| Undergraduate Program
The BSW program has two goals: (a) to prepare students
for beginning-level generalist practice and (b) to prepare students for
advanced social work education. The program combines both academic
course work and field practicum in a two-year course of study beginning
in the junior year. The curriculum is predicated on and extends the
liberal arts perspective.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the BSW program on a full-time
basis, the applicant must (a) have been admitted to the University of
Hawai‘i at Manoa; (b) have completed the University’s General
Education Core requirements (special consideration is given to second
semester sophomores for early admission); (c) have completed the
knowledge-based courses identified by the school; (d) have a minimum
cumulative GPA of 2.5; and (e) provide evidence of motivation for and
commitment to social work education (e.g., personal, volunteer, and/or
social-work-related experience).
In addition, the applicant must submit transcripts of
all postsecondary academic work completed and a School of Social Work
application.
Application Deadlines
Students are admitted to the program in the fall and
spring semesters. All BSW application material should be sent to the
School of Social Work by April 1 for fall and November 1 for
spring semester.
Bachelor’s Degree
Requirements
To qualify for the BSW degree, the student must (a)
fulfill all University core requirements (54-56 credit hours); (b)
complete the required undergraduate social work curriculum (see below);
(c) earn an aggre-gate of no less than 124 credit hours; and (d) have a
minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
BSW Curriculum
Candidates for the BSW degree must complete the
following curriculum requirements:
1. The following social work knowledge-based courses must be included in
the General Education Core or as lower division electives: a specified
political science course, PHIL 110, PSY 260, and one biology course that
emphasizes human biology.
2. Social work major courses (41 credit hours), which include SW 200,
302, 303, 325, 326, 360, 361, 391, 402, 403, 440, 490, and 491.
3. Electives required in upper division liberal arts courses (21 credit
hours) including one course in each of the following areas: (a) small
group, community, or organizational theory; (b) analysis of a social
institution, problem, or issue; (c) ethnic or cultural factors; (d)
American values; (e) women’s issues; (f) research design and
methodology; and (g) other related topics.
4. Other electives (6-8 credit hours).
Graduate Programs
Master’s Degree
The MSW program, which prepares students for
professional advanced social work practice, requires 57 credit hours.
This course work needs to be completed within a four-year period, of
which four semesters of practicum and completion of the research
requirement (Plan A or Plan B) are required. Students may petition the
school to waive some foundation courses and reduce the number of credits
needed to receive their degree.
The foundation curriculum covers social welfare
policies and services; human behavior in the social environment;
research; social work practice with individuals, families, groups, and
communities; and the practicum. The advanced curriculum is organized
around four concentrations: child and family, gerontology, health, and
mental health. Emphasis in the justice system is also available.
Elective courses are provided in such areas as family therapy, substance
abuse, justice system, child abuse and neglect, therapeutic strategies
with the elderly, human sexuality, and ethnic and minority content.
Career opportunities include direct practice,
supervision and administration, research, and other positions in public
and private agencies in Hawai‘i and other states and countries.
Admission to the MSW program requires a bachelor’s
degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or its equivalent
from a recognized foreign institution of higher learning; a liberal arts
background; a scholarship record that indicates the ability to do
satisfactory graduate work; evidence of personal qualifications, social
work and/or related experiences, motivation; and interest that indicates
potential for successful graduate social work education and professional
practice. Admission occurs for the fall semester only. Completed
applications are reviewed in the order they are received by the school.
All required application documents must be received by the school no
later than February 1 for fall semester admission.
For further information about the school’s program
and application for admission, refer to the Bulletin of the School of
Social Work or write to the school.
PhD Program
The purpose of the doctoral program is to prepare
students for leadership roles in the profession of social work and field
of social welfare. The doctoral program advances the school’s mission
to understand the relationship between cultural characteristics and
effective professional practice. The program encourages scholarly
inquiry to enhance knowledge of culture, particularly the cultures of
the Asia Pacific region, and the societal structures intended to enhance
well-being. The PhD curriculum exposes students to a program of study
and investigation that places its highest priority on independent
inquiry and the enhancement of intellectual, creative, and analytical
abilities. Each student will obtain the ability to conduct independent
research on a critical social problem.
The doctoral program is designed to provide sufficient
structure to allow students to progress smoothly through the program
and, at the same time, provide the flexibility and rigor that are the
hallmark of doctoral education. The organization of the curriculum is
divided into required courses, to ensure that all students are
equipped with comparable basic knowledge; specialization work, in
which students largely design their own curriculum; electives; a dissertation
design requirement; and the dissertation. The PhD in social
welfare requires 36 hours of course credit excluding dissertation
credits.
Considerations for admissions will begin upon receipt
of the completed application. For more information, contact the chair of
the PhD program. |