Educational Goals

Goals:

1. Prepare generalist social workers who are able to integrate the knowledge, values and skills of the social work profession for competent practice in settings with individuals, families, groups, organizations, institutions, and communities.
2. Acculturate students to the profession of social work through the study of its history, purposes, and philosophy.
3. Prepare students to practice ethically with diverse populations and systems of all sizes, to alleviate poverty and oppression and to provide social and economic justice for all citizens.
4. Provide students with content about social contexts of social work practice, the changing nature of those contexts, the behavior found in systems, and the dynamics of change.
5. Prepare students who will demonstrate a commitment to continue life-long learning and professional growth which may include graduate education in social work and other disciplines.

Educational Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Apply critical thinking within the context of professional social work practice.
2. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.
3. Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to a client’s age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
5. Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.
6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes.
7. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals, and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.
9. Evaluate research studies, apply results to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.
10. Use communication skills differentially across client populations, with colleagues, and in communities.
11. Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.
12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, and seek necessary organizational change.