Social Work Brochure

ONLINE ADULT UNDERGRADUATE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM A Trinity Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree prepares students to help change lives and communities emphasizing that: Our Mission

COMMUNITY WELLBEING IS ESSENTIAL TO A COMMON GOOD

EACH COMMUNITY HAS GIFTS AND ASSETS

WE ARE CALLED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY

The mission of the social work program at Trinity Christian College is to prepare community-centered generalist practitioners motivated by their callings to serve as Christ-like change agents committed to promoting human and community well-being.

I decided to go back to college to finish my degree because of my passion for justice. I chose Trinity’s Social Work Department because this program builds upon my previous experiences, skills, and abilities. I’m excited to use what I’ve learned in my new profession and make a difference.

- Becky Carlson, BSW Class of 2022 6601 WEST COLLEGE DRIVE, PALOS HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS 60463 | 708.597.3000 | TRNTY.EDU | ADULTPROGRAMS@TRNTY.EDU

STUDENT REQUIREMENTS & PROGRAM STRUCTURE The following outlines requirements for adult learners interested in completing their Bachelor of Social Work degree online at Trinity:

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS:

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: APPLY.TRNTY.EDU

60 transfer credit hours minimum to begin the major course sequence from a regionally accredited college/post-secondary institution.

20 or fewer Foundations or prerequisite semester hours remaining to complete

59 credits for the major » »

44 credits of Social Work major courses earning a minimum of a C (2.0) that must be taken at Trinity and are not transferable 15 credits of additional course requirements earning a minimum of a C (2.0) and can either be taken at Trinity or transferred in • COMM 105- Oral & Digital Communication (3) • MATH 151- Statistics (3)

Completion of online application

• PSYC 121- Introduction to Psychology (3) • SOC 121- Principles of Sociology (3) • SOC 246- Urban Sociology (3)

10 credits of Foundation courses that must be taken at Trinity and are not transferable • FDN 111- Transfer Orientation (1) • Philosophy 101- Philosophical • Chicago Connect (3) or Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Worldview (3) Inquiry (3) • Theology 131- Christian Scriptures (3)

Submission of all official transcripts from any higher education institutions previously attended

PROGRAM FORMAT: •

Orientation is required prior to the start of classes. In-person and online options will be available.

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Fully online with a combination of both synchronous and asynchronous class sessions.

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Social work courses will last 8 weeks, and students will take 1 course at a time.

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Each 8-week social work course will have required synchronous class sessions for 2-hours, bi-weekly on Saturdays from 9:00am-11:00am CST. • Any additional course requirements for the program not already met prior to starting the program will be incorporated into a student’s mapped out course sequence.

Minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA

• Scheduling of any additional course

requirements and Foundations courses will be based on the schedule available by the sponsoring departments.

Minimum of a C (2.0) in social work courses & additional course requirements and completion of social work program application within SWK 225 course

ONLINE READINESS CHECKLIST Trinity’s online adult undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is a high-touch program designed to foster a sense of community, hospitality, and care while providing support to students. How do you know if online learning is a good fit for you? Review the checklist below to find out.

I am independent, self-motivated, self-disciplined, and have good time management skills to plan and meet required deadlines.

I am comfortable with technology, especially web-based and internet technologies, and I am comfortable using a computer to perform regular tasks such as checking email, creating documents in Word, or creating PowerPoint presentations, etc.

I have access to a computer with a functional camera & audio system for synchronous class sessions and with reliable, high speed internet access.

I am comfortable communicating electronically through email, chat (such as during a Zoom videoconference), discussion boards, apps such as GroupMe, etc.

I am comfortable being an advocate and asking for help if needed as well as taking the initiative and contacting my professor with questions or concerns regarding courses.

I am aware that the flexibility and convenience inherent in many online courses does not mean the courses will be easy, especially as they are accelerated at 8-week terms.

FOR TUITION INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT TRNTY.EDU/ADULT

ALUMNI HIGHLIGHT LUCKY COLLINS ’17 When Lucky Collins ’17 enrolled in Trinity’s social work program, she brought a unique perspective as a working adult, wife, and mother. Now, her career has brought her back to the Trinity community, as Administrative Coordinator of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, which is headquartered on campus.

After graduating from Trinity in 2017, Lucky earned a master’s of social work with a specialization in advanced clinical social work from Aurora University in May 2019 and then went on to pass her Indiana social work licensure exam.

Lucky credits Trinity professors and staff members for helping her succeed. “The social work department professors as well as a few other staff were really impactful during my time here,” she said. “Everyone was very understanding and accommodating, as they knew I was trying my best to do my best.”

MEET THE DIRECTOR DR. CINI BRETZLAFF-HOLSTEIN ONLINE DIRECTOR OF THE BSW PROGRAM & ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIAL WORK

Assisting students in the development and discernment of their vocational call to be Christ-like change agents through the social work profession is at the heart of Trinity’s social work program.

The online adult Bachelor of Social Work degree program amplifies exciting opportunity beyond the traditional face-to-face undergraduate program.

More specifically, this online program provides greater access to an accredited Bachelor of Social Work program in which the integration of faith and practice is central to its mission and identity.

CONTINUING EDUCATION POST-GRADUATION:

A report by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), “From Social Work Education to Social Work Practice: Results of the Survey of 2018 Social Work Graduates,” indicates that the BSW is a major pathway to obtaining a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The report also found that the majority of BSW graduates surveyed plan to pursue a graduate degree in social work.

Students who earn their BSW degree at Trinity Christian College are eligible to earn their MSW degree in one year through the advanced standing placement enrollment option at other higher education institutions with a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program.

TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE BSW PROGRAM IS ACCREDITED

BY THE COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION (CSWE) WWW.CSWE.ORG

WHERE DO OUR GRADUATES CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION? Examples of colleges & universities Trinity BSW alumni earn their Master of Social Work degree:

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO (IL)

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO (IL)

*ERICKSON INSTITUTE (IL)

AURORA UNIVERSITY (IL)

CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY (IL)

*BETHEL UNIVERSITY (MN)

GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY (IL)

UNIVERSITY OF DENVER (CO)

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (MI)

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN (MI)

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE (WI)

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON (WI)

*Trinity BSW alumni are streamlined through the MSW admissions process with the partnering institution.