We've created a simple worksheet you can use to map out your four year plan and share with your academic advisor.
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Use the four-year academic pathways for each UMBC major/program listed below as a resource for major exploration and development of an individualized degree plan.

Please note that these academic pathways are sample pathways. Students, in consultation with their academic advisor, will create an individualized degree plan, reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Students are strongly encouraged to develop an individualized degree plan by no later than 45 credits earned and to update the plan regularly, in consultation with an academic advisor.

For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog (catalog.umbc.edu).

Select a major/program to view its pathway:

Social Work - B.A.

Degree Requirements
Total Academic Credits:
120 - 121
Major Credits:
60
Min. Upper-Level Credits:
45
Min. Cumulative GPA:
2.0
§ indicates Benchmark requirements
‡ indicates Gateway courses
Curriculum Notes
  • This sample plan assumes no AP/IB/CLEP or transfer credit and foreign language proficiency up to the 201 level
  • All students must complete a credit-bearing English and Mathematics course in the first year of study
  • Social Work majors are also required to complete a second area of concentration (i.e. a second major or minor)
  • Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and no grade lower than a C in required courses, prior to beginning field instruction
Year One
Fall Semester Credits
SOCY 101 Basic Concepts in Sociology (SS GEP) § 3
STAT 121 Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences (MATH GEP) § 4
ENGL GEP 3
AH GEP 3
C GEP 3
Total 16
Spring Semester Credits
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (SS GEP) § 4
AH GEP 3
C GEP 3
Elective 3
Total 13
Year Two
Fall Semester Credits
SOWK 250 Introduction to Social Work § 3
SOWK 260 Policy I (SS GEP) § 3
General or Human Biology (S non-lab GEP) 3-4
Foreign Language 201 4
AH GEP 3
Total 16 - 17
Spring Semester Credits
SOWK 388 Human Behavior & the Social Envr. § 3
ECON or POLI Elective Course § 3
S w/ lab GEP 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Year Three
Fall Semester Credits
SOWK 360 Policy II (WI) 3
SOWK Upper-Level Elective 3
Second Major or Minor Course 3
Second Major or Minor Course 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
SOWK 389 Human Behavior II 3
SOWK 397 Social Work Methods. I: Intro. to Prac. 3
SOWK 470 Social Work Research 3
Second Major or Minor Course 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Year Four
Fall Semester Credits
SOWK 480 Field Instruction I 6
SOWK 481 Social Work Methods II: A Generalist Approach to Practice 3
Second Major or Minor Course 3
Second Major or Minor Course 3
Total 15
Spring Semester Credits
SOWK 482 Field Instruction II 6
SOWK 483 Social Work Methods III: Select. Intervention Strategies, Research & Evaluation 3
Second Major or Minor Course 3
Elective 3
Total 15
Advising Coordinator:
Bridget Simon bsimon74@umbc.edu Sherman Hall B-Wing, Room 322