Jun 07, 2025  
2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog 
  
2025-2026 UH Mānoa Catalog

Social Work, BSW: Track A


Admissions: Selective

Process: Application

Min. Total Credits: 120 (99 in core & major + 21 in electives)

UHM General Education Core Requirements


Foundations


Written Communication (FW)


(3 credits)

Quantitative Reasoning (FQ)


Note: This requirement changed in Fall 2018. If you entered the UH System prior to that, please see your college/school advisor.

  • (FQ; 3 credits) replaces Symbolic Reasoning (FS; 3 credits) effective Fall 2018

Global and Multicultural Perspectives (FG)


(FGA, FGB, FGC; 6 credits)

  • Group A (FGA) courses cover the time period prehistory to 1500
  • Group B (FGB) courses cover the time period 1500 to modern times
  • Group C (FGC) courses cover the time period prehistory to modern times

Diversification


* See degree, college and major requirements for courses that can also fulfill these.

Arts (DA), Humanities (DH), and Literatures (DL)


(6 credits from 2 categories)

  • Arts (DA*)
  • Humanities (DH*)
  • Literatures (DL*)

Natural Sciences


  • Physical Science (DP*; 3 credits)
  • Laboratory (science) (DY*; 1 credit)

Social Sciences (DS)


(DS*; a total of 6 credits from 2 different departments)

  • POLS xxx
  • PSY xxx

UHM Graduation Requirements


Focus


**The STAR Degree Check indicates Focus classes by “E,” “H,” “O,” and “W.” Class Availability indicates Focus sections with “ETH,” “HAP,” “OC,” and “WI.”​

Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Issues (H)


(H or HAP**; 1 course, any level)

Contemporary Ethical Issues (E)


(E or ETH**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Oral Communication (O)


(O or OC**; 1 course, 300- or 400-level)

Writing Intensive (W)


(W or WI**; 5 courses, at least two of which are at the 300- or 400-level)

Hawaiian Or Second Language (HSL)


 Complete one option

  • Four semesters of one language (202 equivalent)
  • Two-semester sequence (usually 101 and 102) in a single language and two approved culture courses

Credit Minimums


  • 120 total applicable
  • 30 UH Mānoa credits
  • 45 upper division (300+ level credits)

Grade Point Average


  • 2.0 cumulative or higher (Note: Other GPAs may be required by college or school)
  • Good academic standing

College Requirements


Admission Requirements


  • Admission is in the fall or spring semesters.
  • Submit an application no later than the following:
    • February 1 for fall semester
    • October 1 for spring semester (early admission)
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • Completion of (or scheduled to complete) UHM General Education Core Requirements
  • Completion of (or scheduled to complete) Social Work Knowledge Base Courses with a grade of C or better
  • Evidence of motivation for and commitment to social work (e.g., volunteer, social work-related experience)
  • Application materials include:
    • School of Social Work application, including a personal statement
    • Transcripts of all college-level academic course work completed
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • Refer to https://manoa.hawaii.edu/thompson/bsw/ for complete application requirements, forms, and instructions

Social Work Knowledge Base Courses


Grade Point Average


  •  2.5 cumulative or higher

Note


This was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. See below for major requirements. Meet regularly with your major advisor.

Major Requirements for BSW


  • Admission: Open
  • Application: Deadline: October 1 for spring (early) admission, February 1 for fall admission. See https://manoa.hawaii.edu/thompson/bsw/admission/ for BSW program application forms and instructions.
  • Min. major credits: 56 (minimum Social Work credits: 41; minimum upper division elective credits: 15)
  • Min. C grade (not C-) in all courses

Social Work Knowledge Base Course (3 credits)


Social Work Core Courses (38 credits)


BSW Program Social Justice and Diversities Upper-Division Elective Courses


(15 credits; see https://manoa.hawaii.edu/thompson/bsw-resources/ for course lists)

  • One Course in each of the following four course areas:
    •  The U.S. Experience
    •  Social Dynamics and Group Interaction
    •  Politics, Government, and Economies
    •  Research
    •  Diversities

Successful completion of the Social Justice and Diversities Upper-Division Elective Courses is a requirement for Track A. Please consult a BSW Program advisor.

Notes


Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health: https://manoa.hawaii.edu/thompson/bsw/, Gartley 203, (808) 956-7182, sswadmit@hawaii.edu

Pre-Social Work Undergraduate Advisors:

Pre-SW Mānoa Peer Advisors, bswadvis@hawaii.edu;

See https://manoa.hawaii.edu/thompson/bsw/

4-Year Plan


This is a sample academic plan. Students should meet with an academic advisor prior to registration to formulate their own plan.

Year 1


Fall


  • PSY XXX Credits: 3 (DS)
  • FW Credits: 3
  • FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
  • DA/DH/DL Credits: 3
  • HSL 101 Credits: 3
Credits 15

Spring


  • Course in Human Biology/Development (DB) Credits: 3
  • POLS XXX Credits: 3 (DS)
  • FG (A/B/C) Credits: 3
  • DA/DH/DL Credits: 3
  • HSL 102 Credits: 3
Credits 15

Total Credits 30


Year 2


Fall


Credits 16

Spring


  • FQ Credits: 3
  • HSL 202/Culture Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
  • Elective Credits: 3
Credits 15

Total Credits 61


Year 3


Total Credits 91


Year 4


Fall


Credits 16

Spring


Credits 13

Total Credits 120


Notes:
Refer to the Department of Social Work for all application requirements. See https://manoa.hawaii.edu/thompson/bsw/admission/.
Students must incorporate all focus requirements into this plan. Focus designations (i.e., W, E, O, H) are CRN specific & semester specific.
Minimum 45 upper division (300+ course) credits are required.
*BSW Program Social Justice and Diversities Upper-Division (UD) Elective Courses—one course each: the U.S. Experience; Social Dynamics and Group Interaction; Politics, Government, and Economies; Research; and Diversities. See https://manoa.hawaii.edu/thompson/bsw/program/.