B.S., Social Work

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

• Completion of 60 or more transferable credits from accredited college or post-secondary programs. Applicants with fewer than 60 credits will need additional coursework to complete degree requirements.
• Age 25 or older, or must demonstrate an appropriate combination of maturity, experience and motivation.
• Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Employment in the human services field in a direct care capacity for at least 20 hours per week for the duration of the program.
• Completion of an enrollment interview – speak with an Enrollment Advisor to review transferable credits and application.

How to Apply

Candidates are encouraged to Apply Online and submit all required documents for admission:

• Completed application.
• Non-refundable $50 application fee made payable to Keuka College
• Official transcripts requested and sent from each college or university attended.
• Apply for Financial Aid (if applicable). This should be completed at the time of application. Failure to apply on a timely basis may delay the financial aid award and start of program.

Skills & Job Information

For more comprehensive program, career and employment information, please visit:

Social Work Portal
Council on Social Work Education 
National Association of Social Workers
BSW licensing requirements and examination
Trends in employment and salary

Students are trained in areas such as:

• Advocacy
• Assessment
• Case management
• Community outreach
• Crisis intervention
• Critical thinking
• Interviewing
• Intake/referral
• Service planning
• Service provision
• Program evaluation

Recent graduates represent a cross section of area employers and career fields including:

• Rehabilitation
• Substance abuse
• Community outreach
• Addictions
• Aging
• Mental health
• Family, children and youth services
• Women's resource services
• Schools
• Health care
• Social welfare

Program Curriculum

The B.S. in Social Work curriculum consists of 17 courses and 64 credit hours. Classes meet one night each week for 4 hours. In addition to classroom hours, students are expected to invest approximately 1-2 hours outside of class for each classroom hour. For planning purposes, students will spend 4 hours each week in class, plus an additional 4-8 hours outside of class, completing readings, assignments, case studies and group work.

COM 320 Business and the Professional Writing (3 credits)

The study and practice of formal writing used by professionals in the fields of criminal justice, social services, business, health care and sciences.  Includes business letters and resumes, formal reports, and a variety of other forms of writing used in the professional fields mentioned above.

SWK 101 Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)

A foundation course that provides an overview of the social work profession examined through the scope of historical development, related theories, and understanding of current practice. The standards of the profession will be introduced to students, and beginning understanding of self and others through issues of diversity, beginning practice skills, and role plays. This course allows a realistic view of social work through the addition of guest lecturers from, and field trips to, a variety of social work settings and an additional requirement for community work.

INS 301 Integrative Studies II (3 credits)

An upperclass course to be taken after most other core requirements are completed, it provides students with guidance in their application of interdisciplinary knowledge to problem solving. Students are challenged to practice critical and creative thinking skills, and are expected to demonstrate competence in oral, written, and other creative modes of expression.

SWK 211 Generalist Social Work Practice I (3 credits)

An introduction to the social work profession with emphasis on values, ethics, theories, concepts and generalist practice methods. Foundational generalist practice skills for work with client systems of various sizes to include micro, messo, and macro levels of practice. Generalist social work practice encompasses assessment and intervention within all three levels of practice founded on the principles of systems theory. Students will engage in a variety of experiential learning activities such as professional writing, social work documentation, human service program design and evaluation, counselor/ client relationships, interviewing and assessing techniques, skills in communication, and confidentiality.

SWK 221 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3 credits)

Content about human bio-psycho-social development through the life stages, including knowledge about social systems (families, groups, organizations, instructions, and communities) in which individuals live. The application of systems to a social work perspective of human development, emphasis on life situations encountered by generalist social workers, and the impact of factors such as oppression, discrimination, poverty, and sexism.

PSY 328 Personality Theory and Dynamics (4 credits)

Major views of personality, including those of Freud, neo-Freudians (Adler, Jung, Erikson), and Maslow; behavioral and humanistics/ existential approaches; implications for personal growth and therapy. This course includes a laboratory section.

SWK 201 Social Welfare Policy and Service I (3 credits)

Policy development process including structure of the service delivery system; social inequities in service delivery and organizations; change strategies that promote social and economic justice; examination of history of social welfare in the United States; and the ideology, values and policies that have influenced social programs and current programs, organizations, provisions, and issues.

SWK 220 Ethics and Diversity in Social Work (3 credits)

This is a fundamental course for all social work students. It addresses the areas of diversity in which the Council for Social Work Education requires all social work students to have a working knowledge. These areas include, but are not limited to, issues of race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability, age, and national origin. It assists students in becoming aware of, and sensitive to, these issues as well as building some beginning skill level with diverse populations. Important social work qualities, such as non-judgmental attitudes, acceptance, and a client-centered approach, will be explored. The required standard for the profession and student—the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics—will be introduced and worked with to further the student’s ability to understand and use its structure. Class members apply their knowledge by exploring ethical dilemmas and their application with clients, themselves, and the practice of social work.

SWK 250 Substance Abuse and Families (3 credits)

Substance abuse within family systems and society at large is a prevalent issue in social work practice. This course will provide an overview of the progression of substance abuse and how it has an impact on individuals, families, social institutions, and communities. Identification of substance abuse and dependency, basic counselor-client practice skills, and levels of social work intervention will be incorporated into the curriculum. The format will be interactive and experiential.

SWK 302 Social Work Research Methods (3 credits)

This course will introduce students to the concepts and principles of social work research methodology. Topics include familiarization with research terminology, problem formulation, conceptualization and operationalizing research questions, measurement, methods of data collection, types of data collection, sampling, causal inference, and research designs. Emphasis will be placed on developing skill in evaluating one’s own practice, particularly through single-system design. The course will also develop the student’s ability to critically evaluate published research and to formulate and carry out research. Respect for the unique characteristics of diverse populations will be stressed as the course covers social work research in light of diversity, multicultural biases, and social and economic justice.

SWK 331 Youth Services Delivery Systems (3 credits)

This course focuses on child welfare services and the juvenile justice system; the impact of such problems as abuse, juvenile delinquency, and emotional disturbance on children; and the child as a human being.

SWK 312 General Social Work Practice II (3 credits)

Focus on the professional use of self through client and systems work. Skill emphasis will be on non-verbal behavior, use of various clinical assessment tools, and awareness of, and sensitivity to, cultural and self-awareness. Students will integrate quantitative and qualitative research to generalist social work practice and further develop skills of critical thinking.

SWK 332 Group Processes (3 credits)

Formation, definition, and process of a group; group interactions using group exercises and observations; and beginning facilitator experience.

SWK 351 Generalist Social Work Practice III (3 credits)

SWK 351 is the junior/senior level practice course for social work majors. Its focus is on macro-level practice. Topic areas include family systems through general systems theory. Understanding of macro-level government, funding, and human service agency structures is emphasized. Theories and practice of community organizations, needs assessments, and the social worker’s role in all of the above is discussed.

SWK 401 Social Welfare Policies and Services II (3 credits)

An examination of selected laws, programs, benefits, and services that form the basis of social welfare policy in the U.S., and social welfare policy analysis and its application. The structure of service delivery systems, organizations, and social inequities in service delivery, as well as organizational change strategies that promote social and economic justice. An introduction to program development.

SWK 421 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3 credits)

Examination of the human condition from adolescence to old age (ages 12-82+). Students will learn to identify the “critical issues” at each developmental stage of life using biological, sociological, psychological, and spiritual assessment models. Generalist issues which affect the entire span of the life cycle will also be addressed. This course heavily emphasizes the shift for students from theory to practice through extensive use of experiential activities that include conducting actual assessments, developing a program for a topic of diversity, team-based activities, etc.

SWK 450 Senior Practicum and Seminar (15 credits)

Placement in social service agencies, including generalist work at an approved setting for a minimum of 416 hours and a semester research project. Students evaluate their own practice interventions using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Students develop greater awareness of the professional use of self in practice settings. The practicum will begin following the completion of all required coursework.

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