2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog School of Social Work
Admission/Retention Requirements
All Social Work majors must also be formally admitted to the BSW program. The BSW Program admission process typically occurs during the fall semester sophomore year and is a prerequisite for taking any 300-level Social Work course. Students are required to complete the formal BSW Program admissions process before their enrollment in SWK 222, SWK 223, SWK 325, SWK 326, and SWK 310.
To be accepted, students must have satisfied the following requirements:
- At least 30 hours of credit with a minimum 2.50 overall GPA
- Grade of C or better in all required SWK courses
- 12 hours required in an introductory social work course and liberal arts courses: SWK 170; PSY 110, PSY 350; SOC 106.
- General Education courses must be completed prior to admission to the BSW program. Academic credit for life experience and/or previous work experience is not given, in whole or in part, in lieu of any Social Work course.
Illinois State University School of Social Work completes criminal background checks for all BSW candidates and reserves the right to deny admission based on application materials, previous academic record and records of past conduct, including but not limited to the results of a criminal background check or registration of a sex offense.
Any offers of admission are contingent upon successfully completing and passing a national background check. The school may refuse or revoke admission for the following: misrepresentation of self, criminal behavior, results of the national background check, and/or behavior that interferes with performing professional duties.
If admitted to the BSW program, any applicant or student with a criminal background may not be eligible for some field instruction placements. In addition, the applicant or student may not be eligible for licensure after completing the requirements for the MSW/BSW degree. Many agencies require criminal background checks as a condition for accepting a placement in their program. It is the student’s responsibility to inquire with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or other professional licensure boards to determine their licensure eligibility.
Once admitted to the BSW program, students must report any new information or criminal convictions and adhere to the Professional Standards of the University and the School of Social Work. Students must meet the criteria for professional and ethical behavior as set forth by the School of Social Work.
NOTE: The School of Social Work reserves the right to maintain a balanced enrollment. This may restrict the numbers of freshmen, transfer students, and internal transfers who wish to be Social Work majors.
- Most Social Work courses are restricted to Social Work majors with the exception of SWK electives.
- The School does not offer a minor in Social Work.
- Only Social Work students may take required courses.
Course Finder
Honors in Social Work
The School of Social Work offers honors work for superior students majoring in Social Work. In order to qualify, the student must be a member of the University Honors Program, have completed a minimum of 12 hours for honors credit, and achieve a cumulative University GPA of 3.30 or better, and have a GPA of 3.50 or better in Social Work. Students pursuing this option should contact the School’s Director of BSW Student Services.
For more information on Honors in Social Work, including admission and retention standards, please visit the Honors website.
Social Work Program
Degree Offered: B.S.W.
Interdisciplinary Minors
The School of Social Work contributes to the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. For more information on interdisciplinary minors, please visit the Interdisciplinary Studies Program section of the Undergraduate Catalog.
Major in Social Work
Concentrations and Minors
Students interested in any of the below programs/concentrations should contact the Director of BSW Student Services in the School of Social Work.
Minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, Queer Studies Concentration
Child Welfare Concentration
This concentration has been designed for students who wish to enhance their education and preparation as a social work major by integrating a working knowledge of child welfare practice with the undergraduate social work degree.
The School, in partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), now offers social work students an opportunity to complete two specialty Child Welfare Classes (SWK 323 and SWK 324) to become certified child welfare specialists upon completion of their social work degree. The re-designed course integrates training material from the DCFS child welfare specialist training curricula and also prepares students for a series of exams and online instruction. Students must have their degree conferred (post-graduation), and be employed by a child welfare agency to apply for and finalize their Child Welfare Employee Licensure and Child Welfare Specialist credentials.
Social Aspects of Aging Minor
Students interested in enhancing their knowledge of gerontological issues should consider completing a Minor in Social Aspects of Aging.
Retention Requirements
The School reserves the right to enforce professional standards of practice as specified in Section 6369 of the Clinical Social Work and Practice Act. These standards may be taken into consideration in decisions related to program retention. Additionally, to continue to progress through the program students must maintain a cumulative major grade point average of 2.50 and a grade of C or better in all SWK required courses. To proceed into SWK 394 and SWK 398A10, General Education requirements must be completed.
Credentialing Opportunities
The Baccalaureate Degree in Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The principal educational goal is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice.