Fields of practice include services to children, medical, mental health, services for elderly, criminal justice, schools, recreational and character-building programs, community planning and organization, overseas relief and development, public welfare and others. Roles for B.A.-level social workers include case management, supportive counseling and beginning level program development and administrative roles. A generalist approach at the baccalaureate level provides skills enabling graduates to take employment in most fields of social work practice or to go on to graduate study. The program seeks competent students who are concerned about people and social problems, who want to help people and desire to work on improving the social environment in which they live. A strong emphasis is placed on understanding issues of human diversity within our society.
Field work is an important feature of social work education.
The student engages in one semester of in-agency practicum within a broad choice of settings. This provides opportunity for the student to integrate knowledge with practice and demonstrate skills and competencies learned throughout the curriculum. Entrance to the upper-level courses requires a written application into the program and a formal interview with program faculty. Transfer students are asked to submit letters of reference. See the Social Work Program Student Manual for further information.