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Social Work, B.S.W. (Pre-Health Professions)

120 Credits  |   Main Campus

Become a champion of social justice issues and build your knowledge to advocate for others with a degree in social work!

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The Trinity Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program offers a rigorous curriculum that prepares students for successful careers in a variety of social work fields, particularly in the Washington, DC region.

BSW students learn how to practice core social work values while also engaging in ethical decision-making. Field experiences, along with classroom instruction and activities, will prepare students to be competent in developing culturally sensitive, generalist social work practice. Join a community of passionate and driven social work professionals and prepare to take on the challenges of a rewarding and fulfilling career with a BSW degree

What You’ll Learn

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students are provided a range of opportunities to develop a broad knowledge and skills base to advocate for positive change and social justice as you help people navigate difficult circumstances. Students are expected to practice core social work values while practicing ethical decision-making. Field experiences, along with classroom instruction and activities, will prepare students to be competent in developing culturally sensitive, generalist social work practice.

Global Careers

  • Foster Care and Adoptions Social Worker
  • Hospice Social Worker
  • Youth Counselor
  • Homeless Services Specialist
  • Case Manager
  • Child Protective Services – Investigations and Assessment

You May Also be Interested in These Programs

Students interested in Social Work, B.S.W. (Pre-Health Professions) are sometimes interested in these other Trinity programs:

Bachelor’s Degree
Public Health

Bachelor’s Degree
Psychology

Master’s Degree
School Counseling

How to Apply

Applying to the Social Work BSW Degree program is a 2-step process. First, students Apply to Trinity (it’s free, and you’ll get a quick decision!), and complete their pre-requisite courses through the College of Arts & Sciences.

Once pre-requisite courses are completed, pre-social work students apply for formal acceptance into the Social Work program. Alternatively, if having log-in issues at that link you can apply at this link. Questions? Contact your advisor or Program Director, Dr. Portia Cole at ColeP@trinitydc.edu

Pre-Requisite Requirements:  Students must complete pre-requisite courses before entering into the Social Work program. Pre-requisite courses may be completed at Trinity or at another college/university.   Those seeking a Social Work degree are required to apply for formal admission to the B.S.W program through the NHP department at the end of their sophomore year or once pre-requisite courses are completed.

We’re here to help at 202-884-9400 or admissions@trinitydc.edu.

Application Deadlines

Social Work program application deadlines:

  • Spring admission – October 1
  • Fall admission – February 1

What to include with your application

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

Admissions Requirements

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

  • Overall GPA of at least 2.75
  • Personal Essay reflection on why this degree will further your 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 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) or Dr. Portia Cole.

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

Other items to note:

  • For pre-social work courses, transfer credit is accepted based on Trinity’s transfer policy.
  • All pre-social work program students MUST earn a minimum of 120 credits to graduate with a BSW degree.

Accreditation

  • 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.

Resources

  • Coming soon.

College of Arts & Sciences Admissions Requirements

Applying to the College of Arts & Sciences is a 5-step process:

  • Step One: Apply to Trinity
  • Step Two: Have your School Administrator submit your Official Transcripts (High School/College/Home School/GED) – International Transcripts must be evaluated prior to submission
  • Step Three: Submit Essay “Where do I see myself after obtaining a TWU degree?”
  • Step Four:  Submit your Recommendation Letter(s) (Teacher/Guidance Counselor/Mentor)
  • Step Five: Once your application is submitted, use your log-in credentials to check your status

Admissions Criteria:

  • First-Time Freshman candidates for admission should complete a secondary school program that includes 16 academic units: English, Mathematics (algebra, geometry, and trigonometry), Science to include Lab work (biology, chemistry, and physics), History, Foreign Language, and Social Science.
  • Transfer candidates must submit official college transcripts from each previously attended college or university.
  • Optional Standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I) and/or the American College Test (ACT) can be submitted.  To have your scores sent to us use SAT code 5796 and ACT code 0696.
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average 2.0 (on 4.0 Scale).