Social Work

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.

Program Spotlight: Promising Practitioner

Annie Avila '22 fueled her passion for helping families in need during her time at Salve Regina. After graduation, she secured a position as a clinician at the North American Family Institute, a nonprofit agency helping children and adults with mental health and behavioral issues.

"I have worked closely with at-risk youth and have been able to provide services and support to families in need," Avila said. "I am proud to use my Spanish language skills in the field, especially to assist communities that are faced with language barriers."

Avila's hard work has been noticed – she was recently awarded the Promising Practitioners Award from the Rhode Island chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Annie Avila

Our Faculty

Our faculty boasts a national reputation for its excellence and embraces a generalist curriculum, with a special focus on women, children and the critical concerns of the Sisters of Mercy (earth, immigration, nonviolence, racism and women).

 

Meet Our Faculty

Life After Salve

A social work degree prepares students both personally and professionally for entry-level generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities while also providing a solid foundation for graduate study. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% growth in demand through 2026, much higher than many other fields.

In the Workforce

Our graduates are employed in all levels and fields of social work practice. Areas of specialization include:

  • Alcohol and drug treatment facilities
  • Child care agencies
  • Child welfare
  • Crisis intervention programs
  • Developmental disabilities
  • Family preservation programs
  • Foster care and adoption
  • Group homes
  • Hospice care
  • Hospitals
  • Macro/policy
  • Mental health centers
  • Nursing and rehabilitation settings
  • Probation departments/juvenile justice
  • Research
  • Schools
  • Youth diversion programs

Our graduates have pursued advanced degrees in social work at institutions such as:

  • Barry University
  • Boston College
  • Boston University
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • Catholic University
  • Columbia University
  • Fordham University
  • Loyola University Chicago
  • New York University
  • Simmons College
  • Smith College
  • Syracuse University
  • University of Connecticut
  • University of Illinois at Chicago
  • University of Pennsylvania

Major in Social Work (B.S.)

 

27 courses | 68-70 credits

Required courses:

  • BIO110: Human Biology: Physiology and Health
  • POL115: The American Political System
  • SWK120: Social Problems: Analysis by Race, Class and Gender
  • SWK120S: Social Problems: Service Learning
  • SWK190: History of Social Work and Social Welfare Policy
  • SWK215: Human Behavior and Diversity I
  • SWK216: Human Behavior and Diversity II
  • SWK320: Methods of Practice I
  • SWK330: Methods of Practice II
  • SWK360: Generalist Practice Seminar I
  • SWK361: Generalist Practice Field Internship I
  • SWK370: Generalist Practice Seminar II
  • SWK371: Generalist Practice Field Internship II
  • SWK403: Research Methods I
  • SWK404: Research Methods II
  • SWK410: International Social Work
  • SWK421: Senior Field Seminar I
  • SWK422: Senior Field Internship I
  • SWK451: Senior Field Seminar II
  • SWK452: Senior Field Internship II
  • SWK470: Integrative Seminar Capstone
  • SWK472: Independent Study in Social Work
  • SWK499: Independent Study

Students also choose one three-credit social work elective and three one-credit workshops designed to address issues concerning diversity, oppression, social justice and/or special populations.

Professional licensure disclosure

Minor in Human Services

 

Designed for students majoring in disciplines other than social work, our minor in human services immerses students in the study of social work and its role in today's multicultural society.

7 courses | 19 credits

Required courses:

  • SWK120: Social Problems: Analysis by Race, Class and Gender
  • SWK120S: Social Problems: Service Learning
  • SWK190: History of Social Work and Social Welfare Policy
  • SWK215: Human Behavior and Diversity I
  • SWK216: Human Behavior and Diversity II

Students also choose two elective courses in social work.