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Anthropology Major Program of Study

Anthropology Minor Program of Study

The Anthropology Program seeks to provide a greater understanding of humankind from a holistic perspective. To account for the complexity of humankind anthropologists focus on: 

1. Cultural adaptations and diversity in the past (archaeology);
2. Socio-cultural institutions and symbolic constructs in a cross-cultural perspective (socio-cultural anthropology);
3. The origin, nature, and uses of human language (linguistics); and
4. Human biological evolution and variation (physical anthropology).

Anthropology utilizes theories and methods from the natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities, to examine humankind.

The program is strongly committed to excellence in undergraduate education and faculty scholarship achievements. Anthropology helps prepare students to actively apply their knowledge and skills to the challenges of living in an increasingly interconnected, diverse global society by exposing them to a systematic, scientific, and humanistic understanding of people and their cultures, including their own.

The program strives to achieve excellent teaching, scholarship, and public relevance. It does so with the support of the University and the local community and by engaging in self-reflection that leads to apt and pertinent changes.

Helpful Anthropology Links

AAA is a flagship organization for anthropologists in the United States. They maintain a comprehensive list of links.

BSW Program of Study

³ÉÈË´óƬ the Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program

The Bachelor of Social Work Program at ³ÉÈË´óƬprepare students with the generalist knowledge, values, and skills necessary to provide effective social work services to individuals, families, groups, and communities across various practice settings. The curriculum supports the development of competent, ethical practitioners committed to promoting well-being and addressing the needs of individuals facing significant life challenges.

While pursing their BSW degree, students can:

• Join the active, student-led ³ÉÈË´óƬSocial Work Club.
• Attend the annual National Association of Social Workers Florida (NASW-FL) Legislation Education Day, a two-day policy-based event for social work students in Tallahassee.
• Engage with the ³ÉÈË´óƬSocial Work Student Advisory Council, a space for student representatives to collaborate on ³ÉÈË´óƬSocial Work Program initiatives with faculty.
• Celebrate Social Work Month through an annual event that brings current students, faculty, alumni, and community partners together to celebrate the profession of social work.
• Study abroad through the ³ÉÈË´óƬInternational Center. ³ÉÈË´óƬsocial work students have recently engaged in study-abroad opportunities in Indonesia, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.
• Present student-led research at the annual Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Student Research Symposium.
• Pursue a graduate degree through the one-year Advanced Standing Master of Social Work Program.

Prior to being admitted to the BSW program, students must successfully complete 15 hours of state-mandated common pre-requisites with a C or better. Select one course in each of the following disciplines (³ÉÈË´óƬcourse offerings are listed; equivalent courses from other institutions are also acceptable):

• POS 2041 Introduction to American Government
  • Political Science (3 credit hours)
• Human Biology (3 credit hours)
  • BSC 1005C Principles of Biology
  • BSC 2085C Anatomy & Physiology I BSC 1010C General Biology I
• Psychology (3 credit hours)
  • PSY 2012 Introduction to Psychology
• Sociology (3 credit hours)
  • SYG 2000 Introduction to Sociology
• Economics (3 credit hours)
  • ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics

Application Process

Applications will soon be accepted for the BSW program for the 2025-2026 academic year, and applications are due February 15, 2026. The following steps outline the application process and important dates and deadlines.

1. Step 1: Apply (Deadline: February 15, 2026)

   Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, 60 hours of college/university credit, (junior standing), and the required prerequisites completed by the beginning of fall 2026.

   • If you are a current ³ÉÈË´óƬstudent who meets these requirements, you will need to meet with your academic advisor to ensure that you have both declared Social Work as your major and that you have been referred for consideration by the BSW Admissions Committee by February 15, 2026. Declaring your major as Social Work does not guarantee admittance; this will generate a referral that the BSW Admissions Committee will review.  
   • If you are a transfer student and will meet these requirements, you should declare Social Work as your intended major when you apply to UNF. Your completed application, including all transcripts, is due no later than February 15, 2026. Upon completing your application, a referral will be forwarded by ³ÉÈË´óƬEnrollment Services to the BSW Admissions Committee for consideration.
    
2. Step 2: Initial Review of Applications

   The BSW Admissions Committee will review applications with an eye to completion of the program prerequisites and the strength of students' academic records (as indicated by GPA). Students who meet the minimum requirements and prerequisites (or will have met them by fall 2026) and whose academic records show sufficient merit will be given the opportunity to continue through the application process. All applicants will be emailed their application status by March 15, 2026.

3. Step 3: Admission Interview and Writing Assessment

   The second step of the application process is a mandatory interview and writing assessment conducted on the ³ÉÈË´óƬcampus. These allow us to gain insight into students' preparation and suitability for social work as a profession and their oral and written communication skills. The session will include a group interview with up to six applicants and at least two faculty and/or professional social workers, and a writing assessment conducted in a computer lab. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation due to a documented disability must let us know in advance. All interviews and writing assessments will be conducted on Friday, March 27, 2026. No make-up interviews will be scheduled.

4. Step 4: Notification of Admission

   Applicants who interviewed for BSW program admission will be notified of decisions via email by April 10, 2026. Applicants will be admitted, declined, or placed on a wait list and informed of their wait list rank. Admitted students must confirm their intent to enroll in the BSW program for fall 2024 by submitting their Enrollment Form by April 24, 2026, and must commit to attend the BSW New Student Orientation in August 2026 (Date, Time, & Location TBA). Failure to do either may result in forfeiture of one's place in the program.

5. Step 5: Wait List Admissions

   Wait-listed applicants will be admitted as space becomes available. Applicants who are wait-listed and do not wish to be considered for admission should let us know that as soon as possible.

6. Step 6: Mandatory BSW New Student Orientation

   All students admitted to the ³ÉÈË´óƬBSW program must attend a half-day orientation. This is an important opportunity to learn about courses, discuss program expectations and policies, and meet faculty and fellow students. Orientation is typically held one morning the week prior to the start of the fall semester.

Field Education

All BSW students are required to complete 400 hours of field education during Year 2 of their program of study in an approved social services organization. Students must complete all required pre-requisites with a "C" or better and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher in their major in order to enroll in Field Education and Seminar courses. In addition to meeting these academic requirements, it is incumbent upon students to meet the eligibility criteria specified by placement agencies in order to secure a field education placement. Although criteria vary, agencies commonly require students to pass local, state, and federal background screenings as well as drug tests. Students who are not able to secure a placement due to a criminal history or the use of illicit substances will not be able to complete the BSW Program. More information about field policies and procedures may be found in the BSW Field Manual. Community social service agencies that are interested in hosting BSW students for fieldwork may complete the Field Education Host Agency Application and return it to the Field Education Director, Nikki Runion. Questions regarding Field Education should be directed to Professor Nikki Runion, MSW, LCSW, Field Education Director, at (904) 620-5296 or c.n.runion@unf.edu. 

CSWE Accreditation & Assessment

The ³ÉÈË´óƬBSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and revolves around the development of nine fundamental areas of practice competencies. These competencies are further defined by practice behaviors that students cultivate while in the BSW program as they prepare for future roles in the social work profession.

The BSW Program utilizes multiple measures to assess the degree to which students master the core competencies of generalist social work practice as well as the quality of the learning environment in which the program of study is delivered.

• The 2023-2024 Assessment of Learning Outcomes report
• The 2022-2023 Assessment of Learning Outcomes report
• The 2021-2022 Assessment of Learning Outcomes report
• The 2020-2021 Assessment of Learning Outcomes report
• The 2019-2020 Assessment of Learning Outcomes report

For More BSW Program Information:

If you have any questions, email BSW@unf.edu, or call (904) 620-2867.

Social Welfare Minor

The Social Welfare Minor introduces students to social welfare policy and social service provision. Required courses afford students with the opportunity to learn about the laws and policies that inform social service delivery as well as develop fundamental skills for entry-level case management positions. Electives further prepare students for work with diverse client populations in a variety of settings. This minor is a good choice for students who are majoring in related health, social sciences, or education disciplines or considering attending graduate school to earn a Master of Social Work or Mental Health Counseling degree.

For more information, please contact Dr. Jennifer Spaulding-Givens, Associate Professor of Social Work & Chair, at j.spaulding-givens@unf.edu or (904) 620-1640.

Child Welfare Minor

The Child Welfare Minor and Training Program is designed to prepare ³ÉÈË´óƬstudents for child welfare practice upon graduation with a baccalaureate degree in a related discipline. By completing requisite courses and a practicum at a local community-based child welfare organization, students will be prepared to take the state pre-service certification exam upon graduation and assume employment immediately as a family service counselor. Family service counselors work in a case management capacity to support the safety and well-being of children and their families involved in the foster care system following allegations of abuse or neglect.

Program Benefits

Program participants will:

• have access to a faculty mentor with extensive child welfare experience;
• complete the pre-service employee training required by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) as a part of their academic coursework;
• obtain field experience working at a community-based child welfare agency under the supervision of experienced child welfare professionals; and
• be prepared to take the state pre-service certification exam required of all child welfare employees in the State of Florida.

 Program Requirements

Program participants must:

• attest to never having been convicted of a felony crime or any crime involving harm to children;
• attest to never having been discharged from employment at a county or other social services agency due to violation of county code/merit system rules or violation of agency or professional code of ethics;
• maintain good academic standing and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5;
• adhere to the ³ÉÈË´óƬStudent Code of Conduct and all field placement agencies’ policies and procedures;
• successfully complete required child welfare and field education courses with a “B” or better;
• successfully complete a 150-hour practicum with an approved community-based child welfare agency; and
• commit to taking the pre-service certification exam upon completion of program requirements.

For More Information

For more information, please contact Dr. Jennifer Spaulding-Givens, Associate Professor of Social Work & Chair, at j.spaulding-givens@unf.edu or (904) 620-1640.