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The Social Work Profession

The Profession

Professional social work practice is distinctive from other helping professions in its approach of assisting clients to function optimally within their environments. The person-in-environment approach is central to social work practice. Through this perspective, professional social workers are uniquely trained to help clients maximize the opportunity for change in themselves and/or their situations. The term client encompasses individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Social work is distinctive also for its professional values and ethics, appreciation for human diversity, emphasis on social and economic justice, understanding of social welfare policy and services, and strong foundation in field education.

Its unique approach to problem-solving and interventions is evidenced in direct clinical practice, policy planning and administration; community-level and state-level services; private and public sectors; and teaching, research, and scholarship.

Today, social work professionals assist individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and society in the areas of:

• aging
• child welfare
• children and youth services
• community organization
• criminal justice
• crisis counseling
• disaster assistance
• death and dying / hospice
• domestic violence and victim assistance
• employee assistance programs
• family services
• homelessness and shelters
• hospitals
• juvenile justice
• mental health
• mental retardation / developmental disabilities
• public health
• public welfare
• schools (elementary and secondary)
• substance abuse
• vocational rehabilitation

Within these areas and others, many professional social workers are responsible for:

• administration
• budgets and funding
• management
• policy analysis and planning
• program development
• supervision

Many become advocates for change within the systems in which they function; some rally for political action.

While professional social work practice is far-reaching in its scope, a changing world continues to present new challenges and avenues to make a difference. For example, in health care, community-based services and managed-care are becoming prevalent and require the special skills of social workers. Poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, and the generational transmission of domestic violence are issues facing nearly all practitioners. Technology is advancing methods of service delivery and allowing for the creation of new approaches to the traditional notions of relationships.

There is a wealth of opportunity within the profession and the need for professional social workers is strong.

The Individual

Those who enter the field of social work exhibit a desire to work with people and make a difference. They are dedicated, intelligent, and demonstrate leadership qualities, an appreciation of differences, and a capacity for critical thinking. Individuals pursuing a degree in social work seek a professional, meaningful career that is diverse, dynamic, challenging, and deeply satisfying.

The Educational Training

Specialized Skills Assessment Interviewing Intake/referral Service planning Case management Crisis intervention Service provision Problem solving Program evaluation Community outreach Advocacy Research Networking

The MU School of Social Work provides excellence in social work education through its professional degree programs including its Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Doctor of Philosophy with an emphasis on social policy (PhD). The School’s BSW and MSW programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for professional social work education. The PhD program is a member of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education.

Bachelor of Social Work

The MU BSW degree program prepares graduates for graduate-level education and for immediate entry into direct human service professional positions working with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations in both public and private settings. Our BSW degree is a specialized degree, distinctive among other disciplines as a professional undergraduate program. It includes the Undergraduate Field Practicum, a 6-credit hour component where students learn through actual supervised social work practice, critical for those entering the profession upon graduation. The undergraduate curriculum provides an educational experience that prepares graduates for a diverse range of career choices and pathways.

Master of Social Work

The MU MSW degree program prepares graduates for leadership in advanced social work practice within the areas of Clinical Practice (such as physical health, family and children services, and mental health), or Policy, Planning and Administration (such as management, policy planning, program development, research, and service delivery). Our MSW degree signifies achievement of professional competence in a field of practice. It includes a Graduate Field Practicum consisting of a 3-credit hour component in year-one of the program and a 13-credit hour block placement in year-two, which are tailored to meet individual learning needs. The School also offers its MSW program in southeast and northwest Missouri where access to graduate-level social work education is limited. The graduate curriculum provides an educational experience that is rigorous, comprehensive, and progressive preparing graduates for a range of advanced career opportunities.

Doctor of Philosophy

The MU PhD degree program with its focus on social welfare problem-solving and social policy planning for services administered and/or funded by state government with an interdisciplinary orientation. Our program prepares researchers and scholars trained at the highest level of competence. The PhD program prepares graduates as educators and researchers with knowledge and skills to inform policymaking, program development and evaluation, and research on clinical practice issues. This program builds upon MU’s mission of service to the state as a land-grant university extending it into the 21st century and is in keeping with MU’s stature as a Carnegie Doctoral/Research Extensive institution.

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