Department of Social Work

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Department of Social Work

Mission & Values

The mission of the Department of Social Work is to educate a diverse student population to become generalist social workers prepared to work as competent entry-level practitioners and leaders in a global society. Using a competency-based curriculum, students acquire social work knowledge, values and skills to work effectively with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, especially those within ethnic and urban environments.

Email us
(410) 951-3535
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Health and Human Services Bldg., Room 527
(410) 951-3536
Overview
Our Programs
Accreditation
Related Pages
Faculty and Staff

We use a systems approach to address social problems and on a micro, mezzo, and macro level, and encourage policy and legislation that help communities and individuals thrive.

Opportunities. Everywhere.

Our social work program gives senior students multiple opportunities to thrive, prepare for state licensure, and secure employment. And with a job outlook 13% faster than average, graduates are likely to find opportunities available for licensed BSW graduates.

The program also prepares students to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and additional areas of specializations including but not limited to child welfare, addictions, as well as other issues of concern for vulnerable, oppressed, and impoverished persons and communities.

Core values:

  • Utilization of cutting-edge technology
  • Inclusion of Service Learning and Community Engagement Facilitation of Student-centered Advancement
  • Promotion of Leadership Development

Learn about Social Work Core Competencies.

Our Programs

Social Work

Undergraduate
Major
Concentration

Social Welfare

Undergraduate
Minor

Accreditation

The excellence of CSU's Social Work program is evidenced by accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes 2021-2022

Prior years: 2020-2021 | 2019-2020 | 2018-2019 | 2017-2018 | 2016-2017 | 2015-2016 | 2014-2015

Related Pages

Social Work Resources
Field Education
Tuition and Aid
Forms and Downloads

Faculty and Staff

Our faculty and staff represent diverse professional, academic, and ethnic backgrounds. We work tirelessly to ensure we carry out our tradition of professionalism, high industry standards, and student success.

Adjunct Faculty:

  • Taavon Bazemore, PhD LCSW-C
  • Tonya Phillips, PhD LCSW-C LCADC
  • Dana Yates, LCSW-C

Student Professional:

  • Jeanice Jenkins

Melissa E. Buckley PhD, LMSW, MSW

Chair and Associate Professor

faculty

Dr. Jeronda Burley

Jeronda T. Burley PhD, MDiv

Associate Professor

faculty

Can Help With
Advising
Social Work Association (SWA)

Danielle Parker MSW

Director of Field Education

faculty

Christopher Robinson Ed.D, LMSW, MSW

Associate Professor

faculty

Can Help With
Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Social Work Practice
Macro Social Work Practice
Social Work Research Methods

Alecia Taylor M.S.

Administrative Assistant

staff

Claudia Thorne LCSW, LISW, PhD

Assistant Professor

faculty

Can Help With
Qualitative Research Methods
Aging, Dementia
Student Advising, Honor Society

Paulette Williams Tillery PhD, LMSW

Assistant Professor

faculty

College

The Department of Social Work is within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. 

Start your journey

Field Education

Department of Social Work

Field Education

Email us
(410) 951-3535
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Health and Human Services Bldg., Room 527
(410) 951-3536
Overview
Eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Field Instruction Forms
Contact Us
Related Pages

Through fieldwork, students get to put their skills, commitment, and knowledge directly to practice, while seeing how interventions can make an impact in clients' lives.

The Value of Fieldwork

Fieldwork is an important part of the social work curriculum because it allows students to the opportunity to apply theories, and concepts learned in the classroom to experiences in the field through a supervised placement.

The goal of field instruction is to engage students in supervised direct and indirect service activities and provide practical experience in all the foundation competency areas as guided by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This effort is accomplished through partnerships with a variety of agencies that meet the required learning outcomes as outlined in the Social Work Field Education Manual.

Through fieldwork, students identify professional strengths and growth areas, while also gaining the skills, knowledge, and values needed to succeed as a social work practitioner and leader.

Fieldwork Eligibility

Each student is responsible for becoming familiar with the social work requirements for the major as outlined in the University Catalog. To qualify for a field placement, a student must:

  • Be accepted as a full social work major (no pre-social work majors)
  • Complete the following courses with a grade of C or better by the end of the spring semester before field work begins:
    • SOWK 210
    • SOWK 260
    • SOWK 360
    • SOWK 379
    • SOWK 388
    • SOWK 389
  • Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 grade point average by the end of the semester before your placement begins
  • Be able to graduate within 3 semesters of starting field work
  • Submit all application materials by the appropriate deadline:
    • March 31st for fall placement
  • Regularly demonstrate responsible and professional student conduct as outlined in the Social Work Field Education Manual.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Field Placement provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge, skills, and values learned in the classroom setting in practical experiences within social service agencies.

The department notifies all social work students by email about a field interest meeting. During the field interest meeting, students learn about the field process and have an opportunity to ask questions. Field experience may provide opportunities for students to match with specific agencies or client populations, if available.

To start the field placement process, students must electronically apply for field placement. The department does not accept any applications faxed or emailed to the Field Education Office. Students may be matched with agencies / and or particular client populations they would like to work with (provided such agency is available).

Day and evening students must spend 16 hours per week in an internship over two academic semesters for a minimum of 400 hours of field placement. There is no variation regarding time spent in the field. You must spend 16 hours and two (2) full days a week in field if you are a day placement. Most students are at the agencies during the day on a Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday schedule. Evening students may work partial hours any day of the week except Sunday, but must complete 16 hours a week as well.

For most students, field starts in the fall and continues through the spring semester. However, as of January 2009 students may also start field in January. These students will complete field by the first summer session which is a block placement.

The University cannot guarantee field placement on either weekend or evening hours because most agencies don't have available supervision after 5:00 p.m. The University has a limited number of student placements with non-traditional hours. You will need to plan ahead and save leave time with current employers. We encourage you to consider finding a job that has evening hours.

A field instructor must have a MSW and at least 2 years of postgraduate professional social work experience. The Field Instructor will supervise, monitor, and evaluate interns in their fieldwork, overseeing the entire range of field experience.

The field liaison is an employee of the Department of Social Work who provides a link between the student and the agency.

The task supervisor is not required to hold an MSW degree, although they are expected to have experience with the agency. Their role is to work with the student directly on a daily basis regarding specific tasks, client services, and agency operations.

Field Instruction Forms

Field Application & Guides

Application for Social Work Field Placement
Social Work Field Calendar Fall 2021
SOWK Field Manual 2021-2022
Social Work Field Calendar for Spring 2022

Field Forms

Field placement hours sheet
processing recording guidelines
process recording form
Field instruction student monthly report
Social Work Coppin Learning Contract

Faculty Liaison Forms

Field student information form
Field seminar student sign in sheet
Field liaison log
Field complaint form
Field education grading form

Contact Us

Related Pages

Department of Social Work
Social Work Major

Social Work

Social Work

Degree Type

Bachelor of Social Work

About

Improve the social-emotional wellbeing of individuals by understanding the communities and institutions that make us who we are.

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Introduction

Social work is one of the best and most sought-after helping professions! Because of its eclectic knowledgebase, commitment to values and ethics, and high skill requirements, those who complete a degree in social work are able to impact the paths of individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Simply stated, social workers are those who have been trained to help others and make positive contributions to the lives of men, women, and children. Social workers help people solve personal, family, as well as community problems so they can lead better lives. Social workers are actively involved in the prevention and treatment of the Grand Challenges facing society today:

Individual Well-Being

  • Ensuring healthy development for youth
  • Closing the health gap
  • Building healthy relationships to end violence
  • Advancing long and productive lives

Stronger Social Fabric

  • Eradicating social isolation
  • Ending homelessness
  • Creating social responses to a changing environment
  • Harnessing technology for social good

Just Society

  • Eliminate racism
  • Promoting smart decarceration
  • Reducing extreme economic inequality
  • Building financial capability and assets for all
  • Achieving equal opportunity and justice
Academic Catalog
Program Requirements
Sample Degree Plan
Admission Process
Related Programs
Students studying

750+ Course Options

The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.

Explore our courses

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among:

  • General Education Requirements (GERs),
  • Core courses
  • Electives 

Core Courses 

Course Credits Name
SOWK 205 3 Writing in Social Work
SOWK 210 3 Introduction to Social Work
SOWK 260 3 Social Welfare, Social Policy and Social Work I
SOWK 360 3 Social Welfare, Social Policy and Social Work II
SOWK 379 3

Social Work Methods I: Introduction to Practice
SOWK 388 3 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SOWK 389 3 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SOWK 390 6 Special Topics in Social Work (Students are required to take two SOWK 390 courses totaling 6 credits.)

SOWK 460

3

Technology in Human Services
SOWK 461 3 Social Work Research
SOWK 480 6 Beginning Field Experience in Social Work
SOWK 481 3 Social Work Methods II: A Generalist's Approach to Practice
SOWK 482 3 Advanced Field Experience in Social Work
SOWK 483 3 Social Work Methods III: Selected Intervention Strategies, Research, and Evaluation
SOWK 490 3 Professional Issues Seminar

Sample Degree Plan

This plan is only for example purposes. Your academic journey may be slightly different from another student’s journey, so be sure to always communicate with your academic advisor before finalizing your course schedule.

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course credits name
ENGL 101 3 English Composition I
SOCI 201 3 Introduction to Sociology
BIOL 101 4 Introduction to Biology with Lab
HIST 20x 3 World History I or US History I or African American History I

IDIS 103

or

THEA 211

 3

Music and Dance

or 

Visual Arts and Theatre

Spring Semester (15 credits)

course credits name
ENGL 102 3 English Composition II
PHSC 103 3 Technology and Human Affairs

PHIL 102

or

PHIL 103

 3

Introduction to Logic

or

Introduction to Philosophy
MISY 150 3 Technology Fluency
HIST 20x 3 World History II or US History II or African American History II

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
SOWK 210 3 Introduction to Social Work
PSYC 201 3 General Psychology
WLIT 207 3 World Literature
POSC 301 3 US Government

SPCH 204

or

HEED 105 

 3

Critical Listening

or

Emerging Issues and Mental Health (Recommended)
     

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
MATH 203 3 Basic Statistics
SOWK 205 3 Writing in Social Work Practice
SOWK 260 3 Social Welfare, Policy, and Social Work I
XXXX xxx 3 Minor or Elective Cluster Option
XXXX xxx 3 Minor or Elective Cluster Option

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
SOWK 360 3 Social Welfare, Social Work Policy II
SOWK 388 3 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SOWK 460 3 Technology in Human Services
XXXX xxx 3 Minor or Cluster Elective Option
XXXX xxx 3 General Elective

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
SOWK 379 3 Social Work MethodsI
SOWK 389 3 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SOWK 461 3 Social Work Research
XXXX xxx 3 Minor or Cluster Elective Option
XXXX xxx 3 Minor or Cluster Elective Option

Fall Semester (15 credits)

Course credits name
SOWK 480 6 Beginning Field Experience in Social Work
SOWK 481 3 Social Work Methods II
SOWK 390 3 Special Topics Option
XXXX xxx 3 Minor or Elective Cluster Option

Spring Semester (15 credits)

Course Credits Name
SOWK 482 6 Advanced Field Experience in Social Work
SOWK 483 3 Social Work Methods III
SOWK 490 3 Professional Issues Seminar
SOWK 390 3 Special Topics Option

Admission Requirements

We invite pre-social work students to apply to the social work major while enrolled in the following classes:

  • SOWK 205, Writing for Social Work
  • SOWK 210, Introduction to Social Work
  • SOWK 260, Social Work Welfare Policy I

To be considered for fall admission, students must submit their complete application by March 31.

Application Requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for admission and must be maintained throughout the program. Students who wish to pursue the Bachelor of Social Work degree must apply for admission into the program while enrolled in SOWK 210.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and/or may be denied admission to the social work major.

Prepare to submit the following documentation as part of your admissions packet to the Social Work major:

  • Social Work application
  • 1 letter of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • National Association of Social Work (NASW) policy summary statement
  • Transcripts
  • Course descriptions (for course substitutions, if requested. Transfer students only)
  • Signed Social Work Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
  • Signed Ethical Standards Form
  • Signed Social Work Code of Conduct

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Social Work is in the Department of Social Work in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Start your journey

Related Pages

Undergraduate Admissions
Tuition and Aid
Student Life

Claudia Thorne LCSW, LISW, PhD

Assistant Professor

faculty

Can Help With
Qualitative Research Methods
Aging, Dementia
Student Advising, Honor Society

Claudia Thorne LCSW, LISW, PhD

Assistant Professor

faculty

Can Help With
Qualitative Research Methods
Aging, Dementia
Student Advising, Honor Society
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