This site looks much better when viewed in a Web Standards compliant browser. You really should upgrade to a Web Standards compliant browser, it will make your life a little better.

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 human social structures and outcomes within Montana, the United States, and internationally.

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

The mission of The University of Montana School of Social Work BSW Program is to prepare entry level generalist social workers who can practice at multiple levels and assume a variety of social work roles to address social issues and promote social justice.  The program educates students to be ethical, reflective, collaborative, innovative, and culturally competent.  Graduates will engage in lifelong learning, promote the well-being of others, and contribute toward a more just and humane society.

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

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 at local, state, tribal, regional, national, and global levels.

  1. Promote informed citizen participation in addressing issues of social and economic justice, particularly when disadvantaged populations are involved.
  2. Faculty provide service at the local, state, and national levels and conduct 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.

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

Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.

  1. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.
  2. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
  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. Demonstrate understanding of the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.
  5. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes, while exhibiting effective practice in a range of professional social work roles.
  6. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand and apply to practice individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  7. Demonstrate the ability to analyze, formulate, and influence social policies, including understanding the connections between social problems and social policies.
  8. Demonstrate basic research skills of ethical collection and analysis of data, evaluation of research studies, application of research findings to practice, and evaluation of one’s own practice interventions.
  9. Use communication skills differently across client populations, colleagues, organizational settings, and communities.
  10. Use supervision and consultation to promote effective social work practice.
  11. Demonstrate appropriate professional, ethical conduct within practice settings and contribute to positive organizational maintenance, development and change.
  12. Practice the skills of the generalist social worker in rural settings and underserved areas of the Rocky Mountain West.

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

Assume leadership in developing and disseminating social work knowledge; promoting best practices; engaging in public advocacy; responding to changing social, political, and economic conditions; and promoting social justice and the empowerment of poor, oppressed, and underserved populations.

  1. Engage in ongoing professional and programmatic development and renewal through interdisciplinary and inter-professional dialogue; participation in diverse campus, community, regional, national and international teaching, service and research efforts; and creation of opportunities for student participation in the above.
  2. Promote collaboration in teaching, research, and practice by providing consultation to community agencies, partnering in program development, serving on boards, lending expertise to social welfare advocacy organizations, and creating opportunities for community participation in workshops, training, sessions, and other learning opportunities.