Social Work - Bachelor's - Bachelor of Arts 2024-25 Degree Map

Degree Maps & Advising


Degree maps show just one possible course plan for how to earn a degree in four years. To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

Bulletin or Catalog Year


This guide outlines the requirements in the 2024-25 Bulletin. Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Review PSU's course catalog policy and talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you. 

 

DARS System  


Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report in myPSU to track their progress through their program. You'll need to know which catalog year you'd like to use for your audit request. Students are also encouraged to contact an advisor if they have any questions about their DARS, catalog/bulletin year, or degree requirements in general. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate. You must apply to have a degree or certificate awarded.

First Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5First Year Inquiry or Honors5
BA Second Language 1013-5BA Second Language 1023-5BA Second Language 1033-5
PSY 201Z or 202Z4SOC 2004BA Fine & Performing Arts3-4
    General Elective4
Total Fall Credits12-14Total Winter Credits12-14Total Spring Credits15-18

First Year Milestones: Explore volunteer opportunities (Fall term). Complete PSY 201Z & SOC 200 (by end of Spring term).

Second Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter Courses Winter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Sophomore Inquiry or Honors4Race & Ethnic Studies Requirement or General Elective4
BA Second Language 2013-5BA Second Language 2023-5BA Second Language 2033-5
BA Science or Math3-4PSY 3114Equity & Inclusion Elective4
General Elective4General Elective4General Elective4
Total Fall Credits14-17Total Winter Credits15-17Total Spring Credits15-17

Second Year Milestones: Apply to Major by March 1st. Note: Students must be admitted to the major & attend a BSW orientation to start major coursework. Admission is not guaranteed. Complete all BA courses (by the end of Spring term). 

Third Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4Upper Division Cluster or Honors4
SW 3014SW 3404SW 3414
SW 3394SW 3504SW 3514
Equity & Inclusion Elective4Upper Division Program Elective4Equity & Inclusion Elective4
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits16Total Spring Credits16

Third Year Milestones: All BSW coursework starts in Fall of the Junior year. Apply for Field Placement (Winter term). Complete all Junior year SW courses (by end of Spring term).

Fourth Year

Fall CoursesFall CreditsWinter CoursesWinter CreditsSpring CoursesSpring Credits
Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis6SW 4313Upper Division Program Elective4
SW 4303SW 4004SW 4323
SW 4004SW 4513SW 4004
SW 4503Upper Division Program Elective4  
Total Fall Credits16Total Winter Credits14Total Spring Credits11

Fourth Year Milestone: Registered for Capstone (Fall term).

Additional Map Notes:

  • General Elective: SW 301 recommended.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement or General Elective: Suggest using Equity & Inclusion Electives to satisfy requirement. Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BST), Chicanx/Latinx Studies (CHLA), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • Equity & Inclusion Elective: Includes any upper-division course in BST, CHLA, NAS, or WS. Choose a class from the Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement (RESR) list. 
  • SW 301: Take SW 301 if not taken during Sophomore year. Otherwise, take a General Elective. 
  • Upper Division Program Elective: See SSW Curriculum website for list of approved upper-division SW electives.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

Resources for Social Work - Bachelor's