Social Work Programs offered at St. Augustine College
St. Augustine College is the foundation of bilingual education in Chicago. Since 1980, it has enabled students through quality higher education that’s available to all. The college puts social justice, community involvement, and fair changes at the heart of its mission as a Hispanic-serving institution.
The college does more than just educate. St. Augustine’s graduates get a solid educational foundation based on integrity, genuineness, compassion, and leadership. Students thrive in a multicultural environment that strengthens their personal identity and builds cultural connections among Latinos and people from different groups and faiths.
The Social Work programs at St. Augustine College stand out because of their unique bilingual approach. You can start your classes in Spanish and switch to English at your own pace. This makes learning easier if English isn’t your first language and helps many students overcome language barriers in higher education.
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program builds on St. Augustine College’s tradition of enabling the bilingual community through social justice principles. This award-winning program teaches you to support positive change at every level—from helping families to improving entire communities. You’ll learn to strengthen Chicago’s Latino community using social justice concepts.
The program fits around your schedule if you’re a working adult looking to switch or grow your career. Classes are available online and in-person, so you can study whatever your work schedule looks like. This shows how the college removes barriers to education for all students.
The program hit a major milestone in 2016 when it won the ‘Excelencia in Education National Award for the Best Bachelor Degree Program Serving Latinos’. This prestigious award confirms the program’s success in helping Latino students build successful social work careers.
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) has accredited the Social Work program through 2028. This means the curriculum meets national standards and graduates can apply for advanced standing in many graduate Social Work programs across the country.
BASW graduates are ready to:
- Show ethical and professional behavior
- Work with anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles
- Push forward human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Use practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Think critically about policy practice
- Help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities effectively
These outcomes line up with the nine educational policy standards set by the Council on Social Work Education for 2022. The program checks and shares data about knowledge, values, skills, and processes needed to meet accredited social work program standards.
Social work students get experience through a required 420-hour internship that takes one or two semesters. You’ll put classroom theories into practice and get helpful feedback from professional social work supervisors.
Your career options are wide open after graduation. A bachelor’s degree in social work from St. Augustine College can lead to jobs as a family specialist, youth organizer, case manager, daycare center director, domestic violence supporter, healthcare worker, geriatric care worker, or addiction counselor. On top of that, you can take the state exam to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) after completing the BASW program and meeting Illinois licensure requirements.
St. Augustine also offers an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Humanities with a focus on Social Service. This program combines liberal arts basics with specialized social services knowledge. You’ll develop critical thinking, communication skills, and understand social systems—skills you need to help diverse communities.
The associate degree opens doors to entry-level positions like case manager, counselor assistant, rehabilitation aide, and social services assistant. These roles let you work directly with people and communities to provide support, resources, and advocacy. The degree also creates a strong foundation to continue your education and advance your career in social services.
St. Augustine College helps students succeed through bilingual academic and student support programs. With its focus on social justice, community involvement, and bilingual education, the college continues to shape social work professionals who make real changes in their communities.
Where is St. Augustine College located
St. Augustine College sits in the heart of Chicago at 1345 W. Argyle St., Chicago, IL 60640. Students pursuing social work education benefit from this unique urban setting, which lets them learn in a variety of community settings.
Chicago boasts over 300,000 residents. This bustling city creates the perfect backdrop for St. Augustine College Social Work programs. Students can work with different populations and tackle social issues they’ll face in their future careers.
The main campus is available through multiple transport options. This makes life easier for commuter students. Working adults in social work programs find this central spot helpful as they juggle their studies with work and family life.
St. Augustine College operates as a private not-for-profit institution in Chicago’s dynamic city setting. The campus maintains a warm atmosphere despite its big-city location. With about 901 students, everyone gets personal attention and feels part of a tight-knit community.
The Chicago location offers some of the most important perks for social work students. Nearby neighborhoods provide many field placement options where students apply classroom concepts in ground settings. Students can complete their field education at social service agencies, healthcare facilities, schools, and community organizations close to campus.
The St. Augustine College Atrium hosts events throughout the year that connect students with community partners and social service organizations. These networking events often lead to internships and jobs after graduation.
Students in St. Augustine social services programs get firsthand experience with urban social challenges. The surrounding community becomes a learning lab where they help with homelessness, poverty, immigrant populations, and mental health services.
Chicago’s rich cultural scene lines up with the college’s bilingual education approach. Students learn in the city’s diverse communities and develop cultural competence – a key skill in today’s multicultural social work field.
The Chicago location opens doors to professional growth through local social work groups, conferences, workshops, and networking events. Students build professional connections before they graduate.
This major city setting shows students both challenges and innovative ways to deliver social services. Graduates learn to work in complex social systems and support positive change at all levels – from individuals to entire communities.
St. Augustine College creates a welcoming atmosphere despite its urban location. The campus features thoughtfully designed spaces that encourage learning and collaboration.
Anyone thinking about a career in social work should consider St. Augustine College’s Chicago location. Quality classroom teaching combined with rich urban surroundings creates the perfect environment to develop social work skills and knowledge.
Ready to see the campus? Contact the admissions office for a tour. A firsthand look at the facilities helps you decide if St. Augustine College matches your educational and career goals.
St. Augustine College’s award-winning social work programs provide various educational paths that suit bilingual students who want careers in human services. These programs excel by enabling Chicago’s Latino community through social justice and generalist social work practice skills.
Students can choose between a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Degree or a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) at the undergraduate level. The Council on Social Work Education guidelines for generalist social work practice shape both programs. The program’s excellence showed when it received the ‘Excelencia in Education National Award for the Best Bachelor Degree Program Serving Latinos’ in 2016.
St. Augustine College’s curriculum helps you “boost the social functioning and interactions of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities by getting them to accomplish goals, develop resources, and prevent and ease distress”. This detailed approach will give you the skills to work with different populations effectively.
The BSW curriculum builds on a traditional liberal arts foundation with ten courses and a two-semester field placement experience. Your skills develop step by step through these courses:
- SWK 200: Introduction to Social Work
- SWK 305: Values and Ethics of Social Work
- SWK 315: Human Behavior in the Social Environment: I
- SWK 319: Human Behavior in the Social Environment: II
- SWK 335: Social Justice and Social Action
- SWK 345: Culturally Competent Social Work
- SWK 355: Research and Practice Evaluation
- SWK 410: Social Work Practice I
- SWK 420: Social Work Practice II
- SWK 450: Field Placement I
- SWK 460: Field Placement II
- SWK 470: Integrative Seminar
Each course is worth four credit hours, adding up to 48 credit hours for the core social work curriculum. These courses help you gain competencies and knowledge to work with various client populations from a systems point of view.
The program’s location in a dual-language institution committed to diversity gives it a special advantage. The BSW program offers unique insights into ethnic and cultural values and teaches culturally competent service delivery skills.
The faculty promotes ethical values from the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Service, social justice, dignity, human relationships, integrity, and competence remain central themes in every course. You’ll learn to question your values and think critically about ethical issues.
Students starting their educational trip can opt for an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Humanities with a Social Service concentration. This program teaches basics in English, mathematics, science, and history, plus key courses about human behavior and social interaction. It creates a strong foundation to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work later.
The associate degree covers everything in social service work:
- Evidence-Based Social Work Practice – Combining well-researched interventions with clinical practice and experience
- Social Work Ethics – Learning the guidelines and NASW core values
- Case Management – Assessing client needs and coordinating appropriate services
- Family Services – Getting into techniques for working with children and families from various backgrounds
The BSW Program has specific entry requirements. You need a cumulative GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) and must complete the BASW application. General education course requirements include St. Augustine AA-LAS with SOC 101 and MAT 225. You can also provide official transcripts showing AA or AS degree completion. SWK 200, 305, and 315 need a grade of C or above.
The BSW faculty reviews applications twice yearly, in December and May, and sends admission decisions by email.
BSW degree completion requires 128 credit hours, including general education, electives, and social work core courses. Students must maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher, submit a graduation application, and meet with the Department Chair for an exit interview.
Program graduates can demonstrate ethical behavior, work with anti-racism and diversity principles, support human rights and social justice, use research-informed methods, analyze policy critically, and help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities effectively. These outcomes match CSWE’s nine educational policy standards for 2022.
A St. Augustine College BSW degree creates many career paths. Graduates work as family specialists, youth organizers, case managers, daycare center directors, domestic violence advocates, healthcare workers, geriatric care workers, or addiction counselors. On top of that, it lets you take the state exam to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) after meeting Illinois’s licensure requirements.
CSWE accreditation through 2028 proves the curriculum meets national social work training standards. This accreditation lets you apply for advanced standing in many local and national graduate Social Work programs, potentially shortening your MSW program time.
Field education at SAC
Field education is the substance of professional preparation in the Social Work program at St. Augustine College. Students blend classroom theory with practice and develop essential skills under professional guidance.
The field practicum at SAC follows the curriculum policy set by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This vital element of the BSW program lets students work in settings of all sizes that cover micro, mezzo, and macro generalist social work practice.
Program Structure and Requirements
St. Augustine College’s field education has a complete 420-hour supervised experience that students can finish in one or two semesters. The program consists of three connected courses:
- SWK 450 – Field Instruction I (210 hours)
- SWK 460 – Field Instruction II (210 hours)
- SWK 470 – Integrative Seminar
Students who choose the standard option complete their field placement over two semesters. They spend at least two full workdays each week at their assigned site. Students who want a more intensive schedule can pick a block placement that needs 30-40 hours weekly for about 10-16 weeks.
Students must meet these qualifications before starting field education:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above
- Complete all general education requirements
- Complete all social work courses (except 450, 460, and 470)
SAC requires students to attend a pre-field meeting two semesters before starting field placement. This meeting shares vital information about admission criteria, field requirements, and student learning goals.
Learning Objectives and Competencies
The field experience helps students master nine essential competencies that line up with CSWE standards:
- Ethical and professional behavior
- Engagement with diversity and difference in practice
- Advancement of human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
- Engagement in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
- Engagement in policy practice
- Engagement with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Assessment of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Intervention with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
- Evaluation of practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Students learn to question, refine, and blend theory with practice. This helps them promote change and become a resource for those who need help.
Field Placement Process
Students start by finding potential sites. While students take the lead in finding their preferred field placement, the Field Director guides them through this journey. Students pick up to three agencies for interviews after researching each organization.
Agencies must meet these requirements to qualify as a social work field placement site at St. Augustine College:
- A primary field instructor with an MSW from an accredited school of social work and two years post-graduate experience, or a BSW with three years of experience including supervisory experience
- Learning opportunities that help students show all nine practicum objectives and experience at all practice levels
After placement, students create a learning contract with their field instructor that sets specific requirements for their BSW degree. This contract shows how they’ll meet learning objectives through various activities at their site.
What Makes SAC’s Field Education Distinctive
St. Augustine College’s field education program stands out in several ways. The program focuses on blending theory with hands-on experience. Students develop a strong professional identity through mentorship-driven social work field placement, preparing them for diverse roles after graduation.
SAC values diversity in learning and practice. Students explore various cultural and interdisciplinary views. This gives them the tools to meet current field needs and create new solutions in social work.
The program lets students apply classroom theories to practical scenarios. This mix of academic knowledge and field experience gives them the skills and empathy to handle tough situations well.
Students meet with their field instructor weekly to discuss their experiences. These supervision meetings let them reflect on ethical dilemmas, explore personal values, and get guidance on using theoretical concepts in actual cases.
Students spend 40%-50% of their time working directly with their assigned population. They conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, implement interventions, make referrals, and promote client interests.
The field seminar (SWK 470) runs alongside the field placement as the program’s capstone course. Students blend theory and knowledge with field practice to improve their understanding and skills. Case studies, journaling, and literature reviews help them master all practice standards while reflecting on their growth as social workers.
The field education experience gives students hands-on practice that readies them for professional social work’s challenges and rewards. Many students find this experience shapes their career path and strengthens their dedication to the field.
What sets St. Augustine College apart?
St. Augustine College offers social work education that goes nowhere near traditional learning methods. SAC is an independent, bilingual institution that makes higher education available to a variety of populations, with special attention to Hispanic students. Students thrive in this culturally rich and welcoming space.
St. Augustine College’s Social Work program serves as a model of dual language education for the Latino community. The program earned the prestigious 2016 Baccalaureate Level Example of Excelencia award. This national recognition shows how well the program serves Latino students and prepares them for successful careers.
The program’s accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) runs through 2028. This credential ensures quality standards and creates opportunities for graduates. Alumni can apply for advanced standing at many graduate Social Work programs across the country. Some universities even allow them to complete an MSW degree in just one year.
Several practical benefits make the program exceptional:
- Intimate learning environment – Small classes near Latino neighborhoods encourage close bonds between students and faculty
- Highly qualified instructors – Professors hold MSW or PhD degrees in Social Work, bringing years of excellent practice experience to help students connect research with practice
- Complete support system – Students get low-cost childcare, free parking, free tutoring, and one of Chicago’s lowest private non-profit college tuitions
- Bilingual assistance – Staff help students in English and Spanish with general information, advising, financial aid applications, and more
Students develop their professional identity through mentorship-driven social work field placements. This hands-on experience prepares them for their future roles.
The BSW program’s unique position within a dual-language institution creates valuable educational experiences. Students learn distinctive viewpoints on ethnic and cultural values that help them provide culturally competent services. The curriculum teaches skills to work with diverse populations effectively.
Faculty members promote ethical values from the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Service, social justice, dignity, human relationships, integrity, and competence remain central to every course. Social justice forms an essential part of St. Augustine’s social work curriculum.
BSW graduates become skilled at working in various situations as generalist social workers while pursuing lifelong learning. Students build confidence and competence for ethical awareness and critical thinking. They learn to extend their ethnic identity and cultural interaction into professional work that expands social justice and improves community well-being.
St. Augustine’s language flexibility sets it apart. Students can start their BSW degree with Spanish or bilingual courses before moving to English. Spanish speakers can access higher education while developing English skills.
The program gives students opportunities to speak up about social justice and reform. Graduates become change promoters in their communities and beyond.
Working professionals benefit from exceptional scheduling options. Classes run both in-person and online, making education available whatever their work commitments. The college removes barriers to education for students from all backgrounds.
St. Augustine College gives students the skills and empathy to handle challenging situations. Students apply classroom theories during field placements, showing how well SAC’s education works in ground scenarios.
The college values diversity in learning and practice. Students explore various cultural and interdisciplinary viewpoints. Graduates can meet current field demands and invent new approaches in social work.
Social Work remains SAC’s most popular major, with about 18 degrees awarded yearly. This consistent output of qualified professionals shows the program’s solid reputation and relevance in the field.
Next steps
Want to start a rewarding career in social work? St. Augustine College’s application process is flexible and works with students’ different needs.
The college accepts applications through a rolling admission system until the Saturday after each semester starts. This means you can start your education without strict deadlines getting in your way.
The Bachelor of Social Work program has several requirements you need to meet:
- Submit the BSW application to a social work department faculty member
- Keep a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Complete required general education courses
- Pass SWK 200, 305, and 315 with a grade of C or above
The BSW faculty reviews applications twice a year in December and May. You’ll get an email about your admission status that includes any conditions you need to meet.
St. Augustine’s unique bilingual approach will help you succeed. Students can start their studies in Spanish and switch to English gradually. This makes getting a degree easier if English isn’t your first language.
Transfer students should submit official transcripts for any courses they want to transfer. This helps you get credit for your previous coursework.
Students with past felony convictions can be assured their disclosures stay confidential. The college might need to share this information with internship agencies depending on field placement requirements. The social work program will help you find an appropriate field placement, since completing the field practicum is needed for your BSW degree.
Want to know more about our award-winning Bachelor of Social Work degree program? Contact the college today to learn about your next steps toward a career that makes a real difference in your community.