BSSW Degree Requirements

The Handbook in effect when the student enters the social work program as a major governs his/her graduation requirements.

1. The candidate for the degree must complete the general education or core curriculum requirements, as defined by the University. These requirements are specified in the University catalog. All students admitted after Summer 1990 must complete a minimum of 8 semester hours in a foreign language. All students must fulfill the CLAST examination requirement. In addition, students must meet the pre-requisites of one 3-semester-credit hour college course in human biology, one course in statistics, and one course from each of the following areas: psychology, sociology, economics, and American Government. All students are required to obtain a copy of the FIU catalog upon admission. Students are referred to the catalog for specifics regarding admission, degree requirements and graduation requirements.

2. The degree candidate must have a minimum of one hundred and twenty (120) semester hours of credit, of which sixty (60) semester hours must be earned at the upper division level from an accredited institution. Normally, the last thirty (30) semester hours must be earned in residence at Florida International University. In addition, students who enter into the Florida state university System with fewer than 60 credit hours are required to earn at least nine credit hours prior to graduation by attending one or more summer terms at a Florida State University.

3. Students must successfully complete each upper-division course required for graduation in the major with a grade of "C" or higher.  A grade of "C-" is not acceptable.

4. Criteria for considering upper-level transfer credit include: a review of the prior educational institution's catalog description and syllabi of courses put forth for evaluation. Course syllabi are reviewed for specific learning objectives of knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the identified area. In review of social work courses, status of the prior institutions with CSWE is considered. A "C" grade is required for a course to be considered eligible for transfer credit; and up to 15 credit hours normally can be transferred toward the degree at the discretion of the Associate Director of the School of Social Work. More than 15 upper level transfer credits may be awarded by the Associate Director to those applicants who present a record of previous study in accredited programs.

5. A grade-point average of at least 2.0 or higher in upper-division courses is required for continuance in the program.  However, a grade-point average of at least 2.5 or higher is required for entering and remaining in the two field practicum courses.