The mission of the Longwood University undergraduate Social Work Program is to prepare generalist practitioners who have a foundation in social work knowledge, theory and research through a strong liberal arts based education; to prepare competent and effective generalist practitioners who become citizen leaders in their respective communities, while representing and empowering oppressed individuals, groups, and communities to improve the quality of life; to reduce the inequalities in society through the use of social justice strategies and effective practice; and to contribute to the knowledge base of practice, research, and theory regarding the needs of diverse populations served by professional social workers. Any student accepted to Longwood University may declare Social Work as a major. However, the student will be officially accepted to the Social Work Program at the conclusion of their sophomore year after established criteria have been met. Transfer students who meet the established criteria upon entering Longwood must complete one semester at Longwood and provide a reference from one of Longwood's Social Work professors. (A recommended course of study is included in the student handbook that students declaring Social Work as their major receive in their first advising session as a social work major.) The Social Work program provides an undergraduate course of study of unique and personalized instruction accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. The curriculum prepares graduates for first-level professional social work practice as practitioners utilizing the generalist perspective. Program graduates frequently pursue advanced study in graduate schools and may be eligible for admission into advanced standing one-year MSW degree programs. They may utilize their professional credentials for careers as generalist-based, professional practitioners according to the standards of the National Association of Social Workers in such areas as: adoption, case management, child protection, child welfare, mental health, crisis intervention, disaster relief, domestic violence, foster care, gerontology, medical social work, homelessness, global social work, policy, advocacy, research, social justice, school-based social work, substance abuse, addiction, and community planning. The faculty of the Social Work Program, reflecting the generalist orientation, provides an individualized focus on each student's professional growth and development. Specifically, the Program faculty, using academic and practice courses as well as internships in human service agencies, work strategically with each student to develop proficiency in professional knowledge and skills. Junior Field Instruction consists of an agency placement or field practicum concurrent with integrative course work and involves 180 hours of instruction in a field setting. A grade point average of 2.3 both in the major and overall is required for placement in a field instruction setting. Students transferring into the program later in their academic pursuits are afforded the opportunity to enter the accelerated 9 1/2-week summer program. Senior Field Instruction usually occurs during the last semester and consists of 500-600 hours (15 weeks, 40 hours per week) of field instruction in an agency setting. Only those students who are social work degree candidates may be admitted to the field practicum experiences. Enrollment in social work practice courses (SOWK 330, SOWK 425, and SOWK 430) is restricted to social work majors only! Practicum experiences are readily available throughout the state, and many students choose to live at home during this experience, thus saving money and greatly enhancing their professional career entry. The Social Work Program, in compliance with CSWE accreditation standards, grants no academic credit for life experience and/or previous work experience in lieu of the field practicum or in lieu of courses in the professional foundation content areas.