Social Work Program
Social Work Program
Social Work Program
Prospectus
The University of Guam offers a four-year professional educational program in social work leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). The BSW is recognized by the National Association of Social Workers as the entry-level degree for the profession.
The Field: Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being.
Relevance and Demand: The community of Guam along with other communities in Micronesia is experiencing many social problems, such as addictions to crystal methamphetamine and other drug use, poverty, high incidences of sexual abuse/assault, teen pregnancy, and homelessness, to name a few. A student with a Social Work degree can be in a position to be a change agent/advocate to address some of these issues. However, many of the social problems require changes at the various systems which include micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work.
Accreditation: The Bachelor of Social Work Program at the University of Guam is the only Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited baccalaureate program in the Western Pacific. The program was founded in 1980, attained candidacy status in 1999, was granted initial accreditation in 2003 and reaffirmation in 2007. It now seeks reaffirmation until 2023.
Why UOG?: UOG's Social Work Program has many strengths, including diverse faculty experience and connections to various places in Micronesia (Chuuk, Pohnpei, Palau), international connections in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines as well as connections in the continental U.S.
The program has an average of 27 students accepted into the cohort every year, which means a smaller class size and more one-on-one interaction with the faculty. The students are in cohorts, which not only means that they take classes together, but they also develop support for one another. This cohort system has shown positive results for the successful outcomes of our students. Lastly, the interventions taught are culturally relevant/appropriate to the people in the region.
Career Possibilities: A social worker can work in different professional settings (government, for-profit, and nonprofit) and with various populations (children, adolescents, adults, elderly). Some examples of what a social worker may do are working with clients and their families; collaborating with a larger team to develop treatment plans; completing documentation and other paperwork; running groups; and engaging in research, program development, and/or advocacy initiatives.
Entry-level social workers can be found at various agencies on Guam — both government and nonprofit — which include and are not limited to the following agencies: Guam Behavioral Health & Wellness Center, Deptartment of Public Health & Social Services, Guam Memorial Hospital, Guam Regional Medical Center, the Department of Youth Affairs, Sanctuary Inc., Westcare Inc., GALA, Erica’s House, Department of Labor, Guma Mami, the Lighthouse Recovery Center, Oasis Empowerment Center, the Alee Shelter, I Famagoun-ta, Guam Superior Court, New Beginnings Drug and Alcohol Program, and UOG CEDDERS.
Post-Graduate Studies: The BSW program at UOG is unique in that there is an MOU between UOG and the University of Hawaii’s Master in Social Work Program. In the event that students would like to pursue their MSW, they would have that opportunity to do so through the University of Hawaii and pay in-state tuition. Those students who are also interested in research, advocacy, and teaching can also further their studies and obtain a doctorate in social work or social welfare.
Learning Outcomes
Through the teaching of social work knowledge and practice, the Bachelor of Social Work Program prepares individuals to develop a global perspective of social welfare and social development, to actualize the concept of social caring, to demonstrate belief in the intrinsic value, dignity and worth of all humankind, to serve those in need, and to act with conviction in advancing the principle of social justice and human rights within the communities of Guam, Micronesia, and the neighboring regions of the Pacific and Asia.
The outcomes of the Bachelor of Social Work Program are as follows:
- Preparation of students to understand, identify with, and incorporate into practice the professional values and ethics of social work;
- Preparation of students for beginning generalist professional practice with individuals, kinship systems, groups, organizations, and communities;
- Preparation of students for practice with diverse and at-risk populations;
- Preparation of students as beginning social work generalists who link indigenous knowledge, social service practice wisdom, and social research;
- Preparation of students for lifelong learning and critical thinking through an educational process which is grounded in a liberal arts perspective and professional social work foundations;
- Enable students to integrate knowledge, skills, and values into generalist social work practice;
- Preparation of students for graduate education in social work.
Advisement
Academic advisement is provided to assist students throughout their educational careers as they become competent entry-level social workers. The advisor monitors student progress, provides consultation in planning a course of study, and assists in problem solving with regard to both classroom and field course work. The advisor also facilitates communication between students and their classroom and field instructors. The faculty advisor serves as an “anchor person” with whom students may confer regarding any program-related problem or question. In keeping with the goals of the program and the spirit of social work, the advising relationship among students, faculty, and administrators is one of collaboration. It is recommended that all pre-BSW students meet with the division chair for advisement before registering for classes each semester. Once a student is admitted into the Social Work Program, he/she is assigned to an advisor.
Admission Requirements
There are two levels of social work majors: Pre-BSW and BSW. A pre-BSW student is any declared social work major who has not yet completed the requirements for advancement to the BSW student status. A BSW student is one who has met these requirements and has been formally admitted to the BSW Program.
To be eligible for the BSW junior level, applicants must:
- Complete at least 45 credits of General Education requirements
- Complete EN-111 Writing for Research
- Complete Mathematics General Education requirements
- Complete SO-101 Introduction to Sociology
- Complete PY-101 General Psychology
- Complete BA-110 Economics
- Complete SW-201 Social Welfare and Development: Global Challenges with a grade of “C” or better
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Submit a completed application form and related materials, including two letters of reference.
Application for advancement to BSW student status are made at the end of the end of April (usually around April 19) of the semester of the student’s sophomore year. Upon receipt of all necessary documents, the Social Work faculty reviews the application. The division chair of the program notifies applicants by letter of the faculty’s decisions regarding admissions. Students must be advanced to BSW student status in order to take SW-330. Social Work applications can be downloaded from the School of Health webpage on the UOG website. Deadline for submission is April 18.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
In order to remain in good standing in the BSW program, students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all required Social Work courses and a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA. All prerequisites must be met before progression in the program.
| Description | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education | 33 |
| Social Sciences Courses | 15 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Social Work Courses | 44 |
| Advisor-Approved Electives | 21 |
| Total Credit Hours | 116 |
Note: Social sciences and statistics courses that are required by the BSW Program may also count toward General Education and CHamoru Studies requirements. The UOG required minimum number of credit hours for graduation is 124.
General Education (33 credit hours)
The BSW program includes a General Education foundation with a minimum of:
- 15 credit hours in the social sciences and economics
- 3 credit hours in mathematics/statistics
Social Science Courses (15 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| PY101 | GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY + This course provides an introduction to the basic principles of psychology, to methods
for research in psychology, and to key finding from its subfields. Topics include
the biological bases of behavior sensation and perception, consciousness and altered
states, learning, human memory, problem-solving, motivation and emotion, development
across the life span, personality, stress and coping, psychological disorders, psychotherapy,
and social behavior.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| SO101 | INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY + This course is a study of human society, its diversity, its nature, structure, and
processes including foundations of culture, social interaction, social controls, social
change and cross-cultural relations. Special emphasis is given to social processes
in Micronesia and the Western Pacific.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| BA110 | PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS + This course introduces the principles, terminology and fundamental concepts of microeconomics
and macroeconomics. It is a foundation for understanding the scope and methods of
the economic perspective applied to issues faced by modern capitalist societies. Topics
include the role of economics in society, the structure of economic activity, the
behavior of firms and households in a market economy, the role of government and institutions
of public policy in the United States. Relevant examples from Guam, Micronesia and
the Pacific Rim will be explored. Prerequisites: MA110.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Two elective upper-division social sciences courses (300-level or above) may be drawn from the fields of anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, women and gender studies, and CHamoru studies or as approved by Social Work faculty advisor.
Statistics Course (3 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| MA151 | INTRODUCTORY STATISTICS + This course presents statistical method as applied to the description and display
of data, and to drawing conclusions from statistical data, and introduces the basic
probability theory needed to understand use the techniques of elementary statistics.
Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MA085b or MA089, completed within the previous
3 semesters, or placement.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
Note: These courses may count toward General Education requirements and toward the major in CHamoru Studies.
Social Work Courses (44 credit hours)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| SW201 | SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT: GLOBAL CHALLENGES + This introductory course critically examines social welfare and social work from an
international and comparative perspective with a focus on the importance of cultural
and value systems on a society's allocation of resources, on the development of informal
and formal systems of care, and on the evolving mission, roles and functions of social
work.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| SW313 | RESEARCH METHODS FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES + This course offers an overview of research methods and their application in health
and social service systems. Prerequisite: MA151.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW330 | GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE METHODS I + This is first in a series of four social work practice methods courses. Initially,
the course offers a brief overview of theories underlying generalist social work with
individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Subsequently
the course emphasizes basic concepts, principles, and assumptions in working with
individuals. These theoretical concepts are then applied to individual case studies,
and students learn generalist social work skills through dynamic role-plays. Prerequisites:
SW201 or permission of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW331 | GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE METHODS II + This is the second in a series of four social work practice methods courses. It offers
theories underlying generalist social work practice and has a strong focus on skills
development for working with a variety of groups in diverse settings. These generalist
social work skills pertain in particular to group formation, group participation,
group leadership, and group termination. Prerequisite: SW201 or permission of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW332 | GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE METHODS III + This is the third in a series of four social work practice methods courses. It offers
theories underlying generalist social work practice and emphasizes skills development
for working with organization and communities. These generalist social work skills
pertain to the analysis of organizing with multiple change agents towards positive
social development. Prerequisites: SW201 or permission of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW333 | GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE METHODS IV + This is the fourth in a series of four social work practice methods courses. It offers
theories underlying generalist social work practice and emphasizes skills development
for working with families, couples and individuals. A broad range of assumptions,
concepts, and principles are examined and applied in the development of generalist
social work skills which are required to work effectively with families, couples,
and individuals of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Prerequisites: SW201 or
permission of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW345 | SOCIAL JUSTICE + This course examines the dynamics and consequences of social and economic injustice,
including various forms of human oppression and discrimination. Students gain skills
to promote social change and to implement interventions that advance individual and
collective social and economic justice and combat the causes and effects of institutionalized
form of oppression.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW350 | HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I + This course explores the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and social
environments. Students will learn to deal with the impact of the social environment
on the development of the individual throughout the entire life course, from birth
to death, including physical, emotional and intellectual changes, with an emphasis
on Micronesian cultural influences and values. The particular emphasis of this course
is from conception to young adulthood.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW351 | HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II + This course explores the reciprocal relationship between human behavior and social
environments. Students will learn to deal with the impact of the social environment
on the development of the individual throughout the entire life course, from birth
to death, including physical, emotional and intellectual changes, with an emphasis
on Micronesian cultural influences and values. The particular emphasis of this course
is on adulthood and old age. Prerequisite: SW350.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW406 | SOCIAL POLICY + This course focuses on the analysis of current social policy within the context of
historical and contemporary factors that shape policy in U.S. territories. Attention
is given to the political and organizational processes used to influence policy, the
process of policy formulation, frameworks for analysis, and skills needed for policy
practice.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW408 | ADVOCACY FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE + This course prepares students to actualize policy and advocacy in different contexts
in order to improve social conditions and promote social justice and human rights.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW410 | SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN MICRONESIA + This course considers the history of traditional and contemporary approaches to social
welfare and social development in Guam and the region.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW485A | FIELD INSTRUCTION + Each student collaborates with his/her assigned field instructor to develop and carry
out an individual learning contract for beginning generalist social work practice,
through 210 field contact hours and 45 in-class seminar hours. It is restricted to
BSW students.
|
4 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
Elective Courses (21 credits)
|
Course |
Course Title |
Credits |
Term Offered |
| SW344 | AGING: MYTH & REALITIES + This course explores the major issues and concepts pertinent to gerontology, the study
of the aging process. The prevailing theories of the social/biological aging process,
and the economics, physical and psychological problems that might arise in late life
are presented, and students learn how these factors impinge on the well-being of the
older person and the social structure of a community. Aging as it occurs in different
societies and throughout history are discussed. Social myths and stereotypes are explored.
An overview of existing aging policies and special programs for the older population
is included, as is a section on dying, death and grieving.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW355 | HUMAN SEXUALITY + This course offers a broad overview of human sexuality from a multidisciplinary perspective:
the biological, psychological, sociological, and cross-cultural. It provides some
of the most current information in the field today and the opportunity for students
to reflect on their personal values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding sexuality
and to consider critical practice issues in his/her field.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| SW400 | FIELDS OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE + Social workers are engaged in professional practice in diverse settings and work with
different client systems. Each semester, this course examines the history, current
policy issues and practice trends in a different field of social work practice. These
fields of practice include: family and children's services, youth services, older
adults, mental health, substance abuse, health care, disabilities, school social work,
social work in the workplace (military social services, employee assistance), disaster
relief, public welfare, criminal justice settings, and international social work.
With different subject matter, SW400 may be taken more than once for credit. An annual
schedule is developed based on an assessment of student interests, community need,
and availability of faculty with expertise in the practice field. Please confer with
a social work advisor regarding the annual schedule of SW400 course offerings.
|
3 credit hours | FALL/SPRING/ALL YEARS |
| SW480 | FAMILY VIOLENCE + This course examines family violence and family resilience in Guam and the region
from a cross-cultural, gender, and interdisciplinary practice perspective. Students
learn about issues of family violent from the viewpoints of victims, member of their
extended family, perpetrators, and those who intervene drawing from actual cases,
practice experiences, and current data, information and research.
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS |
| CM340 | CHAMORU CULTURE + This course critically examines and re-evaluates historic and contemporary representation
of CHamoru culture. Dance, music, change, storytelling, graphic and textile are, and
other cultural forms are set alongside a background understanding of culture as a
dynamic expression of changing historical, social, political, environmental, economic,
and other conditions in the Mariana Islands from ancient to contemporary times. This
course employs an interdisciplinary approach to critically exploring these cultural
forms and the varying contexts out of which they arise. This exploration will be conducted
while considering the larger issue surrounding the politics of cultural representation
to include identity, modernity, adaptation and resistance, debates of over authenticity,
ownership and appropriation, and the ongoing CHamoru cultural renaissance of the 21st
century. Prerequisites: CM102 and CM110, or consent of instructor.
|
3 credit hours | FALL ONLY/ALL YEARS |
| CM412 | TOPICS IN CHAMORU STUDIES + This course is an intensive study of a specific topic or theme relative to historical
analysis of the Mariana Islands colonial legacy and contemporary issues including
CHamoru cultural survival, land, social and economic development, political status,
religion, and modern modes of scholarly inquiry in the Mariana Islands. Prerequisite:
CM340 or consent of instructor. THIS COURSE IS TO BE TAUGHT CONCURRENTLY WITH EXISTING
GUAM/CHamoru STUDIES (MI512)
|
3 credit hours | SPRING ONLY/ODD YEARS |
Or:
SW-490 Special Project
Natividad S. Lisalinda
Office Location: Expertise
