Program Overview
The Social Work major focuses on developing the skills and competencies to become a professional social worker. The major is intentional about providing a balance of classroom learning with field experience so that graduates will be prepared to work in a wide range of human service agencies or to attend graduate school.
Students who graduate from the social work major will have over 600 hours of field experience with multiple agencies. Social workers are professionals who provide skilled services in fields such as mental health, medical social work, schools, gerontology, family counseling, foster care, adoptions, child welfare, and criminal justice. Additionally, graduates are prepared to work effectively in both public and private organizations.
While in the program students learn the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage, assess, intervene and evaluate individuals, families, organizations and communities. Students develop the competencies to address social and economic justice issues, engage in research informed practice, understand human behavior within an environmental context, practice cultural competency, and to think critically and ethically.
The social work program at Messiah University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and graduates are eligible to apply for advanced standing in many graduate schools of social work in the United States, thereby reducing the number of credits required for the Master’s in Social Work degree. Social work graduates are eligible for licensing or certification in states which license bachelor’s level social workers, including Pennsylvania and many surrounding states.
Major Competencies as Identified by Accreditation Standards (CSWE) and Messiah Social Work Department
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 10: Apply Christian faith development principles to inform and guide professional and ethical practice
Progression criteria and GPA requirements for the Social Work Major
The admissions process and criteria reflects the commitment of the Messiah University Social Work Department to preparing students for entry-level generalist social work practice and graduate school attendance. It is the belief of social work faculty that students in the social work major must understand and demonstrate the qualities that uphold the values and ethics of the social work profession and Messiah University. Students can declare social work as their major and begin taking initial courses in the major. However, students enrolled in SOWK 360 formally apply to the social work major.
Students may progress in the major if they meet the following criteria:
- Earn at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
- Earn at least a 2.7 major GPA.
- Earn a 2.3 grade minimum for all SOWK designated courses.
- Meet ethical, professional, and competency standards and APA writing requirements outlined in the Formal Application for Admission.
If at any time a student falls below these requirements, their status will be reviewed by social work faculty and conditional status may be imposed. Students are expected to notify their advisor within two weeks if this occurs. Student infraction of the community covenant or a violation of the Social Work Code of Ethics may also prompt conditional status or removal from the major.
Conditional admittance to the Social Work Major
Students not meeting all four of the requirements will be considered for conditional status if the committee determines that the areas of concern can be adequately addressed by the student and there is sufficient time for the student to develop a plan to meet program requirements.
Non-admittance to the Social Work Major
Students not meeting all four of the requirements, who may be demonstrating behavior that is incompetent, unethical, or unprofessional, who may be demonstrating behavior that violates department, University, agency, professional or state policy, or where it is determined that the student is unlikely to meet the standards to graduate with a social work degree, may not be admitted to the social work major. Students may reapply in the next semester. Students are not eligible to re-apply to the major more than once during their academic career.
In addition to these criteria, the following conditions apply:
- Any students on academic probation are not able to apply for admission until their GPA is above a 2.0. These students may not schedule any further social work classes until their GPA is above a 2.0.
- Students who have not achieved full admission to the major (i.e. have conditional admission) must be reviewed by the Department Chair and Field Coordinator prior to registering for SOWK 484 Preparation for Field Practice. The faculty must agree to grant an exception to policy in order for the student to proceed into the senior field component of the Department.
The process of applying for formal admission helps students clarify and demonstrate their academic progress and achievement, their values and ethical beliefs and practices as consistent with the social work profession and principles of Christian faith, and their commitment to the practice of social work. During the admission process, students present to the admissions committee a collective account of their experiences, beliefs, and concerns related to their current point in the Department. The committee is then able to assess the students based on the content of the statement as well as the students written communication skills.
To graduate, Social Work majors must earn a 2.5 cumulative GPA, a 2.7 (B-) major GPA, and a 2.3 (C+) requirement for all SOWK designated courses.