We produce social workers who can function competently using the generalist framework with systems of all sizes, and will graduate under graduate and master-level social workers who can apply the generalist perspective to advanced specialized direct practice or administrative practice with systems of all sizes. We evolve social work practitioners who employ critical thinking and logical self-assessment; understanding of professional history; ethical, value-based sensibilities; and scientific and creative processes to engage in competent, value-based social work with diverse clients and client groups in various settings. We are keen to produce social work practitioners who comprehend, based on a broad array of liberal arts concepts and research knowledge, the needs of people (particularly the most vulnerable members of society), who grasp the ways those needs affect people’s behaviors, and who can plan and implement effective practice methodologies to foster productive behaviors and ways of thinking further, mark off practitioners who employ theoretically-sound, evidence-based interventions and communication techniques, which use supervision efficiently to improve their practices, who are prepared to evaluate and refine their methodologies, who are knowledgeable consumers and producers of research, and who are life-long professional learners, leaders and competent organizational citizens, because they understand the historical and contemporary contexts of social work, can develop innovative, humane, consumer-oriented policies and systems, can advocate for marginalized populations, and can build bridges between public entities, private concerns, and various disciplines to improve the well-being and productivity of people, particularly the most neglected members of society.
Our Goals
- Prepare generalist BSW and integrated MSW level practitioners for competent, evidence-informed social work practice with awareness of the systemic and global nature of the environment.
- Provide leadership and service to communities and organizations to improve service delivery to oppressed and at risk populations, promoting social justice for the well-being of all people.
- Contribute to knowledge development and promote lifelong learning within the social work profession.
- Engage in evidence-informed practice within a system’s framework, based on a generalist foundation.
- Engage in leadership as well as service roles and activities in local communities and beyond.
- Understand the impact of oppression on at risk populations in the context of their unique environmental systems.
- Engage in evidence-informed social work practice; conduct competent practice with diverse populations addressing social class, national origin, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, and other issues.
- Understand the integration of multiple factors—micro and macro—in explaining social problems. These factors include clinical practice, community/administrative practice, policy, research, and human behavior/social environment.
- Demonstrate the use of appropriate technological knowledge, and other resources to perform ethical social work practice.
Our Teaching-Learning Sphere
- Taking Professional Responsibility
OBJECTIVE: Students will incorporate the responsibilities and ramifications of being a professional social worker.
OUTCOME: Students will demonstrate responsibility for their actions guided by professional values and ethics as articulated in the IFSW Code of Ethics.
OBJECTIVE: Students will learn to think in organized, creative ways in order to understand human situations and solve problems.
OUTCOME: Students will be proficient in expressing and applying ethical sensibilities, understanding the effects of history on modern events, and thinking critically and creatively about issues affecting clients, client groups, and professional concerns.
- Analyzing Human Development
OBJECTIVE: Students will grasp the nature and course of human growth and will understand theories of assessing the development of systems of all sizes.
OUTCOME: Students will be accurate in analyzing human development using a variety of theoretical frameworks, and will apply this knowledge to systems of all sizes.
- Seeking Tolerance and Justice
OBJECTIVE: Students will develop sensitivity to human needs and feelings that both acknowledges and transcends differences, and will create a more humane society.
OUTCOME: Students will explain, assess, and appreciate human diversity, and will articulate and apply principles of social justice to the complex human experience.
OBJECTIVE: Students will become inquirers and searchers for truth, and will understand the critical role that effective communications play in understanding and intervening in human situations.
OUTCOME: Students will competently employ research, evidence-based interventions, and communication to enhance, evaluate, and refine their practice and to contribute to social work’s knowledge base.
OBJECTIVE: Students will learn how important resources and policies are, and will understand the how people are affected by gaps in resources and policies.
OUTCOME: Students will link people with resources and devise, develop, and advocate for innovative, humane, consumer-driven services and policies.
OBJECTIVE: Students will grasp the importance of professional growth and development, and will appreciate opportunities to learn from others.
OUTCOME: Students will evaluate their professional growth, participate appropriately in supervision, engage in activities beneficial to the profession, and be committed to life-long professional development.
- Honing Direct Practice Expertise
OBJECTIVE: Students in the direct practice concentration will become comfortable with the knowledge and skills necessary to intervene effectively with individuals, families, and groups, particularly those who are vulnerable.
OUTCOME: Applying advanced knowledge and skills of direct practice, direct practice students will analyze, intervene, and evaluate with a high degree of autonomy and proficiency—to improve the well-being of vulnerable populations.