Declaring the Major

Students may declare Social Work as a major as an incoming student. Thereafter, they must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and meet with the chair of the department for an orientation to the major.

All students declaring social work as a major enter the major at provisional status. In the junior year, social work majors petition to enter practicum and full acceptance into the program.

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Academic and Professional Advising

Through academic advising and dialogue with social work faculty and staff, the student is provided with the opportunity to assess her or his abilities and capacity for a career in social work. Each student's performance is evaluated at the end of each semester to establish that the student is meeting the minimum standards for continuing the pursuit of a social work degree. Students are advised to select elective courses or other educationally related experiences that will provide depth and breadth to their educational experience. Academic credit is not given for life experiences, however. The department chair is responsible for evaluating if all program requirements have been met for graduation and works closely with the Registrar's office to assess University and program degree requirements.

Registration for Classes

Although it is the student's responsibility to fulfill all requirements for degree attainment, social work majors are required to have a faculty advising meeting each semester with their assigned faculty advisor to plan for the next semester. A hold will be put on registration until students have met with their advisor. The function of the meeting is to check that academic requirements are being met regarding the social work major, the core curriculum, and matters pertinent to professional planning. The student and advisor use an advising checklist form and the degree evaluation report online to monitor academic progress towards completion of the B.S.W.

Change of Major and Transfer Students

Transfer students from other programs within the University and from other academic institutions need to meet with the Chairperson. The student is then assigned to a faculty advisor. The Xavier University Registrar evaluates all non-social work course work which students wish to transfer from another university. All transfer credits which would meet social work program requirements are reviewed by the Chairperson for the determination of equivalency to Xavier courses. The first consideration in reviewing transfer credits is to be sure that all course content has been met and that duplication either does not occur or is minimal.

Adult and Professional Education at Xavier (APEX) Program

Non-traditional students (students 24 years of age or older) who have attended other regionally accredited institutions of higher education or just getting started must complete an application for admission through the Adult and Professional Education (APEX) Office.

The office can provide free transfer credit evaluations for university requirements. Once students are admitted to the university, the registrar's office evaluates student transcripts and all non-social work course work for transfer credit. The office provides academic advising to students age 24 and older through day, evening and weekend appointments.

Students transferring to Xavier University who want to declare social work as their major then meet with the department chair to review the social work program and possible transfer credits related to social work curriculum requirements. Course descriptions and syllabi provided by the student from previously taken social work courses at other accredited institutions are reviewed by the chair to determine equivalency. Academic credit it not granted for life experiences or previous work/employment/volunteer experience.