The council is the national accrediting body for professional schools of social work. The social work profession is committed to the realization of individual and collective well-being through the advancement of social justice, the provision of effective programs and services, and the enhancement of individual and family development. The primary responsibility of social workers is to the most vulnerable groups and individuals. Social work views differences among people as enriching the quality of life for all and places positive value on varying perspectives provided by race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other characteristics. Social work seeks to enhance opportunities for individuals, especially those who have historically been oppressed, to participate to their maximum in society.
Social work is practiced in a wide variety of settings.
The mission of the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Social Work is to contribute to the advancement of social work practice in its many forms for the purpose of preventing or resolving the most critical social problems. Within this general purpose, the school reaffirms social work's historic commitment to increase social justice and availability of opportunity for underrepresented and oppressed groups. The principal responsibility of the school is the generation, transmission, and application of knowledge that will benefit the state of Hawaii. In addition, it is the school's responsibility to contribute to knowledge for use by the profession as a whole. The BSW program prepares students for beginning level professional social work practice in public welfare agencies, alcohol detoxification centers, corrections, hospitals, day care centers for the elderly, and youth-serving agencies.