B.S. in Social Work

Social work is an empowering profession. Individuals who are committed to helping others, and to promoting social and economic justice will find a wide range of meaningful career options in the social work field. For example, some of the settings where social workers are employed include schools, mental health agencies, hospitals and medical clinics, family and children's agencies, criminal justice programs, addictions facilities, women's and youth shelters, nursing homes, community development organizations, and government agencies. Within these various settings, social workers draw on the strengths of individuals, families and communities to help people discover and use their problem-solving capacities. We counsel individuals and families, facilitate therapeutic and educational groups, link people with needed resources and expand opportunities through social advocacy and public policy analysis. Mission The Social Work Department at Niagara University is committed to the creation of a just and compassionate world, where human dignity and cultural diversity are restored, preserved and celebrated, and where social and economic choices and opportunities are fairly distributed among all members of our diverse and interconnected world. Education for social work is accomplished through a curriculum that combines a solid liberal arts perspective with social work foundation courses. Within the social work curriculum, our special concern is for poor and at-risk populations living in our region and beyond. Given this commitment, the mission of the Social Work Department at Niagara University is the preparation of competent generalist social work practitioners capable of empowering practice with diverse client systems of all sizes and types, who act ethically, who think critically, who participate actively within the community, and who are committed to social and economic justice. Consistent with the Vincentian tradition of Niagara University, students and faculty engage in social service and social action activities to benefit at-risk populations and impoverished communities. In addition, social work faculty acts on the mission through the development of knowledge for social work and as social work leaders at university, local, state, and national levels. There are five major themes embedded in the department’s mission statement: 1. competent generalist social work practice; 2. empowerment of poor and at-risk populations; 3. social and economic justice. 4. Service to poor and at-risk communities; and 5. Knowledge development and leadership activities. Focusing on these themes has enabled the faculty to generate 5 program goals and 22 program objectives that help bring the mission alive in the daily experiences of students and faculty. Program Goals Within the liberal arts tradition and following the Missions of Niagara University and the Social Work Program, the program aims to: Prepare competent generalist practitioners who are grounded in liberal arts and who integrate social work knowledge, values and skills with diverse client systems of various sizes and types Prepare graduates with special skills and knowledge to empower populations-at-risk and the poor Provide a foundation for graduates to demonstrate commitment to social and economic justice through active citizenship, social policy activism, and through improving social service delivery systems Provide a foundation for students to demonstrate concern for poor and at-risk populations in service learning and extra-curricular service activities Prepare graduates for employment in entry-level, generalist social work practice and graduate education.