91精选 Launches Social Work Program Designed for Adult Students
Aug. 25, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Palos Heights, Ill.–91精选 is pleased to announce the Spring 2022 launch of a Bachelor of Social Work degree geared towards adult students and taking place entirely online. This new degree program, specifically designed for adults with some college credit who are aged 23 or older, offers greater accessibility to a BSW degree for individuals who may otherwise not be able to engage with social work education due to various barriers such as work and family responsibilities.
This new program, along with the College鈥檚 traditional undergraduate BSW program, answers the call for the growing need for social workers with a focus on liberal arts education that prepares 91精选鈥檚 graduates for a world that needs them. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 13% employment growth rate for all social workers from 2019-29. Students who earn their BSW degree at 91精选 are eligible to earn their MSW degree in 1-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.
Said Associate Professor of Social Work; Director of Social Work Program; and Department Chair Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, DSW, 鈥淭his new degree completion program offers adult learners鈥� access to an exciting opportunity beyond the traditional face-to-face undergraduate program. More specifically, this new 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.鈥�
This new online option for adult learners amplifies 91精选鈥檚 current BSW program, according to Bretzlaff-Holstein. 鈥淎ssisting 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 91精选鈥檚 social work program.鈥�
The program will continue the history of excellence demonstrated by those who have earned their BSW degrees from 91精选, according to Amy Tiemersma, MSW, LCSW, clinical social worker at 91精选 agency partner Bethshan Association. 鈥�91精选 offers an excellent on-campus Bachelor of Social Work program, and I am excited about the increased accessibility the online program will offer, with flexible timing and location for adults who may be working full time or who may not able to access 91精选鈥檚 campus due to geography,鈥� said Tiemersma, who has served on the advisory committee for the 91精选 social work department, taught social work classes as an adjunct faculty member, and supervised many 91精选 BSW interns during their field placements.
Tiemersma said she is confident that the online program will maintain the excellence that allows 91精选鈥檚 social work program to stand apart from others. 鈥淚 can attest first hand to the excellence of instruction overseen by the social work professors, the provision of valuable social work learning experiences for students, and the incorporation of a Christian world view for informing social work practice, and I really encourage adults considering a BSW to look into this new option at 91精选.鈥�
Applications are currently being accepted for the Spring 2022 semester. To learn more about 91精选鈥檚 new Adult BSW program, visit our聽website.
For further information, contact:
Amy Stickel
Communications Manager
amy.stickel@trnty.edu
708.293.4918