Social Work Degree - Restorative Justice

Enter the workforce ready to make a change

Studies in the area of Restorative Justice will provide you with a foundational focus in addressing community-based issues pertaining to inequities in the justice system. You will also be introduced to alternate methods for addressing crime-related issues beyond the typical incarceration models most often employed by the United States.

You will be encouraged to consider how race and class affect interactions with the police and court systems. This concentration provides a solid foundation of theory, policy and research to help students become active change agents as they enter the workforce

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A student gazes out of a window at sunset. The reflection show in the glass behind her. — In Grace Library, spanning the third and fourth floor of the University Commons, there are numerous quiet spaces and study rooms for individuals and groups to use.

Degree:

BSW

Delivery:

On campus & online

Campus:

Oakland

Transfer credits:

Up to 90 credits

Restorative Justice concentration curriculum

curriculum guide

Students are required to complete the Restorative Justice sequence — Communities, Organizations in Praxis and Race, Class and Justice, as well as two courses from the following:Violence and Victims of Crime, Crime and Mental Health, Prison and Society and/or Juvenile Delinquency. Prior to taking these courses, students must complete Introduction to Social Work and Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Quick Facts

Students are required to satisfy the requirements for the Social Work or Criminology major
Concentration requires 12 credits, not including prerequisites
A minimum of six credits of the selected Restorative Justice courses must be taken at Carlow University

A social work student sits on the floor of a library lounge area typing on a laptop balanced on his knee.

View Plan of Study

Alternate degree completion options

Online Degree

Gain the knowledge you need at your convenience with our online degree option. When applying, indicate your interest in the online option.

Career opportunities for Restorative Justice graduates

Restorative justice provides social workers with a framework and set of practices to repair or produce resolution, to the extent possible in individual, family, community situations that may or may not involve the criminal justice system. At the macro or societal level, social workers advocate for social justice policy as well as provide resources for disenfranchised members of society.

Social workers may be working with individuals victimized by a crime or individuals court-ordered to treatment because of offending behaviors. Applications of restorative justice may be used by social workers within the criminal justice system such as in jails or prisons; or re-entry initiatives for incarcerated individuals; or within the child welfare system in cases of child abuse and neglect; or in educational settings where restorative practices are used by school social workers to build community and respond to conflict.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. CSWE administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and reviews. Carlow University’s next accreditation visit will be in 2028.

View or download the following for more information:

View or download the Bachelor of Social Work field manual [pdf]: contains information and documents specific to the field placement component of the program
View or download the Bachelor of Social Work program handbook [pdf]: contains policies, procedures and information about the program
View or download the Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes [pdf]

Admission requirements and application process

Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.