Mission and Goals

Department of Social Work Mission

The mission of the social work program is to prepare social work practitioners who demonstrate and practice the critical thinking skills, values, ethics, and knowledge delineated by the CSWE guidelines and the NASW Code of Ethics.

BSW Mission Statement

The Department of Social Work draws upon the University of West Florida’s vision, mission and values. The mission of the BSW program is to prepare graduates for effective multi-level assessment, engagement, intervention, and evaluation of multiple systems in many fields of practice. Guided by a diverse faculty, the department is committed to promoting human rights, social and economic justice, and respect for diversity to improve the quality of life for those we serve.

Social Work values and competency-based education practice drive the program's mission. This mission aligns with the profession’s purpose or quest to prevent “conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons locally and globally.” Implied within the mission of the program is student acquisition of knowledge, skills and values necessary to apply critical thinking to practice situations and standards of professional behavior.

MSW Mission Statement

The Mission of the MSW program is to prepare graduates to work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations within medical and behavioral health settings, with a special focus on military populations. Our goal is to develop advanced practitioners who can demonstrate clinical and critical thinking skills necessary to assist clients in a broad range of dilemmas and settings. Guided by a diverse faculty, the department is committed to promoting human rights, social and economic justice, and respect for diversity to improve the lives of the individuals and communities we serve.

Department of Social Work Goals

1. Maintain excellent BSW and MSW programs that provide an educational experience which prepares generalist practitioners at the BSW level and advanced clinical–community social work practitioners at the graduate level who are prepared with an understanding of the profession’s history, purpose and philosophy and committed to the profession and to working with systems of various sizes including individuals, families, and groups.
2. Continue to promote a culturally diverse, student–centered learning environment devoted to the needs and interests of our student body where students can integrate the knowledge, values, ethics and skills of the profession into their practice and to assume positions of leadership.
3. Collaborate with and serve the region, the University, the public, voluntary agencies, and the global community as a resource for current, relevant and quality social work education.
4. Contribute to the development and application of knowledge in social work practice by supporting the teaching, scholarship and community service of the faculty.

BSW Program Goals

The BSW program goals are derived from the Department’s Mission and goals. The Department of Social Work is dedicated to integrating the following program goals throughout the curriculum:

1. Maintain quality BSW programs that provide an educational experience which prepares generalist practitioners at the BSW level who are prepared with an understanding of the profession’s history, purpose and philosophy, and are committed to the profession and to working with systems of various sizes including individuals, families, and groups.
2. Continue to promote a culturally diverse, student-centered learning environment devoted to the needs and interests of our student body where students can integrate the knowledge, values, ethics and skills of the profession into their practice and to assume positions of leadership.
3. Collaborate with and serve the region, the University, the public, voluntary agencies, and the global community as a resource for current, relevant and quality social work education.

Contribute to the development and application of knowledge in social work practice by supporting the teaching, quality scholarship and community service of the faculty.

MSW Program Goals

MSW program objectives are derived from the mission and goals of the Department and the MSW program itself and are consistent with the EPAS. Various curriculum content objectives and field education objectives are developed within the context of these overall objectives and are implemented throughout the program. They link the Department’s mission, and goals with the graduate program’s goals. Specific learning outcomes are linked to these objectives and contain the knowledge and skills a student should demonstrate upon graduation. They include demonstration of the following professional abilities and competencies:

1. Demonstrate the range of skills required to practice competently in an agency setting serving vulnerable and at-risk populations, utilizing person-in-environment and strengths perspectives.
2. Incorporate into practice the use of cultural, psychological, social, biological, and spiritual frameworks.
3. Practice competently at an advanced level in the area of clinical and behavioral Healthcare, building on a generalist practice perspective, combined with a liberal arts foundation, and demonstrate in all settings an understanding of and respect for diversity and for appropriate use of supervision.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical context of the profession and the guiding ethical principles and values of professional practice.
5. Apply ethical decision-making, evidence based knowledge, and critical thinking skills to an understanding of how health and well-being are influenced by families, groups, organizations, communities, and the world-at-large.
6. Utilize practice skills and advocacy strategies to influence policies and programs of social work agencies to benefit the populations served and to work toward improving the lives of individuals and populations-at-risk through access to services and the promotion of social and economic justice.
7. Make use of research methods and knowledge in developing intervention strategies, evaluating practice, and enhancing agency services.

The program’s mission and goals clearly reflect the profession’s purpose and values.