B.S.W. Social Work

To earn this degree, you must complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:

• at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements.  Be aware that you may not use courses with an SW prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.  Contact your department for information about liberal studies courses that are specific to this major.

• at least 75 units of major requirements

• elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)

Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in ethnic diversity and one in global awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.

Also be aware that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).

Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.

Major Requirements

You must complete at least the following 75 units for the social work major.

Professional Core

These 60 units include:

• introduction to social work: SW 220 (3 units)

• research sequence: SOC 365 or PSY 230 plus SW 355 (6-7 units)

• policy sequence: SW 320W, which meets the junior writing requirement, and SW 420 (6 units)

• human behavior and the social environment sequence: PSY 240 plus SW 427 (6 units)

• information technology literacy: CIS 120 and 120L plus SW 370 (6 units)  

• generalist practice sequence: SW 321, 422, and 423 (9 units)

• crisis intervention: SW 401 (3 units)

• contemporary topics in social work: SW 450 topics (6 units)

• field education: SW 408 (12 units)

• senior seminar: SW 498C, which meets the senior capstone requirement (3 units)

Please note that we allow only one grade of D in the professional core courses.

Behavioral Science Cognates

For these 15 units, you take one course each in the following areas:

• ethnicity: SOC 215  or 360(3 units)

• gender: one of HIS 295, POS 355, SOC 204, CJ 360,  PSY 491, and any WST course (3 units)

• human biology: one of BIO 310 and 372 and HP 300 (3 units)

• indigenous populations of the Southwest: one of SOC 315, ANT 306, and HIS 396 (3 units)

• social and economic justice: ECO 285 or SOC 353 (3 units)

Please note that your advisor’s approval is necessary for any courses not listed above.

General Electives  

Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.  

You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)  

Click here for more information about Social Work undergraduate courses, graduate courses, and faculty.