Program Ethos
Trent's Social Work program prepares students for ethical and effective practice through a transformative curriculum grounded in:
- Social justice;
- Decolonization;
- Indigenization and cultural humility;
- Human rights;
- Anti-racism;
- Intersectional analysis;
- Environmental, social, and economic sustainability; and,
- Critical perspectives on social welfare.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students develop a strong foundation in direct practice, critical thinking, leadership, and social responsibility. Our vision is to graduate highly qualified social workers who are passionate, practical, prepared, and professional. This is achieved through rigorous engagement with theoretical approaches, research methods, critical analysis, and applied practice.
Program Objectives
As evidence of these overarching objectives, graduates of Trent's BSW program will be able to:
| Understand broad political, ethical, economic, environmental justice, and policy debates affecting social work practice and the profession. |
| Identify and critically analyze cultural, economic, environmental, and social injustices in Canada and internationally. |
| Act as critically informed advocates for social, cultural, environmental, and economic justice, using critical theoretical frameworks to work toward emancipatory social change addressing systems of oppression, poverty, colonization, racism, exclusion, isolation, violence, and trauma. |
| Demonstrate a critical understanding of the development of the modern welfare state, Canadian social policies addressing inequity, and institutional structures that contribute to or mitigate social inequality. |
| Recognize and engage with diverse worldviews that inform social work practice and research (e.g., Indigenous, (post)positivist, interpretivist, and transformative perspectives). |
| Critically evaluate social and scientific research in support of ethical and effective social work practice. |
| Act as informed consumers of research and demonstrate an ability to understand, design, and (where appropriate) conduct research using a range of methodologies (e.g., Indigenous, statistical, transformative research, and program evaluation). |
| Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of key social work concepts and their application to practice, including culture, ethnicity, class, gender, Indigeneity, identity and social location, dignity, diversity, equity, oppression, and privilege. |
| Work collaboratively with - and advocate on behalf of - marginalized populations (e.g., Indigenous, Black, other racialized communities, Queer and 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, Francophone Ontarians, persons with disabilities, aging populations, and economically marginalized peoples) who face complex barriers to justice, housing, and mental well-being supports. |
| Engage and communicate effectively in individual, family, group, and community contexts. |
| Demonstrate professional-level oral and written communication skills. |
| Apply critical self-reflexive knowledge and practice skills. |
| Develop and apply assessment, intervention, and leadership skills across individual, family, group, and community practice settings. |
These learning outcomes reflect Trent's commitment to preparing critically engaged and ethically grounded social work practitioners.
For official and up-to-date information on degree requirements, courses, and admission requirements, please consult the Academic Calendar.