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Social Work

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Academic Programs

Social Work - Associate in Arts (620)

The profession of social work is devoted to helping people function optimally in their environment by providing direct and indirect services to individuals, families, groups, and communities, and by working to improve social conditions. Bachelor's degree programs in Social Work prepare students for careers in public and private agencies such as child welfare, mental health, corrections, shelters, and many other workplaces. Community college students interested in completing bachelor's degrees in social work are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts degree prior to transfer. Students interested in clinical social work must obtain a master's in social work then state licensure. Students should consult Academic Advising about the particular social work baccalaureate program for specific entry requirements. Since admission is usually competitive, completion of these courses alone does not guarantee admission.

Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. Transfer guides for some universities are available at svcc.edu/transfer.

Follow this link for career information.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

  • Academic Advising, 815-835-6354

Total Hours Required - 64 Hours

Suggested Program

First Semester - 16 Hours

  • Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
  • COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

    The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

    This course (1) develops awareness of the writing process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and editorial strategies; (3) stresses the variety of uses for writing; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in reading, thinking, and writing. Prerequisite: Required placement score on approved English placement test, high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

    The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills, goal setting, academic planning, time and money management, and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment, students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite: None 1 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

  • PHL102 - Introduction to Philosophy ( 3 Semester Hours)

    Students will read, reflect on, and discuss fundamental philosophical questions about topics such as truth, knowledge, personal identity, free will, moral values, aesthetic values, and religious beliefs. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): H4 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • PSY103 - Introduction to Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

    This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts, theories, principles, and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological, behavioral, cognitive, personality, developmental, abnormal, and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Second Semester - 15 Hours

  • Personal Development 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Electives 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

    An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • MAT240 - Elementary Statistics ( 3 Semester Hours)

    An introduction to basic concepts in statistical methods including measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, probability, theoretical and empirical distribution, estimation, tests of hypotheses, linear regression and correlation. Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in MAT 081 or MAT 078 (or higher) OR concurrent enrollment in MAT 040 OR appropriate placement score (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 902 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  • SOC111 - Introduction to Sociology ( 3 Semester Hours)

    Students will be introduced to the perspective, concepts, and methods of sociology. Emphasis will be given to how the groups that make up our society function. The forces that hold groups together or cause them to change will be explored while the students examine how they learn to play roles within the family, school, religion, peer groups, and in other social settings. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S7 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Third Semester - 17 Hours

  • BIO105 - Principles of Biology ( 5 Semester Hours)

    A survey of the basic principles of biology including nature of science, cells, structure and function of organisms, genetics, evolution and ecology. This course is designed to satisfy the biology requirement for general education and vocation-occupational curriculum majors. It provides a basis for understanding principles common to all major fields of biology for the science or professional major. This course along with BIO 123 (Introduction to Botany) and BIO 131 (General Zoology) is part of the three-semester sequence that satisfies the IAI 910 Biology requirement. Students who have completed BIO 105 with a grade of C or better will not receive credit for BIO 103 or BIO 104. Prerequisite: None 5 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): L1 910L, BIO 910 Lecture/Lab Hours 4 lec, 2 lab/week

  • PHL101 - Intro to Logic/Formal Reason ( 3 Semester Hours)

    A study of the principles of correct reasoning. Attention will be given to such topics as the logical use of language, types of definition, mathematical logic and methods of science. Emphasis is placed on understanding logical theory and on using techniques of valid reasoning. Although modern symbolic logic may be included in the content, the course will focus on a humanistic approach to logic rather than a mathematical one. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): H4 906 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    OR

    PHL103 - Ethics and Social Policy ( 3 Semester Hours)

    An examination of moral aspects of human conduct and a study of the principal ethical theories and concepts as they apply to particular moral problems and decisions. Students will be required to read selected philosophy papers and write a philosophy paper of their own. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): H4 904 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

       
    • PSY217 - Abnormal Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

      Abnormal psychology seeks to examine abnormal behavior from a number of contemporary theoretical and therapeutic viewpoints, with reference to relevant research findings. Major diagnostic categories are explored. The diagnosis of disorders, their symptoms, etiologies, courses, treatment, outcomes, and related research methods and findings are core to the course. Applications to daily life, allied health, criminal justice, human development, and various other clinical settings will be common. Prerequisite: PSY 103 or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): PSY 905 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    • SOC112 - Social Problems ( 3 Semester Hours)

      A study of the nature of social problems including strategies for achieving social change. Students will participate in the selection and presentation to the class of the specific problems to be considered. Investigation of local communities will constitute an important aspect of the course. Prerequisite: None, though SOC 111 is highly recommended. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S7 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    • SOC200 - Introduction to Social Work ( 3 Semester Hours)

      Students will be introduced to the profession of social work with an emphasis on the generalist approach. The course will encourage the student to develop reasoning capacities while examining some of the controversial, contemporary issues in social welfare. Current social services available and gaps in services will be explored by the student. The student will examine the knowledge, skills and values needed for effective social work practice. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    Fourth Semester - 16 Hours

    • Physical Science 3 Semester hour(s)
    • Elective 1 Semester hour(s)
    • ECO211 - Principles of Macroeconomics ( 3 Semester Hours)

      A survey of macro-economic theory with emphasis on resource allocation in a mixed-enterprise economy. Concentration is on the operation of the market mechanism, the role of government and labor, international trade, national income determination and accounting, money and banking, monetary and fiscal policy, and macroeconomic fluctuations. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S3 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3/lec week

    • PSC163 - Am Government & Politics ( 3 Semester Hours)

      Students will examine American constitutional foundations and democratic values, explore the role of public opinion and the character of the political process, and understand the role of the media and interest groups in policy-making. Students will gain an understanding of how the major branches of the federal government work, and improve skills in evaluating and analyzing current public policy issues. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S5 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    • SOC116 - General Cultural Anthropology ( 3 Semester Hours)

      An analysis of the origin and basis of culture - its major components, cultural variation, cultural evolution, and cultural adaptation. Analysis of selected cultures as case studies. Prerequisite: SOC 115 is recommended. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S1 901N Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

    • SOC251 - Human Sexuality and Marriage ( 3 Semester Hours)

      This course is a survey of the contemporary family from historical and cross-cultural perspectives. This course explores the psychological, sociological, and biological perspectives on human sexuality, dating, marriage, singles, families, as well as separation & divorce. Topics addressed will include relationship types, trends in mate selection, marriage, singlehood, family functions & structures, uncoupling, child rearing, work, gender, power, conflict, and communication within the family. Prerequisite: None, although either PSY 103 or SOC 111 is highly recommended 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S7 902 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week