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University of Montana - Missoula

The College of Health Professions and Biomedical Science

BSW Mission, Goals, and Objectives

Mission of The University of Montana School of Social Work

The mission of the School of Social Work at The University of Montana is to effectively engage in activities integral to preparing skilled baccalaureate and master's level social work practitioners, while promoting more just and humane social structures and outcomes within Montana, the United States, and internationally.

Goals of The University of Montana School of Social Work BSW Program

  1. Build on the liberal arts perspective in preparing generalist social work practitioners who possess the requisite ethical, value, knowledge, and skill base for effective practice in changing local, state, tribal, regional, national and global environments.
  2. Develop within students the ability to apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.
  3. Promote informed citizen participation in addressing issues of social and economic justice, particularly when disadvantaged populations are involved
  4. Active participation by faculty in research and scholarly activities related to analyzing and addressing social problems, improved social work practice, and more effective approaches to educational preparation for the field.

Objectives of The University of Montana School of Social Work BSW Program

  1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.
  2. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.
  3. Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to client's age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation.
  4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
  5. Understand and interpret the history of social work practice and its contemporary structures and issues.
  6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes.
  7. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  8. Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.
  9. Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.
  10. Use communication skills differently across client populations, colleagues, and communities.
  11. Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice.
  12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.
  13. Foster understanding of the demands of effective social work practice as differentiated by geographic context: local, state, tribal, regional, national, global.
  14. Respond effectively to the special requirements of addressing and providing social service needs in a changing rural context, with particular emphasis on public welfare and welfare reform and our Native American tribal populations and communities.
  15. Develop skill in fostering community, with an emphasis on building supportive relationships, norms of reciprocity, community solidarity, and effective participation in democratic decision-making and problem-solving.