ABOUT OUR ACCREDITATION

The Bachelors Degree in the Social Work (BSW) Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national organization responsible for insuring that Social Work Programs across the country are preparing the most skilled social workers possible.  CSWE is recognized as the sole accrediting body for social work education in this country. Information about CSWE can be found at www.cswe.org. Full accreditation standards and an explanation of requirements related to reaffirmation can be downloaded from http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/2008EPASDescription.aspx.  

PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of the Mansfield University Social Work Program is to prepare baccalaureate social workers in the betterment of society, guided by the knowledge, values and skills of the profession. Consistent with the mission of a small public university grounded in a liberal arts education, we are committed to promoting leadership development through character, scholarship, cultural awareness and service to humanity.  

PROGRAM GOALS

The four Social Work Program goals derived from the mission statement are to:

1. Educate future social workers who will lead the profession in service to their communities (local, regional and beyond).
   
2. Provide an academically challenging curriculum that models the tenets, values and ethics that serve as a foundation for generalist social work practice.
   
3. Promote social justice through critical inquiry. 
   
4. Provide field education that enhances the student's connection between theory and application, and increases awareness of diversity and research-informed practice.
   

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES

The program's curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for generalist practice through the mastery of core competencies, those measurable practice behaviors that are comprised of knowledge, values, and skills. The ten core competencies insure that students will: 

1. Identify as a professional social worker and will conduct themselves accordingly.
   
2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
   
3. Apply critical thinking skills to inform and communicate professional judgments.
   
4. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
   
5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
   
6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
   
7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
   
8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
   
9. Respond to contexts that shape practice.
   
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

PROGRAM ASSESSMENT

The Social Work Program participates in assessment activities that are designed to continually assess and improve the curriculum. The ultimate goal of assessment activities is to enhance the curriculum in order to best produce students who are well prepared to enter the social work profession. This is accomplished through continuous examination of both the explicit and implicit curricula. The explicit curriculum consists of the program's formal educational structure and includes the courses required and their content. Current assessment data for the explicit curriculum can be viewed by clicking on the attached pdf file. The implicit curriculum consists of the educational environment in which the explicit curriculum is offered and learning occurs. It is composed of elements such as the program's commitment to diversity, admissions policies and procedures, academic advisement, retention and termination policies, student involvement, faculty and resources. The implicit curriculum is as important as the explicit curriculum in shaping the professional character and competence of the program's graduates. Current assessment recommendations for the implicit curriculum can be viewed by clicking on the attached pdf file. Questions regarding assessment information may be directed to Dr. Nancy Sidell, BSW Program Director.