Requirements for a Major or Minor in Sociology and Social Work


Programs offered
• Major in Sociology (32 credits)
• Minor in Sociology (20 credits)
• Major in Social Work (54 credits)
• Major in Social Studies Education (see social studies and education) (52 credits plus 32 credits in education)
• Add-on endorsement preparation in Social Studies for Elementary Education majors (see education) (30 credits)

Sociology Faculty
Matthew L. Lindholm, chair
Nicholas R. Ellig
Andrew M. Lindner
Natalie M. Peluso

Social Work Faculty
Kristi K. Loberg, program director
Laurie K. Dahley, field coordinator

Sociology
The sociology department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:
• use the sociological imagination and demonstrate knowledge of the basic assumptions, guiding questions, concepts, theories and methods of sociology that inform its application
• critically use sociological ideas, research methods and sociological evidence to answer questions about society and themselves
• show that they see how sociology can enhance their understanding of the complexity and diversity found in human societies

The requirements for a major in sociology are 32 credits:
• SOC 111 – Human Society, 4 credits
• SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics, 4 credits
• SOC 356 – Sociological Theory, 4 credits
• 20 additional credits in sociology

The requirements for a minor in sociology are 20 credits:
• SOC 111 – Human Society, 4 credits
• SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics, 4 credits
• 12 additional credits in sociology

Students seeking a minor in sociology may use one of the following courses to satisfy the research requirement:
• PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement, 4 credits
• PSC 311 – Methods and Techniques of Political Analysis, 4 credits
• ECON 354 – Statistics for Business and Economics, 4 credits

However, students taking one of these options must then take an additional sociology course in place of SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics to meet the requirement for 20 credits in sociology.

Social Work
Social work education at Concordia College is framed by Concordia’s mission statement: “The purpose of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life.” The courses enrich the student’s liberal arts education through development of increased awareness of self, others, and social systems, enabling informed participation for leadership in community service and organizations. This is reflected in the social work program’s mission statement:

“To promote human and community well-being by confronting disadvantage through a framework of scientific inquiry and human rights, favoring undervalued persons and providing conditions of hope, leading to individual and social change.”

The social work program at Concordia College is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Graduates of the program are qualified to sit for a state licensing examination, which is required for social work practice. With a Bachelor of Arts in social work many graduates pursue employment as generalist social workers, which feature application of generalist practice knowledge, values and skills of social work in a variety of settings. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, students are also eligible for advanced graduate placement in Master of Social Work programs. Many students report that they experience a “call” into the social work profession.

The social work program provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following competencies:
• Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
• Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
• Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
• Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
• Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
• Respond to contexts that shape practice.
• Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

The Purpose of the Social Work Profession
From the Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy Statement:

The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person and environment construct, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, social work’s purpose is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons.

Concordia’s Social Work Program
The social work program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1982. Students interested in majoring in social work must make written application for acceptance into the major after completing SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare with a grade of at least B- (2.7). A Concordia GPA of 2.5 is required for admission to the program. Once admitted, students need to maintain a 2.5 Concordia GPA and a 2.5 GPA in social work courses to maintain active status in the program. All students planning to major in social work should request from the registrar to have a faculty advisor from the social work program. Because courses follow a sequence, transfer students or students deciding on the major during or after the fall semester of their sophomore year should meet with the social work program director as soon as possible to develop an educational plan.

The course requirements and recommended course sequence for major in social work are as follows:

Freshman year, first semester:
• SOC 111 – Human Society, 4 credits (prerequisite for SWK 310)

Freshman year, second semester:
• BIOL 101 – General Biology, 4 credits (prerequisite for SWK 310)
• SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 4 credits

Sophomore year, first semester:
• PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology, 4 credits (prerequisite for SWK 310)
• SWK 283 – Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 4 credits (if not taken earlier)
Sophomore year, second semester:
• SWK 310 – Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 4 credits

Junior year, first semester:
• SWK 383 – Social Work Methods I: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Individuals and Interviewing, 4 credits
• SWK 385 – Social Work Practice with Families, 2 credits

Junior year, second semester:
• SWK 320 – Social Policy and Systems Perspective, 4 credits
• SOC 228 – Research Methods and Statistics, 4 credits. Students who are double majors in social work and psychology may substitute PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement and PSYC 301 – Research Methods in Psychology for SOC 228.

Senior year, first semester:
• SWK 350 – Comparative Cultural Encounter, 4 credits
• SWK 384 – Social Work Methods II: Social Work Processes and the Helping Relationship: Groups, Organizations and Communities, 4 credits

Senior year, second semester:
• SWK 490 – Practicum in Social Work, 10 credits
• SWK 494 – Social Work Senior Seminar, 2 credits