Social Work Department Home

Welcome to the Department of Social Work at Frostburg State University

Program Information

Overview

The Social Work Program at Frostburg State University is grounded in the core values of the National Association of Social Work (NASW) -- competence, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, service, and social justice -- along with the competencies stipulated by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) regarding the demonstration of ethical and professional behaviors; the advancement of human tights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice; the engagement in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in in practice; the engagement in practice-informed research and research-informed practice, the engagement in policy practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Students who graduate from the CSWE- accredited Social Work Program are eligible to apply to take the baccalaureate social work licensure exam in the state in which they intend to practice. Furthermore, graduates who wish to pursue an MSW degree may qualify for advanced standing, thus significantly reducing the number of credit hours needed to complete a master's degree.

Social Work Admissions Criteria

Students who declare social work as their major are classified as pre-social work majors and assigned a faculty mentor in the Department of Social Work who serves as the student’s advisor. Upon successful completion of SOCI 101/111 introduction to Sociology, successfully completing 30 credit hours, or receiving permission from the Social Work Department are eligible to enroll in SOWK 170 Introduction to Social Work. Although it is not a requirement, typically, this course is taken alongside either or both of the following courses: SOWK 305 Racism and Cultural Minorities and SOWK 275 Human Behavior and the Social Environment 1. Individually, as well as collectively, these three courses are designed to orient students to the social work profession.

Upon attainment of the items below, pre-social work majors are eligible to seek permission of the department to enroll in SOWK 379 Foundations for Generalist Practice. During this course, students apply for formal admission to the Social Work Program the following, students who have completed SOWK 379 may apply to the Social Work Program the following semester if they have secured the permission of two full-time faculty members. Only the department’s administrative assistant and chair can amend student’s majors to Social Work.

1. Completion of at least 30 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher preferred.
2. Successful completion of ENG 101/111 Freshmen Composition, the Mathematics General Education Requirement, BIOL 109 Human Biology and the Environment, COSC 100 Introduction to Computer Science, POSC 110/112 Introduction to American Politics, Psyc 150/151 General Psychology, SOCI 100/111 Introduction to Sociology, and SOCI 200 Social Problems.
3. Completion of SOWK 170 with a grade of “B” or higher.
4. Successful completion of either or both SOWK 305 and/or SOWK 375 (grades of “A” and/or “B” are most preferred)
5. Concurrent enrollment in either SOWK 305 and/or SOWK 375 if the above criterion has not been satisfied in its entirety.
6. Minimum GPA of at least 3.0 in all Social Work courses taken.

Social Work Application Process

The Social Work Program at Frostburg State University has two admission cycles throughout the academic year split between the Fall and Spring semesters. Pre-social work majors who meet the above criteria are eligible to apply for admission into the Social Work Program. Please note, neither admission to Frostburg State University nor meeting the eligibility requirements guarantees application automatic acceptance into the Social Work Program.

The application process is comprised of the following:

1. An agreement to abide by the Code of Ethics of National Association of Social Workers and an acknowledgement that violation of said code will result in automatic dismissal from the Social Work Program.
2. An agreement to abide by Frostburg State University’s Code of Student Conduct; and acknowledgement that violation of said code will or may result in automatic dismissal from the Social Work Program.
3. An understanding that student’s professional development will be continually evaluated as they progress through the program and that if members of the Social Work faculty deem said progress to be unsatisfactory, they hold the right and responsibility to reassess a student's suitability for the profession.
4. An understanding that students whose overall cumulative GPA falls below 2.5 may be dismissed from the program
5. An audit of students' non-departmental and departmental required courses completed thus far and/or in progress. 

• Two Letters of Recommendation from two college/university instructors or professors (see department of Social Work Bachelor of science in Social Work Student Handbook for additional details).
• Criminal Background check Results (see department of Social Work Bachelor of science in Social Work Student Handbook for additional details).
• Individual or group Interview with the Chair of the Social Work Department and full-time faculty members (see department of Social Work Bachelor of science in Social Work Student Handbook for additional details).

The departments full-time faculty will assign applicants one of the following Social Work Program admissions statuses; full admission, provisional admission, or rejection of admission (see department of Social Work Bachelor of science in Social Work Student Handbook for additional details).

Graduation Requirements

1. Overall GPA of 2.5
2. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

Students interested in pursuing an MSW degree are encouraged to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and ensure they have earned “B” or higher in all social work courses to qualify for Advanced Sanding Status. Typically, students granted Advanced Standing status are eligible to complete an MSW in 12 months (half the time compared to Traditional Standing Status). Please note, GPA requirements associated with Advanced Standing Status vary by school and program. Thus, students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the GPA requirements associated with the GPA and/or grade requirements associated with the MSW programs that are of interest to them.

1. Completion of SOWK 492 with a grade of “C” or higher and completion of SOWK 495 with a grade of
2. Demonstrate academic, personal, and professional performance standards set by the department and associated with the Social Work competencies as specified by the CSWE (see department of Social Work Bachelor of science in Social Work Student Handbook for additional details)

Termination Policy

Grounds for termination of from the Social Work Department include the following:

1. Violation of the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers
2. Violation of Frostburg State University’s Code of Student Conduct
3. Failure to maintain an overall GPA of 2.5
4. Failure maintain a “B” or higher in all Social Work courses.
5. Failure to demonstrate academic, personal, and professional performance standards set by the Social Work Department and associated with the social work competencies as specified by the CSWE

Related Programs:

• B.S in Social Science
• B.S. in Sociology
• Minor in Cultural Anthropology
• Minor in Leadership Studies
• Emphasis in Addictions Counseling