THE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM

Social Work is a profession that provides moral, practical, and compassionate leadership in helping people confront and resolve their personal dilemmas.  Social Work focuses on the person in their environment and the BSW education provides training to work effectively with individuals, families, small groups, agencies, and communities.  The curriculum includes a two-semester internship in a social service agency which provides the student with an actual working knowledge of the theories and skills learned in the classroom setting.  BSW graduates are prepared for immediate entry into direct human service professional positions ready to excel in careers in social work and ready for graduate work at the master's degree level.  The BSW program at Middle Tennessee State University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. 

Mission Statement
(adopted 2002)

The Social Work Program will provide a learning environment where students are taught to think critically, be creative, participate actively in their education, and grow as individuals while respecting the rapidly changing and diverse world in which they will live and practice social work.  Class work and special student work experiences must demonstrate how to relate effectively to all types of people and to appreciate how emotional, social, economic, political, and spiritual forces influence the behavior of those we are helping.  We strive to develop competent, ethical professionals with the knowledge, values and skills for effective practice with individuals, families, groups and communities, and who can provide outstanding leadership in the field of social services.

Program Goals
(Adopted 11/14/07)

1. To prepare a diverse student population for generalist social work practice to serve client systems of various sizes and types.  This includes value based direct services to diverse populations at risk to facilitate the reduction of poverty, oppression and discrimination that will promote social and economic justice.
2. To provide a flexible educational program that increases the students understanding of the bio-psycho-social-spiritual variables that affect the person within the environment and the community, which will include the history of social welfare and the social work profession, its policies, structures, and issues.
3. To develop analytical skills and critical thinking that will encourage active participation in the development, evaluation, and improvement of evidence-based social work knowledge and skills through research aimed at disseminating knowledge and advancing social work practice.
4. To prepare graduates to foster their commitment to lifelong learning and development of social work knowledge, values, and skills, with effective supervision, which will empower them and their clients.
5. To experientially assist students in developing self-awareness and their ability to deal effectively with the stressors of social work practice.

Program Objectives
(Adopted 9/19/07)

1. Apply critical thinking and research skills within the context of professional social work practice.
2. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.
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.
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
5. Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and the social welfare institution and their contemporary structures and issues.
6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes.
7. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interaction among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
8. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies that promote social and economic justice.
9. Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.
10. Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities.
11. Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice. 
12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.