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Q. I think I want to major in Social Work, what courses should I take?
A. You will want to take a freshman seminar course offered by the department to get a taste of what the Social Work field entails. This course should fit easily into your schedule and will give you a chance to meet a faculty member of the department and discuss your questions and thoughts about a possible career in social work. We always offer at least one course for freshmen (like Concepts and Systems of Social Welfare) to give them a “taste” of the Social Work major.
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Q. Which courses can I take to help me decide if I want to major in Social Work?
A. This is a great question. One of the hardest decisions that you will have to make in your college career is deciding on a major. Taking a selected course in a possible major is a great way to learn about some of the major ideas of any given field and to talk with a professor about your interests and how they may or may not match a particular major.
For the Social Work major, there are several suggested courses that will give you a good “feel” about the Social Work field and some of its major ideas: Human Behavior and the Social Environment, The Family, and Aging and Gender would be good courses to take in order to help you with your decision.
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Q. Which courses can I take in the department if I have chosen another major?
A. The Human Behavior and the Social Environment, The Family, and Aging and Gender courses are terrific courses depending on your specific area(s) of interest. As well, former students from various majors have reported that Managing Systems in the Macro Environment has been one of the most applicable courses to their future in the “job world."
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Q. What kinds of jobs do graduates who majored in Social Work have?
A. This is an important question.
You want to be sure that the major that you select will translate into a career in the field. Students who graduate with a Social Work degree work in a wide variety of settings and with a wide variety of clients.
Students may work in the hospital setting as a medical social worker, in various social service agencies serving those in need, as a professional in a private agency including those that work with adoption, foster care, and with children and families, as a professional in criminal justice, or may work in the macro setting in policy development or advocacy.
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Students may also work in the school setting as a school-based social worker. Our Social Work program is fortunate in this way in that it is a generalist program and a nationally accredited, professional program specifically designed for career-minded students who wish to pursue employment in the field.
As well, most of our students often decide to pursue their graduate degree in Social Work and may take advantage of advanced placement at colleges and universities offering a Masters in Social Work (M.S.W.) program.
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Please feel free to contact and talk with one of our faculty members for more details and to discuss career options in social work.
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Q. What are the volunteer or service learning opportunities in this department?
A. The first principle of Social Work (as contained in the NASW Code of Ethics) and core values are service to our clients. There are many opportunities for service in classroom activities and beyond. One specific assignment in our policy sequence of classes actually requires students to plan, organize, and facilitate a service-oriented event for the McDaniel College community or beyond. Many Social Work students in the past have developed their own projects that have become well-recognized annual events that Social Work students (and our Social Work Club) continue to sponsor and organize.
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Q. Does this department sponsor any special programs or internships?
A. Absolutely!
In addition to the field requirement during our students’ senior year, the faculty have developed numerous internship opportunities for students based on their professional interest. The Social Work program offers a variety of internship experiences with individuals, families, groups and organizations. The internship program emphasizes assessment, practice skills and techniques.
All Social Work majors are required to complete a two-day-a-week internship during both semesters of their senior year. In addition, many students participate in other internships both during the school year and in the summer. Many of these available internships are listed on the departmental web page and include such varied experiences as Roxbury Correctional Center, Maryland School for the Blind, Family and Children Services, Copper Ridge (Alzheimer’s), Junction, Inc. (substance abuse) and The Youth Services Bureau (family and children treatment services).
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Q. Can I major in Social Work and still study abroad?
A. Yes, in fact we have a sophomore student who is currently studying abroad and anticipates graduating on time with her Social Work degree. Students are encouraged to work closely with their advisor regarding study abroad and course sequencing.
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Q. How could I decide if I might like Social Work?
A. You are encouraged to talk with a faculty member about the Social Work major. There are other opportunities to find out about the field of Social Work during campus activities such as the Social Work career dinner. Other current Social Work students would be a great source of information regarding class content and expectations within the major.
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Q. Do I need any special computer equipment for courses in this department?
A. It would be a good idea to have a good word processing program such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Works in order to write papers and assignments. You should also be able to access e-mail as messages from class and your instructors may be communicated this way. Neither of these programs are required, however, they would certainly make your ability to communicate in written form much more expeditious.
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Q. What are the major requirements?
A. There are 12 courses that you must take in order to fulfill the major requirement for Social Work (44 hours). They are as follows:
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- The Family (SWK 2202),
- Human Behavior and the Social Environment (SWK 2214),
- The Institution of Social Welfare (SWK 2217),
- Social Welfare Policy (SWK 2218),
- Social Work Practice I (SWK 3322),
- Managing Systems in the Macro-Environment (SWK 3325),
- Methods of Social Work Research (SWK 3349),
- Social Work Practice II (SWK 4409),
- Field Instruction Seminar I (2 hrs. – SWK 4415),
- Field Instruction Seminar II (2hrs. – SWK 4416),
- Capstone – Field Instruction in SWK I (SWK 4417),
- Capstone – Field Instruction in SWK II (SWK 4418).
For course sequencing and planning, please talk with a faculty member in the Social Work program. They can be very helpful to you as you plan your academic schedule.
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Q. How can I major in Social Work and complete a minor in education?
A. We have had many students complete a major in Social Work with a minor in education. The two programs complement each other well (school social work). Because of the rigors of both programs' requirements, it is recommended that you sit down with a member of both the Education and Social Work Departments to plan your academic schedule as soon as you can.
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Q. What are the minor requirements in Social Work?
A. A minor in Social Work is not offered at McDaniel College. However, many students who major in Social Work minor in other fields such as Sociology, Psychology, Education, Spanish, Political Science, and Communication.
Please see a member of the Social Work faculty for guidance on any of your plans in this regard.
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