Declaring the Major | Progressing in the Major
Description of the Major
If you are interested in working in individual or family counseling, in medical social services, with children and their problems, with the physically or mentally ill, with the elderly, with drug/alcohol users, with juvenile or adult corrections or with employees and their problems...then a social work major is for you. Social work is a challenging, dynamic profession. Social workers are doers; they apply knowledge and skills in diverse settings.
You will gain knowledge and skills in interviewing, assessment, intervention, advocacy, case management, community outreach, crisis intervention, networking, problem solving, policy analysis, research and more with the goal of improving the quality of life for all. The JMU social work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has a strong reputation for producing graduates who excel when they enter the profession and graduate school.
Degrees Offered
B.S.W.
Concentrations
None
Minors
None
Declaring the Major
New Freshmen and Transfer Students
Declare the social work major when you register for orientation.
Currently Enrolled Major Changers
Complete a "Change or Declaration of Major” form and obtain the signature of the department head in Health and Human Services Building, room 2127.
Submit Application
Declared majors may apply for full admission upon completion of SOWK 287 and SOWK 288. Submit an application, personal statement and three references.
Progressing in the Major
Unconditional Admission
Unconditional admission to social work is given to students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0, no single grade lower than a “C” (2.0) in SOWK 287 and SOWK 288 and completion of the 20 hours of community service-learning required in SOWK 287.
Conditional Admission
Students who have met the minimum GPA requirements but have weak aptitudes or students with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 or "C-" grades in prerequisite courses are admitted conditionally with a contract specifying objectives that must be met.
