Social Work (B.S.W.)

Post formal acceptance into the Bachelor in Social Work program, the major requirements are outlined below in recommended sequence:

Junior Year, First Semester (15 credits)

• SOWK 200 Social PolicyExplores factors that drive social welfare policy and how these policies impact lived experiences. Examines the ways in which social workers advocate for clients within systems and how policies and be changed. Focuses on policy analysis skills to help identify gaps in service delivery as well as policy inequities that function to maintain systems of oppression. Develops beginning policy practice skills congruent with professional ethics and social work?s commitment to social and economic justice.
  Prerequisites: SOCY 211 and SOCY 210
  3 credits
• SOWK 210 Social Work EthicsProvides a concentrated analysis of social work values and ethics, models of ethical decision-making, and legal statutes regulating and impacting social work practice. Allows for examination of one?s personal values with respect to the underlying values of the profession. Covers the six major divisions of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics with an emphasis on principled decision-making when faced with ambiguous ethical situations on micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.
  Prerequisites: SOWK 211
  Credits: 3
  General Education: Values and Beliefs
• SOWK 215 Hum Behavior Soc Environment IIntroduces theories of human development and behavior across the lifespan utilizing a bio-psycho-social and spiritual framework, while considering the diverse social systems in which individuals live and grow (families, groups, organizations, institutions, and communities). Fosters understanding of interactions between and among individuals and their social, cultural, and economic systems and explores how social systems promote or deter individual achievement and maintenance of health and well-being. Emphasizes the interrelationship between individuals and community and their mutual responsibility to each other. Part One of a two-semester sequence.
  Prerequisites: SOWK 200, SOWK 210, SOWK 211
  3 credits
• Elective Course
• Elective Course

Junior Year, Second Semester (15 credits)

• SOWK 301 Social Work Research Methods IIntroduces basic research concepts and methodologies used in developing knowledge and evaluating practice in social work and the social sciences. Covers the research process, including problem identification, research design, sampling and measurement. Examines gender, racial, cultural, and ethnic bias in research and in findings. Explores why social scientists accept conclusions reached using the scientific method with confidence. The first of a two-semester course sequence in the science of discovery. Prerequisite: Admission to the Social Work Program and SOWK 211.
• SOWK 315 Human Behavior in Social Environments IIProvides an overview of reciprocal relationships between individuals and environments throughout the life cycle from systems, ecological, and macro perspectives. Presents a conceptual framework that serves as a foundation for examining behavior and human events. Continues the study of lifespan human behavior, beginning from middle adulthood through late adulthood to death. Part two of a required two-semester course sequence for social work majors. Prerequisite: SOWK 215 Human Behavior in Social Enviroments I.
• SOWK 320 Social Work Practices with Organizations & Communities IFocuses on Generalist Intervention Practice and Culturally Responsive Intervention in the context of organizational service delivery and the Theory of Change. Introduces the Program Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT) model, culturally competent program evaluation, logic models to evaluate program outcomes, scientific theories of management such as Total Quality (TQM), contingency theory, political economy and continuous quality improvement. Provides a foundation for Social Work Practice with Orgs and Communities II, taken in senior year.
  Prerequisite: Admission to the Social Work Program and SOWK 211
• Elective Course
• Elective Course

Senior Year, First Semester (15 credits)

• SOWK 302 Social Work Research Methods IIConsiders the application of qualitative and quantitative methods to knowledge development and evaluation of practice in both social work and the social sciences. Continues to build skills in problem identification, question formulation, research design and measurement, analysis, and report writing and further examines effects of bias in research process and in findings. Requires implementation of the research proposal produced in Research Methods I with focus on the data collection and analysis phase; outcomes include a research project report with introduction, literature review, methodology, description of results, and discussion of results. Part II of a two-semester course sequence. Prerequisite: SOWK 301.
• SOWK 420 Social Work Practices with Organizations and Communities IIExamines settings where social services are delivered, including programs, organizations, and communities. Introduces effective and culturally grounded strategies within this area of practice. Frameworks presented in Social Work Practices with Organizations & Communities I will inform appropriate use of collaboration, advocacy, and empowerment in organizations and communities. Principles of logic model development and program evaluation are also covered. Outcomes include formulating a plan for social change at the organizational or community level using a planned change process, oral presentations, and discussions that center cultural ethnic perspectives within organizational and community service delivery contexts. Prerequisites: SOWK 200, 210, 211, 215, 301, 315, 320
• SOWK 425 Social Work Generalist Practice with Individuals and FamiliesOverviews models for ethical decision-making, the strengths perspective, and theories of trauma-informed care. Principles of generalist social work practice are presented. Provides a foundation for Senior Integrative Seminar II.
  Prerequisites: SOWK 320
• SOWK 490 Social Work Field Practicum IFieldwork experience integrating academic knowledge and the application of skills in a social work practice setting. Supervised field experiences foster clinical reasoning and social work intervention skills, ethical competencies, professional identity development, and reflective practice. A minimum of 15 weeks including 200 hours of field experience across the semester are required. Successful completion of Practicum I required to enroll in Social Work Field Practicum II.
• SOWK 498 Senior Integrative Seminar IExplores intervention methods and techniques for use with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations; projects include selecting and defending a framework of choice to guide interventive methods in a particular social system. Begins organization of the professional portfolio to be completed in Senior Integrative Seminar II. Portfolio content includes the rationale for and examples of intervention design, assessment tools, and measurement of client outcomes.

Senior Year, Second Semester (12 credits)

• SOWK 430 Social Work with GroupsIntroduces social work practice with groups. Covers basic typology of purposes and composition of groups, and examines methodologies utilized in social work practice in working with groups. Facilitates the ability to critically and effectively apply theory to practice in community-based clinical social work with groups.
  Prerequisites: SOWK 210, 211, 200, 215, 301, 302, 315, 320, 420, 425, 490, 498
• SOWK 491 Social Work Field Practicum IIFieldwork experience integrating academic knowledge and the application of skills in a social work practice setting. Supervised field experiences foster clinical reasoning and social work intervention skills, ethical competencies, professional identity development, and reflective practice. A minimum of 15 weeks including 200 hours of field experience across the semester are needed to fulfill BSW degree requirements.
• SOWK 499 Senior Integrative Seminar IIBuilds on knowledge base of intervention methods and techniques with individuals, families, and groups outlined in Senior Integrative Seminar I. Requires articulation of a framework or frameworks for the differential use of interventive methods with at least two social systems levels (individual, family, small group, organization, neighborhood, community). Develops social work professional values, conceptual frameworks, ability and ease in working with and on behalf of clients. Culminates in submission of the professional portfolio with examples of engagement strategy, assessment tools applied to client populations, rationale for intervention chosen, and evaluation of client results.
• Elective Course

Recommended Electives

• BADM 110 Foundations of ManagementFoundations of Management would provide an overview of key concepts and practices in the field of management and organization. Topics would include structure and design, decision making, goals and effectiveness, culture and performance measures. Th is course would introduce students to a broad range of the basics of management preparing them for more specialized courses in the business program.
  3 credits
  General Education Applications Area: Leadership
• BADM 226 Organizational BehaviorThis course will provide an overview of selective OB theories relevant to the practice of management and decision making. Issues will include motivation and morale, perception, job satisfaction and quality of work /life and change management. The course work will consist of discussion, role play, case studies and practitioners presentations.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: BADM 101 or BADM 110 or EXSC 321 (exercise science students only) or by Permission of Instructor
• BADM 236 Theories of LeadershipThis course will survey significant leadership theories, discuss current leadership issues (ethics, motivation, conflict) and relate theory to practice through case discussion.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: BADM 101 or BADM 110, or EXSC 321 (exercise science students only) or by Permission of Instructor
• COM 201 Interpersonal CommunicationOffers an introduction to the fundamental theories and principles of interpersonal communication with emphasis on analyzing and assessing the communication skills necessary to create and sustain effective communication in personal and professional relationships.
  3 credits
  Core Area II: Understanding Self, Society, and Nature
• COM 225 Intercultural CommunicationApplies basic principles of intercultural communication to the analysis of specific situations involving cultural differences. Emphasis is on the influence of culture on the communication process, including differences in values, assumptions, and communication. Models of intercultural communication analysis are developed and applied to issues dealing with relations between a dominant society and subcultures, social change, and international relations.
  3 credits
  Core Area I: Skills for Work and Life
• ECON 101 Microeconomics ITeaches how to think like an economist and make more informed decisions. Builds models of economic activity that provide a framework for understanding the real world. Explores the supply-demand model of competitive markets, followed by other models that show how markets operate when they aren't purely competitive. Assesses the proper role of government in the marketplace and how government can improve welfare when markets fail to be efficient. ECON 101 is a prerequisite for all higher-level economics courses and fulfills the Social Science General Education requirement.
  3 credits
• ECON 102 Macroeconomics IPresents key variables that summarize an economy. Uses economic analysis to explain why economies grow over time but also exhibit repeated cycles of boom and bust. Explores government-level policies that affect an economy as a whole, and models for analyzing their effects. Fulfills the Civic Knowledge General Education requirement and is required for upper level economics courses.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: ECON 101 is preferred, but students may take ECON 102 first.
• HPNU 200 Nutrition, Diet Therapy, and Health PromotionComprehensive survey of the biochemical basis of nutrition and disease for those intending to major in nursing or clinical health professions. Provides a foundation for understanding metabolic syndromes such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, as well as the impact of diet therapy on optimal health in wellness planning. Addresses social, physiological, psychosocial, behavioral and cultural influences on nutritional status and allows students to examine and analyze their own dietary values and beliefs. While not required, a basic understanding of chemistry is recommended.
  3 credits
• PEH 121 Nutrition & WellnessIdentifies nutritional challenges affecting overall health. Topics include making conscious choices regarding nutrition, incorporating new food groups, identifying signs of emotional eating, body image issues, stress and time management, online tools to evaluate one?s food consumption and activity levels, and finding and utilizing available nutrition resources.
  3 Credits
  Prerequisites: None
• PSYC 211 Social PsychologyStudies the individual interacting in a social context. Theories of attitude formation and change, social perception, and small group behavior are examined, as well as current theories, research, and methodology. Formerly PSY 255 Social Psychology.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
• PSYC 235 Psychology of AgingStudies human development from early adulthood to old age. Interaction of social, psychological, and physiological aspects of development are emphasized. The course is of special relevance to students planning careers to serve the growing population of senior citizens. Formerly PSY 231 Psychology of Aging.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
• PSYC 262 Psychology of WomenEmphasizes the experience of women and girls using theories and research about development across the lifespan. The course stresses the inter-relationships of biological, socio-cultural and psychological factors. Central issues explored in the course include: identity, interpersonal relationships, gender roles in various cultures, and women's roles in the workplace.
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101
  Credits: 3
• PSYC 343 Drugs and Human BehaviorFocuses on the use and abuse of psychoactive drugs, including medications (anti-depressants, neuroleptics) as well as alcohol and illegal substances (narcotics, hallucinogens, stimulants, etc.). Creative class formats utilize video, exercises, discussion, and readings to examine the biological, behavioral, cognitive, and psychosocial consequences of drug use and effective approaches to treatment. Formerly PSY 212 Drugs and Human Behavior.
  3 credits
  FLC Seminar II
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and BIOL 101 or BIOL 111 or BIOL 112
  General Education: Capstone Seminar
• PSYC 385 Ethnic & Cross Cultural-PsychologyExplores cultural components in theory and research in psychology. The interplay of individual, ethnic, and societal factors in psychosocial development will be emphasized.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101, SOC 100, and at least three additional credits in Psychology
• SNHP 228 Patient AdvocacyThe focus of this course is on patient advocacy. The course considers patient advocacy within the background and development of the health care delivery system in the United States and the forces associate d with q uality of care. The course explores trends and issues impacting health care delivery and the role of the advocate in health promotion and health education in a complex health care delivery landscape.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
• SNHP 230 Community Health Workers in the U.SThis course focuses on the role of Community Health Workers in different populations. Students will focus on advocacy, cultural awareness, and access of services in communities. The course will include various group activities and simulations for conflict resolution, client-centered outreach, and behavior change.
  
  3 credits
• SOCY 321 Inequality and SocietyExamines classical and contemporary theories of social stratification. Are we all created equal? Can we become equal? Particular emphasis is on the American class structure, its impact on social institutions, and the importance of gender and race as factors contributing to inequality in society. Formerly SOC 378 Inequality and Society.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: SOCY 100
• SOCY 361 The Black FamilyProvides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of Black families, including immigrant families from Africa and the Caribbean. The course covers four broad content areas: historical/theoretical approaches to the study of Black families; Black family patterns (including socioeconomic, demographic, and intergenerational patters); socialization within Black families; and advocacy for and gender relations within Black families. Formerly SOC 302 The Black Family.
  3 credits
  
  Prerequisite: SOCY 100.
• SOCY 381 Understanding AIDS: Interdisciplinary SeminarProvides students with a multi-dimensional approach to understanding AIDS. The course examines AIDS as a social construct utilizing Writing Across the Curriculum and cooperative learning techniques to build an interdisciplinary knowledge of AIDS. Formerly INT 340 and SOC 340 Understanding AIDS: Interdisciplinary Seminar.
  3 credits
  Gen Ed V: Capstone Seminar

Minor Requirements

Required Core Courses (15 credits)
All of the following:

The minor in Social Work requires a total of 18 credits. Social Work majors may not minor in Social Work.  Those completing the Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate may not double-count courses for the minor and for the CHW degree; these curricula must represent unique courses.

• SOWK 200 Social PolicyExplores factors that drive social welfare policy and how these policies impact lived experiences. Examines the ways in which social workers advocate for clients within systems and how policies and be changed. Focuses on policy analysis skills to help identify gaps in service delivery as well as policy inequities that function to maintain systems of oppression. Develops beginning policy practice skills congruent with professional ethics and social work?s commitment to social and economic justice.
  Prerequisites: SOCY 211 and SOCY 210
  3 credits
• SOWK 210 Social Work EthicsProvides a concentrated analysis of social work values and ethics, models of ethical decision-making, and legal statutes regulating and impacting social work practice. Allows for examination of one?s personal values with respect to the underlying values of the profession. Covers the six major divisions of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics with an emphasis on principled decision-making when faced with ambiguous ethical situations on micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice.
  Prerequisites: SOWK 211
  Credits: 3
  General Education: Values and Beliefs
• SOWK 211 Introduction to Social WorkIntroduces the profession of social work and the wide range of factors that influence generalist social work practice. Surveys the historical development of pro-social policy and practices of the profession, with particular focus on issues of social justice. Methods, fields of practice, knowledge and skills fundamental to social work are presented throughout. Discussion will also include current issues confronting the profession, volunteer and para-professional experiences, and guest speakers. Formerly HRE 200.
  3 credits
• SOWK 215 Hum Behavior Soc Environment IIntroduces theories of human development and behavior across the lifespan utilizing a bio-psycho-social and spiritual framework, while considering the diverse social systems in which individuals live and grow (families, groups, organizations, institutions, and communities). Fosters understanding of interactions between and among individuals and their social, cultural, and economic systems and explores how social systems promote or deter individual achievement and maintenance of health and well-being. Emphasizes the interrelationship between individuals and community and their mutual responsibility to each other. Part One of a two-semester sequence.
  Prerequisites: SOWK 200, SOWK 210, SOWK 211
  3 credits
• SOCY 320 Sociology of Health and Illness (Medical Sociology)The course presents an in-depth conceptual and topical introduction of medical sociology, based on the premise that we cannot understand health by focusing only on the biomedical factors, rather we must also consider the social, cultural, political and economic forces that are instrumental in shaping health outcomes. The course applies the sociological perspective to understand the experience and social distribution of health and illness as well as the organization of health care and health care delivery systems and associated patient outcomes.
  
  3 credits
  
  Prerequisite: SOCY 100

Students will choose one from the following list of courses (3 credits):

• CJUS 206 Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice examines status offenses and other crimes committed by juveniles. The course will further examine the social and legal history, definition and explanation of delinquency, assess delinquency prevention and correctional programs, and emphasize the application of philosophical and legal principles to the problems of juvenile justice.
  3 credits
• PSYC 235 Psychology of AgingStudies human development from early adulthood to old age. Interaction of social, psychological, and physiological aspects of development are emphasized. The course is of special relevance to students planning careers to serve the growing population of senior citizens. Formerly PSY 231 Psychology of Aging.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor
• PSYC 343 Drugs and Human BehaviorFocuses on the use and abuse of psychoactive drugs, including medications (anti-depressants, neuroleptics) as well as alcohol and illegal substances (narcotics, hallucinogens, stimulants, etc.). Creative class formats utilize video, exercises, discussion, and readings to examine the biological, behavioral, cognitive, and psychosocial consequences of drug use and effective approaches to treatment. Formerly PSY 212 Drugs and Human Behavior.
  3 credits
  FLC Seminar II
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and BIOL 101 or BIOL 111 or BIOL 112
  General Education: Capstone Seminar
• SNHP 220 Health Promotion, Policy and PoliticsThis course explores political factors that influence patient outcomes and health promotion strategies to enhance health and health care systems. Students are engaged in understanding how health care policy shapes health care systems, determining accessibility, accountability and affordability. Students will evaluate how health care delivery systems are organized and financed, and the effect this has on patient care.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
  General Education Curriculum: Applications Area
• SNHP 228 Patient AdvocacyThe focus of this course is on patient advocacy. The course considers patient advocacy within the background and development of the health care delivery system in the United States and the forces associate d with q uality of care. The course explores trends and issues impacting health care delivery and the role of the advocate in health promotion and health education in a complex health care delivery landscape.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: None
• SNHP 230 Community Health Workers in the U.SThis course focuses on the role of Community Health Workers in different populations. Students will focus on advocacy, cultural awareness, and access of services in communities. The course will include various group activities and simulations for conflict resolution, client-centered outreach, and behavior change.
  
  3 credits C

Those enrolled in the CHW certificate choose from the following courses for the Social Work Minor elective (3 credits):

• CJUS 206 Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice examines status offenses and other crimes committed by juveniles. The course will further examine the social and legal history, definition and explanation of delinquency, assess delinquency prevention and correctional programs, and emphasize the application of philosophical and legal principles to the problems of juvenile justice.
  3 credits Juvenile Justice
• PSYC 235 Psychology of AgingStudies human development from early adulthood to old age. Interaction of social, psychological, and physiological aspects of development are emphasized. The course is of special relevance to students planning careers to serve the growing population of senior citizens. Formerly PSY 231 Psychology of Aging.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor Psychology of Aging
• PSYC 343 Drugs and Human BehaviorFocuses on the use and abuse of psychoactive drugs, including medications (anti-depressants, neuroleptics) as well as alcohol and illegal substances (narcotics, hallucinogens, stimulants, etc.). Creative class formats utilize video, exercises, discussion, and readings to examine the biological, behavioral, cognitive, and psychosocial consequences of drug use and effective approaches to treatment. Formerly PSY 212 Drugs and Human Behavior.
  3 credits
  FLC Seminar II
  Prerequisites: PSYC 101 and BIOL 101 or BIOL 111 or BIOL 112
  General Education: Capstone Seminar Drugs and Human Behavior

Program Policies

I. Application Process

Applying to the BSW Program is a 2-step process:

• Step One: Apply to Trinity.
  • Upon admission to Trinity, pre-social work students complete their pre-requisite coursework before applying for acceptance into the social work program.
• Step Two: Apply to the Social Work program. Pre-social work students apply for formal acceptance into the Social Work program when completing their last semester of pre-requisite coursework.
  • Social Work program application deadlines:
    • Spring admission – October 1
    • Fall admission – February 1
  • To apply to the social work program contact an advisor or the program director

A student’s application should contain the following:

• Social Work Program Application (completed online by the student)
• Pre-Social Work Curriculum Plan (from applicant’s academic advisor)
• Transcripts (from all institutions where pre-requisite and general education/core curriculum courses have been taken)
• Essay (students will be contacted via email with instruction on completing the essay after applications have been received)

II. Acceptance Criteria

Formal acceptance into the BSW involves consideration of the following criteria:

• Overall GPA of at least 2.75
• Science GPA of at least 2.75
• Personal essay reflecting on why the degree will further personal and professional goals.

Pre-social work program students should direct any questions about the process for formal acceptance into the social work program to their undergraduate advisor in the Center for Student Success or the Program Director of Social Work.

Students will be notified by the Program Director of Social Work of the results of their application after all criteria for considering the application have been received and evaluated.

III. Transfer Policy

Students transferring to Trinity in or after Fall 2002 from another appropriately accredited institution of higher learning for a bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 45 of their final 60 credits through course work at Trinity, excluding credits for experiential learning. (See Transfer Policies)

Current Trinity students who were dismissed from clinical programs (nursing or OTA) may be permitted to transfer into the B.S.W. Interested students must meet with the Program Director and must present a satisfactory GPA before being admitted.  Students should note that previous clinical courses will only count towards the elective requirements and may not be substituted for the major (SOWK) courses.

IV. Field Practicum I and II

Students are required to take SOWK 490 (Field Practicum I) and SOWK 491 (Field Practicum II) in their last year of the B.S.W. program.  Students must meet with the Director of Field Education prior to enrolling in the course to discuss field placement requirements and learning outcomes expected of students.  Students must earn a C+ or above in SOWK 490 (Field Practicum I) and SOWK 491 (Field Practicum II) and are required to obtain 200 clinical hours in both courses.

V. Transportation

Students are required to provide their own transportation to and from internship placement sites. Trinity’s free shuttle service connects the Main campus with the Brookland Metro station.

VI. Grades in Major Courses

• Pre-Candidacy for a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation indicates that it has submitted an application to be reviewed for Candidacy and had its Benchmark I approved in draft form to move forward with Candidacy review within one year. A program that has attained Pre-Candidacy has not yet been reviewed by the Commission on Accreditation or been verified to be in compliance with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

• Students who enter programs in Pre-Candidacy that attain Candidacy in the academic year in which they begin their program of study will be retroactively recognized as having graduated from a CSWE-accredited program once the program attains Initial Accreditation. The Candidacy process is typically a three-year process and there is no guarantee that a program in Pre-Candidacy will eventually attain Candidacy or Initial Accreditation.

• Candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation applies to all locations and delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.

• For more information about social work accreditation, you may contact Accreditation –https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation.