Overview
The School of Social Administration opened in 1969, with the goal of developing and promoting leadership in the public sector. The school’s first Master of Social Work (MSW) class graduated in 1971, and the first Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) class graduated in 1973. In 2009, the school was renamed the School of Social Work (SSW) and merged with the College of Health Professions, which in 2015, was renamed the College of Public Health.
In 2017, the online MSW Program launched. The online BSW Program followed in 2021.
Launched in 2020 and housed within SSW, the Social Service Annex (SS Annex) is dedicated to empowering students who self-identify as in need of supportive services. The SS Annex offers prevention-focused and empowerment-based intervention support services to Temple students and the community at large—offering solutions and delivering effective, compassionate care that helps students achieve a better quality of life and a higher likelihood of degree completion.
The School of Social Work is committed to eliminating social, political and economic injustices for poor and oppressed populations and advancing the quality of life for all. Our faculty are committed to fostering societal transformation through education that emphasizes solutions and action; research that generates evidence-based strategies to resolve problems at local, national and global levels; and public service that shares this knowledge with a wider audience. In all of our work, we closely partner with communities, agencies and organizations to ensure that the needs of our constituents are represented and met.
The SSW mission and goals, BSW curricular objectives, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) inform all aspects of the School of Social Work.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Social Work and the Master of Social Work programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. This attests to the educational quality of the curricula and to the qualifications of graduates to assume professional positions that legally require applicants to have these degrees.
Mission and Goals
The School of Social Work is dedicated to societal transformations to eliminate social, political and economic injustices for poor and oppressed populations, and advance the quality of life for all through the following:
- Education emphasizing the discovery of knowledge and the use of critical inquiry and professional ethics to guide solution-seeking and action-taking to effect social change among professional social workers in front-line, supervisory, managerial and other leadership positions.
- Research and scholarship to advance applied knowledge and generate evidence-based strategies to resolve problems occurring between people and their social environments at local, state, national and global levels.
- Public service that aids the dissemination of knowledge and evidence-based strategies and that aids the responsiveness of the school to the needs of constituents through collaborations and partnerships with communities, agencies and organizations.
Student Groups
Alpha Delta Mu (ADM) National Social Work Honor Society: The purpose of ADM is to advance excellence in social work practice and to encourage, stimulate and maintain scholarship of its individual members. BSW and MSW students enrolled in Temple University's School of Social Work (online and on campus, full time and part time) are eligible for nomination. Please reach out to one of the leaders or the advisor for GPA requirements.
Social Work Student Collective: Including undergraduate and graduate social work students enrolled in all social work programs (online and on campus, full time and part time), the Social Work Student Collective represents a unified student voice that incorporates the diversity of the student body. The Collective sponsors social, educational and professional activities. Student representatives, selected by the Collective, sit on various school committees as voting members.
School of Social Work Alumni Association (SSWAA): Members serve as ambassadors for the School of Social Work, helping to unite social work alumni. All School of Social Work alumni are lifetime, dues-free members.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): This is a membership organization with a dual mission to:
- Promote, develop and protect the practice of social workers; and
- Seek to enhance the effective functioning and well-being of individuals, families and communities through its work and advocacy.
The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-PA) serves as the leading voice of the profession in the Commonwealth to enhance the value and respect of social workers, to influence public policy and to promote social justice. Learn more about student membership, benefits and resources.
The Southeast Division of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers serves Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks Counties.
Latino Social Work Organization (LSWO): LSWO was founded in 1992 by a group of young social workers in Chicago. Temple students involved in LSWO have advocated for quality bilingual / bicultural services to Latinos and other oppressed communities.
Student Association of Black Social Workers (SABSW): The National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc., comprised of people of African ancestry, is committed to enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery and research. The Alliance of Black Social Workers, Inc. (ABSW) is the Philadelphia chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. (NABSW). It is a membership organization dedicated to the betterment of the lives of people of African descent in the Philadelphia area and beyond.
Pride in Social Work (PSW): PSW provides support, education and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered students, and their supporters. For additional information on Pride in Social Work at Temple University, contact Professor Bernie Newman, bernie.newman@temple.edu.
Administrators
Jennifer Ibrahim, Dean; PhD, University of California Berkeley.
Philip McCallion, School of Social Work Director; PhD, University at Albany.
Valarie Clemmons, Field Education Director; MSW, Temple University.
Brandi Crawford, Social Service Annex Assistant Director; MSW, Temple University.
Ashley Stewart, MSW Program Director; PhD, The Ohio State University.
Cheri Carter, BSW Program Director; PhD, University of Delaware.
Contact Information
Philip McCallion, PhD, School of Social Work Director
Ritter Hall Annex, Room 505
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19122-6091
215-204-1205
philip.mccallion@temple.edu
Academic Policies and Regulations
Please see the Undergraduate Academic Policies. Students are responsible for complying with all university-wide academic policies that apply to their individual academic status. Additional and unique policies, or exceptions for the School of Social Work, appear below.
Laptop
Beginning in Fall 2020, all incoming students in the College of Public Health and the School of Social Work are required to have a laptop. Academic programs in the college are technology intensive. They incorporate statistical and database analyses; utilize specialized tools for athletic training, kinesiology and physical therapy; stream audio and video for communication sciences; facilitate online interactive counseling for social work; and foster clinical experiences and online assessments. The laptop requirement enables the College of Public Health and the School of Social Work to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom, better preparing students for the workforce. Learn more about device specifications and suggested vendors. Students can use excess financial aid (i.e., funds that are reimbursed after all tuition and fees are paid) to meet student needs, including the purchase of a laptop. Scholarships may also provide funding.
Re-enrollment Request
To re-enter the School of Social Work, students must complete a Re-Enrollment Request. Applications of students seeking re-enrollment after an absence of one or more semesters, not including summers, will be reviewed by the director of the BSW program. If the student is accepted for re-enrollment, their program for completion of degree requirements will be planned in accordance with those currently operative in the program. If courses were taken elsewhere, applicants are responsible for having official transcripts available when submitting the request form.
Transfer from Schools within the University
Students who are in good standing at Temple University may transfer to the School of Social Work at any point during their academic career. Before applying to transfer to Social Work, Temple students must attend a Change of Program session. Learn more about the change of major process. Transfer applications will not be processed until the student attends the Change of Program session. Students will be notified of the decision regarding their request to change majors to Social Work in an e-mail from the university. A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for admission.
Prior to transferring, students are encouraged to arrange to meet with both the original school advisor and the SSW academic advisor or BSW program director. Because of the professional requirements and the sequential nature of the curriculum, students are encouraged to enter the program as early as possible. Students must be majors in the social work program for a minimum of two years.
Dean's List
Each fall and spring semester, undergraduates who have met the credit hour and academic criteria for their school or college are placed on the Dean's List. See the Dean's List policy for specific GPA and credit-hour requirements.
Military Science Courses
Undergraduate students in the School of Social Work may apply up to 12 credits of military science courses at the 3000 and 4000 levels in Aerospace Studies (Air Force ROTC), Military Science (Army ROTC), and Naval Science (Navy ROTC) towards their degree as free electives. These credits cannot count as Social Work credit towards the degree.
School Requirements
Please see the Undergraduate Academic Policies. Students are responsible for complying with all university-wide academic policies that apply to their individual academic status. Additional and unique policies, or exceptions for the School of Social Work, appear below.
Program Performance
Social Work majors are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above and grades of C or above in all social work courses and HRPR 1001. Students who obtain a C- or below in any social work course or HRPR 1001 will be required to repeat the course.
Collegial Warning will be issued to students whose GPA falls below 2.00 for one semester. Students are discouraged from registering for more than 12 credits until they have improved their GPA.
Collegial Probation: If a students cumulative GPA falls below 2.00 they will be placed on academic probation and will not be permitted to register more than 12 credits for the next term, in order to optimize the chance of improving their GPA. If their GPA is still below a 2.00 after two semesters of academic probation, students are subject to being dropped from the Social Work program.
Being Dropped from the Program: If a student does not achieve a cumulative average of 2.00 or show evidence of substantive scholastic improvement after two semesters on collegial probation and a 12-credit roster, the student is subject to being dropped from the School of Social Work.
General Graduation Requirements
In order to receive a Bachelor of Social Work degree, a student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours, which includes the University General Education (GenEd) curriculum, the College of Public Health Core course (HRPR 1001) and the School of Social Work curriculum. A potential graduate must also hold a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better (having received a C or better in all social work courses and HRPR 1001) and meet any additional requirements, such as completion of a graduation application.
Field Practicum
The Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) identifies field practicum as the signature pedagogy of social work education. Students complete two semesters (200-hours in Fall and 200-hours in Spring) of field practicum courses during their final academic year. Hours are completed in a social service agency. Students are required to be in their practicum a minimum of 15 or 16 hours per week.
In preparation for this experience, all BSW students are required to submit a completed field application via SSW's Office of Practicum Education Portal. Information regarding deadlines can be found on the BSW Information Hub on Canvas.
Clearance Requirements
Students attending Temple University College of Public Health and School of Social Work are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, proof of being fully vaccinated to COVID-19, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required. Some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings. Students who are in fully on-line programs with no in-person class or practicum experience can request a waiver for the above health requirements. Visit Student Health Services for more information on Prematriculation Requirements.
All students who attend programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience will be required to purchase access to the EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module. This module to order, store and maintain compliance documents is required for participation in a learning experience at an affiliate site.
Students who attend CPH programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience which are completed at affiliate sites both on and off the Temple University campus are required to comply with minimum standard compliance metrics which include the above health requirements in addition to a national criminal background check, Act 33/34 clearances in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and FBI fingerprinting through DHS or DoE. FBI fingerprinting is a national check, which can be performed through any of the 50 states.
The results of these requirements may limit and potentially eliminate placement options for the student, thus resulting in their inability to meet graduation requirements. Additionally, conviction of a misdemeanor, felony, or felonious or illegal act may prevent the individual from becoming credentialed and/or licensed to practice depending on the field of study.
In addition to the above, students who attend the Bachelor of Social Work program are required to show proof of health insurance annually, and background checks are required to be completed annually.
Advising
In line with the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE), professional and academic advising is provided by social work program faculty and staff. The BSW program has two academic advisors. Rebecca Dean advises BSW students enrolled in the BSW on-campus program and Alyssa Garnich advises BSW students enrolled in the BSW online program. Faculty, including Cheri Carter, are available for professional advising.
Early and regular contact with the advisor can be extremely helpful. The advisor is a knowledgeable person with whom students may discuss issues of concern in relation to university regulations, course selection and career paths.
Academic advisors are particularly important for social work majors. The Bachelor of Social Work curriculum is organized so that courses scheduled to be taken later in the program build on the knowledge and skill foundation provided in the liberal arts and social work courses taken earlier. For this reason, most social work courses designate successful completion (with a C or better) of earlier courses as a prerequisite to taking later courses. This program of study for BSW students has been carefully designed and approved by faculty. It is intended to provide students with a coherent, integrated and high-quality learning experience.
Students must assume primary responsibility for knowing the requirements for their degree and for acquiring information about their academic status.
Advisor Contact Information
Cheri Carter, PhD, LSW
BSW Program Director
cheri.carter@temple.edu
Rebecca Dean, LSW, MSW
Academic Advisor for on-campus BSW students
rebecca.dean@temple.edu
Alyssa Garnich, LSW, MSS, MEd
Academic Advisor for online BSW students
agarnich@temple.edu
Faculty
For information on faculty in the School of Social Work, please refer to the College of Public Health faculty page as well as the college's directory.