History
The university’s Department of Social Work began as a
“Concentration” in the fall of 1972 in the Department of
Sociology, with funding from the Southern Regional Education
Board (SREB). In subsequent years, it was recognized as a
reputable, successful course of study and thus received
recognition in a marriage to the Sociology Department. The
name of the new identity was Sociology/Social Welfare
Department.
Application was made, in 1975, to the university’s board of
trustees to grant a social work degree—specifically, a Bachelor
of Social Work (BSW)—and approval was given. Four years
later, the Class of 1979 earned the first degrees. Later,
in 2002, the social work program received accreditation from the
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) retroactive to apply to
the Class of 2001.
Mission
The mission of the Social Work Program at Johnson C. Smith
University is to provide students with a liberal arts and social
work education that prepare them for graduate school or as
competent entry level generalist practitioners to practice with
individuals, families, small groups, organizations and
communities.
Goals
The Social Work Program at Johnson C. Smith University has
four goals.
1. The program seeks to develop and implement an appropriate
curriculum, thereby graduating competent generalist
practitioners who will be able to practice at all systems levels
and who can evaluate their own effectiveness. The graduates will
be effective generalist social work practitioners who can:
1a. integrate liberal arts, professional foundation
courses, and appropriate electives that incorporate new and
changing knowledge and practice skills that prepare
graduates to empower human systems by using critical
thinking skills and effective communication.
1b. respect and apply knowledge and skills required to work
with diverse populations.
1c. understand the global context of social work.
1d. demonstrate awareness of social issues and problems and
commit to working toward economic and social justice.
1e. demonstrate the ability to integrate values and ethics
in their practice.
2. The program seeks to prepare students for graduate
education in social work and other disciplines.
3. The program seeks to share knowledge with students and other
professionals through courses, guest lecturers, workshops, and
conferences.
4. The program seeks to encourage faculty and students to engage
in research and service to advance the cause for social justice
in North Carolina, the United States, and the world.
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