During a degree experience, students can delve into the field of Criminal Justice from a professional standpoint. Through research and instruction, learners can gain a better understanding of how the court and reform systems operate, the laws and regulations surrounding Criminal Justice, and the services available to those that are involved with the justice system and their families.
The goal of these degree programs is to create knowledgeable professionals that can properly assess the needs of clients and put them in touch with services that can improve their overall quality of life. Whether it be through setting up individual therapy, enrolling a client in an educational program, or assisting someone with finding a career, providing individualized support is a primary goal of learning in this area.
Our team of educational experts has over a decade of experience in reviewing educational programs. The information provided below can assist you in learning more about this specific degree field and what it takes to become a member of the professional field.
Online Criminal Justice Social Work Programs
Online learning may be growing into a popular and preferred route for busy learners on the go. Many well-known universities have developed online versions of their social work programs so that students from all walks of life can engage in the higher learning process.
If you have had any experience in the online learning environment, you may be familiar with the benefits that these types of programs can provide. One of the main reasons why students choose this route is due to the flexibility of scheduling and attending classes alongside their work schedule.
Finding an Online MSW Program
In the online learning environment, you can create your own perfect schedule for learning the complex topics provided in this program. Some students choose to pursue part-time learning paths which can include one-course-at-a-time scheduling, while others take on full-time learning loads for a quicker completion time.
The online classroom allows students to take part in weekly discussions through in-course discussion boards and submit assignments through the classroom drop box tool. Any examinations required can also be completed online through timed testing tools.
If you are interested in exploring online degree options, our team encourages you to seek out degree programs holding current accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This organization is the leading accrediting agency for social work degree programs at the bachelor's and master's level.
Students just beginning their learning experience can enroll in bachelor's level programs through universities like Western New Mexico University. The online BSW offered through this college can provide you with a high quality curriculum for an optimum learning experience.
Online degree programs can also be found in bulk at the master's level. Florida State University is a preferred provider of online Master of Social Work degree programs, making it worth your while to review during your search.
Additional MSW programs to consider include those at Indiana University and Louisiana State University. Each of these available online MSW programs can help you meet the requirements for licensing as a social worker or assist you in gaining the skills you need to help people involved with the Criminal Justice system.
Regardless of what educational level you have currently achieved, there may be online degree options for you to consider. Investing effort into your education now can create benefits for you for years to come.
Bachelor's Degrees
Students that are considering a degree in Criminal Justice Social Work as their entry-level experience can choose from a wide range of institutional options throughout the U.S. Each BSW program may have its own unique take on social work in this field and provide you with insight about general social work practice and ethics.
Bachelor's degree programs often begin with 2 years of courses in general education. Courses like Algebra, Humanities, and History can help sharpen your skills in generalized areas while providing you with more knowledge in areas like Sociology and Psychology.
The information learned in the early years of a bachelor's program can help you become more socially aware when entering into social work specific courses. Overall, most BSW programs take around 4 years for entry-level students to complete.
In addition to the curriculum, there are many BSW programs - both in person and online - that require students to participate in an internship requirement. This option can sometimes be substituted with work experience or additional course work related to social work practice.
The academic tools and experience received during the online BSW can partner well as you pursue entry-level positions in the field. Some graduates may choose to begin working after receiving their bachelor's degree so that they can gain experience at all levels of the social work spectrum.
Alternatively, you can enroll in online MSW programs right after your BSW has been completed. Many students pursuing clinical career options choose to move directly into graduate programs as a way to reduce the amount of time spent in educational programs.
Master's Degrees
The online MSW programs provided at institutions throughout the U.S. were designed for both full-time learners and busy adults seeking higher education. Both in-person and online options can be found through searching the CSWE program database, which can be an exceptionally helpful tool when seeking appropriate programs.
MSW programs can often be focused on providing knowledge regarding general social work practice, leadership, or even clinical specialties for those seeking licensing as mental health professionals. Each of these options can prove beneficial when working with individuals involved in the Criminal Justice system.
The Master of Social Work program is typically a 2-year program that includes advanced components in social work and clinical mental health. If you have some work experience in the field, you could locate accelerated programs that reduce the total amount of time spent during the program.
Most accelerated MSW programs take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 years to complete for experienced learners. The difference between accelerated programs and general MSW program is often the internship requirement being absent from the accelerated option.
The MSW program can also differ greatly from the BSW in that it does not contain general education courses. As you can see in the following section, the course work at this level is strictly focused on social work practice for the advanced learner.
Once you have completed the online MSW program, your state may require that you engage in a supervised experience component in the field before receiving your license. There are some states that license MSW holders immediately after graduation, so be sure to check these requirements prior to starting a degree program.
MSW graduates may also have the ability to pursue clinical licensure after a period of 2-3 years of clinical supervised experience. If you are interested in providing mental health care to clients in the Criminal Justice setting, this could be an appropriate specialty license to pursue.
Typical Master’s Coursework to Expect
Choosing to enroll in an online MSW focusing on Criminal Justice can provide you with important insight into how these 2 fields collide for an optimum benefit. In some cases, the curriculum for the MSW program is generalistic in nature, while other degree programs can provide specific application of social work practices to this field.
Some universities may also offer dual degree programs including both Criminal Justice and the Master of Social Work. The courses in these programs include topics related to advanced social work practice and education within the Criminal Justice system.
Courses like the Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice can provide learners with a deeper understanding of the Criminal Justice system and how it has evolved since its implementation. Some of the topics included in this course may include those related to fair treatment, ethic responsibility, and the establishment of rehabilitative services.
Social work specific courses like Advanced Social Work Practice I & II can provide learners with generalized skills in assessment, treatment planning, and follow-up services to clients with a broad range of needs. Students may also participate in a delve into historical to current social work theories used in the field today.
Additional courses related to Criminal Justice practice can include Perspectives on Crime and the Criminal Justice System. Students participating in this course can gather information about the sociological, psychological, and environmental components of criminal behavior, as well as the influence of the Criminal Justice system on repeat behavior.
Each course within the MSW program can provide learners with diverse perspectives on Criminal Justice so that these professionals can provide relevant and required services for people in correctional facilities and those that are repairing their lives after involvement in the Criminal Justice system.
Overview of the Program Area
Social workers can provide members of the public with access to knowledge, services, and advocacy regardless of what type of lifestyle they lead. Criminal Justice Social Work can be an incredibly influential degree major to pursue for social work professionals wanting to make a difference in society.
Degree programs focusing on Criminal Justice Social Work may focus on rehabilitation as a primary means for integrating offenders back into the community successfully. Depending on an individual’s experiences or background, the path to reintegration may look very different than the paths of others.
Students enrolled in social work programs can learn more about what types of support programs are available for use, how to access them, and what benefits these programs can provide to those that use them. A focus on the inner workings of the Criminal Justice system can also provide learners with a more in-depth understanding of criminal laws and the prosecution of offenders.
Unlike correctional workers, social workers in this field can sometimes help their clients even after incarceration. This degree program can prepare you to establish transition plans for those you work work and follow-up to ensure that their sociological needs are being met.
The combination of different specialist aspects in this degree area can create well-rounded professionals prepared to help people involved with the Criminal Justice system find ways to better their own lives and reduce the overall risk of re-offending in those within the system.
What Types of Jobs or Careers?
Criminal Justice Social Work is a specialized career field for social workers interested in changing the lives of individuals involved with this system. The role of the social worker in this area can vary depending on the needs of clients so a generalist set of skills is taught to upcoming learners for maximum client benefit.
If you choose to work in this area, you may be assigned to individuals that are at different stages of the justice process. Some clients may be attending court hearings for criminal behavior while others may be transitioning from prison to the general public.
Correctional institutions can also utilize Criminal Justice Social Workers to help organizing therapeutic services, implement life skills training, and educational programs for inmates currently incarcerated in these facilities. Individualized treatment programs may be developed to ensure that all individuals are provided access to these important services.
In some cases, Criminal Justice Social Workers may also work with victims and their families to assist with finding therapy, support groups, or resources for victims of crime. Having a profound knowledge of both the Criminal Justice system and the social work field can prove beneficial when helping people navigate through it successfully.
Clinical career opportunities for Criminal Justice Social Workers can also prove beneficial when working with individuals that have experienced trauma and are working towards healthier solutions along their path. Each of these career opportunities can provide you with the opportunity to change lives through social work practice.
