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MISSION AND GOALS

The mission of the Shepherd University Social Work Program is to prepare competent and effective beginning level professional practitioners who possess the knowledge, values, skills, and ethics necessary to intervene effectively on behalf of clients on micro, mezzo, and macro practice levels. Core to this professional preparation is a liberal arts education that builds a sophisticated basis for generalist based baccalaureate social work education. Additionally, the Program is committed through education and training to the development of knowledge to benefit the practice community in enhancing the social functioning of clients. Furthermore, the Social Work Program is committed to providing leadership and advocacy, through the contributions of students, faculty, and graduates, to improve the social service delivery system serving the community. The Social Work Program at Shepherd University seeks to assist in impacting the social and personal problems that prevent citizens from reaching their goals, and advocate for the diversity of clients served by the profession.

Goal 1. To prepare students for beginning-level generalist social work practice particularly with the oppressed and vulnerable, through the development of the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics base that allows for competent practice and a focus on social justice with individuals and their families, other groups, organizations, and communities.

The course content also is appropriate to the preparation of students for admission to graduate schools of social work offering advanced professional education.

Preparation

• classroom instruction
• audiovisual laboratory experience
• field observation
• field work experience
• community and on-campus workshops
• intensive program of academic and professional advisement

GENERALIST PRACTICE

Generalist Social Work Practice

Generalist practice is the core of undergraduate education. The following components are identified as core concepts upon which practice is based.

• Interactive nature of person-in-environment
• Utilizes supervision
• Applies the values and ethics of the profession
• Demonstrates the conscious use of self
• Exercises a range of methodologies
• Attempts to achieve multiple purposes (e.g. rehab, socialization, education, and social action)

Core Components

1. Problem Solving/Change Process
Engage client system in a working alliance
Affirm strengths as well as recognize challenges
Focus on both problem exploration and solution building Assessment
Consider structural pressures first
Assume individual adequacy
Apply a range of theoretical perspectives Esp., ecological, strengths based, solution focused, and structural approach

2. Intervention
Based on particular circumstances of client systems
Utilizes a range of techniques, strategies, skills e.g. interviewing, contracting, social histories, recording, referrals, development of needed resources
Use of multiple roles (conferee, broker, mediator, advocate)
Facilitation of group interaction with clients, within organizations and communities
Termination and evaluation

Social work students are also encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to further their development as individuals as well as to fulfill their obligations as responsible citizens in a democratic society.