Applying to the Major
Students must apply for the social work major no later than the College-mandated deadline
during the spring of the sophomore year (transfer students are evaluated on a case-by-case
basis). To be eligible to apply, at a minimum, students must have successfully completed or be concurrently enrolled in SW 241
Research for the Human Services and have successfully completed either SW 222 Introduction to Social Work or SW 212 Social
Work Values and Populations-at-Risk. It is strongly preferred that students also complete
SW 253 Human Behavior and the Social Environment prior to applying to the major. This
sequencing of courses is necessary for students to complete the Department of Social
Work’s writing requirement and in addition, these courses lay the necessary foundation
for completion of upper-division courses during the student’s junior and senior years.
Students who fail to formally apply by the deadline will not be granted permission
to enroll in SW 333 Social Work Practice for Individuals and Families. Students whose
applications are rejected may reapply during the fifth semester before the drop add/period
ends. Admission to the program is based on demonstrated academic competence, a willingness
to abide by Skidmore College’s Department of Social Work Standards for Social Work
Education, the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics, and suitability
for beginning professional practice. Students planning on going abroad should talk
with the department chair as soon as possible so timely and appropriate advising can
occur.
Admission to the program is based on demonstrated academic competence, a willingness
to abide by Skidmore College’s Department of Social Work Standards for Social Work Education, the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics, and suitability for beginning professional practice.
Below are some frequently asked questions about the application to the major.
Social work is an accredited program of study. Our accrediting body, the Council on Social Work Education, mandates that social work programs have an application process.
The social work major has two sets of standards for our students: academic and professional. Academically, students must demonstrate mastery of course concepts and exhibit appropriate behavior in the classroom. Professionally, students must behave as a beginning professional, attending classes regularly, participating appropriately, behaving respectfully, and seeking help when help is needed for either academic or personal difficulties. Students who cannot meet both academic and professional standards are considered inappropriate for the major. See the Standards for Social Work Education at Skidmore College for more details regarding these standards.
