Course Listings

Social Work: Degree Completion Program

Not accepting new students at this time. If you are interested in this program, please contact the Social Work Department Chair for additional information.

The Goshen College social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has, as its primary objective, the preparation of students for professional social work practice. Students are also prepared for graduate social work education and receive advanced standing in many Master of Social Work programs.

Social Work: Two Tracks

The social work program has both a four-year bachelor of arts track (described earlier in this catalog) and a 20-month bachelor of science degree completion track. Both tracks follow the same social work curriculum. Students who start college immediately after graduating from high school follow the four-year track and earn a B.A. in social work. Students who have graduated with an associate degree in human services and have related work experience follow the degree completion track, earning a B.S. in social work. The program outcomes for graduates are the same for students enrolled in either track.

Admission to the Social Work Professional Program

Social work is a professional program that requires an admission process separate from admission to the college. Students apply for admission to the social work education program during SoWk 322 Social Welfare Policy & Program I, the first social work course taken in the degree completion program. Written applications are accepted in December each year. Admission criteria include academic and personal qualifications with a value orientation necessary for the professional practice of social work. The admission process is directed toward furthering students’ personal growth as they explore vocational interests and abilities. Specific information about criteria and process is found in the Social Work Student Handbook. This may be obtained from the director of baccalaureate social work education.

Minimum Pre-requisite Core Requirements (15 credit hours) for students without an A.A. or A.S. degree

Major in Social Work (B.S. degree completion)

62 credit hours

Pre-requisites for degree-completion program (24 credits)

Degree completion courses at Goshen College (38 credits)

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates in Social Work will demonstrate in measurable ways achievement of the ten core competencies articulated by the Council on Social Work Education. Graduates will:

  1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
  2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
  3. Engage anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice.
  4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
  5. Engage in policy practice.
  6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Academic Requirements

The professional practice of social work requires acquisition of knowledge, specific skills, a firm identification with specified values and ethics and a high degree of social and personal responsibility. Graduates must earn a total of 120 credit hours with a 2.5 grade point average for courses completed at Goshen College. A grade of C or above in all social work required courses and a college GPA of 2.5 or higher is required for continuation in the social work major. Any social work required course in which a student earns a grade of C- or below must be repeated with a grade of C or better in order to successfully complete the social work major. Students whose college GPA falls below a 2.5, or whose personal or professional  behavior is inconsistent with the above requirements, may be asked to leave the program. Students who are denied admission or dismissed from the program, and believe relevant policies were unfairly administered, have the right to initiate the Goshen College grievance procedure.

Course descriptions

  • CORE 210 Professional Communication Skills

    A course for adult students that responds to the challenges of professional communication expectations. The focus is on critique and the development of individual written and oral communication skills for content, style and effectiveness. Access and management of information will...

  • CORE 309 Lead Serve in Multicultural World

    The modern workforce is rapidly becoming a mosaic of colors, languages, cultural traditions and values. This demographic reality poses an immense challenge for both workforce and leaders. The goal of this course is to better understand different cultural values and...

  • PJCS 210 Transforming Conflict and Violence

    Explores the potentially constructive nature of conflict, the destructive nature of violence and the relationship between the two. Examines various patterns of communication, conflict and violence and what is needed for transformation. Students will reflect on their own conflict styles,...

  • PSYC 306 Abnormal Psychology

    A study of the variety of psychological disorders as classified by the DSM system. Issues related to classification will be discussed. A biopsychosocial model will be assumed when discussing etiology and treatment. Since this is primarily a descriptive course, considerable...

  • SOC 200 Principles of Sociology

    An introduction to the principles and methods used in the study of human society. Includes a survey of topics in social problems, social inequalities, social identity, human ecology and social change.

  • SOC 210 Sociology of the Family

    A study of the role of family in society and culture. Includes a comparative history of the family institution as well as an examination of social trends affecting mate selection, marriage, family roles and family relationships in contemporary society and...

  • SOC 334 Race, Class & Ethnic Relations

    A study of race/ethnic group interaction, gender and class dynamics focusing on marginalized groups in the U.S. Attention is given to social class, power and majority-group dominance as factors in assimilation and culture-loss or collective self-determination and maintenance of cultural...

  • SOC 391 Methods of Social Research

    (Cross-listed from SoWk 391) An introduction to the principles and methods of social research. Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to develop and evaluate research designs, interpret both qualitative and quantitative research, and be effective consumers of research...

  • SOWK 200 Introduction to Social Work

    This course provides an analysis of the knowledge base, value structure, purpose, nature, history and function of social work practice in various social welfare activities and social workers through observation and guided participation in programs for meeting human need. Students...

  • SOWK 209 Social Service Field Experience

    This course focuses on an integrated understanding of the organizational and community context for social work practice while offering students an opportunity to observe and interact with social work practitioners and offer specific services to clients in a 40-hour agency...

  • SOWK 221 Human Behavior

    This course is a study of the individual through the life cycle within the social environment. Foci include physical, psychological, social, cultural and religious factors in the development of the self. Dimensions of diversity (including but not limited to gender,...

  • SOWK 229 Child Welfare

    Through a careful analysis of US policies and practices related to the protection and empowerment of children, this Social Work elective addresses the socio-historical roots, inequalities, professional roles and responsibilities, and contemporary realities of what it means to care for...

  • SOWK 231 Aging in US Society

    This Social Work elective explores the normal aging process, the unique challenges experienced by older adults, and the US societal context related to aging. Course content engages a range of issues present in our current context of the rapid growth...

  • SOWK 245 Women’s Concerns

    This course critically examines the social and economic justice issues related to how gender and sexuality impact the roles, statuses and social locations of women and nonbinary individuals. Course content explores the impact of the women’s movement, along with other...

  • SOWK 250 Human Services: Special Studies

    An in-depth seminar on a selected field of service, program or policy issue. Particular emphasis is given to concepts of exploitation and social/economic justice. Check the course offering list to see current options. As a Social Work elective, this course...

  • SOWK 322 Social Welfare Policy & Program I

    Social, environmental, and economic justice all serve as organizing principles in this course for the study of social problems and the critique of existing and proposed social welfare policy. Students will develop an understanding of policy-making processes and the connection...

  • SOWK 323 Social Welfare Policy & Program II

    This course assists students in acquiring a critical understanding of social welfare policies and programs, and in developing beginning skills in policy and advocacy practice. The content of the course is integrated with that of Social Work Practice Theory I...

  • SOWK 325 Social Work Practice Theory I

    This course facilitates student development of social work skills and knowledge base to prepare them for entry into Field Instruction in their senior year of study. The content of the course is integrated with that of Social Welfare Policy and...

  • SOWK 409 Field Instruction

    Integration and application of knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes in the practice setting under a qualified field instructor in a social service agency. Upon successful completion of Field Instruction, the student is prepared for beginning professional practice....

  • SOWK 410 Social Work Senior Seminar

    This course facilitates the Integration of social work knowledge, theory, and values, with field instruction practice. Integration occurs through class discussions and field trips on relevant topics, and the written and oral examination process. Students actively participate in developing the...

  • SOWK 425 Social Work Practice Theory II

    This course requires students to build on and expand their knowledge and skills from Social Work Practice Theory I and Social Welfare Policy and Program II, as they apply them to social work practice with individuals, families and social systems...

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