Mission Statement
The MSW program at Eastern prepares students to be competent, advanced social work practitioners who are knowledgeable, skilled, and compassionate representatives of God’s mercy and justice in meeting common human needs with particular attention to vulnerable and oppressed populations and communities.
Student Learning Goals:
1. To prepare competent, advanced social workers for practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
2. To educate students about the values and ethics of the profession and to ethically integrate a Christian perspective embodying empathy, justice, and the dignity and worth of each person.
3. To educate students to use critical analysis and scientific inquiry to develop an advanced practitioner knowledge base and skills.
4. To prepare competent, advanced social workers to pursue lifelong learning, professional leadership, and a life of service.
Indicators for Student Learning Goals:
Goal 1: Foundational Knowledge
1. Utilize conceptual frameworks to guide assessment, intervention, and evaluation in practice (EPAS 2.1.7).
2. Apply knowledge of social work practice and methods to engage, assess, intervene with, and evaluate diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (EPAS 2.1.9 and 2.1.10).
Goal 2: Ethics and Justice from a Christian Perspective
1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the NASW Code of Ethics and its implications for the life of a professional social worker (EPAS 2.1.2)
2. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the identity, values, and professional conduct of the Social Work Profession (EPAS 2.1.1).
3. Integrate a Christian perspective of empathy, justice, and the dignity and worth of every person in all practice areas: micro, mezzo, and macro (EPAS 2.1.4 and 2.1.5).
Goal 3: Critical Analysis and Scientific Inquiry
1. Evaluate practice models using evidence and research findings to improve practice, policy, and service delivery (EPAS 2.1.3 and 2.1.8).
2. Use scientific inquiry to engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research (EPAS 2.1.6).
Goal 4: Lifelong Learning, Professional Leadership, Commitment to Service
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning (EPAS 2.1.6)
2. Synthesize knowledge gained in classroom and field into professional leadership and commitment to service that advances human rights and social/economic justice (EPAS 2.1.5).
CSWE (2022) Core Competencies
Graduates of the MSW program will:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage in Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
- Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities