Thank you for your interest in the Master of Social Work program at BYU. In addition to the summary in this document, you will find more information on our web page at socialwork.byu.edu
.
MISSION: The mission of the School of Social Work at Brigham Young University is to support the overall mission of BYU and
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by generating new knowledge and by educating and training students to use the appropriate knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession to serve children and families within the context of their specific cultures.
PROGRAM: Our MSW program offers two emphases: Clinical Practice and Research, both focusing on families and children. These emphases are different in the following ways:
Clinical: Approximately 33-35 students are admitted each year to the clinical emphasis. Students from this emphasis receive among the best clinical training in the nation, to work in mental health and other direct practice settings, go on to receive LCSW licensure, and frequently become agency directors and administrators of social work organizations.
Research: Approximately 5-7 students are admitted each year to the research emphasis. These students are expected to go on for advanced training in top social work PhD programs. Research emphasis students will also receive strong clinical training, but they will 1) take advanced research courses outside of social work as part of their elective requirements (instead of clinical electives), and 2) submit their research project for professional publication. Alumni from this emphasis will go on to become university professors, work in a research or policy arena, or receive advanced clinical training.
Our program takes 20 months of full time study to complete, including 1,100 hours of field internship. We also require a
Summer Bridge course on Research Methods and Statistics (taken online, free of charge, from June-August). More information on this course is found here: https://socialwork.byu.edu/Pages/Students/Newly Admitted Students/Summer-Bridge.aspx
.
Tuition starting Fall 2013 is $3,065 for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), and $6,130 for those who are not LDS. You will pay tuition five times in the program.
PREREQUISITES: Completion of three prerequisite classes is required from all applicants prior to the application deadline:
Introduction to Social Work, Research Methods, and Statistics. These courses must have been taken within the past 7 years with minimum B- grades. Additional courses are recommended. The University requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last 60 credit hours of upper division undergraduate coursework. The average GPA for admitted MSW students is 3.7. We do not require the
GRE, however, if you take it and your score is sent to BYU, it will be considered as part of your application. Typically, 100-160 students apply for the 40 available slots each year.
APPLICATION: The deadline to apply is January 15 at 10:00 pm for the following Fall semester (starting in late August).
Applications are received online only through BYU Graduate Studies webpage at graduatestudies.byu.edu
.
Our program strives to achieve diversity in the student body, taking into account each applicant’s individual qualifications, including racial, ethnic, gender, and ability factors.
For more specific information please refer to the MSW Admissions Application Checklist at https://socialwork.byu.edu/Pages/Students/Prospective Students/MSW/Checklist.aspx
.
Please feel free to contact us with questions or for further information.
Nanci Shumpert
Graduate Secretary
BYU School of Social Work 2190 JFSB Provo, UT 84602 (801)422-5681 msw@byu.edu

Applicants to the MSW Program must submit all of the following materials before they can be considered for Admissions.
Applications are due January 15 th at 10:00 pm. The application will be available online beginning September 1 st .
Begin by visiting www.byu.edu/gradstudies/admissions/onlineapp.php.
Create a username and password (this is not your BYU Net
ID). Your application will be submitted online. Follow the prompts to create an account and agree to the Terms of Use. After having created the account, start the application. Complete the categories on the left-hand side (detailed instructions below).
1.
Personal Information
2.
Program Information – select intended program “Social Work MSW.” a.
Professor and Research – leave the professor name box blank and type ‘clinical’ or ‘research’ in the research interest box declaring your emphasis choice. b.
Financial Assistance – If you desire to apply for scholarships or to be a graduate assistant (RA/TA) , mark the box here (and submit your application in step 8 below).
3.
Test Scores – MSW applicants are not required to take the GRE.
4.
Educational Background – be sure to send your transcripts to GRADUATE Studies (not undergraduate admissions at BYU).
Any supporting application materials not submitted online should be sent to Graduate Studies, 105 FPH, Provo, UT 84602.
5.
Resume/Employment History – upload your resume with specifics re: education, paid and volunteer experience, etc.
Include dates.
6.
Additional Information and Work Experience – leave this section blank; it is optional. (Include any information in the previous section, “Resume/Employment History.”)
7.
Statement of Intent – specific instructions for MSW applicants only. Do not write your statement of intent addressing items
1-5 on the online application form. Instead, upload a double-spaced statement (specifically for Social Work) 4-6 pages in length. Include name, BYU ID, & “Social Work MSW” at the top right of the first page.
Please use the following headings: a.
Understanding of the profession: Your understanding of the profession of social work and why you aspire to be a social worker. b.
Insights from your family of origin: Your current insights on your experiences growing up in your family of origin and how it has impacted where you are today. c.
Choice of emphasis: Your choice of emphasis (either Clinical Practice or Research) and why you have chosen this emphasis. d.
Paid and/or volunteer experience: Elaborate on any paid and/or voluntary experiences in human services, e.g. crisis line, internships, summer camps counseling. Also include growth-producing experiences in leadership, travel, military or religious service, etc. e.
Adjusting to change: Describe a situation in which you had to adjust to changes over which you had no control.
How did you feel about it? What did you do? f.
Working with others: Describe a situation in a social work type setting in which you had to work with someone who you found to be very different from you in your life situation, life experience, values, needs, and/or lifestyle.
How did you feel about it? What did you do?
8.
Department Documents – Check the box “MSW Admissions Requirements (social work)”. This optional section is where you apply for Scholarships and/or Graduate Assistant jobs.
Access the Scholarship/Graduate Assistant Application Form from the BYU Social Work website: a.
Go to: https://socialwork.byu.edu/SiteAssets/Students/Admissions/Department%20Documents%20Fillable.pdf
b.
Save the form with completed data and upload to the online application.
9.
Honor Code – read and check box “I have read and agreed. . .” A completed Ecclesiastical Endorsement is also required.
10.
Standards and Prerequisites for Social Work Students read and check box “I agree.” Enter the required prerequisite class information. Enter any recommended classes taken.
11.
Three Letters of Recommendation –The letters should be 1) from a professor, 2) from someone who knows you from a social work practice setting, and 3) from a professor or from someone who knows you from a social work practice setting.
Letters are sent electronically through the application. When you enter the recommenders' names and email addresses and then save that page of the application, an email will be sent to the recommender with an access code and instructions on how to complete the recommendation.
12.
Signature and Submit – An application can be submitted only once. If you need to edit any information after submission, please contact Graduate Studies (801) 422-4091.
13.
Pay application fee of $50 online.
14.
Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended prior to application to BYU Graduate Studies , 105 FPH,
Provo, UT 84602. If you have earned a degree from BYU, you do not need to send your transcripts.
Please note: All accepted MSW students must pay a $200 non-refundable tuition deposit in March/April; this $200 will be applied towards your Fall tuition.

(Updated March 2014)
A statistics course that covers inferential statistics
Courses with substantial contents on abnormal psychology, mental health deviance, drug addictions, violence, etc..
A course that covers the entire lifespan
Human biology (Zoology) or any biology course covering anatomy and physiology that emphasizes the impact of organic, chemical, and body systems impairments on human behavior
(Note: not Introduction to Biology)
(e.g. social institutions, organizations, systems, policies. Intro to Sociology, Political Science,
Economics, or Anthropology.)

1 . Introduction to
Social Work
(3 cr/hrs)
No substitutions
2.
Research Methods
(3 cr/hrs)
BYU Soc W 200 (formerly Soc W 260)
BYU-I SW 260
BYU-H SW 160
UVU Sowk 2600; SW 1010
U of U Soc W 1010
USU SW 1050
SLCC SWK 1010
Weber SW 1010 Snow: SW 1010
BYU Soc 300, Soc 301, Psych 302, Psych 310, MFHD 290, SFL 290,
RMYL 487, Pl Sc 200, Comm 319, Soc W 401
BYU-I Soc 340; Psych 302, SW 340
BYU-H SocW 485, SocW 486 (covers both Research Methods and Stats)
UVU Psy 3020, Soc 3020, Besc 3020
U of U Psy 3010, FCS 3200, SW 4401
USU Psy 3500, SW4100
SLCC EDU 2030
Weber SW 3700, PSY 3610 SUU – Soc 3450, Psy 3410
3.
Statistics (3 cr/hrs) BYU Stat 121(old:221), Stat 510, Psych 301, Psych 308, Soc 306, Soc
A statistics course that 307,
covers inferential
statistics
Soc 405, Soc W 402, Poli Sci 328
BYU-I Math 221, FDMAT 223
BYU-H Psych 205; Math 221, SocW 487, SocW 486 ( covers both Research & Sta
UVU Psy 3010, Soc 3010, Besc 3010, MGMT 2340
U of U Psy 3000, FCS 3210, SW 3000, OIS 2340/3440
USU Psy 2800, Psy 3010, Soc 3120, SW 3120
SLCC Math 1040, MGT 2300 Dixie PSY 300
Weber SW 3600, PSY 3600, GERT 3600 U of Id - Psyc 300
Abnormal Behavior
Courses with substantial contents on
BYU Psych 342; Soc 383 abnormal psychology, deviance, drug addictions, violence, men BYU-I Psych 342
illness, etc.
UVU Psych 3400
U of U Psy 3400
Human Development
(entire lifespan)
BYU Psych 220, Soc W 322, SFL 210 & 334,
Psych 320 & 321 & 322; Soc 318 & 365
BYU-I Psych 201
UVU Psy 1100, ECFS 1100
U of U Human Dev 1500
SLCC FHS 1500
Human Biology BYU PDBIO 205, Psych 381
BYU-I Bio 264 & 265, Bio 230 (4 cr hrs) and physiology that emphasizes the impact of organic, chemica and body systems impairments on human behavior
(Note: not Introduction to Biology).
UVU Zool 1090 (NOT Biol 1010)
SLCC Biol 1110
Social Science with Macro Context
(e.g. social institutions, organizations, systems, policies. Intro to Sociology,
Political Science, Economics, or Anthropology.)
BYU Anthro 101, Econ 110, PL SC 110,
Soc 111/112, Soc 113, Soc 360
BYU-I Soc 112
UVU Soc 1010, Anth 1010, POLS 1100
U of U Soc 1010

Graduate Minority Scholarship The School of Social Work offers 1-2 minority student scholarships to the MSW program.
Value : Full LDS-rate tuition for two semesters.
Eligibility : Awarded to two 1 st year minority graduate students annually. Recipients are chosen from a variety of criteria including GPA, identified need, and commitment to the field of social work.
Gift Fund Scholarship The School of Social Work Gift Fund was established in 1996 through the generous contributions from the
Friends of Brigham Young University Social Work Program. The scholarship is designed to meet the financial needs of outstanding students who are committed to pursuing the Master of Social Work degree at BYU.
Value : Full LDS-rate tuition for two semesters.
Eligibility : Awarded to one 1 st year graduate student annually. Recipients are chosen from a variety of criteria including academic achievement, identified need, community service, and potential for contribution in the field of social work.
Social Work Advocate Scholarship The Social Work Advocate Scholarship is designed to meet the financial needs of outstanding students who are committed to pursuing the Master of Social Work degree at BYU.
Value : Partial or Full LDS-rate tuition for one semester.
Eligibility : Awarded to 10-15 1st year graduate students annually. Recipients are chosen from a variety of criteria including academic achievement, identified need, community service, and potential for contribution in the field of social work.
Application Procedure : Complete pages 2-3 of the Department Documents . Deadline for submission is January 15 th with your online grad school application. Only admitted students will be eligible to receive scholarships and other financial aid.
Graduate Assistantships There are a limited number of teaching assistantships and research assistantships awarded each year, most to first year students. Student are required to work approximately five or more hours per week (up to 70 hours per semester) and are compensated on an hourly basis, with the potential to earn from $1000 to $1800 per semester. The research assistantships are open to all graduate students in the School but a demonstrated interest in research is useful. The intensity of the applicant's financial need is taken into account in awarding all assistantships.
Application Procedure: Complete pages 4-5 of the Department Documents . Deadline for submission is January 15 th with your online grad school application. Only admitted students will be eligible to receive scholarships and other financial aid.
Paid Fieldwork Placements The potential for paid fieldwork placements becomes available to all MSW students during their third semester (when full-time fieldwork begins). These paid placements are typically made available to all students who need and desire them. The compensation averages about $4500 for the Spring/Summer terms and an additional $5400 for Fall and Winter Semesters combined. The availability of paid placements changes from year to year and depends on the current operating budget of an agency. The selection of students for placement in a given agency is dependent on a number of variables including the student's interests and career goals, the agency's preference for particular students, and the Director of Field Education’s perception of individualized educational needs. International field placements, when available, typically do not pay.
AmeriCorps Education Awards Currently, education awards are available to students who are US Citizens, intern at a non-profit agency and serve more than 450 hours (spring/summer terms for approx. $1400) and/or 650 hours (fall/winter semesters for approx. $2100).

Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office provides student financial aid information and how to apply, including part-time work, scholarships, federal grants, federal loans, and BYU loans.
FHSS Internship Grants
Current undergraduate and graduate students who are declared majors in a program in the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences or in
International Relations may apply for an internship grant.
Marjorie Pay Hinckley Chair Travel Grants
The Marjorie Pay Hinckley Chair in the College of Family, Home and Social Sciences provides funds to support student participation in professional academic conferences.
Office of Prestigious Scholarships & Fellowships
The Office of Prestigious Scholarships & Fellowships provides a list of scholarships arranged by type and field of study as well as resources available to students to aid in getting started on scholarship searches and applications.
Graduate Fellowships & Scholarships
These are based on need. To obtain information about these loans and the forms to apply, visit the Financial Aid Office web site at www.financialaid.byu.edu or contact them directly at A-41 ASB, BYU, Provo, Utah 84602, Phone: (801) 422-4104, Fax: (801) 422-0234.
Merlin and Edna Sant Graduate Scholarship
Must be a graduate student in the FHSS College, have a minimum GPA of 3.2, and have Family as the central focus of your education.

60 required hours + 7 elective hours = 67 total credit hours
Semester:
Fall 2013
Soc W 603**
Soc W 620
Soc W 630
Soc W 660
Research Methods in Social Work
Human Behavior and Social Environment
Social Welfare Policy
Direct Practice Skills
Soc W 661 Models of Psychotherapy
Soc W 698R** Master’s Research Project
Credit Hrs:
3
3
3
3
3
1
Subtotal: 16
2 *Electives (none this
semester)
Winter 2014
*Electives (choose 1)
Soc W 680R Pharmacology (tentatively offered only Fall 2013)
Soc W 602**
Soc W 611
Soc W 622
Soc W 666
Statistical & Data Analysis in Social Work Research
Clinical Practicum
Psychopathology
Advanced Practice Skills
3
3
3
3
Soc W 698R** Master’s Research Project
Soc W 585 Global Issues of Children at Risk (offered every Winter semester)
Soc W 671 Play Therapy (offered every Winter semester)
Soc W 675
Soc W 678
Soc W 681
Substance Abuse Treatment (offered every Winter semester)
Marriage & Family Practice (offered only Winter 2014)
Comparative Intl. Social Welfare Policy (offered only Winter 2014)
3
2
3
1
3
3
Subtotal: 15-16
Spring/Summer 2014
Spring Term:
Summer Term:
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
1
2
1
2
Fall 2014
Soc W 615R
Soc W 624
Integrative Field Seminar 2
Marriage & Family Therapy
Soc W 655R Field Internship 2
Soc W 663 Advanced Group Work
Soc W 667 Intervention Methods w/Children and Adolescents
Field Internship 2
Community Organization
Organizational Governance/Exec. Leadership in Human Services Admin
Advanced Clinical Practice
Social Work in the School Setting (offered only Winter 2015)
Social Services for the Aging (offered only Winter 2015)
Global Issues of Children at Risk (offered every Winter semester)
Subtotal: 6
1
3
2
3
3
*Electives (choose 1)
Soc W 698R
Soc W 570
Soc W 631
Soc W 676
Soc W 615R
Soc W 655R
Soc W 664
Soc W 665
Soc W 669
Soc W 580
Soc W 581
Soc W 585
Soc W 671
Soc W 674
Soc W 675
Master’s Research Project – Program Evaluation
Crisis Intervention (offered every Fall semester)
Family Policy and Law (offered every Fall semester)
Spirituality in Social Work (offered only Fall 2014)
1
3
3
2
Subtotal: 15-16
1
Winter 2015
Integrative Field Seminar 2
*Electives (choose 1)
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
Play Therapy (offered every Winter semester)
Human Sexuality and Social Work Practice (for last semester MSWs only)
Substance Abuse Treatment (offered every Winter semester)
3
3
3
Subtotal: 15
TOTAL: 67
Faculty Advisor ________________________________________ Date __________________________
* Students may take Soc W 595R (Directed Readings) for 1-3 elective credits. See Faculty Advisor for more information. Any outside electives must be pre-approved by the Graduate Coordinator or Director.
** If student is approved and takes Soc W 602/603 ADVANCED, they are not required to take Soc W 698R Fall and Winter 1 st year. Required credit hours decrease to 58 and elective credit hours increase to 9. To complete this form: write ADVANCED next to Soc W 602/603, cross out
Soc W 698R Fall and Winter 1 st year, add an elective.

51 required hours + 11 elective hours = 62 total credit hours
Semester
Fall 2013
*Electives (choose 1)
Winter 2014
Soc W 603**
Soc W 611
Soc W 620
Research Methods in Social Work
Clinical Practicum
Human Behavior and Social Environment
Soc W 661 Models of Psychotherapy
Soc W 698R** Master’s Research Project
Soc W 570
Soc W 631
Crisis Intervention (offered every Fall semester)
Family Policy and Law (offered every Fall semester)
Soc W 680R Pharmacology (offered only Fall 2013 tentatively)
Soc W 602**
Soc W 622
Soc W 666
Statistical & Data Analysis in Social Work Research
Psychopathology
Advanced Practice Skills
Credit Hrs
3
3
3
3
1
3
3
2
Subtotal: 15-16
3
3
3
*Electives (choose 1-2)
Soc W 698R** Master’s Research Project
Soc W 585
Soc W 671
Soc W 675
Soc W 678
Soc W 681
Global Issues of Children at Risk (offered every Winter semester)
Play Therapy (offered every Winter semester)
Substance Abuse Treatment (offered every Winter semester)
Marriage & Family Practice (offered only Winter 2014)
Comparative Intl. Social Welfare Policy (offered only Winter 2014)
1
3
3
3
2
3
Spring/Summer 2014
Spring Term
Summer Term
Fall 2014
*Electives (choose 1)
Winter 2015
*Electives (choose 1-2)
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Soc W 615R
Soc W 624
Soc W 655R
Soc W 663
Soc W 667
Soc W 698R
Soc W 570
Soc W 631
Soc W 676
Soc W 615R
Soc W 655R
Soc W 665
Soc W 669
Soc W 580
Soc W 581
Soc W 585
Soc W 671
Soc W 674
Soc W 675
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
1
2
Integrative Field Seminar 2
Marriage & Family Therapy
Field Internship 2
Advanced Group Work
Intervention Methods w/ Children and Adolescents
Master’s Research Project – Program Evaluation
Crisis Intervention (offered every Fall semester)
1
2
Subtotal: 6
1
3
2
3
3
1
3
Family Policy and Law (offered every Fall semester)
Spirituality in Social Work (offered only Fall 2014)
3
2
Subtotal: 15-16
Integrative Field Seminar 2
Field Internship 2
Organizational Governance/Exec. Leadership in Human Services Admin
Advanced Clinical Practice
Social Work in the School Setting (offered only Winter 2015)
Social Services for the Aging (offered only Winter 2015)
Global Issues of Children at Risk (offered every Winter semester)
1
2
3
3
3
3
3
Play Therapy (offered every Winter semester) 3
Human Sexuality and Social Work Practice (for last semester MSWs only) 3
Substance Abuse Treatment (offered every Winter semester) 3
Subtotal: 12-15
TOTAL: 62
Faculty Advisor ________________________________________ Date __________________________
* Students may take Soc W 595R (Directed Readings) for 1-3 elective credits. See Faculty Advisor for more information. Any outside electives must be pre-approved by the Graduate Coordinator or Director.
** If student is approved and takes Soc W 602/603 ADVANCED, they are not required to take Soc W 698R Fall and Winter 1 st year. Required credit hours decrease to 49 and elective credit hours increase to 13. To complete this form: write ADVANCED next to Soc W 602/603, cross out
Soc W 698R Fall and Winter 1 st year, add an elective.

58 required hours + 9 elective hours = 67 total credit hours
Semester:
Credit Hrs:
Fall 2013
*Research electives
Soc W 603
Soc W 620
Soc W 630
Soc W 660
Soc W 661
(none this semester)
Research Methods in Social Work ADVANCED
Human Behavior and Social Environment
Social Welfare Policy
Direct Practice Skills
Models of Psychotherapy
3
3
3
3
3
Subtotal: 15
Winter 2014
*Research electives (1)
Soc W 602
Soc W 611
Soc W 622
Soc W 666
1.
Statistical & Data Analysis in Social Work Research ADVANCED
Clinical Practicum
Psychopathology
Advanced Practice Skills
3
3
3
3
Subtotal: 14-15
Spring/Summer 2014
Spring Term:
Summer Term:
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
1
2
Subtotal: 6
1
2
Fall 2014
* Research electives (1)
Soc W 615R
Soc W 663
Soc W 667
Soc W 698R
1.
Integrative Field Seminar 2
Soc W 624 Marriage & Family Therapy
Soc W 655R Field Internship 2
Advanced Group Work
Intervention Methods w/Children and Adolescents
Master’s Research Project – Program Evaluation
1
3
2
3
3
1
Subtotal 15-16
Winter 2015
*Research electives (1)
Soc W 615R
Soc W 655R
Soc W 664
Soc W 665
Soc W 669
1.
Integrative Field Seminar 2
Field Internship 2
Community Organization
Organizational Governance/Exec. Leadership in Human Services Admin
Advanced Clinical Practice
1
2
3
3
3
Subtotal 14-15
TOTAL: 67
Faculty Advisor ________________________________________ Date __________________________
* Students may take Soc W 595R (Directed Readings) for 1-3 elective credits. See Faculty Advisor for more information. All electives must be pre-approved by the Director.

49 required hours + 13 elective hours = 62 total credit hours
Semester
Fall 2013
Soc W 603
Soc W 611
Soc W 620
Soc W 661
*Research Electives (1-2) 1.
2.
Research Methods in Social Work ADVANCED
Clinical Practicum
Human Behavior and Social Environment
Models of Psychotherapy
Credit Hrs
3
3
3
3
Subtotal: 14-18
Winter 2014
Soc W 602
Soc W 622
Soc W 666
*Research Electives (1-2) 1.
2.
Statistical & Data Analysis in Social Work Research ADVANCED
Psychopathology
Advanced Practice Skills
3
3
3
Spring/Summer 2014
Spring Term
Summer Term
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Soc W 614R
Soc W 654R
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
Integrative Field Seminar 1
Field Internship 1
1
2
Subtotal: 6
1
2
Fall 2014
*Research Elective (1)
Soc W 615R
Soc W 624
Soc W 663
Soc W 667
1.
Soc W 655R
Soc W 698R
Integrative Field Seminar 2
Marriage & Family Therapy
Field Internship 2
Advanced Group Work
Intervention Methods w/Children and Adolescents
Master’s Research Project – Program Evaluation
1
3
2
3
3
1
Subtotal: 15-16
Winter 2015
Soc W 615R
Soc W 655R
Soc W 665
Soc W 669
*Research Electives: (1-2) 1.
2.
Integrative Field Seminar 2
Field Internship 2
Organizational Governance/Exec. Leadership in Human Services Admin
Advanced Clinical Practice
1
2
3
3
Subtotal: 11-15
TOTAL: 62
Faculty Advisor ________________________________________ Date __________________________
* Students may take Soc W 595R (Directed Readings) for 1-3 elective credits. See Faculty Advisor for more information. All electives must be pre-approved by the Director.

* To be signed electronically as part of your graduate school application.
In order to qualify to participate in the program and pursue a degree in Social Work, students must have the requisite abilities necessary to perform the essential functions required by the program and be able to meet the appropriate programmatic standards.
These standards should be met in the classroom, in field placements, and elsewhere during the course of the program. In addition, students at Brigham Young University are expected to adhere to the moral and personal standards set by the Honor Code.
Accordingly, by applying to and accepting admission into the School of Social Work, students commit that they have the following abilities and attributes and will conduct themselves according to the following requirements:
Motor Abilities : Students need to have the ability to fully participate in classes and field agency placement, and to acquire and integrate data through use of their senses. Reasonable accommodation for a qualifying disability may be allowed, but it is the student’s responsibility to obtain and relay the necessary information from the BYU Accessibility Center ( https://uac.byu.edu/ ) to each instructor and field supervisor.
Communication Skills : Students must have the ability to process information expeditiously and communicate effectively with instructors, other students, faculty members, staff, clients, and other professionals. Students must also have sufficient skills in written and spoken English to effectuate such processing and communication.
Ethical standards : Students are ethically and professionally bound to adhere to the NASW (National Association of Social Workers)
Code of Ethics and conduct themselves pursuant to pertinent Utah statutes and applicable administrative codes. In addition, it is essential that students demonstrate empathy, appreciation for diversity in society, and non-judgmental attitude in their interaction with others. The value of confidentiality is foundational to the profession of social work, and sound interpersonal skills must be observed.
Knowledge base : Students need to learn and practice within the scope of social work profession’s knowledge base, by recognizing the distinctive components of the biopsychosocial and spiritual perspectives of social work practice and social work methodologies.
These must guide their work with clients and become the basis for their contribution to other related work.
Professionalism : Students are expected to demonstrate a commitment to professional conduct, including practicing within the scope of social work, adhering to the limit of their knowledge and skills in the delivery of services to clients, respecting others, being punctual and dependable, completing assignments and reports on time, and prioritizing responsibilities. Appearance and personal demeanor should reflect an appropriate understanding of the professional context. Conflict resolution should reflect respect for proper channels of authority, and feedback dealt with in a professional manner. Respect should be shown to fellow students, faculty, staff, clients, and colleagues in the classroom and in the field. Disrespect for others or any form of sexual harassment will not be tolerated.
Self-care : Students need to recognize the signs of stress and emotional problems, develop appropriate means of self-care, and seek supportive services when necessary to minimize any adverse impact on scholastic and professional performance. Students must be willing to seek the advice of their faculty advisor and follow recommendations made by their advisor and/or faculty decisions regarding the appropriate maintenance of their academic, physical, or psychological health, which may include assessment and/or therapeutic services at the student’s expense.
By checking “I agree,” I certify that I have read this document, Standards for Social Work Students, and understand and agree to abide by the standards in the event that I am admitted to attend the MSW program at Brigham Young University.