Bachelor in Sozialarbeit

If you enjoy helping others and want to make a difference, consider the social work profession. Social workers assist individuals and families in every stage of life across communities, seeking to address emotional, psychological, physical, and economic needs. They also empower groups, organizations, and communities to employ change on global levels.

If you are looking to find a program with professional faculty, small class sizes, and practical hands-on learning, Siena Heights University Social Work Program is the ideal fit for you.

The Child Welfare Certificate

Expectations – Social work majors who have been accepted into the social work program may elect to pursue to the Child Welfare Certificate. The certificate is structured to make minimal demands on your academic planning and can fit with most students’ schedules without complications. The Child Welfare Certificate is awarded upon graduation from the Bachelor of Social Work Program.

There are three-course requirements:

*SWK 348: Human Behavior in the Social Environment. *SWK 452: Social Work Practice with Families. SWK 360: Child Welfare Services. Completion of course with the minimum of a “B-“. Field placement with a child welfare agency for the equivalent of one academic year.

• These are already required courses for your BSW, so it does not add any additional requirements to your academic schedules. No grade below “C” will be allowed in any social work course and/or required cognates for the major. In such case, the course must be retaken and result in a grade of “C” or better. Courses required for the major may be repeated only once.

  This certificate is endorsed and regulated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)—the agency charged with protecting Michigan’s children. Child welfare certificate graduates will be given preference in hiring at MDHHS and private agencies across the state of Michigan. Graduates may also waive a portion of new worker training. Certificate notation should be added to your resume.

  Approved Child Placing Field Placement Sites:

  • Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale Counties
  • Family Services and Children’s Aid
  • Fostering Solutions
  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Siena Heights University is a Catholic university founded in 1919 and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Enrolling a diverse community of traditional-age and working adult students, Siena Heights is a coeducational institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission that was founded in the liberal arts tradition, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. The University is headquartered in Adrian, Mich., with degree completion centers in Dearborn, Southfield, Benton Harbor, Monroe, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Jackson, and Online.

Mission

The name Siena honors St. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century Italian Dominican who dedicated her life to a quest for truth and social responsibility. Similarly, the mission of the institution – to help students become more competent, purposeful, and ethical – grows out of the philosophy of Siena.

Throughout its history, Siena Heights has built a proud tradition of innovative responses to challenging social needs. Originally a college for women who intended to become teachers, Siena broadened its offerings over the years and by the 1950s was recognized as one of the nation’s 10 best liberal arts colleges for women.

The mission of Siena Heights University, a Catholic University founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, is to assist people to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all.

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

In addition to the accreditation of Siena Heights University by the Higher Learning Commission, the following academic programs are accredited by their professional organizations:

• BFA and BA Programs in Art are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
• BSW in Social Work is accredited by the Council for Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation (CSWE).
• The Division of Education at Siena Heights University is granted Accreditation at the initial-licensure level by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
• The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing at Siena Heights University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
• The master’s degree program in nursing at Siena Heights University is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Siena Heights holds membership in the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Michigan Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan, the Michigan Colleges Foundation (MCF), the Council of Independent Colleges, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Council for Opportunity in Education, the Association of Governing Boards, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and several athletic conferences, including the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.

The University is authorized to prepare students for teacher certification in Michigan and other states. Upon request, students may review University accreditation at the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Sacred Heart Hall, Room 202, on the Adrian campus.