MSW Program Mission
College of Health Sciences

The mission of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Program is to prepare graduate level social workers for advanced direct social work practice with children, youth, and families in both urban and rural areas. The Program produces leaders who demonstrate and build upon the knowledge and skills of advanced direct social work practice; who exemplify the values and ethics of the profession; and who are responsive to the need for services which promote social, economic, and political justice for all groups, especially those confronting discrimination and oppression. Thus, the Program works to increase the pool of master’s level social workers by providing a nurturing academic environment for promising students who reflect the diversity of the state, the nation, and the global community. The Master of Social Work Program supports the implementation of the missions of the University, the College of Health Sciences, and the School of Social Work.

Foundation Competencies of the M.S.W. Program are to ensure that graduates:

1. demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
2. engage diversity and difference in person
3. advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice
4. engage in practice-informed research and research informed practice
5. engage in policy practice
6. engage with individuals, family, groups, organizations, and communities
7. assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
8. intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
9. evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

Advance Competencies of the M.S.W. Program are to ensure that graduates:

1. demonstrate ethical and professional behavior with children, youth, and families
2. engage diversity and difference related to work with children, youth, and families
3. advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice focusing on children, youth, and families
4. engage in practice-informed research and research informed practice that applies to children, youth, and families
5. engage in policy practice that connects with children, youth, and families
6. engage with individuals, family, groups, organizations, and communities- specific to children, youth, and families
7. utilize assessment strategies that focus on children, youth, and families
8. apply appropriate intervention strategies when working with children youth and families
9. demonstrate evaluative practices when working with children, youth, and families
10. demonstrate the use of technology for practice and professional development