Social Work Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Social Work Program Mission

The mission of the Social Work program is threefold:

•  To advance social and economic justice by providing a high quality generalist social work education supplemented by active learning experiences both on and off campus to SWK students at ENMU

•  To increase graduation rates of BSW educated social workers

•  To prepare students for LBSW level practice or graduate study (MSW) in generalist social work

Students obtaining a baccalaureate in SWK should be academically capable and show proficiency with specified professional competencies in SWK content areas, basic research, introductory fieldwork, and verbal/written presentation abilities. We seek to prepare students for knowledgeable, competent, culturally and ethnically sensitive generalist Social Work practice serving diverse populations in need and at risk in the very rural settings of the southwestern United States. Students in SWK must demonstrate competence across multiple knowledge and skills areas as defined by CSWE accreditation standards and as specified by Educational Policy guidelines. The comprehensive nature of the undergraduate curriculum is further designed to prepare students for both LBSW level practice and eventual graduate study in generalist social work.

SWK Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Provide students with a curriculum that builds upon any liberal arts perspective to develop students' professional social work knowledge and skills base, critical thinking abilities, and communication effectiveness.

Objectives from Goal 1: To provide students with a curriculum that builds upon a liberal arts perspective to develop students' professional social work knowledge and skills base, critical thinking abilities, and communication effectiveness.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 1.1 - Demonstrate knowledge of the foundations of professional social work (EP 3.0; 2, 6)
• 1.2 - Apply critical thinking skills to social work practice (EP 3.0; 1)
• 1.3 - Use communication skills effectively and differentially with a variety of clients, colleagues, and community members (EP 3.0; 10)

Goal 2: Prepare students for generalist practice in diverse client systems using a strengths and empowerment strategy within a human ecological systems perspective.

Objectives from Goal 2 : To prepare students for generalist practice in diverse client systems using a strengths and empowerment strategy within a human ecological systems perspective.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 2.1 - Apply the knowledge, values, and skills of generalist social work practice to client systems of all sizes using a strengthening strategy & human ecological systems perspective (EP 3.0; 2, 6)
• 2.2 - Apply evidence-based theoretical frameworks to understand individual development and behavior across the lifespan and within the context of reciprocal interactions among individuals, families, groups, and communities (EP 3.0; 7, 9)
• 2.3 - Use supervision and consultation to enhance social work practice (EP 3.0; 11)

Goal 3: Foster student understanding of the history, purposes, and philosophy of the social work profession and the profession's commitment to the development and implementation of social policy to meet the needs of oppressed and at-risk groups.

Objectives from Goal 3: To foster student understanding of the history, purposes, and philosophy of the social work profession and the profession's commitment to the development and implementation of social policy to meet the needs of oppressed and at-risk groups.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 3.1 - Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its relationship to contemporary social policies and issues (EP 3.0; 5)
• 3.2 - Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies to better meet the needs of oppressed and at-risk groups (EP 3.0; 8)

Goal 4: Facilitate the development of a professional social work identity that incorporates the purpose, values, ethics, and mission of the social work profession.

Objectives from Goal 4: To facilitate the development of a professional social work identity that incorporates the purpose, values, ethics, and mission of the social work profession.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 4.1 - Understand the purpose, values, and ethics of the social work profession and apply these standards to generalist practice (EP 3.0; 2)

Goal 5: Prepare students for generalist practice which demonstrates their respect for and knowledge of human diversity and the promotion of social and economic justice.

Objectives from Goal 5: To prepare students for generalist practice which demonstrates their respect for and knowledge of human diversity and the promotion of social and economic justice.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 5.1 - Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to their clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation (EP 3.0, 3)
• 5.2 - Understand the forms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies for advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice (EP 3.0; 4)

Goal 6: Prepare students to use research for guidance and support of professional practice and knowledge building.

Objectives from Goal 6: To prepare students to use research for guidance and support of professional practice and knowledge building.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 6.1 - Evaluate research studies and apply research findings to practice (EP 3.0, 9)
• 6.2 - Evaluate generalist social work practice interventions and outcomes (EP 3.0, 9)
• 6.3 - Demonstrate competence in applying technology to SWK practice & research (EP 3.0, 9)

Goal 7: Prepare students to serve as competent and effective professionals, to provide leadership in the development of service delivery systems, and to serve as a professional social work resources for regional human service agencies and their clients.

Objectives from Goal 7: To prepare students to serve as competent and effective professionals, to provide leadership in the development of service delivery systems, and to serve as a professional social work resource for regional human service agencies and their clients.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 7.1 - Function within the structure of human services organizations and service delivery systems (EP 3.0; 12)
• 7.2 - Advocate for necessary organizational changes on behalf of clients (EP 3.0; 12)

Goal 8: Prepare students for culturally competent practice among the diverse populations and large geographical regions in the rural Southwest.

Objectives from Goal 8: To prepare students for culturally competent practice among the diverse populations and large geographical regions in the rural Southwest.

Upon graduation students will be able to:

• 8.1 - Demonstrate the knowledge, sensitivity, and skills of culturally competent practice with an emphasis on minority, oppressed, and at-risk groups of the Southwest (EP 3.0; 3, 7, 10)
• 8.2 - Understand the needs, challenges, and practice adaptations required for competent social work practice in the rural Southwest (EP 3.0; 3, 7, 10, 12)