SWIP Trip

Social Welfare Issues and Policy (SWIP) is a course in which students study contemporary issues and policies that influence the delivery of social services. A required element of the course is a five-day trip to Washington, DC. While in the nation’s capital, students visit the Capitol building and Library of Congress, attend oral arguments at the Supreme Court of the United States, and meet with social work interns in Congress and lobbyists for Councils on Social Work Education (CSWE). Prior to arriving in DC students have scheduled appointments to meet with U.S. senators and representatives on a selected piece of legislation. Students prepare policy briefs that are shared with the policymakers. Through experiential learning, students have the opportunity to advocate for changes in policies that are consistent with social work core values as set forth by the NASW. 

Prerequisite(s): MATH 215; SOCW 212, SOCW 322; PLSC 254 or ECON 213. The course is only available to senior social work majors.