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Home » Master of Science in Social Work » M.S.S.W. Program Mission & Goals


M.S.S.W. Program Mission & Goals

Mission

The mission of the M.S.S.W. program is to educate and train students to be culturally competent and ethically sound social work practitioners. In accordance with social work's ethical code and values, the components emphasized in this education and training include the following areas: sensitivity to the personal, social, economic, and political needs of vulnerable, high-risk populations; client empowerment, advocacy for greater social justice, and challenging the oppression of minority populations; creation and dissemination of knowledge; critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate social work practice; and development of a positive professional identification and appreciation of the professional role.

Goals

At the completion of the M.S.S.W. program students are expected to be able to do the following:

  1. Apply an ecological framework to assess the reciprocally determined interaction of person and environment;

  2. Apply problem-solving skills to address, with clients, personal, interpersonal, economic, and environmental problems within the framework of culturally competent practice;

  3. Engage in practice that empowers clients and client groups while advocating for increased social and economic justice;

  4. Apply the ethics and values of the profession to social work practice with diverse populations;

  5. Develop critical thinking skills and engage in developing the professional self.