Social Work

Bloomsburg University's social work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and has been in existence since 1988. Since then, the program has grown to include nearly 200 pre-majors and majors who are studying to become the next generation of social workers.

The mission of the Social Work Program at Bloomsburg University is to prepare students for baccalaureate level generalist social work practice with a liberal arts foundation and a focus on critical thinking.

Opportunities are provided for the student to gain social work knowledge, values, ethics, and skills to work with client systems of all types and sizes. An emphasis is placed on an appreciation for human diversity and a strong commitment to social and economic justice.   Students are prepared through courses to engage in the social change process through interface with the regional community.

Generalist Social Work Practice

Generalist social work practice involves the problem solving process (problem definition, assessment, interventions, and evaluation of self and practice).  The problem solving process is based on a liberal arts foundation that is integrated into the social work professional core and guided by systems and ecological theories, the social work code of ethics, an appreciation of human diversity, and a commitment to social and economic justice.

A generalist social worker has the ability to intervene in all sizes of client systems with varied practice roles as determined by the practice situation or practice settings.

Program’s Goals and Educational Objectives

• Prepare graduates for competent generalist social work practice with individuals, diverse family types, groups of various sizes, organizations, and communities using a problem solving model and ecological systems theory.
• Enhance the effectiveness of students in generalist social work practice with diverse populations. Prepare students with an understanding of human development and behavior in the social environment that focuses on both human diversity variables and the interrelationships of individuals, family, groups, organizations, and communities for assessment of strengths and needs in practice situations.
• Integrate social work values and ethics throughout the curriculum providing the student with ongoing opportunities for discussion of ethical dilemmas and the development of a conceptual/applied understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Motivate and prepare students for practice with an understanding of the importance of continued self-reflection and professional development throughout their social work career.

Social Work graduates demonstrate the ability to ...

• Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice
• Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly
• 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.
• Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
• Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.
• Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes.
• 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.
• Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.
• Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.
• Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities.
• Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.
• Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.