MISSION

Consistent with Skidmore College’s mission the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (2008) requirements of the Council on Social Work Education, the Social Work Program’s mission is to prepare students for entry-level professional generalist practice.  It is the program’s vision that its graduates will become leaders through the provision of social work services that promote human rights, and social and economic justice.  The program further holds an expectation that its graduates will contribute to the empowerment of people/groups that experience oppression and discrimination.

GOALS

With the liberal arts as its foundation, BSW graduates are prepared for continuing their formal education in social work or another graduate discipline.  Students are further prepared to engage in entry-level social work practice. As such, it is our goal that by completion of the program, students will be prepared to:

1. Engage   in evidence-based entry-level social work practice with individuals,   families groups, communities and organizations within a multicultural   society (EP 2.1.1, EP 2.1.3, EP 2.1.6, EP 2.1.8, EP 2.1.10). 
2. Practice   according to the principles, values, and ethics that guide the social work   profession (EP 2.1.2, EP 2.1.3).
3. Influence   social policies with the goal of alleviating poverty, oppression, and social   injustice as well as advocating for human rights (EP 2.1.3, EP 2.1.4, EP   2.1.5, EP 2.1.6, EP 2.1.8).
4. Identify   and affect the bio-psycho-social, spiritual, and cultural functioning of   people (EP 2.1.7, EP 2.1.9).
5. Evidence   practice from a culturally-sensitive perspective which recognizes and   appreciates diverse cultures, particularly those that differ from one’s   own (EP2.1.4).