The primary MSW curriculum goal is to prepare students for a professional career in social work. All programs are based on an Advanced Generalist Practice model designed to provide a broad-based set of knowledge, skills, and values necessary for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
The mission of the School of Social Work is to provide accessible, high quality education for generalist practice at the baccalaureate level and advanced generalist practice at the graduate level. We educate students to be ethical, knowledgeable, and versatile practitioners and leaders who value collaboration, social and economic justice, and lifelong Learning.
To fulfill its mission, the MSW Program will work toward the following goals:
| Advanced Concentration Student Learning Outcomes and Practice Behaviors | How Each is Measured |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly. | |
| Practice personal reflection and self-correction in practice with a particular attention to diverse populations | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 658 – Case Presentation |
| 2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice. | |
| Use critical thinking skills to address complex ethical situations and respond appropriately based on the NASW Code of Ethics. | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 641 and 642 |
| 3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. | |
| Demonstrate the ability to communicate professional judgments to others in both verbal and written form. | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 658 – Case Presentation |
| Demonstrate the ability to consider and integrate multiple perspectives into the decision making process, with a particular focus on the situations of diverse | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 641 and 642 |
| 4. Engage diversity and difference in practice. | |
| Seek out situations in an effort to broaden cultural understanding | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 641 and 642 |
| Note when personal biases arise and take initiative to discuss them with a supervisor or instructor | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 643 |
| 5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice. | |
| Actively participate in an effort to promote social and/or economic justice | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 654/655 |
| 6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. | |
| Systematically collect, analyze and report data that informs practice decisions | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 653 – Final Program Evaluation Plan |
| 7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. | |
| Assess multiple conceptual frameworks, choose an appropriate one, and apply it to a practice situation | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 653 - Final Program Evaluation Plan |
| 8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services. | |
| Actively advocate for a policy that is affecting the lives of members of an oppressed or underserved population | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 654/655 |
| 9. Respond to contexts that shape practice. | |
| Demonstrate the ability to utilize scientific and/or technological knowledge to solve problems | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 653 - Final Program Evaluation Plan |
| 10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. | |
| A. Engagement | |
| Demonstrate empathy and other interpersonal practice skills in complex practice situations with diverse clients | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 658 Case Presentation |
| B. Assessment | |
| Demonstrate the ability to select culturally appropriate intervention goals in cooperation with cleints | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 658 Case Presentation |
| C. Intervention | |
| Demonstrate the ability to help clients resolve complex problems while maintaining a focus on cultural humility and cultural competence | Exit Survey Alumni Survey 658 Case Presentation |
| D. Evaluation | |
| Demonstrate the ability to develop a thoroughly researched and well-conceived plan to evaluate one’s practice and or a program | Alumni Survey Comp Exam 653 - Final Program Evaluation Plan |
