Millersville's social work baccalaureate program first received CSWE accreditation in 1981 and is currently accredited through June 2011.

Social Work Department Mission

Affirming the mission of Millersville University, the Social Work Department provides a learning environment designed to prepare social work practitioners as lifelong learners able to live in an increasingly diverse, multicultural, and technologically complex society. Building on a liberal arts foundation, we seek to develop educated, ethical, productive professional social workers able to meet human needs, enhance human well being, and promote social and economic justice through generalist social work practice and social action.

Social Work Program Goals and Objectives

MU SW Program Goal 1: To help students integrate liberal arts and professional knowledge, values, and skills into competent beginning generalist practice.

MU SW Program Objective: graduating social work majors can:

1. Understand and explain the generalist model of practice and the bio-psycho-social-spiritual theoretical/empirical frameworks underlying this model (B5.7.6, .11)
2. Identify and assess social work-relevant situations (B5.7.1,.6,8);
3. Develop and implement plans for improving the well-being of people, groups, communities, and society (B5.7.6, .7)
4. Empower and enhance the problem solving, coping, and developmental capacities of people (B5.7.6, .7)
5. Link people with systems and systems with people (B5.7.5, .6, .7)
6. Evaluate the effect of intervention efforts (B5.7.1, .9);

MU SW Program Goal 2: To sensitize students to issues of human diversity and populations at risk, and assist them in pursuing equity in professional and institutional relations.

MU SW Program Objectives: graduating social work majors can:

1. Appreciate the contributions made by diverse groups in a heterogeneous society (B5.7.5, .10)
2. Empower oppressed people to use their specific social and cultural resources to enhance their problem solving, coping, and developmental capacities (B5.7.4);

Pursue equity for oppressed people within generalist practice, including attention to institutional policies and procedures. Taking appropriate initial steps in specific situations (B5.7.4, .8, .10).

MU SW Program Goal 3: To prepare students to understand social policy issues and participate in efforts directed toward their resolution.

MU SW Program Objectives: graduating social work majors can:

1. Intervene effectively on behalf of all clients by creating more justice, equity, and responsiveness in service systems (B5.7.2, .4)
2. Identify leverage points and processes available to entry level professionals for promoting effective and humane operations of systems (B5.7.9, .12)
3. Plan how to improve service, resource, and opportunity systems and how to participate actively with others in bringing about change (B5.7.8, .9, .12)

MU SW Program Goal 4: To prepare students to be ethical practitioners.

MU SW Program Objectives: graduating social work majors can:

1. Uphold the standards and ethics of the profession (B5.7.2,.3).
2. Accept responsibility for working with others to improve the quality of life for all people (B5.7.4, .10);
3. Understand the importance of developing their own skills, knowledge, and values (B5.7.3);

MU SW Program Goal 5: To motivate and prepare students for continuing professional development and education.

MU SW Program Objectives: graduating social work majors can:

1. Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice; engage in research with others (B5.7.1);
2. Identify with the developing social work profession (B5.7.3,.5);
3. Find and utilize resources for their own education (B5.7.11).