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Department of Social Work

The Department of Social Work at Salve Regina immerses students in the study of social work and its role in today's multicultural society through a comprehensive and exciting blend of coursework and fieldwork.

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education for more than 25 years, our program is designed to meet national standards for undergraduate social work education and for beginning generalist professional practice.

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.

Social work majors are required to complete at least 650 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 internship requirement, our program helps students hone their interpersonal as well as oral and written communication skills. Our majors are well prepared for both professional careers and for enrollment in graduate schools, often entering prestigious programs with advanced standing.

Photo of International Field Internship and Seminar

Featured Course

International Field Internship and Seminar
Department of Social Work
This interim service learning internship provides students with an opportunity to explore the history and culture of Belize, while learning through direct service in health and human service settings. Through interdisciplinary exchange and a blend of classroom and field experiences, students are challenged to think critically about global issues in health care and social welfare. Students spend 60 hours working in health and human service settings in Belize. Prior to departure, students gain familiarity with the country through readings and class meetings.

Alumni Spotlight

Photo of Taylor Loconte
Taylor Loconte
Certified HIV tester/counselor, Manet Community Health Center
Class of: 2011

For social work major Taylor LoConte ’11, the internships she completed during her junior and senior years gave her the opportunity to utilize various social work skills and roles independently while working with diverse populations on the micro, mezzo and macro levels.

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Did you know?

Alumni work in all fields
Alumni work in all fields

According to a recent survey conducted by the Department of Social Work, more than 70 percent of our alumni are currently employed full time in social work, with an additional 9 percent engaged in part-time social work activities. All levels of practice and all fields of practice, ranging from child protective services to elder abuse investigator, were represented. Click here to download the survey.

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Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Department of Social Work Mission, Goals and Objectives

Related Groups and Organizations

  • Social Work Club
    The Social Work Club promotes awareness of relevant social issues such as hunger, sweatshops and domestic violence. Off campus, club members provide social work services to the community and sponsor various community service events such as food and clothing drives. Current initiatives range from participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to organizing the Students Offering Sandwiches program, which gives sandwiches to the homeless in Newport.