Social Work Curriculum
CompleteDegree@Simmons
The online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) curriculum is designed to help you develop the knowledge, values, and skills you need to make a positive impact on individuals, families, and organizations. Through online courses and practicum education in or near your own community, you will study human behavior, gain vital social work competencies, and discover how you can make change happen.
Key Content Areas
A Simmons education will prepare you to think and lead within your area of focus and beyond. Our undergraduate experience includes courses in a variety of key content areas — such as science, culture, social history, and the arts — that represent different ways of thinking about the world and approaching complex topics. These learning opportunities within and across disciplines prepare our graduates to solve a wide range of challenges in their lives, careers, and communities.
Like many of our students who are continuing their academic journey with Simmons, you may have transferable credits that fulfill key content area requirements. Be sure to submit your academic transcripts for review — we accept up to 96 transfer credits.
Program Requirements
Below are the required BSW program courses and practicum experiences. experiences. Some courses in this program may have prerequisites.
BSW Courses
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
SW 101 | Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare | 4 |
SW 253 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment | 4 |
SW 200 | Social Welfare Policy | 4 |
SW 255 | Interviewing & Documentation in Human Services | 4 |
SW 345 | Junior Practicum Education Seminar | 4 |
SW 351 | Social Work Practice I: Introduction to Generalist Practice | 4 |
SW 352 | Social Work Practice II: Work With Individuals & Families | 4 |
SW 353 | Social Work Practice III: Groups | 4 |
SW 354 | Social Work Practice IV: Macro Social Work | 4 |
SOCI 239 | Introduction to Social Research | 4 |
SOCI 249 | Inequalities | 4 |
Practicum Education and Placements
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
SW 370 | Social Work Practicum Placement I | 8 |
SW 371 | Social Work Practicum Placement & Seminar II | 8 |
Additional Required Liberal Arts Courses
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
STAT 118 | Introduction Statistics (or higher) | 4 |
BIOL 109 | Sex, Gender and Biology | 4 |
BIO 113 | General Biology | 4 |
*Please note that both Biology courses are not required, students may choose one or the other.
Elective offerings will vary by semester and may include:
| Course # | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
ECON 101 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
PH 101 | Public Health | 4 |
POLS 101 | Introduction to American Politics | 4 |
POLS 217 | American Public Policy | 4 |