Social Work Transfer (A.S.)
Associate in Science
Program Advisor: Kari Dupuis, PhD, LICSW
413-236-4506 • kdupuis@berkshirecc.edu
Students acquire the skills, values, ethics and internship experiences necessary to transfer successfully into a Bachelor of Social Work program. BCC Human Services graduates regularly gain admission to excellent Bachelor of Social Work programs and perform outstanding work in these programs. Students who attend college full time are usually able to earn a BCC associate degree in two years and a Bachelor of Social Work degree in two additional years. A Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree, providing access to the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) level of social work practice, can be attained in one to one-and-one-half years after earning the Bachelor of Social Work degree.
Students who plan to transfer to a Bachelor of Social Work program should consult with the Human Services program advisor.
Essential Functions
The Essential Functions of a student enrolled in the Human Services A.S. and certificate programs requires that the student, with or without reasonable accommodations, must be able to:
- Demonstrate appropriate conduct, as defined by BCC’s student Code of Conduct and the BCC publication Civility in the Classroom: A Student Guide, while on campus, off campus when engaging in a BCC assignment or activity, and at field work placements;
- Demonstrate the capacity to understand and implement professional ethics by adhering to the code: “Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals.” This code is printed in the program’s publication Field Work in Human Services: Policies and Procedures;
- Demonstrate academic mastery of course content pre- requisite to entry into field work courses by earning specified grades in these courses;
- Demonstrate the ability to form helping relationships with clients by exhibiting appropriate interaction, which includes appropriate eye contact, appropriate and professional verbal interaction, and respect for personal boundaries;
- Demonstrate the ability to understand and respect per- sons from diverse populations;
- Demonstrate the ability to focus consistently on the needs of the client and the subject being discussed;
- Demonstrate professional responsibility concerning attendance, punctuality and work deadlines;
- Demonstrate the ability to comprehend and follow verbal and written instructions;
- Demonstrate the ability to accept and use supervision, suggestions and constructive criticism of one’s work;
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively participate in a small group e.g., college seminar or an agency staff meeting. Participation includes both respectful listening and making appropriate contributions; and
- Demonstrate the ability to write in a manner which indicate the ability to provide appropriate documentation in agency records, using brief focused statements, accurate English and legible handwriting or have sufficient skills to use a computer for documentation.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Succeed as transfer students in an accredited Bachelor of Social Work program;
- Demonstrate a commitment to the well-being and quality of life of the clients being served;
- Know and follow the Human Services Code of Ethics;
- Know and use beginning level skills, including conducting strengths-based assessments;
- Make effective referrals and develop helping relationships with individuals and families;
- Provide relationship-based counseling;
- Facilitate a group;
- Understand and appreciate diversity; and
- Document appropriately in agency records.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
| HSV-111 | Human Service Methods | 3 |
| HSV-135 | Intro to Community Resources | 3 |
| HSV-280 | Group & Professional Development | 3 |
| HSV- | Field Work Seminars & Practicums | 7 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| PSY-204 | Human Growth & Development | 3 |
| PSY-208 | Interviewing & Counseling | 3 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| SOC-216 | Racial & Ethnic Minorities | 3 |
| - | Specialized Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 25 |
HSV-135 : See footnote 1
Specialized Electives : See footnote 2
General Education Courses
| BIO-105 | Fundamentals of Biology | 4 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| - | General Electives | 9 |
| MAT- | Mathematics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 28 |
General Electives : See footnote 3
Mathematics : See footnote 1
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
Minimum Cumulative Average
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program may vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
| HSV-135 | Intro to Community Resources | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| SOC-105 | Introductory Sociology | 3 |
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
| HSV-111 | Human Service Methods | 3 |
| HSV-151 | Field Work Seminar I | 1 |
| HSV-161 | Field Practicum I | 2 |
| PSY-204 | Human Growth & Development | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 3 |
| - | Specialized Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Specialized Elective : See footnote 3
Third Semester
| HSV-252 | Field Work Seminar II | 1 |
| HSV-262 | Field Practicum II | 3 |
| PSY-208 | Interviewing & Counseling | 3 |
| - | General Education Electives | 6 |
| MAT- | Mathematics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
General Education Electives : See footnote 3
Mathematics : See footnote 1
Fourth Semester
| BIO-105 | Fundamentals of Biology | 4 |
| - | General Education Elective | 3 |
| HSV-280 | Group & Professional Development | 3 |
| - | Specialized Elective | 3 |
| SOC-216 | Racial & Ethnic Minorities | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
General Education Elective : See footnote 3
Specialized Elective : See footnote 2
Footnotes
- Usually MAT-113, Survey of College Mathematics, or any course with the MA-coded Math course. Please consult with an HSV academic advisor prior to selecting a math course..
- Special Electives: Select in consultation with Program Advisor. Priority course recommendations include: HSV-104, PSY-208, HSV-115, HSV-210, and HSV-225.
- General Education Electives chosen from the following: History, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural or Physical Science, and Environmental Studies. In order to meet both BCC graduation requirements and the graduation requirements of the BSW transfer program, a student should consult with the Human Services program advisor before selecting specific courses to fulfill this requirement.