Social Work is a human service profession which works to prevent social problems; to help people achieve satisfying interpersonal relationships; to assist individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities dealing with social problems; and to promote social justice. These goals require the student to master a broad range of knowledge and skills and to acquire a deep understanding of the values and ethics of the profession of social work.

The primary educational objective of the social work program is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice. Graduates of the program are prepared for employment in both rural and urban settings such as community centers, medical hospitals, nursing homes, group homes for children and adolescents, facilities for mentally challenged and developmentally disabled people, family service agencies, human relations agencies, state social service departments, and mental health treatment centers.

The Dana College Social Work Department is accredited at the baccalaureate level by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduates are qualified to become Certified Social Workers (baccalaureate level certification) in the state of Nebraska. The Social Work Department has been accredited since 1986.

Social Work Major (53 credits of social work and 12 credits of prerequisites)

Prerequisites for the Professional Sequence Courses
Soc 40.103  Introduction to Sociology - 3 credits
Psy  37.101 General Psychology - 3 credits
Soc 40.261 Sociology of the Political Economy - 3 credits

Select one from:
Biol  12.105  Biological Principles I - 4 credits
NS 32.111 Life Science - 3 credits

Professional Social Work Courses
SW  39.114  Introduction to Social Work - 3 credits
SW  39.215  Experience in Human Service - 3 credits
SW  39.236  Cultural Diversity - 3 credits
SW  39.301  Social Welfare Policy and Services - 3 credits
SW  39.333  Human Behavior and the Social Environment I - 3 credits
SW  39.334  Human Behavior and the Social Environment II - 3 credits
SW  39.335  Human Behavior and the Social Environment III - 3 credits
SW  39.337  Methods of Behavioral Research - 3 credits
SW  39.339  Research Methods and Statistical Analysis - 3 credits
SW  39.343 The African-American Experience - 3 credits
SW  39.355  Social Work Practice I - 3 credits
SW  39.356  Social Work Practice II - 3 credits
SW  39.357  Social Work Practice III - 3 credits
SW  39.440  Social Work Practicum I - 3 credits
SW  39.441  Social Work Practicum II - 9 credits
SW  39.490  Field Seminar - 2 credits

Admittance to the Social Work Program
Students may declare themselves to be pre-professional social work majors at any point in the first two years of their academic program by notifying the Registrar's office and the Social Work Department (DCC 108) in order to expedite the assignment of a social work advisor to the student. Students then meet with their advisors frequently to plan their programs of study and to discuss their goals and progress toward them.

The application for admission to the Social Work Program is normally done in the spring semester of the sophomore year. Transfer students may apply during the summer previous to their junior year. Transfer students need to consult with the Social Work Department regarding arrangements for transferring credits, their programs of study, and admissions procedures.

To be formally admitted to the Social Work Program, students must:

1. Have completed 45 hours of course work with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
2. Have completed 39.114, Introduction to Social Welfare, and 39.215, Experience in Human Service with a social work course GPA of at least 3.0.
3. Have demonstrated competence in written and oral communication by completing the Dana College General Education baseline competencies for written and oral communication skills with a minimum grade of "C" in each course. Students who exhibit problems in written communication may be asked to work with tutors in the Learning Center to develop mastery in this area.
4. Complete an application form (available in the Social Work Office, DCC 108) for admission to the Social Work Program. This application includes: basic biographical data; information on employment and volunteer experiences; questions regarding the student's interest, readiness, and suitability for a career in social work; and references. (Students transferring course work from another accredited social work program will be expected to provide the Social Work Program faculty with the names of two references from the program.)
   Students are also asked for full disclosure of any of the following:
   — Current alcohol and/or substance abuse problems and treatment (if the applicant is currently in treatment, an independent psychological evaluation and assessment by a recognized agency may be required);
   — Conviction of any felony and/or conviction of any misdemeanor that involved bodily harm to another.
   — Students who are involved in treatment for substance dependency, emotional problems, and/or mental illness must sign a release of information form in order that the Social Work Program faculty may have access to relevant information on the applicant's course of treatment.
5. Submit a current copy of her/his transcript.
6. Be successfully reviewed by the Social Work Program faculty. When more information is needed for a decision, the faculty will interview applicants. All information obtained through this process will be held in confidence. Knowingly making a false oral or written statement during the admission process could result in denial of admission to the program.
7. Sign a statement indicating that she/he has read and will follow the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (to be found in the Social Work Student Handbook).
   Applicants will be notified in writing of the decision regarding their admission to the program. The four possible outcomes of the admissions process are:
   — a) Acceptance into the Program.
   — b) Conditional acceptance into the Program. In this case, the applicant will be notified of specific areas which, in the professional judgment of the Social Work Program faculty, need improvement and/or correction. A contract between the Program and the student for the improvement and/or correction of the specific areas will be made. The faculty will review the student's work at mid-semester and at the end of the semester to determine if the improvement/correction is adequate for the student to receive accepted status.
   — c) Delayed decision. The applicant will be notified of specific conditions which must be met before admission will be reconsidered.
   — d) Denial. The applicant will be notified of specific reasons for rejection of her/his application for admission.
   For additional information on admissions procedures, please see the Social Work Student Handbook, which is available in the Social Work Office, DCC 108.

Social Work majors take a minimum of 9 credit hours of Practicum II, 39.441. One credit hour requires 45 hours of supervised work in an approved agency. The practicum is offered in the spring semester, the January interim and during the summer; it is a block placement in one agency and must be taken concurrently with the Field Seminar, 39.490. Practicum I 39.440 rotation is a practicum preparation course and is taken in the fall of the senior year. It involves eight work hours per week in the field and a weekly seminar.

The Student Social Work Handbook is available in the Social Work Department to students interested in a social work major. It explains the advancement policy and the curriculum more fully and gives further information on the field of social work.

Social Work Nondiscrimination Statement
The Social Work Department maintains a proactive stance with regard to the affirmation of diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, political orientation, or sexual orientation.