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
BSW
On campus, some online
Oakland
Up to 90 credits
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.
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.
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.
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If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit.