Description
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.
Note:
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. – 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.
Requirements for 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.
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