2024-2025 Samford University Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Sep 20, 2024  
2024-2025 Samford University Undergraduate Catalog

Fast-Track Master of Social Work w/B.A. in Human Development & Family Science (B.A./M.S.W.) (Online, 4-Year)


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The fast-track master of social work (M.S.W.) with a bachelor of arts (B.A.) in human development and family science (Online, 4-Year) (HDFS) is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that applies extensive knowledge and research to understand individuals and families in the context of a rapidly changing world. This discipline is dedicated to exploring the physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual development of individuals from birth through adulthood, examining how this personal growth influences the dynamics within the family unit.

Students in this major acquire both theoretical understanding and practical knowledge to equip them with the skills needed to plan, implement, and assess educational programs and services. The overarching goal is to enhance family functioning within the broader societal framework. The curriculum comprehensively explores the ten content areas essential for becoming a certified family life educator through the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). These content areas include families and individuals in societal contexts, internal dynamics of families, human growth and development across the lifespan, human sexuality, interpersonal relationships, family resource management, parent education and guidance, family law and public policy, professional ethics and practice, and family life education methodology.

This fast-track program is designed for students who plan to continue their career path by earning a master of social work (M.S.W.). The first three years of the B.A. are comprised of courses from the HDFS major. The remaining B.A. graduation requirements are met upon the completion of the first 30 credits of M.S.W. graduate-level courses. An additional 30 credits of M.S.W. graduate-level courses are needed to earn the M.S.W. Students must be accepted into the M.S.W. to complete the B.A. It is important to work closely with an academic advisor to ensure all graduation requirements are met.

General Education - Distribution Areas: 36 Credits


General Education - Distribution Areas (click here ): 36 Credits

Human Development and Family Science Major (Online): 72 Credits


MSW Graduate Courses: 30 Credits


Graduate-level courses will be determined by the student’s advisor and program director. These 30 credits count toward graduation requirements for the B.A. degree. An additional 30 credits of M.S.W. graduate-level courses are needed to earn the M.S.W. (See below for a list of SOWK courses.)

General Electives: 8 Credits


Total Required Credits (B.A. Degree): 128


Graduate Courses (Master of Social Work): 60 Credits


Please note that 30 of the following 60 credits will be applicable towards completion of the B.A. degree.

Year 4, Fall: Social Work Foundation Sequence: 15 Credits

  • SOWK 501 - Foundations of Social Work (3)
  • SOWK 502 - Social Work Practice I: Individuals and Families (3)
  • SOWK 503 - Human Rights, Social Justice, and Social Work Ethics (3)
  • SOWK 504 - Social Welfare Policy (3)
  • SOWK 505 - Field Placement I (3)*

Year 4, Spring: Social Work Foundation Sequence: 15 Credits

  • SOWK 506 - Social Work Research (3)
  • SOWK 507 - Social Work Practice II: Families and Groups (3)
  • SOWK 509 - Diversity and Multicultural Social Work Practice (3)
  • SOWK 510 - Field Placement II (3)*
  • Social Work Elective I (3)

Year 4, Summer: Social Work Field Placement: 6 Credits

  • SOWK 615 - Faith Perspectives on Social Work Practice
  • Social Work Elective II (3)

Year 5, Fall: Clinical Social Work Concentration: 12 Credits

  • SOWK 601 - Advanced Research Seminar (3)
  • SOWK 602 - Models and Theories-Clinical Social Work Practice (3) or SOWK 603 - Models and Theories of Global Community Development (3)
  • SOWK 604 - Psychopathology (3)
  • SOWK 608 - Field Placement III (Clinical Social Work Concentration) (3)*

Year 5, Spring: Clinical Social Work Concentration: 12 Credits

  • SOWK 611 - Clinical Specialization Seminar (3)
  • SOWK 613 - Field Placement IV (Clinical Social Work Concentration) (3)*
  • SOWK 665 - Policy Analysis and Advocacy (3)
  • Social Work Elective III (3)

*All Field Placement courses include a Field Seminar, which meets 1 hour/week.

See the 2024-2025 Samford University Graduate Catalog for course descriptions for SOWK courses.

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