Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Semester Hours Required

A minimum of 120 semester hours and 45 upper-division semester hours (300 and 400 level courses) are required for a bachelor’s degree.

First Year Composition Requirement

Students must demonstrate reasonable proficiency in written English by achieving a grade of “C” or better in both ENG 101 and 102 or in ENG 105 or their equivalents. Should a student receive a grade lower than “C” in any of the courses, it must be repeated until the specified proficiency is demonstrated.

General Studies Requirements

All undergraduate students in the College of Public Programs are required to complete the university General Studies requirements in order to be eligible for graduation in any of the undergraduate curricula offered by the college. Many general studies requirements may simultaneously fulfill college and major requirements (see shaded regions).

College Requirements

In addition to the university General Studies requirement, the College of Public Programs requires the following:

Communication Requirement

All undergraduate majors are required to take one of the following courses:

COM 100  Intro. to Human Com. (SB)
COM 225  Public Speaking (L)
COM 230  Small Group Com. (SB)
COM 241  Intro. to Oral Interpretation (HU)
COM 259  Com. in Business & the Professions

These courses present an overview of human communication and help the student to develop oral presentation skills and competence. The course may be included within the university General Studies requirements and major requirements where appropriate.

Computer Science Requirement

A computer science course is required for all undergraduate majors in the College of Public Programs. Any CS course from the university General Studies list that involves the use of computer application skills is acceptable. It may be included within the Mathematical Studies requirement where appropriate. Please see your academic advisor for a complete list of acceptable courses. Below is a list of commonly taken courses:

CSE 180  Computer Literacy
CIS 200  Computers in Business
EDT 321  Computer Literacy
EDT 323  Computer Applications

Writing Competency Requirement

In addition to ENG 101 and 102 First-Year Composition or their equivalents, one of the following courses in advanced written expository composition is required of all undergraduate majors:

BUS 301  Fundamentals of Mgmt. Com.
ENG 215  Strategies of Academic Writing
ENG 216  Persuasive Writing
ENG 217  Writing Reflective Essays
ENG 218  Writing about Literature
ENG 301  Writing for the Professions
JMC 201  Journalism Newswriting
JMC 202  Radio-TV Writing

This course will be counted as fulfilling the university General Studies literacy and critical inquiry (L) requirement.

Limitation on Physical Education Activity Hours

No more than eight hours of physical education activity courses may be counted within the minimum 120 hours required for graduation.

Pass/Fail Option

The College of Public Programs does not offer any courses for pass/fail credit. Courses completed for pass/fail credit outside the College of Public Programs may count only as elective credit in meeting degree requirements.

Bachelor of Social Work

The mission of the School of Social Work is the preparation of professional social workers who are committed to empowering individuals, families and communities. The School focuses on populations who are most oppressed and most in need of the services social workers have to offer. A special emphasis is placed on working with populations of the Southwest. The curriculum focuses on such roles as advocacy, case management, problem solving, and referral functions with individuals, groups, families, organizations and the community.

The BSW program is divided into the preprofessional program for freshman and sophomore students and the professional program for juniors and seniors. During the first two years students concentrate on obtaining a strong background in liberal arts and sciences and may take electives in related areas. Upon admission to the professional program, students focus on social work courses in research, social policy and services, social work practice, human behavior in the social environment and field instruction in community agencies.

Admission to the Professional Program

Students may apply for admission to the professional program after completing:

• a minimum of 56 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 at ASU;
• ENG 101 and 102 or equivalent (grade of “C” or better);
• the College of Public Programs writing competence requirement;
• the University math requirement: College Mathematics or higher;
• the College of Public Programs computer requirement;
• the College of Public Programs communication requirement;
• the following core social work classes with a 2.75 minimum GPA and a minimum grade of “C” in each: SWU 171, 291, 295, 301 & 310; and
• a minimum of 240 hours of experience in human services (may be paid or volunteer).

School Requirements

All BSW students are required to take the following courses:

PHI 101, 105 or 306
PGS 101 or SOC 101 or 301
ECN 111

These courses may be used to fulfill University General Studies requirements and college requirements where appropriate. In addition, BSW students are required to complete a course in statistics, human biology, and demonstrate intermediate competency in a non-English language.

Complete admission competency deficiencies within the first two years of enrollment at ASU.

This check sheet is intended as a guide to your studies at ASU. The official university catalog takes precedence should there be any inconsistencies.

For more information, please call (480) 965-1034.
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Copyright © 2002 College of Public Programs. Last updated September 13, 2006