Master of Social Work Mission and Goals
The mission of the Clarke University Social Work Program is to educate students in practice methods, skills, and concepts that advance the empowerment and well-being of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Clarke’s social work program develops mindful, engaged social workers who are prepared to competently serve their communities, responsibility engage in advocacy, and compassionately work for justice. The department is enriched by our commitment to these themes:
- A focus on people’s strengths
- The importance of cultural humility
- The advancement of social and economic justice
- The promotion of the Common Good
Guided by the core values of the social work profession, the mission of Clarke University, and a commitment to the Common Good, the MSW program’s mission is to prepare students for advanced social work practice and professional leadership within diverse integrated health settings.
Derived from the MSW program’s mission and context, the MSW program goals are:
- Provide students with advanced interpersonal and critical thinking skills in order to engage effectively with others in change efforts.
- Ground students in the values and ethics of the social work profession.
- Develop students’ capacities to work effectively within integrated health settings in order to meet the needs of diverse populations in local, rural, urban, national, and global contexts.
- Provide opportunities for students to engage in real world settings that include inter-professional collaboration, and allow students to experience the importance of context in service delivery.
Core Competencies
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities