Social Work: Mission, Goals, and Program Objectives

The mission of the Dana College Social Work Department is to prepare graduates for competent, ethical generalist social work practice that contributes to the advancement of social and economic justice.

The goals of the Dana College Social Work Department flow from the mission statement:

1. To prepare graduates for competent, ethical, generalist social work practice based upon the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession.

2. To prepare graduates who are able to contribute to the development of effective, just service delivery systems, as well as to the advancement of social and economic justice.

3. To prepare graduates for culturally competent, non-discriminatory social work practice that honors differences within an increasingly diverse society in a global context.

The Dana College program objectives flow from the goals, as listed below.

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.

2. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles and practice accordingly.

3. Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.

4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.

5. Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.

6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes.

7. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.

8. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.

9. Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.

10. Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities.

11. Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.

12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.