Highlights of the Re-accreditation Self-Study, May 2005

MSW Program Objective

Practice competently in agency settings to serve vulnerable and at-risk populations and communities using psychosocial, strengths, and person-in-environment perspectives and psychological, social, biological, spiritual and cultural frameworks.

Understand the historical context of the social work profession and major social welfare and service provision, and the values and ethical standards that guide professional behavior and social work practice.

Practice competently at an advanced level in an area of concentration that builds upon generalist practice knowledge and skills and a liberal arts foundation, using supervision and consultation appropriately.

Apply critical thinking skills, evidence-based knowledge, and ethical decision-making to the selection and use of theories about human development and behavior across the life span, and to understanding how health and well-being are influenced by families, groups, organizations, communities, and the world-at-large.

Practice in multicultural settings with an understanding and respect for diversity while seeking to alleviate oppression of vulnerable populations and discrimination on the basis of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, class or disability.

Use policy-practiceskills, and change and advocacy strategies, to influenceprograms, organizations, and policies that impact upon populations, services and communities and work toward improving the lives of individuals through access to resources and the promotion of social and economic justice.

Use research knowledge and methods to inform intervention strategies, evaluate services and practice, and enhance the delivery of services.

Begin to assume leadership roles in the profession.

Strengths of the School

The full-time faculty's experience and expertise enable the School to implement a rich curriculum and attain its program objectives.

An excellent part-time faculty complements the full-time faculty and strengthens the School's capacity to offer a wide range of courses and specializations, support and monitor field instruction, maintain relatively small class size, and remain closely linked to the practice community

Support for a culturally diverse learning environment is evident in the high percent of faculty and student of color, women administrators, and content on diversity integrated throughout the curriculum

Commitment to a student-centered program is demonstrated in wide range of supports offered to students while they are in the program and activities to prepare them for their professional careers

Four different plans of study, field work arrangements, and course scheduling are valued by students who are balancing family and work responsibilities with graduate study

Strengths of the Curriculum

Objectives of the programs, curriculum and courses are all linked and are consistent with the Educational Policy Accreditation Standards of the Council  on Social Work Education

The curriculum has a coherent design that is consistently delivered despite the variety of plans of study, programs, offerings, sites, and number of students and faculty

Essential and required professional content is included in foundation and advanced concentration courses – values and ethics, diversity, populations-at risk, social justice, policy and research

Foundation and advancedpractice curricula have clearly delineated organizing frameworks

Field practicum and course content are closely integrated

Advanced practice concentrations (clinical, administration, client-centered management, research) build upon generalist practice and knowledge and skills from the foundation curriculum

Advanced practice concentrations allow for in-depth study and skill development in a practice method and are sufficiently broad to prepare students to practice with a high degree of autonomy irrespective of population, field of practice, or agency setting

Specializations in fields of practice provide an enriched program of study for students who wish to complement advanced study in practice concentrations

2004-2005 GSS Fact Sheet