Social Work Program | Fredonia.edu

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Social Work Changes Lives

At the State University of New York at Fredonia, our Bachelor of Science in Social Work program is dedicated to nurturing compassionate, skilled professionals ready to make a meaningful impact in the world. Guided by a mission rooted in the principles of service, social justice, and human relationships, our program prepares you to meet the diverse needs of today’s society through hands-on learning and innovative instruction.

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact on the world? Fredonia’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about becoming a force for positive change.

What You’ll Gain:

Real-World Experience: From day one, you’ll engage in real-life classroom experiences, preparing you to be an effective social worker in a complex and diverse society.
Accredited Program: Fredonia’s Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program qualifies you for advanced standing admission to graduate programs.
Ethical Practice: Learn to integrate the NASW Code of Ethics into your work, making decisions that prioritize service, justice, and respect.
Cultural Responsiveness: Engage in culturally responsive social work practice, centering the needs of individuals and their local communities.
Commitment to Social Justice: Be part of a program that actively fights social injustice and empowers communities.
Holistic Education: Build a foundation in liberal arts while mastering core competencies required for generalist social work practice.

Career Opportunities for Social Work

Chief of Behavioral Health Services
Clinical Social Worker
Family Mediator
Human Services Program Director
Public Health Social Worker
Victim Advocate

Child, Family, School Social Worker
Executive Director
Foster Care Clinician
Psychiatric Care Coordinator
Social Work Consultant
Workshop and Training Facilitator

What does a 4-year degree look like?

First Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOC 116	Introductory Sociology	3
PSY 129	Foundations of Psychology	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
BIOL 110	Human Biology	3
	Diversity Content Course	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	15

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOC 218	Introduction to Social Work	3
	Diversity Content Course	3
FF	Course	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOC 200	Statistical Methods I	3
	Social Work Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOCW 249	Toward a Great Society	3
SOCW 325	Foundations of Generalist Practice	3
SOCW 340	Human Behavior in Social Environment I	3
SOC 300	Research Methods	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOCW 341	Human Behavior in Social Environment II	3
SOCW 370	Generalist Practice Skills	3
POLI 382	Social Welfare Policy	3
	Social Work Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOCW 390	Practice with Individuals and Families	3
SOCW 480	Field Practicum I	3
SOCW 485	Field Practicum I with Seminar	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOCW 400	Practice with Org. & Larger Social Sys	3
SOCW 490	Field Practicum II	3
SOCW 495	Field Practicum II with Seminar	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

GRAND TOTAL:

This Sample Degree Map is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

First Year - JCC

Fall Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
HUS 1210	SOC 218 Intro to Social Work	3
PSY 1510	PSY 129 Intro to Psychology	3
Elective	Elective or Fredonia Foundations	3
ENG 1510	ENGL 099 Non-Major Elective	3
Elective	Elective	1
INT 1555	LART 099 Non-Major Elective	2
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
HUS 1410	SOCW 1TR 100 Level Elective	3
BIO 1500	BIOL 110 Human Biology	4
SOC 1510	SOC 116 Intro to Sociology	3
ENG 1530	ENGL 100 Craft of Writing	3
HUS 2230	SOCW 2TR 200 Level Elective	3
	TOTAL	16

Second Year - JCC

Fall Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
Elective	Elective Based on Student's Professional Interest	3
MAT 1540	STAT 200 Statistical Methods	3
SUNY Gen Ed	Fredonia Foundations	3
SUNY Gen Ed Diversity	Fredonia Foundations Diversity	3
Elective	Elective or Fredonia Foundations if needed	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
SUNY Gen Ed	Fredonia Foundations	3
HUS 2250	POLI 382 Social Welfare Policy	3
HUS 2210 or 2215	SOC 272 Explore Comm Based SW	5
Elective	Elective based on Student's Professional Interest	3
	TOTAL	14

Third Year - Fredonia

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOC 300	Research Methods	3
SOCW 249	Towards a Great Society	3
SOCW 325	Found of Generalist Practice	3
SOCW 340	Human Behavior in Soc Env I	3
SOCW 355	Diversity, Oppression, & Human Rights	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOCW 341	Human Behavior in Soc Env II	3
SOCW 370	Generalist Practice Skills	3
Diversity Content	Diversity Content Course if needed	3
Elective	Upper Level Elective (Non SOCW)	3
Elective	Elective (Non SOCW)	3
	TOTAL	15

Fourth Year - Fredonia

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOCW 390	Practice with Individuals, Fam, Groups	3
SOCW 480	Field Practicum I	3
SOCW 485	Field Practicum I w Seminar	3
Elective	Upper Level Elective (Non SOCW)	3
Elective	Elective (Non SOCW)	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
SOCW 400	Practice w Org & Lg Social Systems	3
SOCW 490	Field Practicum II	3
SOCW 495	Field Practicum II w Seminar	3
Elective	Upper Level Elective (Non SOCW)	3
Elective	Elective (Non SOCW)	3
	TOTAL	15

GRAND TOTAL:

*Students complete the Advancement Process at the onset of their studies. Additional information will be shared during the social work program orientation and can be found in the College Catalog. Students must have a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 in all prerequisite courses: SOC 1510 (SOC 116), PSY 1510 (PSY 129), BIO 1500 (BIOL 110), MAT 1540 ( STAT 200), HUS 1210 (SOC 218). Students must earn a C or better in HUS 1210 (SOC 218). The following courses will satisfy the Social Work Major Diversity Content Course requirement: ART 1550/1560 (ARTH 101/102), ASL 1510 (ASL 110), HIS 2610 (HIST 335), ANT/HIS 2570 (INDS 120), POL 1520 (POLI 150) SOC 2590 (SOC 306), SPA 2530 (SPAN 315)

This Sample Transfer Path is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

Transfer Policy:
SUNY General Education/Fredonia Foundations: Students who earned an AA/AS SUNY Degree in 2015 or later, or completed the SUNY Gen Ed requirement prior to transferring, will have satisfied Fredonia Foundations, our local general education requirement. Students who earned any other SUNY Degree may need to complete additional Fredonia Foundation courses at Fredonia. Such students should consult with their current advisor regarding the SUNY Gen Ed requirement and applicable courses. All SUNY General Education courses will be verified by the General Education Transcript Addendum, GETA, which is sent with the SUNY transcript.

Transfer Credit Policy:
Please refer to our Transfer Credit Policy in the College Catalog for current information.

What are all the required and elective courses offered to obtain this degree?

View Full Curriculum

SOC 218 Introduction to Social Work

Introduction to theoretical and practical foundations of social work. Examination of values, knowledge, and skills underlying a generalist approach to social work. Analysis of role of social workers in such settings as hospitals, schools, mental health agencies, and family and child welfare agencies.

SOCW 249 Social Welfare Institutions

Introduces students to the basic public and private sector mechanisms of social welfare policy and services through the lens of history. The importance of values/attitudes/beliefs in the political process and the concept of social justice are analyzed. The development of the social work profession is featured.

POLI 382 Social Welfare Policy

Examination of the politics and operation of the social welfare system in the United States. Emphasis on a policy analysis of current social welfare issues such as the Social Security crisis, welfare reform, the relationship between welfare and national economic policy, the functions of public welfare versus private charity, and the connections between direct service and social reform.

It's Different Here

High Placement

Fredonia alumni thrive in prestigious grad schools. Prepare to join their ranks.

15-20 Hours

Per week in internships provides every student with real-world experience.

16%

A Growing Field

Employment of social workers is projected to grow 16% through 2026.

Counselor with student. A social work major can lead to an interesting and rewarding career.

Child, Family, and School Social Worker

Social workers help people prevent and cope with problems in their everyday lives.

Median Salary: $58,380 per year
Job Outlook 2023-2033: 7% growth
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Bureau of Labor Statistics

woman at laptop. Social work degree seeking students develop skills useful in many fields.

Human Services Program Director

Social and community service managers coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.

Median Salary: $77,030 per year
Job Outlook 2023-2033: 8% growth
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Woman at computer. Social work programs like the one at SUNY Fredonia help students find jobs helping others.

Family Mediator

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators facilitate negotiation and dialogue between disputing parties to help resolve conflicts outside of the court system.

Median Salary: $71,540 per year
Job Outlook 2023-2033: 6% growth
Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree

Bureau of Labor Statistics