The mission of the Department of Social Work is to prepare its graduates to engage in competent, ethical generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, valuing diversity and being committed to the pursuit of economic and social justice.  Graduates will identify with the values and mission of the social work profession and recognize the need for ongoing professional development

The goals that serve as an organizing framework for the Social Work Program are derived from its mission and are as follows:

1. To provide a high quality, liberal arts based curriculum that prepares beginning generalist social workers to engage in critical thinking in order to practice effectively with client systems of all sizes within the values and ethics of the social work profession;

2. To prepare students to actively participate in community life by providing them with the knowledge and skills to advocate for social and economic justice;

3. To prepare students to value and affirm diversity in our society and in the world;

4. To promote continuing professional development;

5. To develop an identification with and responsibility to the social work profession.

The objectives of the Social Work Program are drawn from its goals.  Graduates of the Southeast Missouri State University Social Work Program will be able to:

1. Apply critical thinking skills required for competent generalist practice.

2. Practice within the values of the profession and its ethical standards and principles.

3. Incorporate into practice, knowledge and respect for the positive value of human commonalities and differences related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, martial status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice.

5. Demonstrate an understanding 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 biological, social, cultural, psychological, and spiritual development across the life span, and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals, and between individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities

8. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.

9. Evaluate research studies, apply research finding to practice and evaluate their own practice interventions.

10. Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and member of the community.

11. Use supervision and consultation appropriate for generalist practice.

12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.

13. Participate responsibly in professional associations and the community.

14. Engage in continued professional development.

15. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral form.
    

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