Social Work

Offered by the Department of Social Work, Anthropology and Sociology
Professors Sidell (chairperson)
Associate Professors Madigan, Mansfield, Purk
Assistant Professors Keller, Molla, Richmond

Mansfield University’s Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at the Baccalaureate level. This national accreditation ensures that the quality of the program merits public confidence and meets the highest scrutiny available in Social Work education.

The mission of the Mansfield University Social Work Program is to provide comprehensive preparation for competent entry-level social work practice and/or graduate study. This program is dedicated to providing an academically challenging curriculum infused with optimum learning opportunities that is grounded in the liberal arts education. The generalist social work model is used to integrate and apply the knowledge, values, and skills of the social work profession and to engage in ethical practice with diverse client systems, including social and economic justice, in a variety of service settings. Within a global context, the Social Work Program is focused on providing a rural perspective, based on the location of Mansfield University.

Social Work Program goals are to:

1. prepare baccalaureate social work graduates with the knowledge, values, and skills for competent, ethical generalist practice with diverse client systems
2. provide an academically challenging curriculum that addresses and models the principles, values and ethics that serve as a foundation for all social work practice
3. prepare graduates who are committed to alleviating social and economic injustice
4. prepare graduates who have a commitment to continued personal and professional development and to provide leadership to the profession, particularly in rural settings
5. contribute to the social work profession through professional development and leadership activities that promote competent social work practice

Objectives of Social Work Program

Graduates of Mansfield University’s Social Work Program will demonstrate an ability to:

1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice (EP 3.0.1 ).
2. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly (EP 3.0.2).
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 (EP 3.0.3).
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice (EP 3.0.4).
5. Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues (EP 3.0.5).
6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all size in both rural and urban settings (EP 3.0.6).
7. 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 (EP 3.0.7).
8. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies (EP 3.0.8).
9. Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions (EP 3.0.9).
10. Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities (EP 3.0.10).
11. Understand the appropriate use of supervision and consultation in social work practice (EP 3.0.11).
12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change (EP 3.0.12).
13. Evaluate their commitment to social work practice and continued personal and professional development to advance the profession (EP 3.2).
    
    Faculty of Mansfield University’s Social Work Program will:
14. Continue to engage in scholarly activities (EP 3.2).
15. Accept leadership roles in professional organizations and in the community (EP 3.2).

Formal admission to the Social Work Program is obtained by applying to the university through the Office of Admissions or completing the appropriate petitions requesting to major in Social Work. Throughout their professional studies, students are expected to demonstrate the required academic and professional performance for continuation in the Social Work Program. First, the student completes three one-hour courses that facilitate an orientation to the profession. Second, prior to enrolling in SWK 3300 or SWK 331 5, the student completes an “Intent to Continue” form that must be approved and signed by the Social Work major’s advisor. Finally, before the major enrolls in their first practice class (SWK 3350, SWK 3351, SWK 3352, or SWK 3353), the student applies for candidacy into the Social Work program. The completed candidacy application is reviewed by the Faculty Evaluation Committee and must be approved before practice courses are taken. The student is evaluated on the candidacy application, the record of grade achievement (evidenced by a cumulative QPA of 2.50 or greater), evidence of professional commitment and participation in the field of Social Work, and the adherence to the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics.

Prior to enrolling in Field Education and Field Seminar (SWK 4452 and SWK 4453), an application for Field Education must be completed by the student and approved by the Faculty Evaluation Committee. The student is evaluated on their record of grade achievement in practice courses (students who have any grade below a C+ in SWK 3350, SWK 3351, SWK 3352 must address the deficits in an interview with the Field Director), evidence of continued professional commitment and participation in the field of Social Work, and evidence of continued commitment to the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics.

Students admitted to the program may not receive credit toward the BSW degree for life experience or previous work experience. Internship credits received in associate degree programs may not be applied towards the BSW Field Education requirements.

BSW program graduates begin their careers in a variety of public and private social service agency settings such as child welfare, mental health, drug and alcohol programs, hospitals, nursing homes, neighborhood centers, and day care centers. Many enter graduate schools of Social Work where they may apply for advanced standing based on the accredited status of this program. Advanced standing allows students to complete an M.S.W. in one calendar year rather than two, if attending classes full-time. Additionally, accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education provides access to licensing examinations in those states that regulate social work practice at the baccalaureate level.