About the Baccalaureate Social Work Program
The Baccalaureate Social Work Program at Sacred Heart University has been fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1981, with a commitment to educate undergraduate students for responsible, ethical, and competent entry-level generalist social work practice. Graduates of the program are excellently prepared for:- Beginning level professional social work practice in a broad range of social services;
- Graduate education in social work or related disciplines; and
- Active, informed citizenship - guided by the principles of social justice, equity, and economic opportunity.
Graduates of the BSW Program are eligible to apply for advanced-standing status in graduate schools of social work and therefore may be able to complete the Masters of Social Work degree in one year.
Nondiscrimination Policy
The Baccalaureate Social Work Program conducts all aspects of the educational program without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, ethnic or national origin, class, marital status, family structure, disability, or sexual orientation.
Mission of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program
The Baccalaureate Social Work Program maintains as its primary commitment the preparation of its graduates for competent and effective beginning level generalist social work practice. Emphasis is placed on the provision of a high quality educational experience that prepares graduates to contribute to the development of a society whose institutions provide adequately for the needs of its members. The Program assists in the development of beginning level professionals who are able to understand and analyze the problems of a changing society so they can provide leadership in the creation of social, economic, and political systems within a global context that can justly provide for equality of access to opportunities, services, and resources. The Program places special attention on working with diverse populations to empower and/or advocate on behalf of those most vulnerable, disadvantaged, and discriminated against by the inadequacies and inequities of our social institutional arrangements. Through internalization of the values that guide the profession of social work and through the acquisition of professional knowledge and interactive skills, students are prepared to contribute to the human community by helping individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities achieve their goals, develop their human capabilities, and alleviate poverty, oppression, and other forms of social and economic injustice.
Program Objectives
Objective 1. Prepare graduates to use the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Objective 2. Prepare graduates to use critical thinking skills in professional practice, including but not limited to: deductive and inductive reasoning, analysis of structure and relationships between parts, creative problem-solving, testing theoretical concepts, formulating plans and evaluating their effectiveness.
Objective 3. Prepare graduates who practice without discrimination and who are sensitive to and have an appreciation for human diversity with respect to clients' culture, race, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, disability, family structure, marital status, class, and sexual orientation.
Objective 4. Prepare graduates who are knowledgeable about the social work profession, its values and ethics, its historical development, and its current trends.
Objective 5. Prepare graduates who are identified with the social work profession as indicated by participation in professional associations, NASW membership, accountability for their own behavior, accepting responsibility to uphold and contribute to the values and ethics of the profession, collaborating with colleagues, and demonstrating a commitment to ongoing professional growth and development.
Objective 6. Prepare graduates to use oral and written communication effectively in a variety of contexts with clients, colleagues, and members of the community.
Objective 7. Prepare graduates who possess knowledge of the processes of institutional oppression of populations-at-risk and the strategies for implementing change in order to promote social and economic justice and alleviate poverty.
Objective 8. Prepare graduates to analyze social policies, to identify the impact these have on client systems and services, and to develop plans and strategies for effecting change, where necessary.
Objective 9. Prepare graduates who are knowledgeable about organizational theory, who understand the impact of organizational policies and procedures on clients and service providers, and who are capable of developing plans and recommendations for organizational change to enhance the delivery of services to consumers.
Objective 10. Prepare graduates who are knowledgeable about the biological, socioeconomic, psychological, cultural, spiritual, and political factors that contribute to the uniqueness of individuals in society.
Objective 11. Prepare graduates to employ an ecological framework for understanding and assessing the interchange between the human organism and social systems within its environment.
Objective 12. Prepare graduates to be consumers of research and to conduct ethical research themselves in relation to designing studies, carrying out practice and program evaluation, and using research methods and data analysis techniques to evaluate and enhance their own practice and social service delivery.
Objective 13. Prepare graduates for active engagement in and use of the supervisory relationship and other forms of consultation for professional development as beginning level generalist social work practitioners.
Objective 14. Prepare graduates to utilize all opportunities available for continued professional learning in generalist social work practice.