Bachelor's of Social Work (BSW)

The School of Social Welfare provides the education and experience necessary for a career in social work. By helping shape students’ capacity for caring, the school prepares social workers to carry out the specific purposes of the profession, to develop human potential, to promote individual well-being, and to bring about a more just society.

Educational Goals

1. The baccalaureate program educates students for generalist practice at the entry level. Students will be able to practice competently, under professional supervision, with a variety of client systems, and at all system levels.

2. The baccalaureate program prepares students for advanced graduate work in social work, as well as for degree programs in other disciplines.

Educational Objectives

Educational objectives flow from the school’s mission and goals. Each objective is linked to course objectives, articulated in each course syllabus, and accomplished through the assignment of readings, papers, and/or projects. Graduates of the BSW program will be able to:

1. Apply critical thinking skills and a critical perspective in the application of appropriate theories and knowledge to practice interventions.
2. Utilize strengths-based social work practice that is consistent with the values and ethical standards of the profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
3. Engage in culturally competent practice with diverse populations in regard to age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, gender, and sexual orientation.
4. Understand the origins and effects of oppression and discrimination as well as multiple social work practice approaches that advance social and economic justice, with particular attention to populations-at-risk.
5. Understand the history of social welfare and the social work profession and be able to apply this understanding to the analysis of new and emerging issues.
6. Engage in generalist practice with systems of all sizes, continuously refining and advancing the quality of their practice as well as that of the larger social work profession.
7. Critically analyze and apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect the development and behavior of systems of all sizes, and use empirically supported theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and social systems, including families groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies, particularly as they relate to inhibiting or advancing social and economic justice, and demonstrate skills for influencing policy.
9. Evaluate research and apply it to practice, and use research skills in the service of both one's own practice and one's agency.
10. Communicate and practice with a diversity of colleagues and community members, as well as client populations.
11. Use supervision and consultation appropriately.
12. Engage in practice within organizations and service delivery systems and participate in necessary organizational and system change.
13. Demonstrate appropriate use of self in social work practice with systems of all sizes.