BSW Program Goals and Objectives

BSW Program Mission Statement

The Baccalaureate of Social Work Program (BSW Program) at the University of Saint Francis exists to provide students at the undergraduate level with the academic and experiential knowledge of social work necessary to serve today’s diverse populations and to do so in the spirit of Franciscan values and the values of the profession of social work. The BSW Program also strives to broaden students’ understandings of fundamental human needs within a global and intercultural context through a solid liberal arts base and a strong social work core and to provide students with professional competencies appropriate to assist others in meeting these needs and in promoting social justice. The BSW Program is designed to prepare its graduates to enter the world of professional social work at the entry level as generalist social work practitioners, to pursue graduate studies and to advance the profession through scholarly endeavors.

BSW PROGRAM GOALS

1. Prepare students for competent entry-level generalist social work practice in a variety of human service settings.

2. Help students meet the various social service needs of individuals, groups and communities either within the State of Indiana, other parts of the United States or internationally.

3. Foster understanding about and promote appropriate forms of assistance to vulnerable and diverse populations.

4. Promote values, skills and knowledge for students that promote social justice for all people.

5. Prepare students for competent research and scholarly activity designed to advance the field of professional social work.

6. Prepare students for future graduate studies.

BSW PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The BSW Program at the University of Saint Francis is designed to enable students to:

1. Understand the history and present day status of the social work profession.

2. Identify with and practice in accordance with the purposes, values and ethics of the social work profession.

3. Provide competent and informed generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes including individuals, small groups, families, organizations and communities.

4.  Promote social justice on multiple levels.

5. Apply liberal arts and social work knowledge, and critical thinking skills to policy analysis and formulation and influence the shaping of humane policies that promote human rights.

6. Understand the nature of various oppressive forces that may exist in given cultures and actively pursue social change that promotes social justice.

7. Understand the nature of the various “isms” that serve to disempower people including but not limited to phenomena such as racism, ageism, sexism, classism, ableism and heterosexism.

8. Understand the basics of human growth and development from “womb to tomb” and the impact of socio-environmental, political, economic, geographic, and other forces on human development and behavior. 

9. Apply critical thinking skills in order to examine and address personal prejudices in a manner conducive to competent, professional and just social work practice.

10. Conduct and interpret research that lays the foundation for informed practice and to advocate for the importance of such research within professional arenas.

11. Develop an understanding of the “global community”, inspiring interest in reaching out to the peoples of other nations through internship, volunteerism and service learning.

12. Apply Franciscan values to professional practice, with particular emphasis on reverencing the unique dignity of each person and fostering peace and justice on all levels.

13. Appropriately utilize supervision, consultation, and professional development activities that further competent and skilled practice.

14. Enter graduate studies having been successfully prepared at the undergraduate level in the liberal arts and in social work core curriculum.