Departmental Mission Statements and Student Learning Goals

Department of Social Work

Social Work Assessment Plan

Mission Statement

The mission of the department of social work is to provide students with an education grounded in the values of the social work profession and the Benedictine traditions of respect, service and justice. The purpose of this program is to develop students' abilities to become competent, ethical leaders of the social work profession.
December, 2000

Goals

1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice
2. Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity
3. Demonstrate the professional use of self
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice
5. Understand the history of the social work profession and its current structures and issues
6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work to practice with systems of all sizes
7. Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual development and behavior, and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and social systems (i.e., families, groups, organizations, and communities)
8. Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies
9. Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice, and, under supervision, to evaluate their practice interventions and those of other relevant systems
10. Use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues and members of the community
11. Use supervision appropriate to generalist practice
12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, and under supervision, seek necessary organizational change
13. Understand the intersection between Benedictine and professional social work values and ethics
14. Apply the principles of social justice from a global perspective
15. Understand oppression within the context of gender bias