Social Work Major

Faculty

James Calderone, Professor of Social Work, AB Wilkes University; MSSW University of Wisconsin-Madison; EdD Temple University

Dennis Fisher, Associate Professor of Social Work, BS, MEd Bloomsburg University; MSW Marywood University

Deborah Mills, Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Work; BSW College Misericordia; MSW Temple University

James Siberski, Assistant Professor, BA Wilkes University; MS College Misericordia

Mission

The mission of the social work program is to prepare students for entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Inherent within this mission is a commitment to the development of BSW graduates who are dedicated to improving social, economic, and environmental conditions among diverse populations; and to promoting the Sisters of Mercy values of mercy, service, justice, and hospitality.

Curriculum Policy Statement

The social work program curriculum is organized around the primary goal of preparing competent baccalaureate-level generalist practitioners. It evolved institutionally from the Sisters of Mercy's own call to compassionate service through the ministries of teaching and healing and developed according to those mandates for curricular content established by the Council on Social Work Education. These mandates include a liberal arts perspective, which is also the base for all professional programs in the university, and a professional foundation composed of required social work courses and field practicums designed to provide an integrated learning experience. This experience intends to educate students in the critical areas of social work values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, at-risk populations, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policies and services, social work practice, and research.

Program Goals

The goals of the social work program are:

1. To educate and promote the development of problem-oriented, undergraduate generalist social work practitioners whose knowledge and skills base enables them to assess and address problematic situations among diverse individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
2. To foster students' ability to integrate the institutional and professional ideals of social justice and intervene on behalf of those discriminated against and oppressed.
3. To prepare students for graduate studies and foster commitment to a process of continued professional growth and development.

Program Objectives

Graduates of the BSW program will have sufficient knowledge and skills to:

1. Apply critical thinking skills in their professional practice.
2. Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession as reflected in the NASW Code of Ethics and the historical legacy of social work.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the positive value of human diversity and a knowledge of special populations at-risk of, and/or victims of, discrimination and oppression.
4. Advance social and economic justice through advocacy and social change strategies designed to benefit those populations denied opportunities due to historical, institutional, and social mechanisms of oppression and discrimination.
5. Demonstrate understanding of the history of the social work profession and its impact on current practice and issues.
6. Apply generalist practice knowledge and skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
7. Use evidence-based theoretical frameworks to understand interactions among individuals and between individuals and other social systems, and to recognize the biological, psychological and social factors that influence human behavior and development throughout the life cycle.
8. Analyze and assess the impact of social policy on client systems and service providers, and suggest ways that policy can be influenced.
9. Demonstrate the ability to evaluate research studies, to utilize research findings to effect practice, and to evaluate their own practice interventions.
10. Use communication skills differentially with client populations, colleagues, and members of the community.
11. Use supervision, consultation and other professional development opportunities to enhance practice knowledge and skills.
12. Assess the organizations context of a social service agency, function within the parameters of this context, and advocate for necessary change.
13. Demonstrate the use of professional self including the ability to write clearly, understand verbal and nonverbal communication, accept constructive criticism of performance, and employ various mechanisms to develop self-awareness.
14. Assess and describe the community context of social work practice.
15. Demonstrate understanding of the professional context of social work practice.
16. Utilize a global perspective in understanding the commonality of human needs and the different ways in which these needs are addressed.
17. Demonstrate proficiency in computer applications required for adequate service delivery in agency settings.

Field Instruction

Field instruction is the principle means through which students demonstrate application of knowledge and skills. Offered in a variety of settings in both the public and private sectors, field instruction presents students with a structured educational experience that enables them to integrate classroom information, learn about the structure and operation of social work agencies, and experience actual practice situations. Students receive a minimum of 600 hours of supervised field experience through assignments in both their junior and senior years.

Social work field instruction is limited to social work majors who have successfully completed a specific sequence of courses and have been formally admitted into the social work program. Transportation to and from field placement is the student's responsibility.

Admission

Although students who meet university admission criteria will be admitted into the social work major as first year students for the purpose of academic advising and support, formal program admission does not occur until the end of the second semester of the sophomore year. The following criteria will be used in determining formal admission:

1. Personal interview with a member of the full-time social work faculty;
2. Completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours, including all first year and sophomore social work core courses listed in the university catalog;
3. Attainment of a minimum grade of 2. 00 in SWK 251 Introduction to Social Welfare; SWK 252 Social Welfare Policies and Services, and SWK 285 Communication Skills. In addition, students must have successfully completed SWK 200 Building Multicultural Competence and earned a minimum GPA of 2.50 in SOC 103 Community Services.
4. Attainment of an overall G.P.A. of 2.50 and a minimum of 2.50 in social work core courses;
5. Acceptance of and sensitivity toward diversities among people;
6. Emotional and mental maturity and stability for effective social work practice;
7. Values, ethics, and behaviors consistent with those of social work;
8. A personal statement and narrative response.

Any student not fulfilling the criteria above will be duly notified by the department chair of program probation or dismissal. Students placed on probation will be allowed one semester for grade replacements and/or other corrective actions. Students dismissed from the program will not be readmitted. Specific procedures for admissions can be found in the student handbook and field instruction manual. Excerpts of these policies and procedures can also be requested from the admission's office.

Retention

Continuation in the major requires that students maintain a 2.50 GPA in the social work core and a minimum overall GPA of 2.50.

Transfer Students

Both internal and external transfer students must first interview with the department chair or designee prior to formal admission into the major. The program and its policies will be discussed and an evaluation will be made of transfer credits. Two recommendations from individuals capable of assessing the student's character and potential for the BSW degree are required. Formal program admission occurs after successful completion of one full semester in the major and prior to enrollment in SWK 371 Field Instruction I. Transfer students must also meet all standards expected of incoming first-year students.

Curriculum Options

Considerable flexibility within the major exists to allow students to elect minors in such areas as child welfare services, gerontology, addictions counseling, and psychology.

The social work program is entering its third decade of accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education. Graduates may be eligible for advanced standing in numerous graduate schools of social work throughout the country.