Mission, Goals & Competencies

Mission of the BSW Program:

The mission of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program at Wichita State University is to prepare students for competent and effective professional entry-level social work practice within a generalist model. The BSW program is grounded in the history of the profession and dedicated to social work values of diversity, ethics and challenging oppression. Students will be prepared to apply evidence-based knowledge and skills to multiple systems to advance human rights and economic, political and social justice. Themes of the program are aimed at:

  • Generalist Practice
  • Professional Identity
  • Values & Ethics
  • Diversity

Goals of the BSW Program:

  1. Prepare students for competent and ethical generalist social work practice with client systems of all sizes.
  2. Prepare generalist practitioners who are committed to lifelong learning in order to effectively promote human rights, social and economic justice, and respect for diversity.
  3. Prepare generalist social workers who apply knowledge of human behavior and are competent in the problem solving process.
  4. Develop practitioners who are able to think critically, evaluate practice and understand practice issues related to economically evolving and culturally conservative contexts.
  5. Educate social work graduates committed to the enhancement of human well-being and to the alleviation of discrimination, poverty and oppression.

BSW Core Competencies

(Core Competencies defined by The Council on Social Work Education)

  1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
  2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
  3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
  4. Engage in Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
  5. Engage in Policy Practice
  6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
  9. Evaluate Practice wtih Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities