School of Health Professions and Nursing

The School of Health Professions and Nursing offers various programs, including the B.S. in Social Work.

B.S. in Social Work

The bachelor's degree in Social Work at LIU Brentwood is a unique program designed for junior transfer students interested in launching a career in a fast-growing and rewarding helping profession. In this afternoon/evening program, students will learn to be an advocate, educator, counselor, mediator, mobilizer, facilitator, coordinator, and manager. They will be educated to promote the changes needed to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.

Program Overview

In the relationship-centered education, students will learn through:

• Small class engagement with stimulating topics using role plays, case studies, videos, TED talks, close reading, and reflective writing
• Field practice in diverse settings, including schools, homeless shelters, child and family counseling centers, charitable organizations, senior citizen facilities, and social service agencies

Graduation Outcomes

Graduation from the program allows students to:

• Enter the workforce as a generalist professional from a highly respected program
• Apply for advanced standing, one-year MSW anywhere, including LIU's program with specializations in child and family, substance abuse, gerontology, forensic social work, and non-profit management

Admissions Requirements

Transfer Admission Requirements

The upper-division B.S. in Social Work is open to students who hold associate degrees or have completed approximately 54 credits of a liberal arts-based college degree program. Students who completed their freshman and sophomore years at a community or four-year college apply for their junior and senior years at LIU Brentwood. Students with an associate's degree from Suffolk County Community College may seamlessly transfer into the program. Students transferring from other colleges will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be required to complete additional specific coursework.

Admission to the upper-division B.S. in Social Work requires:

1. Application for Transfer admission
2. ALL official college transcripts
3. A minimum college G.P.A. of 2.75

Advancement to field placement (second semester of the junior year) requires:

1. Completion of the prerequisites (if not transferred) PSY 1, 2; SOC 1; BIO 1; ECO 10 or 11; PHL 13
2. Completion of SWK 1 (if not transferred) & SWK 50
3. An academic performance review and a GPA of 2.75

Degree Requirements

LIU Brentwood Plan of Study

The plan of study includes the following courses:

• Fall 1 Junior (13 SWK credits):
  • SWK 79 Introduction to Field Placement
  • SWK 50 Social Welfare Programs & Policies I
  • SWK 60 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
  • SWK 70 Social Work Practice I
  • SWK 01 Introduction to Social Work (unless transferred in)
• Spring 1 Junior (17 credits):
  • SWK 61 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
  • SWK 71 Social Work Practice II
  • SWK 80 Field Instruction I
  • SWK 18/HPA 18 Research Methods
  • Liberal Arts Elective (4 credits)
• Fall 1 Senior (15 Credits):
  • SWK 90 Field Instruction II
  • SWK 51 Social Welfare Programs & Policies II
  • SWK 75 Diversity Sensitive Social Work Practice
  • POL 80 Administration Behavior or HPA 40 Organizational Behavior
• Spring 1 Senior (15 credits):
  • SWK 19/HPA 19 Statistics for Administrators
  • SWK 91 Field Instruction III
  • SWK Elective
  • HPA 20 Computer-Based Management Systems

Required Social Work Major Courses

• SWK/HPA 18 Research Methods
• SWK/HPA 19 Statistics for Administrators
• HPA 20 Computer-Based Management Systems
• SWK 1 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
• SWK 50, 51 Social Welfare Programs & Policies I & II
• SWK 60, 61 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I & II
• SWK 70, 71 Social Work Practice I & II
• SWK 75 Diversity-Sensitive Social Work Practice
• SWK 79 Introduction to Field Instruction
• SWK 80, 90 & 91 Field Instruction I, II, & III
• Completion of the prerequisites (if not transferred) PSY 1; SOC 1; BIO 1 or BIO 7; ECO 10; PHL 13

Course Descriptions

SWK 1 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare

This course presents Social Work as a helping profession that has a unique combination of values, knowledge, and skills with the purpose of improving the well-being of people and creating a more just society.

SWK 18/HPA 18 Research Methods

This course provides an overview of the scientific method as it applies to social work.

SWK 19/HPA 19 Statistics

Statistical procedures, research design, sampling techniques, descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency, dispersion, correlation, regression, tests of significance, and reliability are all discussed as they apply to the specific needs of the health and human services.

SWK 50 Social Welfare Programs & Policies I

SWK 50 provides information about the development of social work as a profession, including its tradition of advocacy, reform, and commitment to policies inherent in the values of the profession.

SWK 51 Social Welfare Programs & Policies II

SKW 51 has two major foci: a) how and under what circumstances the definition and typification of social problems trigger policy responses and b) social work's role in analyzing, evaluating, and influencing policy.

SWK 60 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I

The first in the 2-sequence course on understanding human behavior in the social environment, this course provides foundation knowledge of the multiple theoretical perspectives required for generalist social work practice.

SWK 61 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II

This writing-intensive course is the second in the human development sequence and covers the understanding of individual behavior from adolescence through late adulthood within the context of social systems.

SWK 70 Social Work Practice I

The first of a two-course sequence, this course is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values essential for beginning generalist social work practice and entry into field placement.

SWK 71 Social Work Practice II

The second of a two-course sequence, this course is designed to continue teaching the knowledge, skills, and values essential for beginning generalist social work practice.

SWK 75 Diversity Sensitive Social Work Practice

This course is designed to draw a bridge between generalist social work practice and the impact of ethnicity, social class, and minority status.

SWK 79 Introduction to Field Placement

The purpose of this class is to orient junior-level social work majors to the field practicum.

SWK 80 Field Instruction I

Field Experience involves placement of the student in a social service agency or social work department of a larger institution.

SWK 90, 91 Field Instruction II & III

Taken during the senior year (approximately 400 hours), these two courses provide students with opportunities to test in the field setting the principles and concepts learned in the classroom.

Total Degree Credit Requirements

The total degree credit requirements for transfer students are 120 credits. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the foundation and related social work courses to retain standing in the program.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

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Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

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Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

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Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance