Social Work Club
Professional Studies

Generalist Practice Defined

The Social Work Program provides a generalist foundation through courses designed to prepare students for entry level social work practice which is commonly call generalist practice. The Social Work Program defines generalist social work practice as “the application of an eclectic knowledge base, professional values, and a wide range of skills to target any size of system for change” (Kirst-Ashman 2001). This approach utilizes a strengths perspective that requires practitioners to intervene differentially and skillfully with client systems of all sizes. In the generalist approach, client system needs and resources are assessed from an ecological-systems perspective which emphasizes the interrelationship between clients and their environment. Furthermore, generalist practice is one in which the social worker, under supervision uses critical thinking skills to engage in a problem solving process that incorporates professional knowledge, values and skills, and is flexible enough to target intervention at systems of various sizes.

Any student electing to major in social work must enroll in Social Work 239 during the sophomore year, to complete course work by the end of the fourth year of study. Upon the completion of all social work and university requirements, the student receives the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The recommended schedule of classes for social work majors is as follows. Please refer to the Social Work Student Handbook for further clarification.

All of the above social work courses are described in the university’s catalog and the Social Work Student Handbook (.pdf).