Social Work

Faculty: Kircher - Chair, Garrity, Wolfe

Webster Hall Room 320, 417-625-3144

Mission

The Social Work Program will provide a learning environment where students are taught to think critically, be creative, participate actively in their education, and grow as individuals while respecting the rapidly changing and diverse world in which they will live and practice social work. Class work and special student work experiences must demonstrate how to relate effectively to all types of people and to appreciate how emotional, social, economic, political, and spiritual forces influence the behavior of those we are helping. We strive to develop competent, ethical professionals with the knowledge, values and skills for effective practice with individuals, families, groups and communities, and who can provide outstanding leadership in the field of social services.

Why a Career in Social Work?

What Social Workers Do: Professional social workers handle such responsibilities as counseling individuals and families, assisting the homeless in finding places to live, helping those without jobs find educational or training opportunities. They deal with a broad range of social issues that can include child welfare, poverty, aging, social policies and more.

Job Availability: According the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, the increased demand for social workers in Missouri between 2010 and 2020 will range from 12.9 percent to 27 percent, depending on the area of employment.

Prepare for Graduate School: Graduates with a BSW wanting to obtain a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) can potentially apply for Advanced Standing status which reduces the graduate credit hours required for completion of the degree.

Job Satisfaction: Social work is a career that appeals to those who want to improve the world through caring, professional practice. They go home at the end of the day knowing they have helped people. It is a “hands-on” profession.

Purpose of the Profession

Purpose of the social work profession is grounded in core professional values of service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry. These values are consistent with the international affairs mission of the university in terms of producing social workers more sensitive to cultural diversity and committed in their ability to contribute to society as a whole. Historically, southwest Missouri and the surrounding area has been underserved by competent, engaged and ethical leaders at the local level. Additionally, the region is beginning to see an influx of diverse cultures. Thus the mission of the social work department is well matched with the political, economic, social, cultural, and demographic environment of the region and to the purpose of the profession.

Community Practicum

All students are required to complete two courses in field work/practicum equaling 450 hours of professional social work experience with 100 minutes per week of seminar while enrolled in the field practicum courses. These courses are viewed as the ‘capstone’ event for the student-integrating the skills, knowledge and values of the profession within a supervised, practice-based opportunity. Practicum sites are approved by the University. The matching of student, field instructor and practicum site is the responsibility of the Field Education Coordinator with input from the student.

How Do I Enroll?

Any interested student may enroll in the program as a social work applicant, but for full admission to the program a student will need to have completed all their general education courses and an application to the social work department. Typically, students will apply to the program the second semester of their sophomore year but it may occur later, depending on the student’s academic progression timeline.

All students fully admitted to the program must have a minimum of a 2.75 GPA in all coursework. Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.75 GPA to graduate from the program.

Application guidelines for full admission to the program for Fall acceptance will be available by February 1st of the prior Spring semester and the deadline to apply will be March 15. Notification of acceptance or denial will be sent to applicant by April 1st.

For more information please visit: http://www.mssu.edu/academics/arts-sciences/social-work/

“BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE” -Ghandi

For additional information contact:

417-625-3144 •

Programs

Major Programs (Undergraduate)

Social Work Major, BSW, SW01