Social Work, B.A.

Program Chair: Shirley Huisman, Ph.D.

Available in the Day and Evening Colleges.

Columbia College’s baccalaureate Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares graduates for entry level Social Work employment as well as for graduate level Social Work education. Our mission is to educate undergraduate students from a social science perspective in both problem solving skills and Social Work values, in order to prepare them for generalist Social Work practice work with diverse populations in an increasingly complex and interconnected world, emphasizing social and economic justice for populations at risk. The program encourages Social Work career development through affiliation with professional organizations, pursuit of graduate education and involvement in continuing education.

Mission:  The mission of the Columbia College Social Work Program is to develop the prerequisite knowledge, values and skills in students to prepare them to function as entry level, generalist social work practitioners, with particular appreciation and sensitivity for the diverse populations and social institutions of the Eau Claire and greater Columbia communities, as well as the broader southeast.  

The nine program competencies are those recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for Social Work programs. 

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior    
2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice  
3. Advance Human Rights and Social and Economic and Environmental Justice  
4. Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice   
5. Engage in Policy Practice  
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities  
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities  
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities   
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities  

Students interested in a Social Work major at Columbia College need to be aware of the following:

• Acceptance to Columbia College does not constitute admission to upper level Social Work courses, or the program. Student must make formal application to the Social Work program. The program considers academic performance as well as personal qualifications in our evaluation of a student’s readiness for continued training and education towards a BSW degree.
• Personal qualifications evaluated for the purpose of admission to the program include intelligence, interpersonal communication skills, self-awareness, initiative, social concern, appreciation for human diversity, dependability, humanitarian interests in helping people and in improving human services and college level reading and writing skills. The behaviors associated with these essential qualifications are considered to be primary indicators of readiness for continued academic preparation for Social Work practice.
• Prior to formal program application/admission, impediments in any or a combination of these areas may result in students being advised towards another course of study. The program is not responsible for providing remediation of these difficulties prior to program admission. A student may be advised out of the major for either academic or personal qualification reasons.
• Program admission does not constitute program completion. Students who evidence difficulties in any or a combination of the above areas after program admission will be counseled and advised with the goal of correcting the problem. If adequate progress is not made, students can be advised out of the program after program admission. Students assume responsibility for any additional time this may involve for completion of an undergraduate degree in another area. A student may be advised out of the Social Work program for either academic or personal qualification reasons.
• The Social Work curriculum is sequenced, thereby requiring that students complete courses in order, under the advisement of Social Work faculty. The program works with each student individually to devise a plan whereby all prerequisites and general education courses are completed in order to move forward with program courses in as timely of a manner as possible. Should a student decide not to follow their advised schedule, their progress towards graduation may be prolonged and delayed. The program is not responsible for a student’s decision to disregard advisement.
• All 300- and 400- level Social Work major courses must be completed at Columbia College. Transfer credit for 200-level major courses will be evaluated on a case by case basis.