Generalist Practice
The School of Social Work educates its BSW students for generalist social work practice, based on the premise that effective practice must address social issues and problems at multiple level by utilizing a variety of theoretical frameworks, incorporating a range of intervention models and techniques, and playing a variety of social work roles. The National Association of Social Workers' definition of social work stresses this point when it describes social work as
"the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or communities enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and creating societal conditions favorable to this goal." (National Association of Social Workers. Model Statute Social Workers License Act. Silver Spring, MD: NASW Press, 1970.)
In order to work effectively toward social justice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice and of social systems, BSW students are prepared to help enhance the social functioning of individuals and families while also being prepared to intervene at group, community, and societal levels. Generalist practitioners need skills at all levels of practice, and BSW students will be prepared to not only function at multiple levels, but to move between them as necessary, and even to practice at multiple levels simultaneously.
By taking ecological and strengths perspectives on practice, students will begin to develop professional views on the complex nature of human issues and social problems, and will acquire skills that will allow them to practice with diverse groups of clients and to utilize a range of approaches suited to client and community needs.
Graphics, Design, and Layout by Carrie Phillips at Spectral Fusion
Copyright© The University of Montana, 2007. All Rights Reserved.