Bachelor of Social Work

Institution:

Saint Augustine College

State:

Illinois

Academic Level:

Baccalaureate

Issue Area:

Academic Program

Program Focus:

Bilingual/ESL, Discipline/Subject

Website:

https://www.staugustine.edu/academics/academic-programs/bachelor-of-social-work/

Key Personnel:

Lisa Hines, MBA, Ph.D., MSW

Contact Info:

LdHines@staugustine.edu

Overview

The BSW program educates graduates for entry level into generalist social work practice with diverse urban populations. It does this with particular attention to opportunities to improve social justice, well-being, and access to resources within communities of Latino descent. It aspires to fill cultural, educational, and socioeconomic gaps, beginning with those in the multi-cultural and multi-linguistic neighborhoods of Chicago. Program goals include increasing enrollment and professional training opportunities that are offered to students and area professionals.

Program Description

The BSW program is one of three programs in Chicago, but it's the only one of its kind in the Midwest with a bilingual curriculum. The BSW program started in response to a need for bilingual social workers in local agencies due to an increase in the Latino population. A 2004 Survey by the National Association of Social Workers, found only 4% of licensed Social Work respondents in Illinois were Hispanic. Latinos represent only 11% of the BSW graduates nationally and only 9% of the MSW graduates (CSWE, 2013).

Students progress from an AA degree to BSW degree and are eligible after graduation for an accelerated Master of Social Work degree. Students are allowed to take 18 credit hours for the price of 12 credit hours which results in improved time to graduation rates. Students pay $9,840 per year from their PELL grant and financial awards for 12 credit hours per semester. The college provides very low-cost childcare, free parking, and free tutoring.

Outcome

In 2016 the BSW program had 61 enrolled students and 90% of them identified as Latino.

In 2013, After earning a pre-requisite AA degree, 58% of BSW students graduated in two years and 90% graduated within 4 years.

The same year, 56% of BSW alumni reported having employment in Latino serving social, educational, or health agencies. Additionally, 32% of the same group reported applying to MSW programs.

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