New Bachelor of Social Work Program at Trent University Approved by Provincial Ministry

Four-Year Program to Provide Students with Theoretical Knowledge, Social Responsibility and Professional Skill Sets

Thursday, March 6, 2014, Peterborough

Trent University is pleased to announce that its new Bachelor of Social Work program has received official approval from both the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the Ontario Universities Council on Quality Assurance. The program will welcome its first students in September 2014.

Offered at the University’s campuses in Peterborough and Oshawa, Ontario, the new Bachelor of Social Work program at Trent will prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills for meaningful professional practice in a wide range of social work contexts.

“Social workers perform an important role in society, providing essential supports to communities by helping individuals, groups and families meet their basic human needs,” said Dr. Elaine Scharfe, Trent’s dean of Arts & Sciences – Social Sciences. “With its distinctive interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to research teaching and learning, Trent University is uniquely placed to offer a strong Social Work program for students wishing to pursue a career in this diverse and interesting field.”

Through an interdisciplinary curriculum grounded in social justice, human rights and cultural awareness, in the first two years undergraduate students will develop a strong foundation of clinical knowledge, critical thinking skills, and social responsibility. The program will explore a range of contemporary themes connected to social work from across disciplines. Students who qualify for the professional years in the third and fourth year of the program will focus exclusively on social work theory and practice, including more than 700 hours of supervised clinical placement.  Examples of field placements could include community counselling centres, sexual assault centres, mental health care, and pregnancy clinics.

In the 2014/15 launch year, students will have the option to study either full-time or part-time. In years to come, Trent also plans to launch a transfer pathway program for students who have already completed some post-secondary education. Several courses will be offered online.

For more information about the Bachelor of Social Work program, please visit trentu.ca/socialwork.

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