Social Work

Through a comprehensive and exciting blend of coursework and fieldwork, our program immerses students in the study of social work and its role in today's multicultural society. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education for nearly 30 years, our bachelor's degree program meets national standards for undergraduate social work education and for beginning generalist professional practice.

Acquire the Tools to Facilitate Systemic Change

Small classes, taught by an accomplished faculty, explore topics ranging from human behavior to social welfare policy. Fieldwork in such settings as state and local human services agencies, hospitals, long-term care facilities and schools is an essential part of our curriculum, allowing students to translate classroom theory into real-world applications.

Majors complete at least 660 hours of practical experience - beginning with community-based service learning projects as freshmen, continuing with internships as juniors and seniors, and culminating with capstone research projects - that fosters in them a deeper appreciation for human diversity and dignity and teaches them to advocate for social justice.

With a challenging curriculum and a rigorous fieldwork requirement, our program prepares students for professional careers and for graduate school, where they often enter prestigious programs with advanced standing.

Meet the Demand for Social Work Professionals

Our partnership with the University of Saint Joseph offers a pathway for students to earn their bachelor's degree in social work from Salve Regina and a Master of Social Work degree from Saint Joseph. Each year, Saint Joseph reserves up to 10 seats for Salve Regina students who meet program requirements and are accepted into the Master of Social Work program.

Social work majors who maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit positive recommendations from faculty are eligible for admission to the 31-credit advanced standing program, which can be completed in one year on a full-time basis or two years on a part-time basis. All other majors are eligible for admission to the 61-credit standard program, which can be completed in two years on a full-time basis or three years on a part-time basis.