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ODP.BSWSW - Bachelor of Social Work (online)

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Social Work

General

Degree Map

Program Code

ODP.BSWSW

Program Title

Bachelor of Social Work

Program Description

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program prepares students through the Generalist Social Work model to effect positive change within individuals, groups, organizations, and communities by engaging those systems to promote the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. In accordance with Point's mission to "educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership," the program encourages students to develop their personal philosophy of service as they reflect on how Christians have worked within the helping professions to carry out God's redemptive purposes in the world.

Building on the liberal arts foundation provided by the General Education Core, the Social Work Major employs the person-in-environment framework to prepare students to recognize, support, and build resiliency in all human beings. Graduating students are prepared to engage in research-informed generalist social work practice and to advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. They may work with diverse populations in a variety of helping professions as advocates, mediators, negotiators, community liaisons, human service workers, group workers, program coordinators, community organizers, and mental health workers. The B.S.W. program also prepares students for state licensure (see below), for developing a specialization, and for graduate studies in Social Work and related fields (for which B.S.W. graduates often receive advanced standing).

Accreditation. Point University launched its Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program in 2019-2020 after receiving approval to offer the program from its SACSCOC institutional accrediting body. At the same time, Point began the process of seeking professional accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE, https://www.cswe.org). In February 2020 the CSWE Commission on Accreditation granted candidacy status to Point's B.S.W. program. In November 2021 CSWE granted Initial Accreditation through October 2029. In accordance with CSWE policy concerning retroactive accreditation status, any students who entered the program in Fall Term 2019 or later are considered to have graduated from a CSWE-accredited Social Work program. For further information concerning CSWE accreditation, contact Dr. Aisha Williams, BSW Program Coordinator and Chair of the Sociology & Social Work Department (Aisha.Williams@Point.edu).

Social Work Licensure. Many states require licensure or certification to operate as a social worker. Requirements vary depending on state regulations, the social worker's chosen scope of practice and specialization, and other factors. Before beginning a social work program, students should familiarize themselves with requirements for their desired area of practice. The website www.SocialWorkLicensure.org provides a state-by-state licensure guide, including state licensure and certification requirements, education requirements, exam requirements, reciprocity licensure information, and professional organization contacts. The student's chapter of NASW, the National Association of Social Workers (https://www.socialworkers.org), may also be a helpful resource. The NASW offers several specialty certifications for social workers, including four at the bachelor's level (https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/Credentials Certifications).

Many states require social workers to hold a degree from a social work program professionally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or CSWE (https://cswe.org). Point has aligned its B.S.W. program with CSWE standards (see above under "Accreditation") and licensure requirements set by the Georgia Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage and Family Therapists (http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/43). One of the first courses in the Social Work Major (SOWK 301 Introduction to Social Work) includes an overview of licensure requirements. Students may also seek information from Point's B.S.W. Program Director (Aisha. Williams@Point.edu).

Modalities. Point University offers the Bachelor of Social Work program in fully-online asynchronous format, with the exception of the on-ground internship at the end of the program. Point Online students engage in asynchronous learning through a website that facilitates interaction with their instructor and classmates throughout the week. Students may complete the seminar and internship at a Point-approved site near their home under a Point-approved field supervisor.

Information and Additional Notes

I would like this change to be effective as of Spring 2026.

Learning Outcomes

Program Mission and Purpose, Goals, and Student Learning Objectives

Mission. The mission of Point University’s Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program is to prepare students through the Generalist Social Work model to effect positive change and improved physical, psychological, material, relational, and spiritual well-being within diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Building on the liberal arts foundation provided by the General Education Core and spiritual formation supported by the Character Core, the Social Work Major employs the person-in-environment framework to prepare students to recognize, support, and build resiliency in all human beings. Graduating students apply research-informed, legally and ethically sound, highly contextualized prevention and intervention strategies that promote human rights and human dignity, respect for human differences, and social and economic justice. In accordance with Point’s mission to “educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership,” the program encourages students to develop their personal philosophy of service as they reflect on how Christians have worked within the helping professions to carry out God’s redemptive purposes in the world.

The Social Work Major, the professional component of the B.S.W. degree, builds on Point University’s mission, values, and Core Curriculum (General Studies and Character Formation) to accomplish the following program goals and student learning objectives:

Goal 1:  The program will equip students with theoretical and philosophical foundations for generalist social work practice, including a legal, ethical, and theological framework for service.

Objective 1.1:    Students explain major elements of the physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual development of human beings.

Objective 1.2:   Drawing upon major theories and research into human behavior in their social environment, students distinguish between healthy and unhealthy patterns of life that contribute to social problems and community success.

Objective 1.3:   Students demonstrate a foundational working knowledge of major theories undergirding the social work profession, including person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary frameworks, theories of human need and human rights, and concepts of social and economic justice.

Objective 1.4:   Students demonstrate a foundational working knowledge of the legal and regulatory environment for social work, including scope of practice and licensure issues, relationship to other disciplines, and social welfare structures and policies at the federal, state, and local levels.

Objective 1.5:   Students demonstrate a foundational working knowledge of models for ethical decision making in social work, including the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics.

Objective 1.6:   Students develop their personal philosophy of generalist social work practice, integrating faith and vocation. (Alongside the Social Work Major, the Character Core also supports this learning objective—particularly THEO 405 Christ, Culture & Career.)

Goal 2:  The program will develop professional skills, attitudes, and behaviors essential for effective generalist social work practice.

Objective 2.1:   Students practice reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations.

Objective 2.2:   Students demonstrate effective engagement skills—such as listening, reflection, interviewing, counseling, group facilitation, and relationship-building—in serving diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Objective 2.3:   Students demonstrate effective assessment and case management skills by designing appropriate packages of services to meet the needs of diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Objective 2.4:   Students implement effective evidence-informed intervention strategies for positive change in diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Objective 2.5:   Students evaluate processes and outcomes to advance practice, policy, and service delivery to diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

Objective 2.6:   Students critically evaluate and apply quantitative and qualitative research methods and findings, including statistical analyses, to inform and improve generalist theory, practice, policy and service.

Objective 2.7:   Students use supervision and consultation to guide their professional judgment and behavior, and they actively engage in appropriate inter-professional collaboration to address human needs and achieve the most beneficial outcomes.

Objective 2.8:  Students advocate for the vulnerable and actively engage in practical strategies for promoting human rights and social and economic justice.

Objective 2.9:   Students consistently conduct themselves in a legal and ethical manner in accordance with Christian values, the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics, and other standards appropriate for the context.

Goal 3:  The program offers students educational and professional support through (1) ongoing faculty mentoring, (2) career counseling and placement assistance in cooperation with Point’s Skyhawk Career Services, (3) encouraging membership in professional organizations consistent with students’ career goals, and (4) professional development workshops and other opportunities for continuing education.

Recommended Course Sequence

Choosing a Character Core Track. Students who complete all courses in the Theological Track graduate with a Biblical Studies Minor. If students want to combine elements of both tracks while meeting the program learning objectives, they must complete one course in each numbered category in sequence. In other words, they must complete one course labeled [1], and then one course labeled [2], and then one course labeled [3], and then one course labeled [4], and then one course labeled [5]. For details, see the “Character Core” described under the “Biblical Studies Department.”

Recommended Course Sequence. As online students prepare to enter their program, academic advisors prepare a customized course schedule, or “plan of study,” mapping out which courses students should complete in which sessions from start to graduation. These customized plans take into account degree requirements, transfer credits, pace of study, and other factors toward the goal of speeding students to the finish line in the shortest time possible.

Special Considerations

Satisfactory Academic Progress. Students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of “C” (2.00) for all courses in the degree and “B” (3.00) for all courses in the Social Work Major in order to graduate with the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree.

Credit for Prior Learning. In accordance with the policy of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Point University does not grant course credit for life experience or previous work experience for any professional courses in the Social Work Major. Likewise, the BSW program does not accept transfer credits in place of the following practice courses because faculty must personally assess students’ knowledge base and skill level before approving them for field education among the public: SOWK 440 Social Work Practice I: Individuals & Families, SOWK 450 Social Work Practice II: Groups & Organizations, SOWK 460 Social Work Practice III: Communities, SOWK 497 Social Work Field Seminar, SOWK 498A Social Work Internship I: Fieldwork and SOWK 498B Social Work Internship II: Fieldwork. Other forms of credit for prior learning may apply, including transfer credits from other universities for other types of courses. (See “Credit for Prior Learning” in the section of this catalog focusing on “Academic Policies & Procedures.”)

Social Work Field Seminar and Internship. The B.S.W. program concludes with a Social Work Field Seminar, in which students are provided educational direction and support in preparation for the field experience, followed by a Social Work Internship in which students practice generalist social work competencies and demonstrate their ability to integrate theory into practice. Students complete these experiences under the mentorship of a Point instructor and a licensed social worker serving as field supervisor. Students are responsible for identifying potential sites (preferably near their home) and inquiring about potential field seminar and internship opportunities. The supervisor must be a licensed social worker who holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work from a CSWE-accredited program, has a minimum of two years of post-social work degree practice, and currently works full-time in the profession. Both the site and the supervisor must be vetted and approved by the Social Work Program Director two sessions (16 weeks) prior to the start of the seminar. Point faculty assist with arrangements once the supervisor and site are confirmed. During the Internship, students complete the BSW Generalist Social Work Capstone Portfolio Project, which includes a reflection paper and supporting documents that display the extent to which the student understands and can apply the knowledge, skills, and values of generalist social work practice. For more information, see the BSW Field Education Manual, available from the Social Work Program Director (Aisha.Williams@Point.edu).

Social Work Professional Organizations. The faculty strongly encourages all students enrolled in social work programs to join (as student members) the professional organizations that most closely align with their career goals and interests. Examples include: