Mission Statement
The CSWE Curriculum Policy Statement notes, the “purpose of social work education is to prepare competent and effective social work professionals, to develop social work knowledge, and to provide leadership in the development of service delivery systems. Social work education is grounded in the profession’s history, purposes, and philosophy and is based on a body of knowledge, values, and skills. (CPS, p.4.). The UCF School of Social Work recognizes this purpose through its curricula and is committed to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and the promotion of competent, ethical social work practice. To this end, the Social Work program is guided by five principles:
- All people deserve to be treated in a manner that recognizes individuality, dignity and self-worth.
- Social workers provide moral, passionate and practical leadership in advocating for social and economic justice, in particular for the least powerful members of society.
- Social workers, as citizens of a global village, recognize and appreciate that cultural diversity enriches us all.
- Social work practice in the 21st century will require a mastery of theory and interventions that will impact the form and process of professional relationships.
- Scientific inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge are integral forms of energy for the human spirit.
The mission of the B.S.W. degree program is to prepare students for generalist social work practice within diverse human service organizations. The undergraduate social work prepares baccalaureate level students for entry level positions within diverse human service organizations such as hospitals, schools, correctional settings, public welfare, schools, child placement organizations, community centers and counseling agencies, etc.
The BSW curriculum, nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, aims to graduate social work generalists who have the abilities to:
- Assess people’s needs and the socio-environmental resources (support systems), which can meet these needs
- Directly provide resources and services, which support and enhance the capabilities of people served
- Obtain needed formal and informal resources and services from others
- Improve social welfare resources and services for those in need
- Plan interventions to advance social and economic justice, to combat inequities (such as poverty, racism, sexism, ageism and homophobia), and to minimize the negative effects of oppression on clients in given case situations
The mission of the M.S.W. program is to prepare students for community-based clinical practice.. The master degree program strives to produce advanced level social workers, skilled in clinical practice with individuals, families and groups, who can resolve client problems and prevent social problems.
Both the BSW and MSW programs seek to prepare students with a desire to prevent and resolve human problems, promote social justice, serve the poor and oppressed, and work to alleviate poverty, oppression and discrimination.
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