There are five social work courses which students take while they are initially completing the liberal arts core requirements for the social work major. These courses provide an opportunity to explore careers in social work and to test interests and aptitudes for the profession, including the application of statistics in research.
Students also examine their values in view of the values and ethics of the social work profession.
They also examine social issues, as well as the needs of special populations, and how the social welfare institutions and the social work profession address these issues and needs. Volunteer experiences and systematic contacts with social agencies are part of the content of these courses. An applied community service experience which encourages examination of one's values, aptitudes, and interests for a career in the human service professions. This course consists of a 50 clock hour particpant observer placement experience in a community service agency. Teaching methodology incorporates educationally guided supervision along with written reports which identify agency characteristics, examine the consumer population and its needs, and reflect on the student's demonstrated helping role in the agency.