Bachelor of Social Work
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is available on-campus and completely online. The BSW prepares you to start your career as a generalist in social work practice. The social work program requires both liberal arts and professional foundation courses. The social work core courses provide students with a specific body of professional knowledge, values, and skills to practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Applying to the Program
Individuals wanting to complete a social work degree will initially be considered pre-social work majors. To apply to FHSU and the Social Work program, complete an application, send your transcripts and then get assigned an academic advisor.
Pre-social work majors must have completed or concurrently enrolled in SOCW 260 Introduction to Social Work and SOCW 380 Generalist Practice: Foundations of Practice, before making formal application to the program.
Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in each social work course, a 2.50 or better grade point average (GPA) in the major, and an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.50.
The Council on Social Work Education accredits the Social Work Program at Fort Hays State University at the undergraduate level. In accord with the Council on Social Work Education's evaluative standards, the Social Work Program does not grant academic credit for life experience or previous work experience.
BSW Assessment of Learning Outcomes 2022-2023
Bachelor of Social Work Program Summary
effective Fall 2026
FHSU General Education Requirements
Social Work Core
SOCW 260 Introduction to Social Work (3)
SOCW 310 Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3)
SOCW 320 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3)
SOCW 322 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3)
SOCW 360 Social Work Research Methods (3)
SOCW 380 Generalist Practice: Foundations of Practice (3)
SOCW 410 Social Welfare Policy and Services II (3)
SOCW 461 Generalist Practice: Child and Family Systems (3)
SOCW 462 Generalist Practice: Group, Organizational and Community Systems (3)
SOCW 463 Generalist Practice: Practicum Preparation (3)
SOCW 466 Social Work Professional Seminar I (3)
SOCW 468 Field Practicum I (6)
SOCW 467 Social Work Professional Seminar II (3)
SOCW 469 Field Practicum II (6)
Social Work Elective (choose 2 courses)
SOCW 367 Individual Counseling in Addictions (3)
SOCW 368 Client Management Procedures (3)
SOCW 369 Pharmacology and High Risk Medical Issues (3)
SOCW 370 Addictions Counseling with Famlies (3)
SOCW 371 Ethics in Addictions Counseling (3)
SOCW 372 Psychopathology & Addictions (3)
SOCW 373 Group Counseling with Addiction Populations (3)
SOCW 420 Human Behavior and the Social Environment III (3)
SOCW 620 Spirituality and Aging: The Empowering Relationship (3)
Bachelor of Social Work: Addictions Counseling
The Social Work Program at FHSU has integrated all of the educational requirements for licensure as an addictions counselor. Social Work students who desire a career in addictions counseling, should take Pharmacology and High Risk Medical Issues as their social work elective and pursue the BSW practicum placement in a licensed addictions counseling facility.
Note: Individuals seeking credentialing in addictions counseling in a state other than Kansas are responsible for knowing that state's credentialing requirements, as well as the necessary educational requirements to be eligible for licensure or certification in that state. For questions regarding the Addictions Counseling program, please contact: todavis@fhsu.edu.
BSW Cohort Options
Professional Licensure Disclosure – Fort Hays State University
For students considering an academic program, whether online or campus-based, as a pathway to professional credentialing in any field:
Fort Hays State University recommends that you contact the appropriate state credentialing board in the state in which you reside or wish to be employed, prior to beginning a course of study, to determine whether the program you are considering will meet that state’s credentialing requirements. We cannot confirm whether the Fort Hays State University program meets requirements for professional credentialing in states outside of Kansas.
If you need assistance in contacting the appropriate state credentialing board or for questions regarding your program of study, please contact: socialwork@fhsu.edu