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Social Work - Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science 2021-22 Degree Map

Requirements (Reqs) of a Bachelor Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2021-22 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Freshman Inquiry 5 Freshman Inquiry 5 Freshman Inquiry 5
BS Arts & Letters/Social Science  3-4 BS Math/Statistics Elective  3-4 BS Science 3-4
PSY 200 or 204 4 SOC 200 4 General Elective 4
        General Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 12-13 Total Winter Credits 12-13 Total Spring Credits 16-17

First Year Milestones: Explore volunteer opportunities (Fall term). Complete PSY 200 & SOC 200 (by end of Spring term).

Second Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses  Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry 4 Sophomore Inquiry 4 Sophomore Inquiry  4
BS Science with Lab 3-4 BS Science with Lab 3-4 Equity & Inclusion Elective 4
General Elective 4 PSY 311 4 General Elective 4
General Elective 4 General Elective 4 General Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 15-16 Total Winter Credits 15-16 Total Spring Credits 16

Second Year Milestones: Apply to Major by March 1st. Note: Students must be admitted to the major & attend a BSW Orientation to start major coursework. Admission is not guaranteed. Complete all BS courses (by end of Spring term).

Third Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Upper Division Cluster 4 Upper Division Cluster  4 Upper Division Cluster 4
SW 301 4 SW 340 4 SW 341 4
SW 339 4 SW 350 4 SW 351 4
Equity & Inclusion Elective 4 Upper Division Program Elective 4 Equity & Inclusion Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 16 Total Spring Credits 16

Third Year Milestones: Apply for Field Placement (Winter term). Complete all Junior year SW courses (by end of Spring term). All BSW coursework starts in Fall of the Junior year.

Fourth Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Senior Capstone 6 SW 431 3 Upper Division Program Elective 4
SW 430 3 SW 400 4 SW 432 3
SW 400 4 SW 451 3 SW 400 4
SW 450 3 Upper Division Program Elective 4    
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 14 Total Spring Credits 11

Fourth Year Milestone: Register for Capstone (Fall term).

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • General Elective: SW 301 recommended.
  • Equity & Inclusion Elective: Includes any upper-division course in BST, CHLA, NAS, or WS.
  • SW 301: Only if not taken during Sophomore year.
  • Upper Division Program Elective: See SSW Curriculum website for list of approved upper-division SW electives.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

 

 

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