Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Social Work Track

The 11-month Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Social Work Track is the ideal undergraduate pathway for pursuing a graduate degree and career in Social Work. By incorporating 36-39 seminary credits, this degree can be completed in just one year and the student will be well prepared to apply for a graduate program in social work.

Through the disciplines of psychology and social work, the student gains a deep understanding of individuals and society and develops proficiency in employing research methods and applying evidence. This degree also incorporates multiple undergraduate social work courses as well as one graduate-level social work course which can be applied toward Sara Schenirer’s Master of Social Work. By beginning their Social Work journey at the undergraduate level, students enjoy access to outstanding professors in the field as well as significant savings of time and expense.

We are proud to have partnered with two exceptional colleges to offer this degree:

1. The University of Mount Saint Vincent (UMSV) is a highly ranked university in NYS, featuring an outstanding undergraduate Psychology department. Among the five oldest universities in New York City, UMSV offers more than 70 nationally recognized programs, including a full array of majors and minors in the sciences and mathematics, the humanities, arts, and social sciences, and professional preparation in accounting, business, communication, education, and nursing.

2. St. Peter’s University (SPU) is a highly ranked university in NJ featuring an outstanding Psychology department. Founded in 1872, the university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 2,600 undergraduate and 800 graduate students. US News and World Report ranked St. Peter’s among the Top 100 “Best Regional Universities in the North,” and Money Magazine ranked St. Peter’s and the “Most Transformative School” in the state of New Jersey.

New Jersey residents will enroll through SPU, while all other students will be enrolled through UMSV.

Both institutions are regionally accredited, which means that their degrees are accepted by graduate programs nationwide. Students have used the bachelor’s degree earned at UMSV and SPU for admittance into master’s programs in a wide variety of colleges. For specific information about UMSV’s accreditation, please see here; for SPU’s, please see here.

This degree can be completed in as few as three semesters (11 months).

• Students take undergraduate courses in social work and gain additional expertise in the field

• One graduate-level social work course included, reducing the course requirement and cost of tuition ($2,600) at the graduate level for the Master of Social Work

Additionally, during the course of the program, students in the BA in Psychology - Social Work track will enjoy specialized workshops led by professionals in the field of Social Work who will introduce them to the field and offer helpful guidance and tips for aspiring social workers.

The degree, a BA in Psychology, is extremely versatile and can be used to apply for a wide range of graduate degrees. By incorporating one graduate-level course into the undergraduate program, students are better prepared to apply for the Master of Social Work program upon graduation but are not limited to that program. Students have successfully used this degree to gain entry into graduate programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, Law, Business Administration, Nursing, Play Therapy, Mental Health Counseling, and more.

Assuming you don’t have a clear preference for another field, this is an ideal program to help a student determine her ideal graduate pathway and whether social work is right for her. Through the course of the program, students are exposed to professionals in the field of social work and have the opportunity to observe and speak with them and learn more about the profession. This enables students to make a clear-headed decision when the time comes for application to graduate school.

The Office of the Registrar at the UMSV and SPU grant transfer credits to students who have completed courses at accredited institutions and have provided their official transcripts for evaluation. The Registrar evaluates and accepts only credits that apply to the student’s program of study and reflect a final grade of ‘C’ or above. Accepted credits are applied to the student’s record, reflected on their academic planner, but not calculated into their college GPA. A transfer credit planner will also be shared with the student’s advisor to assist with schedule creation and developing a graduation plan.

Classes may be taken in either of these formats:

• Entirely online

• In-person (Boro Park, Monsey, Crown Heights, Passaic, Five Towns, or Lakewood)

Whether online or in-person, students typically take two classes on Sunday and one or two additional classes during the week. Exact schedules vary by location.

Although the program is rigorous, the schedule is tailored to allow for students to obtain employment during the course of their undergraduate studies. Students seeking to pursue a career in the field of social work are strongly encouraged to seek employment in a social work setting so they can gain firsthand experience and learn about the field in an authentic manner. This will greatly enhance their resume as they apply to graduate programs in the social work field as well.