Spring (even year) 3 credits
PSY 309 Psychopathology – Fall and Spring 3 credits
PSY 310 Forensic Psychology – Fall and Spring 3 credits
PSY 315 Child Counseling – Spring 3 credits
Criminal Justice – Major/Minor
For information contact
Professor Scott A. Hoke, , 610-606-4666, ext. 4454
Program Description
Criminal justice is the study of the social factors, social conditions, and environmental influences that affect the development of human behavior that is contrary to commonly accepted norms. It is a field of study that attempts to scientifically examine the causes, personal and societal consequences, and effective preventative/rehabilitative responses to socially dysfunctional behavior such as crime, drug abuse, violence, prejudice, and human exploitation.
Primarily, the coursework has been designed to allow the student to examine human behavior from a number of different perspectives. Today, the emphasis in criminal justice is in the prevention of harmful behavior, rather than simply its detection and prosecution. To effectively prevent behavior from occurring, one must understand what influences it. As a result, the curriculum places an emphasis on understanding the social, biological, psychological, and environmental factors that influence behavior.
Additionally, the emphasis on research methods, evaluation, and presentation allows the student to develop leadership skills through the practical application of problem-solving strategies. Combined with a sound field experience, the student is allowed to apply material presented throughout the curriculum to the professional setting, further enhancing their ability to understand, process, and evaluate the critical issues facing the profession.
Criminal Justice Program Mission Statement
The mission of the criminal justice program is to provide students with a state-of-the-art educational experience that is grounded in an understanding of the traditional theories and origins of the criminal justice system but also one that places emphasis on developing an understanding of the emerging issues and developments that are influencing and impacting society today. In addition, it is the mission of the program to produce students who are prepared to assume a position of leadership within the profession. Leadership requires students to be well-rounded academically, intellectually mature, aware of the ethical standards by which the criminal justice system is intended to function, and sensitive to the social and cultural challenges presented by the application of the system.
Criminal Justice Major (B.S.)
Total number of credits required by program: 35 credits
Program Requirements
- Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each required Liberal Arts Curriculum course (LAC).
- Students must earn a grade of C- or better in each required course or must repeat the course. Students may only take a required foundation course twice. A withdrawal from a course constitutes having taken the course one time.
- Additionally, students must complete a criminal history check. Students will not be permitted into the program if they possess either a felony conviction, or a misdemeanor involving the possession or use of a controlled substance; fraud; violence; or child neglect or abuse.
Course Requirements
The curriculum is organized around a combination of required and elective courses. Each student has the ability to select one of three elective packages that best suits their level of interest. Students may select more than one elective package, with each being designed to allow the student to develop some level of specific depth to the analysis of human behavior. The elective packages are as follows:
- Criminal Behavior and Deviance – This elective package allows the student to examine human behavior from a social, psychological, and environmental perspective. Each of these areas influences behavior, and effective control often involves understanding aspects of each of these elements.
- Juvenile Studies – This elective package allows the student to develop an understanding of childhood development and adolescent behavior. Many of the students who major in criminal justice at Cedar Crest express an interest in working with juvenile offenders and this package offers the student a greater understanding of the issues surrounding juvenile behavior than what they are currently receiving.
- Self-Designed Elective package – This elective package allows the students to self-design an area of interest within the criminal justice system. One might choose to study forensic psychology, social justice, restorative practices, or any other subject area where one’s interest exists.
Criminal Justice Requirements – 35-40 credits
Core Requirements (26-28 credits):
CRJ 101 The Legal System 3 credits
CRJ 106 Criminology 3 credits
CRJ 202 Probation and Parole 3 credits
CRJ 208 Resiliency and Self-care 3 credits
CRJ 212 American Models of Policing 3 credits
CRJ 330 Criminal Justice Ethics 3 credits
One group of research methods courses
Social sciences research methods rotation
SWK 171 Using APA Editorial for Social Work Majors 1 credit
SWK 325 Research Methods 4 credits
SWK 324 Social Statistics 3 credits
Crime mapping research methods rotation
CRJ 110 Introduction to GIS and Crime Mapping 3 credits
CRJ 210 Advanced Crime and Community Mapping 3 credits
CRJ 310 Crime and Community Development 4 credits
Elective Packages (12 Credits – the student must select at least one elective package to satisfy the requirements of the program)
Criminal Behavior and Deviance (12 credits):
SWK 306 Victimology
CRJ 207 Crisis Intervention
CRJ 223 Hostage Negotiation 3 credits
CRJ 225 Serial Offenders 3 credits
CRJ 321 Criminal Justice Field Experience 3 credits
SWK 203 Addiction, Assessment & Intervention 3 credits
PSY 309 Psychopathology 3 credits OR
PSY 310 Forensic Psychology 3 credits
Juvenile Studies (12 credits):
SWK 203 Addiction, Assessment & Intervention 3 credits
SWK 204 Case Management 3 credits
SWK 303 Human Behavior & Social Environment 3 credits
SWK 304 Child Abuse Maltreatment and Neglect 3 credits
Self-Designed Elective Package – Thematic design must be approved by faculty advisor (12 credits)
Field Experience
The field experience enables the student to apply knowledge acquired in the major in a criminal justice agency of the student’s choice. This application of knowledge is vital to the career placement of the graduate. Students may participate in a 220-hour experience (16 hours per week) in a community setting developed by the criminal justice faculty.
Fulfillment of LAC Requirements
The student fulfills the Technology, Oral Presentation, and Information Literacy requirements by successfully completing the following courses embedded within the criminal justice major:
Technology:
CRJ 110 Introduction to GIS and Crime Mapping 3 credits
CRJ 210 Advanced Crime and Community Mapping 3 credits
CRJ 215 Data Management for Crime Analysts 3 credits
CRJ 310 Crime and Community Development 4 credits
Oral Presentation:
CRJ 212 American Models of Policing
Information Literacy:
Each of the required courses contributes to the completion of this Liberal Arts requirement.
Learning Outcomes
- The student will be able to analyze human behavior and identify the social factors that influence it.
- The student will be able to analyze human behavior and identify the environmental factors that influence it.
- Students will be able to apply criminal justice theory and content to a larger community context.
- Students will be able to analyze criminal justice decision-making to determine if it meets acceptable ethical standards.
- Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
- Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
Students may pursue the Criminal Justice major in the accelerated 3-year degree format, completing at least 120 credits in three years (with summer study) rather than the standard four. Please see the catalog section on “3-Year Bachelor Degree” programs for details.
Criminal Justice Minor
Program Requirements for the Criminal Justice Minor
Ģý does offer a minor in criminal justice, which consists of 18 credits. It can be completed by using the following format:
Course Requirements for the Criminal Justice Minor: 18 credits
Required Courses (6 Credits):
CRJ 101 The Legal System 3 credits
CRJ 106 Criminology 3 credits
Elective Courses (12 credits):
CRJ 110 Introduction to GIS and Crime Mapping 3 credits
CRJ 202 Probation and Parole 3 credits
CRJ 207 Crisis Intervention
CRJ 208 Resiliency and Self-care
CRJ 210 Advanced Crime and Community Mapping 3 credits
CRJ 212 American Models of Policing 3 credits
CRJ 215 Data Management for Crime Analysts 3 credits
CRJ 223 Hostage Negotiation
CRJ 225 Serial Offending
CRJ 310 Crime and Community Development 4 credits
CRJ 330 Criminal Justice Ethics
SWK 203 Addiction, Assessment & Intervention 3 credits
One of the following courses can be substituted for one of the elective criminal justice courses:
PSC 202 Law and Justice 3 credits
PSC 207 Law and Women’s Rights 3 credits
PSC 250 Political-”isms” 3 credits
PSC 300 Topics in Law and Public Policy 3 credits
PSY 309 Psychopathology
PSY 310 Forensic Psychology
PSY 311 Criminal Profiling
Crime and Community Mapping Certificate
For information contact
Professor Scott A. Hoke, , 610-606-4666, ext. 4454
The certificate in crime and community mapping is designed to offer students the opportunity to become proficient in a skill that is highly marketable in the criminal justice and social service professions. Over the past two decades police and, to a large degree, criminal justice agencies in general, have experienced pressure to prevent behavior from occurring rather than simply responding to it. This demand has been met by the development of mapping technology that allows agencies to evaluate patterns of behavior geographically, developing interventions that are responsive to the patterns that arise. In addition, criminal justice agencies have begun to recognize that the analysis of data and the development of community responses based on the data are important components to the prevention of deviant behavior.
Total number of credits required by program: 16 credits
The following courses are included as options in the certificate:
CRJ 110 Introduction to GIS and Crime Mapping – This course is designed to introduce the student to one of the most popular pieces of criminal justice technology in the field today. The ability to analyze information geographically is important not only in the field of criminal justice but also in fields such as psychology, social work, business, marketing, public health, and a wealth of others. Developing an understanding of the geographic distribution of a wide range of events, conditions, and patterns is essential in developing interventions and strategies that are effective at addressing the distribution issue. This course will introduce the student to the mapping software and allow the student to begin to understand how to geographically display a variety of different social conditions and community information.
CRJ 210 Advanced Crime and Community Mapping – This course is designed to advance the skills that were obtained in the introductory mapping course. The course assumes that the student has a basic understanding of the GIS mapping software and is intended to present advanced topics such as map animation, hot spot analysis, creating buffers, distance analysis, and querying maps. Once completed, the student will be able to demonstrate an advanced level of understanding as to how to map community incidents and information.
CRJ 212 American Models of Policing – This course is designed to expose the student to how policing is carried out in America. Policing is not a singular concept or practice and can vary from community-to-community or neighborhood-to-neighborhood. The content in this course exposes the student to major policing models in America.
CRJ 215 Data Management for Crime Analysts – This course is designed to teach the student how to collect, manipulate, and present data in a way that enhances the understanding of the end user. Data analysis is becoming increasingly important to non-profit, social service, government, and law enforcement organizations, yet the skills required for quality analysis are lacking in the profession. Effective societal change cannot be made until professionals have a detailed understanding of the conditions and factors that influence human behavior. Being able to identify and assess those conditions and factors begins with the effective collection, manipulation, and presentation of information.
CRJ 310 Crime and Community Development – This is an independent research course where the student is expected to develop an understanding of the theory and rationale behind the geographic analyses and techniques you have been taught in other courses. You will be using the mapping software as a learning aid in developing a more complex understanding of different analytical strategies. The point is to understand why certain analyses are appropriate and how each enhances our understanding of the geographical distribution of crime and the social conditions that influence crime.
Criminal Justice Concentrations
The criminal justice program does offer several concentrations that a student can choose to take that are offered in an online format. Many of the courses are offered through our affiliation in the LMCM consortium.
Cybersecurity (18 Credits):
Students in this program learn not only to assess modern cybersecurity challenges that threaten our privacy, security, and safety, but also gain hands-on skills to protect digital assets from cyber criminals who use sophisticated techniques to perform cyber attacks. Students learn to harden networks against intrusion, as well as perform incident investigation and forensics. This minor helps prepare students for the technology challenges facing 21st century digital business. Courses with the CYS prefix are provided exclusively online through the LCMC Consortium.
CYS 101 Introduction to Cybersecurity 3 credits
CYS 102 Cybercrime and Governance 3 credits
CYS 111 Modern Cybersecurity 3 credits
CYS 112 Network and System Security 3 credits
CYS 211 Cyber Forensics 3 credits
CYS 352 Capstone—Ethical Hacking 3 credits
Crime and Community Data Analytics (21 Credits):
In-depth, robust analysis of data can reveal unexpected trends and hidden patterns, and it is a skill in demand across a variety of fields, including marketing, finance, healthcare, and criminal justice. Starting with data literacy and inference, students learn computational techniques for addressing large datasets. Students also examine machine learning and examine the ways in which data analytics is applied in various career fields. Courses with the CSC or DTA prefix are provided exclusively online through the LCMC Consortium.
• CRJ 110 Introduction to GIS and Crime Mapping
• CRJ 210 Advanced Crime and Community Mapping
• COM 106 Computational Thinking and Programming Logic 3 credits, –OR–
• CSC 101 Internet History, Security, and Technology 3 credits
• CSC 111 Programming for Everyone I 3 credits
• CSC 112 Programming for Everyone II 3 credits
• DTA 101 Foundations of Data Analytics I 3 credits
• DTA 102 Foundations of Data Analytics II 3 credits
Master of Science in Crime Science
4 + 1 Degree Program
Ģý offers students studying criminal justice, social work, psychology, or forensic science the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Crime Science degree in five years. The Crime Science degree is the first of its kind in the country and is designed to teach a progressive curriculum enhancing the student’s understanding of human behavior.
At its core, crime science is an outcome-centered approach that is grounded in two elements: 1) effective prevention and 2) detection of crime. Crime control can be more effectively achieved if, as a profession, criminal justice organizations move to embrace scientifically supported methods that prevent crime from occurring or, alternatively, more quickly solve the crime that does occur.
Crime science is more interdisciplinary than other criminal justice programs and relies more heavily on understanding the value gained from merging different disciplines into a more comprehensive platform. In the end, the goal of a crime science program is to teach practitioners, policymakers, and community activists how to collectively and collaboratively manage resources in a way that effectively prevents criminal behavior.
The Crime Science program is a skill-based curriculum that is made up of mostly 1- and 2-credit learning modules. Each of the modules is designed to teach the student a skill that can be directly applied to a professional setting. It bridges the gap between practitioners and researchers by teaching academic content that is research-based and can be easily applied by the student.
Our desire to teach skills that are academic in nature, yet transferable to any professional pursuit, recognizes the need to have education serve as a mechanism to improve communities. Preventing unwanted and potentially harmful behavior from occurring serves as a better mechanism to building strong, vibrant communities than does punishing it.
The benefit to the 4 + 1 student is that 10-12 of the 36 credits required for the Master of Science in Crime Science are included in the price of the undergraduate experience. That means that 1/3 of the degree comes at no additional cost to the student. Direct admission to the program from high school is permitted and encouraged since space is limited.
The courses include:
SCI 501 Leadership 3 credits
CSI 502 Event-based Crime Prevention 1.5 credits
CSI 503 Restorative Practices 1.5 credits
CSI 505 Ethics in Decision-making 1-3 credits
CSI 506 Concepts in Environmental Criminology 2 credits
CSI 507 Frontline Wellness and Resiliency 2 credits
CSI 510 Mapping Technologies for CRJ Professionals 1 credit
CSI 511 Advanced Mapping Techniques 1 credit
CSI 512 Data Management 1 credit
CSI 513 Program Evaluation 3 credits
CSI 531 Trauma, Crime, and the First Responder 2 credits
CSI 532 Crisis Intervention Design and Implementation 2 credits
CSI 533 Personality, Personality Disorders, and Crime 2 credits
CSI 534 Guilt, Anxiety, Paranoia, and the Psychology of the Criminal Mind 2 credits
CSI 541 Recognition and Documentation of Crime Scenes 3 credits
CSI 542 Forensic Evidence Recognition, Collection, and Analysis 3 credits
CSI 543 Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction 3 credits
CSI 570 Crime Science Internship 1-3 credits
CSI 580 Capstone 6 credits
Supporting Fields of Study
There are a number of different certificate programs offered at Ģý that support the concepts and knowledge base provided by the criminal justice program. Any of these would provide the student with a well-rounded educational experience and the ability to enhance one’s employment credentials.
Child Welfare Certificate (16 credits)
Cedar Crest offers an interdisciplinary Child Welfare Certificate to provide the knowledge and skills needed to work with children and adolescents. This certificate is designed to educate social work, psychology, nursing, criminal justice, and other related majors for specialized training in the child welfare system. Child welfare is one of the oldest fields of practice, and there is an increasing demand for qualified workers to enter child welfare service settings. Possible careers in child welfare include protective services, foster care, adoption, family preservation programs, child custody and family court evaluation, maternal and childcare, school counseling and school social work, and group home and residential home case workers.
Social Work Major (B.A.)
For information contact Associate Professor John Lichtenwalner, , 610-606-4666, ext. 3502
Program Description
The Social Work Program at Ģý is dedicated to the provision of the highest quality educational preparation of students for entry into beginning social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Consistent with the mission of the College, the Social Work Program seeks to provide students with a liberal arts perspective and a particular focus on the development of women. The Social Work Program is philosophically guided by a holistic approach to practice that includes the spiritual dimension of the human condition. The program is also committed to preparing professionals who will work to alleviate poverty, oppression, and discrimination through a dedicated advocacy for social and economic justice.
The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and is designed to provide students with a generalist approach to social work practice. Students who complete the major outlined below will be prepared for a beginning professional social work practice and usually are awarded advanced standing in graduate social work study.
Recent social work graduates of Ģý have been employed as medical social workers in hospitals, as social workers in long-term care facilities, as psychiatric social workers in mental health settings, as counselors in substance abuse and family service agencies, as employee assistance counselors in occupational settings, and as social workers in child welfare, and health care settings.
Program Mission Statement
The Social Work Program at Ģý is dedicated to the provision of the highest quality educational preparation of students for entry into beginning generalist social work practice that maximizes the welfare of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in local, national and global settings. Consistent with the mission of the College, the Social Work Program seeks to provide students with a professional education grounded in a liberal arts perspective with a particular focus on the holistic development of students to engage effectively as leaders in a global community. The Social Work Program is philosophically guided by a generalist approach that is informed by the person-in-environment framework as well as the knowledge, skills, values, the ethical principles of the profession grounded in scientific inquiry as well as by the CSWE core competencies and related behaviors. The Social Work Program is also devoted to preparing professionals who have a lifetime commitment to service that values diversity, upholds human rights, advocates for social, economic, and environmental justice, and that advances the quality of life for all people.
Total number of credits required by program: 55 credits (professional social work courses)
Program Requirements
Completing the social work program requires completing the required foundation and professional courses, achieving at least a C in each of the social work professional courses, achieving at least a C- or better in the foundation courses, and otherwise satisfying the College’s requirements for graduation.
Each student’s academic progress and ability to remain in the program is regularly monitored by the social work faculty. A formal review of the student’s status occurs in the spring term of the junior year to evaluate their preparation for the senior field education experience (SWK 339). Acceptance is based on overall academic course work and particularly on performance in SWK 327 and 329 (a C or better), which are taken prior to the student’s field education experience in senior year.
Course Requirements
The major in social work consists of the following foundation courses:
ANT 101 Cultural Anthropology 3 credits
SOC 100 Introduction to Culture and Society 3 credits
SOC 321 The Family as a Social Institution 3 credits
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology 3 credits
PSY 210 Lifespan Development 3 credits
Additional Requirements
Social work students are required to demonstrate proficiency in a course that meets the Math LAC requirements, one of these must be a statistics course which can include SOC 324, Social Statistics or MAT 110, Probability and Statistics. To fulfill their natural science requirement, social work students must complete two required natural science courses, at least one must be a lab-based course, (7 credits). Students transferring from other programs who have completed upper-level biology courses may be exempted from this requirement with the approval of the faculty.
Plus the following required professional courses:
SWK 171 Using APA Editorial for Social Work Majors 1 credit
SWK 201 Introduction to Social Work 3 credits
SWK 202 The Social Welfare Institution 4 credits
SWK 243 Social and Psychological Aspects of Aging 4 credits
SWK 300 Community Organizing and Social Planning 3 credits
SWK 303 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 3 credits
SOC/SWK 313 Social Justice in Society, 3 credits
SWK 325 Social Work Research Methods and Design 4 credits
SWK 326 Evaluating Social Work Research 4 credits
SWK 327 Social Work Processes: Individuals, Families, Groups 4 credits
SWK 329 Generalist Social Work Practice 3 credits
SWK 330 Motivational Interviewing
SWK 339 Field Education in Social Work I (Capstone Experience) 9 credits
SWK 345 Field Education Seminar I (Capstone Experience) 3 credits
SWK 346 Field Education Seminar II (Capstone Experience) 3 credits
Fulfillment of LAC Requirements
The technology, information literacy, and oral presentation requirements are embedded in the social work courses in varying degrees. Thus, these requirements as well as the ethics requirement are met in full by completing the social work major.
Departmental Review for Field Education Experience
Students are required to complete a 450-hour field education experience with an agency who can provide opportunities to develop generalist skills in work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Because this requirement necessitates working with the public in a professional social work setting, it is important that the student has advanced interpersonal skills, mature judgment, and appropriate professional demeanor. Thus, social work faculty will review students prior to placement in field education and make appropriate recommendations for improvement to the student. If deemed necessary by the faculty, students who fail to maintain these standards can be dismissed from their field education placement. Students must pass criminal background checks to enter the field education experience.
Program Competencies
- Competency 1: Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice.
- Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
- Competency 4: Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Competency 5: Engage in policy practice.
- Competency 6: Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Competency 7: Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Competency 8: Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Competency 9: Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.