Major map compass icon
2019-2020

Bachelor of Social Work

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Science: Social Sciences, Pre-Social Work Specialization (Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway))
Reynolds Community College
Reynolds Community College
Program description

The goals of the profession of social work are to provide services to persons who are vulnerable due to a lack of personal, social and/or institutional resources to meet their emotional, health and economic needs. Social work practice is the application of professional knowledge, skills and values across a range of settings and populations. The focus of practice is on individuals, couples, families, groups and communities. In addition to direct clinical social work practice, social workers are involved in the administration of human service programs, social planning, the development of social policies, research and evaluation, and teaching. In order to achieve the goals of promoting social justice and enhancing well-being for individuals, families, groups and communities, social workers provide a variety of services primarily in public and nonprofit organizational contexts. Examples of the range of settings in which social workers practice include community centers, public social services, child welfare, residential treatment facilities, schools, community mental health agencies, family and children’s service agencies, psychiatric and acute care hospitals, substance abuse treatment facilities, services for the elderly, court services and adult and juvenile rehabilitation facilities. Social work practice is designed to enrich quality of life by enabling individuals, groups, communities and organizations to achieve their greatest potential development. The goal of the School of Social Work at VCU is to provide professional education in response to these needs.

Career opportunities

A B.S.W. degree enables our graduates to empower others and effect change in prevalent areas such as: Addiction, substance abuse and behavioral health; Aging; Child welfare; Community development; Corrections/justice; Developmental disabilities; Employment/occupational social work; Family services/group services; Health care services; Homelessness/housing; International social work; Mental health; Public welfare; Rehabilitation; School social work. When our students enter the field as professionals, they do so equipped with a nuanced understanding of the day-to-day demands of the job and a commitment to meeting the challenges of social work with strength and compassion. A bachelor's in social work can prepare students for graduate or professional education in social work, sociology, counseling, psychology, law, medicine, education, college student personnel, higher education administration, planning, and other related fields. Many transferable skills such as analytical, organizational, research, interpersonal, computer, leadership, teamwork, and oral/written communication are associated with the social work degree. Internships, part-time jobs, summer jobs, and/or volunteer experiences are critical to reaching career goals. Research fields of interests and gain the right skills, experiences, and advanced degrees (if necessary).

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Child, Family, and School Social Worker
  • Community and Social Service Specialist, Other
  • Community Health Worker
  • Health Educator
  • Healthcare Social Workers
  • Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker
  • Patient Representative
  • Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist
  • Social and Human Service Assistant
  • Social Workers
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Attorney
  • Counselor
  • Government Agency Administrator
  • Higher Education Administrator
Contact information


VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 131
Science required
  • 1-2 additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.5 to declare/2.0 to graduate

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2019-2020

Bachelor of Social Work

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Social Sciences, Pre-Social Work Specialization)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Attend Reynolds orientation (SOAR).
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Develop strong Excel skills by completing ITE 115.
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Browse careers related to social work through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
Experience Year 2
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Reflect on your academic preparation for VCU by completing the MINDSET Inventory.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Social Work-related events.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend Reynolds orientation (SOAR).
  • Register for SDV 100.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Develop strong Excel skills by completing ITE 115.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Browse careers related to social work through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Meet with your academic advisor.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Reflect on your academic preparation for VCU by completing the MINDSET Inventory.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Social Work-related events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2019-2020

Bachelor of Social Work

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Social Sciences, Pre-Social Work Specialization)

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I UNIV 111-112 3 General education
HMS 100 Introduction to Human Services (students must complete a social work-designated section with a minimum grade of “B” to receive credits for the VCU equivalent) SLWK 201 3 Major
MTH 154 Quantitative Reasoning MATH 131 3 Major
PSYC 200 Principles of Psychology PSYC 101 3 Major
HLT/PED Personal Wellness elective VCU equivalent 1 Elective
ENG 112 College Composition  II UNIV 200 3 General education
HMS 121 Basic Counseling Skills I (students must complete a social work-designated section with a minimum grade of “B” to receive credit for the VCU equivalent) SLWK 230 3 Major
MTH 245 Statistics I STAT 210 3 General education
PSY 230 Developmental Psychology PSYC 304 3 Major
ITE 115 Introduction to Computer Applications and Concepts INFO 160, 161, 162 3 Elective
ENG 210 Advanced Composition ENGL 304 3 Elective
HIS History elective (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
BIO 101 General Biology I BIOL/Z 151 4 General education
SOC 200 Principles of Sociology SOCY 101 3 Major
Foreign Language Foreign Language 101 VCU equivalent 4 General education
ENG Literature elective (select 1): ENG 241, 242, 243, 244, 251, 252 ENGL 3 General education
HIS History elective (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
PHIL 220 Ethics PHIL 201 3 Major
SOC 210 Survey of Physical and Cultural Anthropology ANTH 103 3 Major
BIO 102 General Biology II BIOL/Z 152 4 General education
Reynolds credits transferred to VCU 62
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Foreign Language Foreign Language through the 102-level 4 General education
PSYC 407 Psychology of the Abnormal 3 Major (Collateral)
Humanities Select one of the following: ENGL 215, PHIL 250, RELS 108 3 Major (Collateral)
POLI or ECON Select any POLI or ECON course 3 Major (Collateral)
SLWK 311 Social Work and Oppressed Groups 3 Major
SLWK 313 Person in Society I 3 Major
SLWK 330 Person in Society II 3 Major
SLWK 332 Social Work Practice: Fundamentals 3 Major
SLWK 380 Foundations of Social Work Research I 3 Major
SLWK 381 Foundations of Social Work Research II 3 Major
SLWK 393 Junior Field Instruction 3 Major
SLWK 422 Social Welfare Legislation and Services 3 Major
SLWK 431 Person in Society III 3 Major
SLWK 441 Social Work Practice I 3 Major
SLWK 442 Social Work Practice II 3 Major
SLWK 494 Senior Field Instruction I 3 Major
SLWK 495 Senior Field Instruction II 3 Major
SLWK 499 Senior Seminar (capstone) 1 Major
Open Electives 6 Elective
Credits completed at VCU 59
Bachelor's degree total 121