Following the recent announcement that Trent University’s leading Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program received pre-accreditation status by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE), and building on Trent’s long-standing commitment to offer pathway programs to assist students in making the transition from diploma to degree studies, Trent University has signed three new articulation agreements with Durham College, Fleming College and Loyalist College admitting graduates of the Social Service Worker programs to Trent’s B.S.W. program with advanced standing, allowing students to earn both a diploma and degree in five years.

“We’re pleased to collaborate with Fleming, Durham and Loyalist, on these new articulation agreements as it accelerates pathways for students from all three institutions into Trent's B.S.W. program,” said Dr. Susan Hillock, director of Trent University’s Social Work program. “The agreement recognizes the excellence, knowledge, and experience that these students will bring to Trent's B.S.W. program, which continues to enrich students’ knowledge and critical thinking as well as assists them in integrating their practical experience with advanced theory.”

The new pathway agreements, which will be in effect for September 2016, will see eligible students granted 6.0 credits (approximately one year of study) when arriving at Trent. Students can choose to study at either Trent’s picturesque Peterborough campus or growing Durham campus in the GTA.

“As Ontario’s most transfer credit friendly institution, these new agreements make it exceptionally easy for students to transfer from their social services program at Fleming, Loyalist or Durham, to Trent’s B.S.W. program at both the Peterborough and Durham campus,” said Jacqueline Muldoon, vice-president Academic and provost at Trent. “These agreements mark the first transfer pathways for admission into Trent’s B.S.W. program, a pathway that we look forward to continuing to develop with other institutions for students.”

Launched in fall 2014, the B.S.W. program at Trent prepares graduates with the knowledge and skills needed for meaningful professional practice in a wide range of social work contexts. The recent CASWE pre-accreditation for the program will see students not only graduate from an accredited social work program, but it will also open the door to social work jobs that require recognition from a national body.

Students interested in learning more about the flexible pathway options into the B.S.W. program and others programs at Trent University, are invited to attend Trent’s upcoming Transfer Student events on March 31 from 10:100 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.at both campuses. Students are welcome to register online.