School of Social Work

The mission of the MU School of Social Work is to promote leadership for social and economic justice by preparing students for professional excellence and leadership in practice, research, and policy. Within the context of a land grant institution, the mission of the School of Social Work reflects the University of Missouri’s tightly interlocked missions of teaching, research, outreach, and economic development.

In a world of sufficient resources, social and economic justice mandates minimal standards of economic and political equity. This means that no human being should die of hunger; be without access to adequate health care, be without safe and affordable housing or adequate clothing; lack access to employment; or be denied equal opportunity for education. Additionally, all human beings should be protected against violence in any form and discrimination on any basis, including but not limited to age, culture, class, ethnicity, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, and/or sexual orientation. Social workers have a professional, ethical, and moral obligation to use their skills and knowledge to challenge social inequities. Social workers must be leaders in establishing just and caring communities wherein all members possess basic economic, social, and psychological goods.

The MU School of Social Work teaches students to understand and evaluate the gaps between current conditions and a more just and caring society. While the University of Missouri's land grant mission and the School's commitment is to publicly funded and administered entities as a means of addressing the needs of poor and oppressed populations, the MU School of Social Work also recognizes the growing importance of the private sector in this regard. To this end, the School educates BSW, MSW and PhD social work practitioners to facilitate change by empowering individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In addition, the School prepares PhD social workers to establish teaching, research, and professional practices that are grounded in the principles of social and economic justice.