Social Work, Associate in Science
Program Description
The Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree in Social Work will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the discipline, applied concepts, and theories necessary for a future in the field of social work and other helping professions. The A.S. in Social Work is also designed for students who intend to transfer to an accredited four-year baccalaureate program in the field of Social Work (B.S.W.) or another human services degree program.
Transfer Information
Students pursuing the Social Work degree can transfer into majors such as Social Sciences, Human/Public Services, Sociology, or Social Work. Students are encouraged to work closely with OCC faculty and Advising Transfer Services. Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in NJ can explore the “Transfer Programs” feature on NJ Transfer www.njtransfer.org.
Career Information
The Associate of Science degree is designed to provide students with the coursework needed to transfer to a four-year institution and pursue a bachelor’s degree for Social Work or a related field. The curriculum provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a pathway to social work, grant writing, community outreach, and case management as well as prepare students for graduate programs in Social Work. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with OCC faculty and Career Services as they begin to explore career options. OCC students can also utilize Focus2 Career, a resource provided by OCC, to explore degree programs and corresponding careers. To get started, log in through Ocean Connect.
Students are encouraged to keep track of degree requirements by using the “My Progress” screen on Student Planning. Student Planning can be accessed via logging into Ocean Connect.
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 151 | English I | 3 |
| SOWK 101 | Introduction to Social Work | 3 |
| PSYC 172 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOCI 181 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Any STSC - Student Success Seminar course 1 | 2 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 152 | English II | 3 |
| SOWK 194 | Interviewing and Communication Techniques | 3 |
| Technology Gen. Ed. Requirement 2 | 3 | |
| Select from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Critical Thinking | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Contemporary Ethical Issues | ||
| Elective 3, 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| SOWK 201 or PSYC 278 | Human Behavior and the Social Environment or Life Span Development | 3 |
| SOCI 282 | Sociology of the Family | 3 |
| ANTH 134 or SOCI 238 | Cultural Anthropology 3 or Race and Ethnicity | 3 |
| BIOL 114 or BIOL 119 | Principles of Biological Science 3 or Science and the Human Body | 4 |
| Elective 3, 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| SOWK 207 or PSYC 271 | Group Dynamics or Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SOWK 202 | Social Work Seminar and Practicum | 3 |
| MATH 156 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| Select from the following 4 | 3 | |
| America and the West After World War II | ||
| American Federal Government | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Microeconomics Principles | ||
| Elective 3, 4 | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
A variety of STSC -Student Success Seminar courses are available. Please speak to your academic advisor for assistance when selecting.
- 2
Students may attempt to “test out” of the technology requirement. If they succeed, they must take an additional course(s) in math or science from the List of Approved General Education Courses.
- 3
Social Work students pursuing the Addictions Counseling Certificate can choose from the list of Addictions Counseling courses below. This particular choice in electives will allow students to complete 9 of the 18 credits required in the Addictions Counseling Certificate.
- 4
Course selections should be based on the requirements of the intended transfer to a four-year institution. Students should speak to their advisor for clarification and in many cases are encouraged to take both SOWK 201and PSYC 278. Additional recommendations include SOWK 170, SOWK 171, SOWK 191 and SOWK 192.