Mapping your Social Work Major
Your Hood experience is about so much more than just your social work major.
The Student Success Center, the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning, and the Office of the Registrar have teamed up to show you where a social work major can take you. They will help you cultivate, engage and prepare during your time at Hood so that you are career ready for your journey beyond Hood.
Additionally, these maps will serve as milestones and guideposts when you meet with your academic advisor.
Contact
| Student Success 301-696-3860 | Registrar 301-696-3620 | Center for Career Development & Experiential Education 301-696-3583 |
| College Catalog | Department of Sociology & Social Work | Social Work (B.A.) |
Year One
| Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core—FYE 101 First Year Experience (Fall) | 3 |
| Core—ENGL 101/102 English Composition | 3-4 |
| Core—[Global Language] 101 (Spanish or ASL recommended) | 3-4 |
| SOC 101 Intro to Sociology OR SOC 215 Social Problems | 3 |
| Core—[Diversity] | 3 |
| 15-17 |
| Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core—FYE 102 First Year Experience (Spring) | 3 |
| Core—Global Language 102 | 3-4 |
| BIOL 138 Human Health Mosaic | 3 |
| PSY 101 Intro to Psychology (Core—S/BS) | 3 |
| ECON 205 OR SOC 300 | 3 |
| 15-16 |
Year Two
| Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOWK 101 Intro to Social Work and Human Services | 3 |
| SOC 260 Research Methods | 3 |
| Core—[Ethics] | 3 |
| Core—[Natural Science] | 4 |
| Core—[Creative and Performing Arts] | 3 |
| 16 |
| Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOC 261 Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences (QR) | 3 |
| SOC 323 Race and Ethnicity in the U.S. | 3 |
| Core—[Humanities] | 3 |
| [SOWK Elective] | 3 |
| [ELECTIVE] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| 15 |
Year Three
| Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOWK 327 Gerontological SOWK (40 hrs of service learning) | 4 |
| SOWK 345 Human Lifecycle | 3 |
| SOWK 346 Human Rights and Social Justice | 3 |
| Core—[Holistic Wellness] | 3 |
| [ELECTIVE] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| 16 |
| Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOWK 301 Social Policy and Human Service Programs | 3 |
| SOWK 342 Social Work Methods I | 3 |
| [SOWK Elective] | 3 |
| [Independent study] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| [ELECTIVE] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| 15 |
Year Four
| Fall Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| SOWK 442 Social Work Methods II | 3 |
| Core—HIP—SOWK 445AB Field Practicum & Seminar | 6 |
| [ELECTIVE] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| [ELECTIVE] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| 15 |
| Spring Semester | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core—HIP—SOWK 446AB Field Practicum and Seminar | 6 |
| Core—LIFE—SOWK 452 Seminar on Social Work Profession | 3 |
| [ELECTIVE] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| [ELECTIVE] OR [Minor course, if applicable] | 3 |
| 15 |
| Total Credits | 124 |
|---|
Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence
The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.
Cultivate
Explore your Major and Related Occupations
Year 1
- Explore the social work profession through the Hood College social work website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.
- Visit the What Can I Do With the Major?, and the CareerOneStop websites.
- Take the O*NET Interest Profiler to learn more about additional areas of career interest.
- Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume.
Year 2
- Make an appointment though Handshake to meet with a Career Counselor to update your resume.
- Explore social work by taking SOWK 201: Introduction to Social Work and Human Services where you will complete a 40-hour volunteer experience as a part of the coursework.
Year 3
- Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either volunteer or employment related.
- In the spring before your last full year at Hood, prepare your application to enter field the next fall. The application process includes interviews with faculty and potential field instructors.
- Participate in Social Work Advocacy Day at the Maryland State Capitol through the SOWK 301 course.
Year 4
- Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either social work or employment related. Be sure to include your direct practice skills.
- In the fall, enroll in SOWK 445AB, which includes your field practicum and seminar experiences.
Engage
Locally and Globally
Year 1
- Explore club and engagement opportunities such as Student Social Work Organization (SSWO) or one of the many Community Service organizations.
Year 2
- If eligible, investigate federal work study positions in a department of career related interest.
- Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page.
- Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the social work field.
Year 3
- Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework.
- Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the field.
- Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the social work field.
Year 4
- Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the social work field.
- Attend the annual Business Etiquette Dinner.
Prepare
For Post-Graduation Success
Year 1
- Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn more about not-for-profit agencies that provide low or no-cost services to those in need.
Year 2
- Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of nonprofit organizations who may need college students for summer work.
- Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus.
Year 3
- Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need summer social work students.
- Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.
- Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.
Year 4
- Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may be recruiting new social work graduates.
- Attend the National Association of Social Workers—Maryland Chapter (NASW-MD) student conference.
- Finalize your resume and polish up your e-portfolio in the capstone SOWK 452 course.
- Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
- Meet regularly with your academic advisor
- Work with tutors at the Writing Center
- Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships
Learn more about careers in social work: https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/social-work/
- Administration and planning
- Case management
- Program evaluation
- Policy development
- Research
- Public welfare agencies
- Private social service agencies
- Local, state, and federal government:
- Department of Human Services
- Department of Education
- Housing Services
- Local, state, and federal government continued:
- Veterans Administration
- Indian Health Services
- Administrative agencies
- Local, state, and federal government continued
- Job Corps
- Head Start
- State legislatures
Explore more career opportunities in social work: https://www.onetonline.org/
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