Faculty:

• David Droppa, Ph.D., Program Director
• Sarah E. Slates, Ph.D., Field Placement Director

The purpose of social work is to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and society as a whole to enhance or restore personal and social functioning and to create societal conditions which contribute to their maximal personal and social functioning. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The social work program prepares students for entry into the social work profession. It emphasizes generalist social work practices at all systems levels which prepare social workers to function as change agents in a variety of roles including counselor, caseworker, group worker, mental health educator, case manager, manager, and community organizer. The program integrates the knowledge base of the University’s liberal arts curriculum with the knowledge, values, and practice skills unique to the social work profession.

Learning Objectives: Social Work

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior, as measured by ratings of 70% or higher on the final field instructor evaluation for students completing field practicum.
2. Utilize diversity and culturally competent practice with diverse populations, as measured by ratings of 70% or higher on the diversity sections of the field instructor evaluation for students completing field practicum.
3. Demonstrate the ability to advocate for human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice, as measured by grades of 70% or higher on the community service project paper in SSW 332 - Gen.Prac.III: Communities (Social Work) .
4. Demonstrate competency in applying research findings to practice, and carry out an independent research project, as measured by a grade of 70% or higher on the student research project in SSW 400 - Senior Synthesis in Social Work (Social Work) .
5. Demonstrate competency in policy practice, measured by a “somewhat useful” or higher rating by the organizational partner for the student policy project in SSW 310 - Social Policy (Social Work) .
6. Engage with, assess, intervene with, and evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, measured by a score of 70% or higher on the social work competency assessment completed in SSW 400 - Senior Synthesis in Social Work (Social Work)  as part of the capstone assessment.
7. Outline history of the social work profession and integrate current social welfare issues and opportunities, as measured by final grades of 70% or higher in SSW 210 - Social Welfare (Social Work) .
8. Develop and implement resources, programs, and policies to meet human needs, promote social and economic justice, and prevent and alleviate distress, especially for at-risk populations, as measured by a score of 70% or higher on the program proposal completed in SSW 300 - Organizations (Social Work) .
9. Function effectively within organizational structures, with appropriate supervision, as measured by ratings of 70% or higher on the final field instructor evaluation for students completing field practicum.
10. Demonstrate social work leadership capability and skills, as measured by a rating of 70% or higher on the leadership section of the capstone self-assessment completed in SSW 400 - Senior Synthesis in Social Work (Social Work) .

All students must apply for formal admission to the social work program after successful completion of SSW 150 . Transfer students apply during the semester in which they are enrolled in their first Seton Hill social work course. Formal acceptance requires completion of the application form and an essay detailing the student’s understanding of the field of social work and interest in social work as a profession. All students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 for acceptance into the program.

All candidates for the Bachelor of Social Work degree must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements, the capstone assessment requirements, and the required courses for the major.

The capstone assessment includes successful completion of a comprehensive examination, a senior portfolio, and a guided discussion of how the University learning objectives have been integrated with study in the major.

A minimum of 120 credits is required.

Social work majors may elect to master one or more of four specializations. The purpose of specializations is to better prepare students for specific career options and to distinguish themselves when competing for graduate school admission or career. The specializations are:

• Forensic social work
• School social work
• Medical social work
• Behavioral health/addictions social work