Social Welfare Program

In keeping with the Sociology program’s mission to serve diverse communities, the Social Welfare program affords students the opportunity to acquire a generalist foundation in social welfare policy and practice in preparation for a career or graduate studies in a social services field.  A critical component of this preparation is the Community Agency Practicum, in which students experience the social welfare system and social services profession first-hand through a practicum in a designated community-based social services agency.

The UNF Department of Sociology & Anthropology offers two Social Welfare programs:  a Social Welfare Track for Sociology Majors and a Social Welfare Minor for students majoring in other disciplines, such as Psychology or Criminal Justice.  Students who successfully complete either program will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Social Welfare upon graduation.  To learn more about the course requirements for each program, follow the links below. 

Social Welfare Track for Sociology Majors

Social Welfare Minor

Learning Objectives

Students who complete the Social Welfare Track or the Social Welfare Minor will be able to:

Practicum

A unique feature of the Social Welfare program is the opportunity for students to obtain experience working in the social services setting. The Community Agency Practicum (SOW 4511) is a 3 credit course in which students are required to complete 150 hours of unpaid service at a designated community provider of social services.  Check out the Agency Placement Directory to learn about local social services agencies that regularly host UNF Social Welfare practicum students.

While completing their practicum, students are also required to participate in the Practicum Seminar (SOW 4510).  The purpose of the seminar is to provide students with a structured environment in which to engage in self-assessment regarding their ability to apply knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to practice with clients.  Students will also examine personal values and biases as they impact interactions with clients and co-workers and apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to experiences and ethical dilemmas encountered in the practice setting.

Prior to enrolling in SOW 4511, students must first complete SOW 3203, SOW 4302, and SOW 4322 in order to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to prepare them for their practicum experience. More information about the practicum application and placement process can be found in the Social Welfare Program Practicum Handbook.

Students who wish to enroll in SOW 4511 and SOW 4510 during the upcoming semester should complete a Practicum Application and submit it to the Social Welfare Program Director by the deadline posted on this website.


For More Information

For more information, please consult the Social Welfare Program FAQ. Or, contact:

Jennifer Spaulding-Givens, MSW
Social Welfare Program Director
Department of Sociology & Anthropology
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645
(904) 620-1640
j.spaulding-givens@unf.edu