Psychology / Social Work Double Major

 

The job market for the social work professional is rapidly expanding and students with a double major in psychology and social work will stand an excellent chance of being employed in a professional helping position.  For example, both the Alabama Department of Human Resources and the Alabama Department of Public Health require the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.  Many psychology majors are interested in helping people.  For those who do not desire a master's or doctorate in psychology, a Masters in Social Work (MSW) will enable them to get an advanced degree, increasing both their salary and upward mobility in professional agencies.  Many psychology undergraduates majors have gotten an advanced degree in social work.  For students interested in pursuing a master's or doctorate in psychology, the double major would allow them to work as a professional social worker while pursuing their psychology degree. Students with the double major can apply for Advanced Standing for the MSW degree.  This means students are able to complete the MSW in one-calendar year as opposed to two academic years for those without a BSW degree.  Psychology and social work are very compatible majors.  Social Work majors are required to have twelve (12 hours) of psychology courses (PSYC 201 Foundations of Psychology, PSYC 306 Lifespan Development, PSYC 300 Descriptive Statistics, and PSYC 310 Psychopathology).  Many additional courses in psychology are very helpful to practicing social work students such as Clinical, Health Psychology, and Psychology of Death.

 

Employment

Graduates have begun their professional careers in such areas as:

• Mental health

• Nursing homes

• Child welfare

• Mental retardation

• Hospitals

• AIDS agencies

• Public health

• Programs for juveniles and youth

• Community aging programs

• Shelters for women and children

• and many more

 

Double majors in psychology and social work must complete the following courses, in addition to general education requirements:

• EC 231  Macroeconomics
• POS 200  American National Government
• POS 250  State and Local Government
• PSYC 300  Descriptive Statistics
• PSYC 306  Lifespan Developmental Psychology
• PSYC 310  Psychopathology
• PSYC 425  Biological Psychology
• 5 elective psychology courses
• PSYC / SWK 308 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work
• PSYC / SWK 322  Human Behavior and the Social Environment
• SWK 350  Introduction to Social Work Practice
• SWK 355  Research in social Welfare
• SWK 373  Social Policy
• SWK 400  Skills for Social Work Practice
• SWK 410  Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
• SWK 420  Social Work Practice with Small Groups, Communities, and Organizations
• SWK 455  Social Work Practicum
• SWK 456  Social Work Integrative Seminar
• 1 elective course
• One of the following:

¾      GEOG 231  World Regional Geography

¾      GEOG 331  Human Geography

¾      ANTH 310  Introduction to Anthropology

¾      SOC 324  Social Stratification

 

 

If you would like more information or have questions please contact:

Dr. Laurel Hitchcock Station 6176 Montevallo, Alabama 35115 (205) 665-6176

Dr. Kristen Gilbert Station 6445 Montevallo, Alabama 35115 (205) 665-6445

 

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