The Council on Social Work Education accredits the baccalaureate social work program at Lubbock Christian University. Therefore, social work graduates from LCU are eligible to sit for the social work licensing exam to become licensed social workers (LBSW).

The principal educational goal of the social work program is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice. Graduates find employment in home health care agencies, schools, children's homes, hospitals, nursing homes, MHMR, Children's Protective Services, residential treatment facilities, criminal justice settings, agencies working with people with disabilities, and various other agencies.

Graduates who wish to further their education are experiencing a high rate of success being admitted to Masters of Social Work programs throughout the United States. Most of those admitted are granted advanced standing that shortens the length of the Master’s program to around 35-50 hours.

The social work program does not give academic credit for life experience or previous work experience.

Mission

The social work program at Lubbock Christian University has as its primary mission to prepare competent and effective social work professionals within the context of the Christian liberal arts education, for entry-level generalist social work practice.

Social Work Program Goals

In addressing the program’s mission, the following goals have been developed:

• To prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations of diverse social and cultural backgrounds.
• To prepare students for community service with populations at risk through the high ideals of the profession and the values of the university.
• To prepare students for graduate social work programs.

Social Work Program Objectives

Graduates of the Lubbock Christian University social work program will be able to

• Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.
• Understand the value bases of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly. 
• Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
• Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
• Understand the history of the social work profession and its current structures and issues.
• Apply the knowledge and skills of the generalist social worker practice with systems of all sizes.
• Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities. 
• Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.
• Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.
• Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities.
• Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.
• Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.

Admission to Social Work Program

Students expressing interest in majoring in social work will be directed to the social work faculty for academic and career advising.

Once SWK2300 is completed, students must make formal application to the social work program to be admitted. Students cannot begin SWK 3301, 3302, 3303, 4610 or 4620 without being admitted to the social work program. In order to be admitted, students must have:

• Successfully completed  SWK 2300
• An overall GPA of 2.25
• An academic reference from a non-social work faculty member
• A personal reference
• Completed ENG 1301 and ENG 1302 earning a "C" or better in each course
• Completed a written application for admission

When the above requirements have been met, the social work faculty will meet to decide on admission to the social work program. The social work faculty will determine if applicants have demonstrated the potential to engage effectively in social work practice and if their personal behavior and values are in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics. A letter of the faculty’s decision will inform students of their status.

If applicants are denied admission, the faculty will provide a justification for its decision. Students may ask for a second review and appear before the faculty if they do not agree with the faculty's decision. At that time, students will present additional information in support of the request for a review of all information. Students can reapply for admission to the program.

Once admitted to the social work program, all students will be evaluated once more before admission to SWK 4610. In the semester BEFORE ADMISSION to SWK 4610, students must make formal application to begin their field practicum and show that the following have been accomplished:

• Overall GPA of 2.25
• 2.50 GPA in all major courses
• Passed all portions of the CAAP test
• Oral interview with the field director
• Evaluated favorably by social work faculty in personal ethics and behavior, in agreement with the NASW Code of Ethics
• 2.50 average or above in SWK 3301, 3302, 3303

Students will be notified in writing of the faculty's decision. Students can appeal the decision as in the original application process. At any time during students’ education, when there is cause for concern about ethical or behavioral problems, faculty can conduct an evaluation, and students can be dismissed from the social work program.

Weekend Degree Completion Program

The social work weekend degree completion program is designed for nontraditional students who are working or for students living outside the immediate Lubbock area who would like to commute to complete their degree. The program is designed for students who have completed an associate’s degree in a related field or who have completed approximately 60 hours of college course work from a regionally accredited college or university.  Students who have all the required prerequisite courses can complete their bachelor’s degree in social work (BSW) in 21 months.   However, if students need to complete prerequisites for entry to the program, a social work advisor will meet with prospective students throughout the year to help them select appropriate prerequisite courses. 

Each course taught in the weekend format will include 4 weekends with the following schedule:  Friday pm- 7-10pm and Saturday 8 am-5 pm.  Each course will have 45 hours of face-to-face contact with the instructor. A student will take 2 weekend courses each semester, requiring 8 weekends on campus.  The online courses will be taught using Moodle and will include online lectures, assigned readings, mandatory discussion groups, assigned videos, written assignments, and exams.  The curriculum will include all the same courses taught in the traditional manner on campus.  Exams for the online courses will be given on site at LCU at 6 p.m. on the Friday evenings that the weekend courses meet.  Students interested in the weekend program should contact Bonnie Martin at 806-720-7836 or bonnie.martin@lcu.edu.

Bachelor of Social Work

Summary
	University Core	32hours
	Departmental Core	18 hours
	The Major	42 hours
	Supporting Courses	15-17 hours
	Electives	17-19 hours
		126 hours

• Field Education Manual
• Application for Admission
• Student Handbook
• Field Application