Mission Statement

The purpose of the social work program is to promote the development of the student as an effective social work practitioner. A generalist approach to social work intervention emphasizes a solution-focused problem-solving relationship model and reflects a variable client system focus. The primary objective of the social work program is to prepare students for beginning professional social work practice. Recognizing the diversity of societal and geographic environments present in the region, the program strives to promote the professionalization of social services through quality education and community service. The knowledge base of the program focuses on understanding the transaction between the person and society. Appreciating the values of the profession guides the student in developing appropriate attitudes necessary to the helping relationship. Practice skills result from both classroom and field experience. Development of the student’s self-awareness as an individual and as a social person is a prerequisite to developing skills in the use of the self as an agent of change. A programmed schedule, which outlines the sequence of required courses and elective options, is available and should be reviewed with an advisor from the program.

Degrees Offered

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Associate of Arts – Concentration in Social Services

Learning Outcomes

A student completing the Associate of Arts Concentration in Social Services will be able to:

• Understand the concepts and principles of human behavior in a social environment.
• Identify the system of resources available for social services.
• Apply pre-professional problem-solving skill in a helping relationship.
• Respond to clients in the context of the values and ethics of the social work profession.

The primary goal of the BSW program is to prepare students for beginning professional social work practice. A generalist perspective emphasizes a problem-solving relationship model, reflecting a variable client system focus and includes communities, organizations, small groups, families and individuals.

The successful BSW student will be able to:

• Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
• Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
• Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
• Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
• Engage in research-informed practice and practice- informed research.
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
• Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
• Respond to contexts that shape practice.
• Engage, assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Accreditation

Completion of the baccalaureate curriculum awards graduates the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. The baccalaureate degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Students interested in the BSW program must complete prerequisites and submit a formal application for admission. Although completion of the Associate Degree in Social Services is not required as a prerequisite for admission to the BSW program, the associate degree curriculum serves as a base of pre-professional education for the BSW degree. Programmed scheduling permits the student to earn two degrees in four years, providing unique opportunities for development as a career professional.

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

University of Rio Grande Baccalaureate Social Work Program

LAST COMPLETED ON July 20, 2018

Form AS4 (B) Duplicate and expand as needed.  Provide table(s) to support self -study narrative addressing the accreditation standards below.

This form is used to assist the COA in the evaluation of the program’s compliance with the accreditation standards below:

4.0.2    The program provides summary data and outcomes for the assessment of each of its competencies, identifying the percentage of students achieving the benchmark.

4.0.4   The program uses Form AS 4 (B) and/or AS4 (M) to report assessment outcomes to its constituents and the public on its website and routinely up-dates (minimally every 2 years) these postings

All Council on Social Work Education programs measure and report student learning outcomes.  Students are assessed on their mastery of the competencies that comprise the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education. These competencies are dimensions of social work practice that all social workers are expected to master during their professional training. A measurement benchmark is set by the social work programs for each competency. An assessment score at or above that benchmark is considered by the program to represent mastery of that particular competency. 

LAST COMPLETED ON July 20, 2018

Admission Requirements and Procedures

Admission and Retention

The BSW program maintains selective admission policies and procedures. In addition to general university requirements, candidates for admission are directed to the Program Director for specific details. A minimum “C” grade in all identified coursework, i.e. social work, social and behavioral sciences, liberal arts foundation, is required to progress through the curriculum and for graduation from either the associate degree or baccalaureate program.

Formal admission requirements to the baccalaureate program include:

1. Completion of the Liberal Arts Core Foundation, English and Communication Sequence, and MTH 21404.
2. Completion of the Sophomore-level Field Experience (SWK 28902).
3. A cumulative G.P.A. of 2.50 in foundation and social science coursework, and an overall G.P.A. of 2.25.
4. Submission of a formal application and interview for admission to the professional social work program.

Retention in the baccalaureate social work program is dependent on the student’s satisfactory progress toward completing the degree requirements. The student is expected to acknowledge and acquire the specific values, standards, and ethics of the social work profession. A process of program probation or suspension will be pursued when a candidate demonstrates evidence of deficiency in the curriculum. Notification of due process and appeal rights is outlined in the Student Handbook. Other policies detailing program requirements and protocol are found in the Social Work Student Handbook. Formal and informal counseling session, advisor(s) conferences, developmental coursework, and career advising may address educational and professional concerns.

Coursework

All candidates for the Associate of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Social Work degree are required to complete the General Education Program, which provides a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences. This perspective, enriched with concentrations in the social and behavioral sciences, broadens the understanding of the person-environment context of social work practice. Completion of the Liberal Arts core foundation is required when initiating coursework in either the Human Behavior and Social Environment (HBSE) or Social Welfare Policy and Services (SWPS) sequences. The professional curriculum fosters proficiency and competence in eight foundation areas:

• Social Work Values and Ethics
• Social and Cultural Diversity
• Populations-At-Risk and Social and Economic Justice
• Human Behavior and Social Environment
• Social Welfare Policies and Services
• Social Work Practice
• Research
• Field Practicum

Field Instruction

Planning the series of four required terms of practica requires coordination with and the approval of the Field Placement Coordinator. The determination of the field placement site is the responsibility of the Field Placement Coordinator. Application for field placement requires evidence of auto liability insurance and health insurance. A specific health and immunization screening is required. A course fee is assigned to all practica for professional liability insurance. No student with a deficient academic record will be assigned a field placement. Other policies regulating field instruction are detailed in the Field Practicum Manual.

Baccalaureate candidates are required to complete a sequence of three practice experiences (four terms) in approved agency settings. The series includes:

• SWK 28901-02 Social Work Field Observation and Reporting
• SWK 38901-03 Social Work Practicum
• SWK 48605 Social Work Field Placement A/SWK 48705 Social Work Field Placement B

Planning the series of four required terms of practice requires coordination with and the approval of the Director of Field Placement.

Social Work Licensure (State of Ohio)

Persons using the title of “social worker” or persons performing social work in the State of Ohio must be licensed by the Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board. Candidates for Licensure must have at least a bachelor degree in social work, achieve a passing score on the appropriate ASWB national examination, and submit an application. The Ohio Revised Code requires the Board to make inquiry regarding criminal convictions or previous professional behavior, which may result in misdemeanor charges causing action against a license/certificate. A successful application yields a license to practice social work as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW).

Degree Requirements

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