Social Work

Professors C. Orzolek-Kronner and J. Kunz (Department Chair); Senior Lecturer M. Young.

Areas of particular teaching interest: Professor Orzolek-Kronner: clinical practice, human behavior, disabilities and women’s issues; Professor Kunz: social welfare, policy, financial education and macro practice. Senior Lecturer Young: research, maternal and child health and family work.

The mission of the Social Work Program at McDaniel College is to prepare students for entry level, culturally sensitive, generalist social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations. Through coursework, field education, and the learning environment we provide, we endeavor to impart to our students the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become competent generalist social work practitioners. The college’s overarching commitment to the liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies, international education, gerontological studies, and service learning provides the ideal context for professional growth and development within a thriving person - environment setting.

The Social Work Department endeavors to have students understand and demonstrate social work’s values and ethics. The Department respects diversity of client populations and lifestyles. The development of an understanding of bio-psycho-socio-cultural components within the person/environment equation is encouraged throughout social work courses. The uniqueness of all students and the growth and development of their professional selves are emphasized within the curriculum, fieldwork and departmental activities.

Upon completion of the social work major, students are capable of asserting leadership in the establishment, provision, and delivery of social services at the local, state, national, and international levels.

The Social Work Department is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. As a result, graduates can move directly into social work positions, are eligible for state licensure, and are also eligible to apply for advanced standing at graduate schools of social work.

The foundation social work courses (SWK 2214, SWK 2217, and SWK 2225), usually taken during the first two years, provide an understanding of theories and dynamics of human behavior, policy development and analysis, and are introduced to helping roles, assessment skills, and intervention techniques.

In their junior year, social work majors take a course on research method and evaluation (SWK 3349) and two courses (SWK 3319 and SWK 3322), each of which includes experiential learning in a social service agency and prepares them for a social work field placement in their senior year.

Before being placed in social service agencies in their junior year, social work majors must have:

A minimum overall GPA of 2.00 for all college courses;
Completed SWK 2214: HBSE Infancy through Adolescence and SWK 2217: SW and Marginalized Populations with a grade of at least C in each (the prerequisite for SWK 3319);
Submitted an application that includes an essay about the applicant’s interest in social work; and
Successfully interviewed with either the Social Work Department Chair or the Social Work Program Director.

In their senior year, social work majors take two social work practice courses (SWK 4409 and SWK 4422), two seminar courses (SWK 4415 and SWK 4416), and two field education courses (SWK 4417 and SWK 4418). To complete the field education courses, students work two days a week under the direct supervision of a social worker. To qualify for field education, social work majors must have:

Completed SWK 3322 (Social Work Practice I) with a grade of at least C (the prerequisite for SWK 4417);
Demonstrated sufficient professional growth and development;
Submitted a field application; and
Successfully interviewed with the Director of Field Education.

To remain in the major, students are expected to maintain satisfactory grades (an overall GPA of 2.0 and a GPA of 2.5 in required social work courses) as well as demonstrate continual professional growth and development.

The Social Work Student Manual contains the social work application, as well as further information about the department, its mission, goals, core competencies, and other information about the major and the social work profession. The Field Education Manual contains more information about the field education component of the major. Both manuals are available from the Department for all prospective and current majors.

Students interested in the social work major should consult with a social work faculty member as early as possible in their academic planning to ensure proper sequencing of courses and eligibility for the field.

Departmental Honors

Students are encouraged to request consideration for departmental honors no later than the beginning of the fall semester of their senior year. Applicants should have a proven record of academic excellence and scholarly promise, including a GPA of 3.5 or higher in required social work courses.

Student selection is made by faculty consensus. In addition to academic performance, other criteria include a consistent demonstration of emotional and interpersonal intelligence (i.e., effective interpersonal communication, coping and adapting ability, high ethical standards) along with a highly developed sense of social responsibility (i.e., social justice and advocacy).

Once selected, students are assigned to work with a sponsoring Social Work faculty member who has some expertise in the student’s areas of interests. Length, time, and type of project varies significantly depending on each student’s professional goals and ability. All projects, however, are required to reflect core social work values. In addition, all approved projects must include fundamental objectives of a liberal arts education including the ability to critically think, demonstrate effective written communication, problem solve, and understand their responsibilities as citizens in a global world.

Programs

Undergraduate Major

Social Work Major

Social Work

Programs

Courses