Social Work Mission, Goals, and Competencies

Consistent with the mission of the University, the Bachelor of Social Work program at Delta State University seeks to prepare students with professional knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work practice by creating an environment that offers value oriented learning that emphasizes self assessment, service to community, self determination, social justice and respect for diversity.

Upon completion of the Social work Program, students should be able to do the following:          

1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
4. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
9. Respond to contexts that shape practice.
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

With the liberal arts and a person and environmental construct as its foundation, BSW graduates are prepared to continue their formal education in social work or engage in entry-level social work practice.  As such, it is our goal that by completion of the program, students will be prepared:

1. To prepare practitioners who engage in evidence-based beginning level generalist practice  with systems of all sizes and diverse populations
2. To prepare practitioners who understand and value human diversity;
3. To prepare practitioners who understand and appreciate the role and value of systematic data collection and analysis in systems of all sizes for the purpose of promoting the goals of the profession of social work;
4. To encourage the development of a strong professional identity and a commitment to the values and ethics of the social work profession in future practitioners;
5. To prepare students to understand the dynamics and consequences of social and economic injustice and the importance of alleviating injustice and oppression