Department of Social Work
Program Objectives

Upon completion of the program the student will be able to:


1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.

2. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.

3. Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.

4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of cultural oppression, racial and ethnic discrimination, and economic exploitation.

5. Apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.

6. Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.

7. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes, i.e. individuals, groups (including families), organizations (including communities), and the society.

8. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.

9. Analyze, formulate, and influence local and national social policies.

10. Evaluate research studies, published in traditional and Internet sources, and apply those research findings to practice.

11. Evaluate their own practice interventions with individuals, groups, organizations, and the society.

12. Use oral and written communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities.

13. Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.

14. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems.

15. Deliberately and ethically work to change the organizations and systems in which they practice.

16. Demonstrate an understanding of and skill in using information technologies in social work practice to create, organize, analyze, interpret, communicate, and store/retrieve practice related information.