Non Majors and Minors, Department of Social Work, Ball State University

Non-Majors and Minors

I am a Family Consumer Science major, what social work courses do I take?

If you are a FCS major (Child Life Specialist or pursuing the Family and Child Option) you are required to take SOCWK100, SOCWK230 & SOCWK330 as part of your degree requirements.

As a non major or minor, do I need permission to take social work classes?

You do, except for SOCWK100, which you can register for online without getting departmental permission. You need to come into the social work department for permission. We are located in the fine arts building on the second floor in room 227. Permissions begin one week prior to online course request periods and permission dates are announced in all social work classes.

Spring 2008 Semester Permissions Begin: October 9^th

Summer 2008 Session/Semester Permissions Begin: February 5^th

Fall, 2008 Semester Permissions Begin: March 18^th

I'm a senior about to graduate with another major, but I plan on getting an MSW degree. Should I take any undergraduate social work classes?

Consider taking SOCWK100, Introduction to Social Work. This course will give you an overview of the profession and will orient you to your graduate program. If you have time, you can also take a 200 level social work course as well.

Which social work courses can I take as a non major?

You can take the 100 and 200 level social work classes and some social work electives (SOCWK370). FCS Majors by taking SOCWK200 and SOCWK220 and using one of the courses in their major as an elective can complete a social work minor. Elective substitutions can be made only by the Chair of the Social Work Department.

Listed below are the courses that are open to non majors. Non majors need to meet course prerequisites unless specified otherwise. SOCWK300 can only be taken by minors, FCS, and Women's Studies majors.

Social Work Courses Non Majors Take
Course Title	Course Description	Credit Hours	Prerequisites
SOCWK 100 Intro to Social Work	Introduces the social work profession. Focuses upon the history, purposes, values, and role of the social worker within the social welfare services delivery system	3	none
SOCWK 200 Social Work Practice I with Field Experience	Focuses on fundamental communication and relational skills used by entry-level generalist social work practitioners. Concurrent field experience required.	3	SOCWK 100; permission of the department chairperson
SOCWK220 Social Welfare Policy I	Introduces the historical development, mission, and philosophy of social welfare in the United States with a focus on the analysis of current social welfare programs. Focuses on economic, religious, political, and other socio-cultural influences on contemporary welfare policies and services	3	SOCWK 100; permission of the department chairperson
SOCWK 230 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I	Builds a foundational unerstanding of people and their social environments focusing primarily on factors that influence human behavior such as culture, class, race, ethnicity, sexual orentation, gender identity, discrimination, economic forces, organizations and deter people in maintaining or achieving health and well-being.	3	SOCWK 100; SOC 242 or SOC 100; permission of the department chairperson (SOC 242 or SOC 100 waived for minors and family life educator certification candidates)
SOCWK 370* Child Abuse & Neglect I	This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to child abuse and neglect from psychological, social, cultural, legal, and economic perspectives. Students will learn the family dynamics and indicators of maltreatment and effective interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro level, with an emphasis on strengths based, family-centered intervention strategies.	3	SOCWK100, 200, 220, 230; permission of the department chairperson
SOCWK 370* Family Violence	This course is designed to familiarize the student with the dynamics related to violence that occures between family members. A multi-dimensional perspective to the treatment of family violence is presented. The course will focus on best practices (interventions) in the area of family violence utilized by social work, criminal justice and medical professionals.	3	SOCWK100, 200, 220, 230; permission of the department chairperson
SOCWK 370* Social Work Practice in Health Care	This course focuses on the development of social work practice skills relevant to health care settings. An examination of policies, programs, and service delivery systems relevant to health care practice and to client systems is explored. Special emphasis is placed upon the assessment of the impact of illness, disability, treatment, and hospitalization on client systems, interdisciplinary health care practice, and ethical issues.	3	SOCWK100, 200, 220, 230; permission of the department chairperson
SOCWK 370* Social Work Practice with Older Adults	This course focuses on the knowledge, values and skills needed to effectively provide services to older adults and their families. Policy and practice issues unique to older adults are highlighted as are the roles and functions of social workers working in agency and practice settings serving this population. Students explore their own beliefs and attitudes regarding older adults and the aging process itself to prepare them to work effectively in geriatric specific and other practice settings that service older adults. Course content on the complex interaction of social and cultural factors such as class, color, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, gender identity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation is represented with a special emphasis upon social and economic justice issues related to older adults.	3	SOCWK100, 200, 220, 230; permission of the department chairperson

Still Have a Question?

Feel free to contact Dr. Darlene Lynch in the social work department at 765 285-1016.