Catholic Studies and Social Work Announce New Joint Program

Seton Hall’s Department of Catholic Studies, in conjunction with the Department of Social Work, announced a dual social work and Catholic studies program on September 15 that plans to have its first graduates in 2026.

Director of Catholic Studies Ines Murzaku and Director of the Social Work Program Dawn Apgar are behind this new interdisciplinary joint degree, which aims to provide students with a solid grounding in social justice while integrating faith and embodying the Catholic mission of servant leadership, they said.

According to the program brochure, by combining social work with Catholic studies, which explores Catholic heritage in various disciplines like philosophy and literature, the joint degree hopes to offer students the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded peers. common fundamentals while seeking solutions to societal problems. .

“A lot of students go into social work for a call for services,” Murzaku said. “Many students who pursue Catholic studies are drawn to the faith while students who enter social work are motivated by their social and spiritual beliefs. This program creates opportunities to practice the core Catholic values ​​of serving the poor and marginalized.

The curriculum for this dual degree program includes 18 credits in Catholic Studies and 39 credits in Social Work. Students will take a variety of courses that will explore topics such as the impact of Catholicism in Latin America and the relationship between the human condition and health care while being placed for field training in Catholic social service agencies .

“Through this interdisciplinary program, we use the tools provided by both programs to explore family values, rights and responsibilities, human life and dignity, community, etc. Apgar said. Apgar also said the joint degree in Catholic studies and social work welcomes students of all faiths through the teaching of universal values ​​that create holistic vision through interfaith dialogue.

The double major in social work and Catholic studies would officially welcome its first class starting in the fall 2022 semester. However, freshmen and sophomores could transfer into the program. Students would be advised by the Faculty of Social Work and Catholic Studies. Apgar and Murzaku said the aim of the program would be to provide a greater spirit of humility, compassion for their neighbors and a holistic approach to humanitarian challenges.

Seton Hall’s social work program is accredited by the Council of Social Work Education, which allows students to obtain certification from the state of New Jersey.

Jiaqi Liu can be reached at [email protected].