Undergraduate Program: Mission and Goals

Mission, Goals, and Objectives | Accreditation | Admissions and Standards |

Advisement Information | Course Descriptions | Curriculum | Field Instruction |

Mission Statement

The mission of Nazareth College's baccalaureate social work program is to educate students as competent generalist social work practitioners. The social work program teaches the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to promote ethical practice, social change, social justice, the empowerment of oppressed groups, and a respect for diversity.

Goals

The goals of Nazareth College's baccalaureate social work program are to educate and prepare students who are:

capable of integrating knowledge, skills, and values of the profession;
ethical and competent generalist practitioners with diverse populations;
committed to promoting social justice through social change;
candidates for graduate education in social work and related fields.

Objectives

Graduates of Nazareth College's baccalaureate social work program will be able to:

apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice;
practice in a culturally competent manner 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;
demonstrate the professional use of self and practice within the values and ethics of the profession, in accordance with the profession's Code of Ethics;
understand, from a global perspective, the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice;
understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues;
apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work to practice with systems of all sizes;
use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the lifespan and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities;
analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies;
evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice and, under supervision, to evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems;
use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and members of the community;
use supervision and consultation appropriate to generalist practice;
function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and, with consultation, seek necessary organizational change;
demonstrate commitment to ongoing personal-professional development and lifelong learning;
demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement.