Social Work (B.S.W)

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: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic and Environmental Justice

Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI)

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 reflect the commitment of the Messiah University Social Work Department to preparing students for entry-level generalist social work practice and graduate school attendance. 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. Students enrolled in the SOWK 360 course and meet the following criteria will be invited to formally apply to the social work major.

1. The student’s cumulative GPA must be at least 2.50
2. The student’s social work major GPA must be at least 2.70.
3. The student must earn at least a 2.3 GPA for all SOWK-designated courses (SOWK 120, SOWK 221, SOWK 250, SOWK 251, SOWK 360, SOWK 361, SOWK 372, SOWK 385, SOWK 420).
4. The student must meet the ethical standard stated in the Social Work Goodness of Fit Policy (located in the Social Work Student Handbook).
5. The student must demonstrate competency and understanding of the CSWE accreditation competency standards.
6. The student must demonstrate competency in APA 7th writing standards.
   
   

Conditional admittance to the Social Work Major

If a student fails to meet requirements #1- #6, the student may be considered for a conditional acceptance status. The student must meet with the Department Chair and Field Director to determine whether the student can adequately address the areas of concern with a sustainable action plan to meet program requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Social Work major can:

1. Understand the profession’s history, its mission, and the roles and responsibilities of the profession.
2. Understand laws and regulations that may impact practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
3. Utilize concepts related to human behavior in engaging with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities
4. Understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and behavior.
5. Recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values when demonstrating ethical and professional behavior.
6. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards.
7. Consistently demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior within Field Practice Setting

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

Three credits from the following:

Note: Semester abroad is advised, but not required.

General Education Requirements