Mission

The mission of the Social Work Program is to educate undergraduate students for generalist social work practice framed by an understanding of the history, purposes, and philosophy of the profession.

The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts perspective and embraces social work knowledge, skills, and values.

Assessment

Per CSWE mandates, our program annually assesses student performance outcomes with respect to the 2015 EPAS Standards. The results of these assessment efforts are reported here.

Social Work Program Goals

1. To provide a positive educational environment that models social work values, ethics, and ideals, as well as encourages the development of critical thinking skills
2. To provide a curriculum that promotes competent baccalaureate generalist social work practice and is responsive to the changing political, social, cultural, economic and global influences based on current research data and evidence-based practice information.
3. To prepare competent entry-level social work practitioners for generalist practice with diverse client systems of various sizes and types of groups marginalized by social and economic injustice.

Educational Outcomes

Expected educational outcomes of the social work program are consistent with the competency-based standards set forth by the Council on Social Work Education. Outcomes/Competencies (see bold) with related component behaviors are as follows:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

• 1A. Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context
• 1B. Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations
• 1C. Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and electronic communication
• 1D. Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes
• 1E. Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

• 2A. Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
• 2B. Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences
• 2C. Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

• 3A. Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels
• 3B. Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice

Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice

• 4A. Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research
• 4B. Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings
• 4C. Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

• 5A. Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services
• 5B. Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services
• 5C. Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• 6A. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies
• 6B. Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• 7A. Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies
• 7B. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies
• 7C. Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies
• 7D. Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• 8A. Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies
• 8B. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies
• 8C. Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes
• 8D. Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies
• 8E. Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

• 9A. Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes
• 9B. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes
• 9C. Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes
• 9D. Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

More Information

For more information about the Council on Social Work Education access: www.cswe.org