Master of Social Work
The MSW Program at Illinois State seeks to prepare advanced family and child welfare practitioners who act as agents of social change who in turn will promote individual and societal well-being.
Goals
The School has identified broad MSW curricula goals. These curricula goals are grounded within a liberal arts foundation to ensure that students' practices are grounded in traditional values and theory and be current with the demands of the changing practice environment. The MSW curricula goals are derived from three sources: (1) the goals of Illinois State University, (2) the goals of the School of Social Work, and (3) the objectives of the MSW Program. In addition, and much more importantly, the MSW curricula goals are consistent with the purpose and structure of Master's level social work education as mandated by CSWE's Curriculum Policy Statement M5.1 through M5.4.5.
Thus, to these ends, the MSW Program at Illinois State will provide classroom and field opportunities that will prepare students to:
- increase students' commitment to working toward social and economic justice and their skills in assisting populations-at-risk.
- develop a strong foundation of the research knowledge and skills common to social science.
- develop skills in critical analysis of research and practice for cultural congruence.
- assist students in building a repertoire of practice paradigms, strategies, and skills.
- augment students' abilities to translate social work values and ethics into practice.
- sensitize students to and foster appreciation of human diversity.
- enhance skills for culturally responsive practice.
- increase awareness of the necessity for lifelong development of professional expertise and service.
Objectives
The MSW curricula objectives are derived from CSWE's Educational Policy (EP) 3.0 (1-12). Thus, at the completion of the MSW Program, all students will be able to demonstrate their abilities to:
- apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice. (EP 3.0.1)
- understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly. (EP 3.0.2)
- practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. (EP 3.0.3)
- understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice. (EP 3.0.4)
- understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues. (EP 3.0.5)
- apply the knowledge and skills of a generalist social work perspective to practice with systems of all sizes. (EP 3.0.6)
- use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities. (EP 3.0.7)
- analyze, formulate, and influence social policies (EP 3.0.8)
- evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluation their own practice interventions. (EP 3.0.9)
- use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities. (EP 3.0.10)
- use supervision and consultation appropriate to advanced practice with children and families. (EP 3.0.11)
- function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change. (EP 3.0.12)
