Academic Programs - MSW
Goals/Objectives
The MSW Program's goal is to prepare graduates with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to engage in empirically supported and culturally competent advanced social work practice—either Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Small Groups or Community Organization and Social Administration—that reflects the social work profession's values, traditions, and philosophy.
The MSW Program has identified a number of specific objectives necessary to attain this goal. We expect graduates of the MSW Program to practice in a manner consistent with social work values and ethics, as expressed in the NASW Code of Ethics.
Specifically, graduates of the MSW Program will be able to:
Demonstrate their knowledge of the history of the social work profession, including the values base of the profession and the NASW Code of Ethics and the history and current status of relevant social welfare policies, laws, and programs
Demonstrate their knowledge of theories of human behavior and development, including how interactions with and among systems of various sizes influence change across the life span
Demonstrate their knowledge of the generalist perspective as applied to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; concentration-specific theories that can be used to develop advanced practice interventions
Demonstrate their knowledge of current research findings and research methods available to inform and to evaluate social work practice
Demonstrate their knowledge of the intrapersonal, interpersonal, community, and societal factors that contribute to risk and the strengths and resources required to ameliorate those risks
Demonstrate their knowledge of how historical and current experiences influence the lives of diverse population groups and communities
Demonstrate their knowledge of changing technological options, opportunities, and challenges
Demonstrate their ability to apply the generalist perspective and to conduct advanced practice with individuals, families, and groups, or organizations and communities, based on concentration-relevant theories and in a manner sensitive and appropriate to diverse populations
Demonstrate their ability to analyze research studies that inform social work practice and to evaluate the effectiveness of practice interventions
Demonstrate their ability to analyze and apply practice theories and methods and make critical judgments about their appropriateness, efficiency, and effectiveness
Demonstrate their ability to advocate, both within organizational settings and society at large, for the rights and inherent dignity of all clients
Demonstrate their ability to assess existing policies in order to inform and influence practice and organizational change
Demonstrate their ability to apply computer skills needed for social work practice in a changing technological environment
Demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively, in both verbal and written forms, with diverse client populations, colleagues, members of other organizations or professions, and members of the community at large
Demonstrate their ability to think critically and reflectively about themselves, their professional role, and their identification with the profession of social work
Demonstrate their ability to identify, critically analyze, and resolve ethical dilemmas through the use of introspection and supervisory consultation
Demonstrate their ability to practice in a manner consistent with social work's historic commitment to diverse and vulnerable populations and to fostering social and economic justice
Demonstrate their ability to recognize the importance of the continuing nature of professional education through involvement in professional organizations; use of professional literature and advanced training; and awareness of local, regional, national, and international current events