Degree Programs

The criminal justice curriculum prepares men and women for careers and leadership roles in the prevention and correction of crime and delinquency. Students majoring in criminal justice study criminal justice systems and theories, criminal law, and corrections philosophy. Graduates are prepared for service in parole and probation agencies, correctional institutions, and federal, state, local and private investigative or security agencies, juvenile justice programs and law enforcement agencies. Graduates may choose to further their studies in graduate or law schools.

Graduation Requirements:

This degree program requires a minimum of 122 semester hours for completion.

Academic Degree Plans for: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (PDF)

This major field of study enhances student appreciation of applying science to the study of crime, criminal and criminal behavior.

Graduation Requirements:

This degree program requires a minimum of 121 semester hours for completion.

Academic Degree Plans for: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice (Criminology) (PDF)

The Bachelor of Arts in Law and Government is an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree program that fuses Pre-Law, Political Science and Public Administration. It serves as a flagship for these disciplines and is committed to the development of global, regional, and national expertise of the law, government, and public policy.

Graduation Requirements:

This degree program requires a minimum of 120 semester hours for completion.

Academic Degree Plans for: Bachelor of Arts in Law and Government (PDF)

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Program

Florida Memorial University offers a Bachelor of Social Work degree accredited by the Council of Social Work Education.

Students majoring in social work learn about the theoretical foundations, practice skills and ethical principles of generalist social work practice. Students study the causes of individual, family and community problems and strategies that have been found to be effective means of preventing and responding to these problems. Students graduating with a degree in social work are qualified to pursue graduate education in social work or a related field, or seek employment with social services, child welfare, criminal justice, mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence programs as well as in schools, nursing homes, hospitals, and other human services settings.

 

Program Mission

The Mission of the Social Work Program is Consistent with the Profession’s Purpose and Values The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work Program is consistent with the profession’s purpose and values. Program graduates understand the impact of political, economic, and social inequalities on the well-being of populations-at-risk and a commitment to assume leadership in working to empower individuals, families, groups, and communities disproportionately impacted by such inequalities. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and is designed to foster an appreciation of the traditions, values, and strengths of diverse cultures in the global community. The Bachelor of Social Work is committed to encouraging students to pursue lifelong professional development including graduate level social work education.

This mission incorporates the purpose of the social work profession, emphasizing the importance of using a person-in-environment construct when addressing individual, family, group, community, and organizational issues. The mission also stresses the need for the program to integrate a global perspective, as well as an appreciation of diverse cultures. The mission promotes the need to acquire evidence-informed knowledge and skills that can improve the quality of life for all people. The mission also emphasizes the need for students to develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to political, social and economic inequities, and of the importance of working to rectify these.

The mission highlights the profession’s values, including a commitment to serving the global community and addressing social justice issues. It reflects the commitment to promoting, in all social work students, a respect for and an appreciation of the importance of identifying the strengths present in all people, as well as a commitment to becoming competent social work professionals. The mission also integrates the expectation that program graduates will approach practice from an evidence-informed knowledge base and will recognize and appreciate the need to engage in lifelong learning.

 

Program Goals

1. To prepare graduates for positions as competent generalist social workers with the evidence informed practice knowledge, skills, and values base needed to improve the quality of life for individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in culturally diverse communities in the United States and other countries, and for ongoing professional development.
2. To prepare graduates with the ability to understand and critically apply knowledge and skills that reflect the capacity to practice without discrimination with clients who vary in terms of their race, color, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, class, age, disability, marital status, family structure, national origin, cultural background, immigration status, and religion.
3. To prepare graduates who understand and critically apply evidence-informed theoretical person and environment frameworks of human development and behavior as well as those relevant to interactions among and between individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
4. To prepare graduates who understand the theoretical frameworks that explain the presence and impact of political, social, and economic oppression and discrimination on individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations; appreciate the social work profession’s historical commitment to addressing societal inequities; and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and values needed to assume leadership in influencing social policies and empowering at-risk individuals, families, groups, and communities.
5. To prepare graduates able to engage in self-reflective, self-critical generalist practice with multiple-level client systems in a range of organizational settings, effectively using professional supervision and consultation.

 

Diversity

Florida Memorial University serves a culturally diverse student population through programs in liberal and professional education. These programs are designed to prepare students to function in a highly competitive, technological, and global society. Challenging educational opportunities are offered in a variety of instructional formats to traditional and non-traditional students. Internships and experiential learning programs are incorporated in an energetic learner-centered environment.

Academic programs are supported by library services, information technology, academic advising, testing, developmental education, career development, counseling, intramurals, intercollegiate sports, student activities, and other support services.

 

Faculty

The faculty who teaches in Bachelor of Social Work Program possess a range of characteristics that contribute to the quality of education in social work. These characteristics collectively contribute to the strength and effectiveness of our Bachelor of Social Work Program that prepares students for ethical, competent, and culturally responsive practice in a wide range of social work settings. These characteristics include:

• Professional Experience: Our faculty members have experience working in the field of social work. This practical experience enriches their teaching by bringing real-world insights into the classroom.
• Research Expertise: Our faculty often engage in research activities related to social work practice, policy, or theory.
• Commitment to Social Justice and Diversity: Our program emphasizes social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Faculty members are expected to demonstrate a commitment to these values in their teaching, research, and practice. They are further expected to encourage students to critically examine issues of power, privilege, oppression, and discrimination.
• Pedagogical Skills: Effective social work faculty possess strong teaching skills. Our faculty create engaging and inclusive learning environments, use a variety of teaching methods (lectures, discussions, case studies, simulations), provide constructive feedback, and support students’ professional development.
• Ethical and Professional Standards: Our faculty members adhere to the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics and other relevant professional standards. They model ethical behavior, encourage ethical decision-making among students, and address ethical dilemmas in the classroom.
• Supervision and Mentorship: Our field director provides supervision to students during field placements or internships. The director serves as mentor, guiding students’ professional growth, offering career advice, and helping them navigate ethical challenges in practice settings.
• Continuing Education and Professional Development: Our faculty members stay current with developments in the field of social work through continuing education, attending conferences, participating in professional organizations, and networking with colleagues. This ensures that they bring the latest knowledge and best practices to their teaching.
• Collaboration and Community Engagement: Our faculty members collaborate with community organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders to address social issues and advocate for social change. They involve students in community-engaged learning experiences, internships, or research projects that contribute to the well-being of diverse populations.
• Commitment to CSWE Standards: Our faculty align their teaching, assessment, and program development with CSWE’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). They participate in program evaluation and continuous improvement efforts to maintain accreditation and enhance the quality of education.

 

Admission to Field Practicum

The culmination of the Bachelor in Social Work Program concludes with the Field Practicum. Practicum provides the vehicle for social work students to integrate theory and practice and apply this knowledge while demonstrating professional competencies. The field practicum is a year-long experience. The application for the field practicum must be completed by the announced deadline one semester prior to the scheduled beginning of the field practicum experience. The field practicum is completed during the senior year. Before applying for the field practicum, students must have successfully completed all required social work courses. Acceptance into the field practicum is granted after a student has attended the pre-practicum seminar, has completed the application for a field placement, and has been interviewed by the Coordinator of Field Education.

Additionally, to qualify for acceptance into the field practicum, students must satisfy the following requirements:

• Students must have senior standing.
• Students must have an overall cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
• Students must have completed the following courses with a minimum overall average of 2.5: SOW 301 Human Behavior and Dynamics, SOW 302 Human Behavior and the Social Environment, SOW 303 Research Methods, SOW 405 Social Policy, SOW 408 Social Work Writing Techniques, and SOW 409 Social Work Practice 1.
• Students must have a grade of “C” or higher in all social work courses.
• Social work majors must obtain a copy of the Field Practicum Manual from the Social Work Program’s Coordinator of Field Education for further information about the field practicum.

 

Graduation Requirements:

This degree program requires a minimum of 120 semester hours for completion. In order to complete the degree in four years, students must either take 15-16 credits a semester or attend at least one summer session. Academic Degree Plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work.

Academic Degree Plans for: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (PDF)

 

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work Program at Florida Memorial University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

About CSWE Accreditation: https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation

 

Student Learning Outcomes
Click here to view the BSW Student Learning Outcomes Assessment 2021-2023.

The program in psychology aims to help students gain a better understanding of human behavior. Opportunities are provided for students to learn essential methods, concepts, principles, and theories of psychology. Students learn techniques, which can be used to improve self-esteem, motivation, and sensitivity. Psychology majors study the nature, causes and treatment of psychological disorders. Majors also study human emotions, sexuality, and psychological development.

Graduation Requirements:

This degree program requires at least 122 semester hours for completion.

Academic Degree Plans for: Bachelor of Science in Psychology (PDF)