Bachelor of Arts in Social Work Program
Millersville's social work baccalaureate program received CSWE accreditation in 1981 and is currently accredited through June 2027.
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Students and faculty discuss what makes our social work program special.
Request More InfoPROGRAM AND THE PROFESSION
In September 1978, the social work program at Millersville State College became the Department of Social Work. Previously, it had been a major course of study for two years within the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. From 1965 to 1976, the program consisted of four sequential courses. It was then expanded because the Pennsylvania Department of Education designated this college to have an institutional mission in the social aspects of human services. Today, the primary mission of the social work program is to prepare students to achieve entry-level professional competence as generalist social work practitioners.
The social work program has been developed within the framework of curriculum content outlined by the Council on Social Work Education Accreditation Standards. The courses are carefully sequenced so that students may build upon previously acquired knowledge and have opportunities to experience the integration of various bodies of knowledge (view sample course schedule (PDF). The general education requirements of Millersville University provide a foundation for social work courses in the major. It is designed to assist students in developing social work values and professional ethics as described in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
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PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT
Affirming the mission of Millersville University, a public, liberal arts institution situated in South Central Pennsylvania, the Baccalaureate Social Work Program educates students to be competent, evidence-informed social work professionals who embrace core social work values; enhance human and community well-being; promote social, economic, and environmental justice; and advance human rights through generalist social work practice. The University and the Program provide a learning environment that prepares students to work in an increasingly diverse society and to meet contemporary social, cultural, economic, political, and global challenges.
“The program taught me how to look at issues and patients on every level and try to assess situations from their perspective. I frequently have to assess how their environment, upbringing and culture have an impact on their decisions and how they are currently living their lives.”
- Emily Dicola | Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
PROGRAM GOALS
To meet the purpose of the social work profession and the mission of Millersville University and the Social Work Baccalaureate program, faculty seek to prepare students/graduates to:
Goal 1: Promote human and community well-being
Goal 2: Advance justice and human rights
Goal 3: Think globally; act locally
CORE COMPETENCIES
Upon completion of the undergraduate Social Work degree, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior.
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice.
- Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice.
- Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice.
- Engage in Policy Practice.
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities.
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Clubs, Internships and Opportunities
Clubs & Organizations
The Alliance for Social Change is an active organization on campus and within the community. Its mission is to connect the educational community to the broader community with needed service. Students have coordinated food and clothing drives, cooked meals for individuals residing in local shelters, hosted a cookie decorating event for area children and organized collection of items needed for domestic and international communities following a natural disaster. In collaboration with the School of Social Work, the Alliance for Social Change coordinates the annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day, where students participate in lobbying at the state capitol.
Internships
The School of Social Work offers international field placements or internships in Cape Town, South Africa; London, England; or Dublin, Ireland, as well as a broad array of internships in social service agencies across south central Pennsylvania.
Opportunities
- Civic engagement, scholarship, field practice, service learning and volunteerism locally, nationally and globally
- Continuing education through ongoing training opportunities offered by the Learning Institute: Global Well-Being and Social Change
- Legislative Education and Advocacy Day—lobby at state capitol
- Departmental honors thesis and faculty/student research
- 3 + 1 program: students can complete their degree in three years and, if they meet the criteria, obtain their MSW in one year post graduation. See page 12 of the handbook for more information.