What is Social Work?

Sooner or later most people need help with problems that may be affecting their sense of well-being. Professional social workers draw from their own experiences, research, and the social sciences to provide the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to help people.

Is Social Work For You?

Those who seek a career in social work should be willing to commit themselves to a special way of life, as does any professional. A professional is often defined as one who is expected to have a sense of autonomy, a belief in self-regulation, a commitment to service, and a conception of work as a calling rather than a job.

The decisions social workers must make often have profound implications for the life and welfare of their clients. In any given case, they may be responsible for negotiating a course between needs and wants of a client, the organizational needs, and social responsibility of the agency by which they are employed, ethical and legal considerations, and economic and political realities. It thus becomes essential for social workers to...avoid being diverted from their [primary] goal - the well-being of the client. ("Careers in Social Work", National Association of Social Workers, p. 1 and 2)

NASW Code of Ethics:

Professions have traditionally assumed the responsibility of regulating themselves, a philosophy that protects both the consumer of the service and the integrity of the profession. The social work profession, in keeping with this philosophy, [adheres] to an ethics code. (p.2)


This code of ethics encourages social workers to value the following principles: confidentiality, empowering client systems, being accepting and non-judgmental, restraining from victim-blaming, and respecting differences including cultural, ethnic, racial, lifestyle, gender, and ability.

A complete set of the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics is available at the Social Work Office or on line at http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

College Mission:

Mission Statement. "The mission of MacMurray College is to transform students' lives by providing a career-directed liberal arts education, preparing students for personal and professional success and lifelong learning. We educate students to be critical thinkers and effective communicators who are knowledgeable about pivotal ideas and ethical insights that have shaped human civilizations and who can apply this knowledge to contemporary social problems and their chosen fields of study. Inspired and informed by our shared heritage with the Methodist Church, MacMurray College is committed to serving society by graduating professionals to serve as leaders of the next generation and through outreach programming and service."

Vision Statement. "MacMurray College will be a regionally prominent and nationally recognized institution of higher education with particular distinction in the preparation of leaders within education, the professions, business, human services, and public service. MacMurray will be an institutional leader in preserving and adapting the best liberal arts tradition in education to the personal, economic, societal, and global needs of the 21st century."

Core Values Statement. "Our core values are foundational to our mission. These central and enduring values define, inform, and guide the philosophy and practice of the College: Knowledge, Faith, Service."

Social Work Program Mission:

The Social Work Program prepares graduates for beginning professional employment in social service agencies and/or the successful pursuit of graduate social work education. Students are educated to apply the generalist approach and humanitarian values toward the promotion of social and economic justice, the resolution of human problems and the improvement in the quality of life for all people.

The Social Work Program defines the generalist method as: the application of multidimensional theory, skills, and knowledge to assess and intervene in each level of the social system. Generalist social work practice is grounded in the profession’s core values and ethics with an emphasis on human diversity, the ecological systems perspective and changing social conditions. In the course of their studies, students will develop the analytical and interpersonal skills to confront social problems, relieve human suffering and engage in political action.

Accreditation

The Social Work Program of MacMurray College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education. The Program has been continually accredited since 1995. Accreditation ensures that the program of study meets or exceeds the curriculum standards, quality of instruction, faculty qualifications, integrity and level of professional competencies required by the Commission.

Professionalism

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a professional degree. Because students are being prepared for practice involving positions of public trust, high standards of integrity and personal conduct are expected. The standards of professionalism are reflected in students’ interpersonal behavior, inside and outside of the classroom including interactions with instructors, peers and members of the community. Students are expected to be courteous and respectful in their interactions with others.

Social Work Program Goals

To accomplish its mission, the Social Work Program formulated five goals:

1. Prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice with diverse client systems.
2. Provide graduates with a foundation of social work knowledge, skills, values and ethics to serve as a basis for graduate level social work education.
3. Engage in interdepartmental collaborative learning activities that foster integration of liberal arts into the theory and knowledge base of social work graduates.
4. Equip students with the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary for competent practice with various social systems.
5. Prepare graduates for a lifetime of work promoting social justice in a diverse society.

MacMurray Social Work Program Objectives:

To ensure compliance with the objectives outlined in the Curriculum Policy Statement and consistent with the MacMurray Social Work Program Goals, the program has explicated the following objectives:
1. Demonstrate a knowledge of human physical and psychological development across the life span in the context of diverse individual and social environments.
2. Know the history of the social work profession, the development of social institutions and social policy responses to human needs.
3. Understand and apply scientific methods to analyze and amplify the knowledge base and to evaluate professional practice, social services and social policies.
4. Understand and apply the values of social work and the profession's Codes of Ethics in the conduct of professional social work practice.
5. Be able to employ generalist methods and skills in assessment, planning and intervention with diverse client systems.
6. Comprehend the complex issues underlying the conditions of poverty, oppression, social and economic injustice, prejudice and discrimination within the context of individual communities and the larger society.
7. Demonstrate beginning professional competence in providing social work services to rural and small town communities.
8. Demonstrate active involvement in community as knowledgeable informed citizens and skilled social work professionals.
The goals and objectives of the MacMurray Social Work Program support the purpose of social work education as outlined in the CSWE Curriculum Policy Statement.

Graduates of a baccalaureate social work program will be able to:
1. Apply critical thinking skills within the context of profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
2. Practice within the values and ethics of the social work profession and with an understanding of and respect for the positive value of diversity.
3. Demonstrate the professional use of self.
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the strategies of change that advance social and economic justice.
5. Understand the history of the social work profession and its current structures and issues.
6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work to practice with systems of all sizes.
7. Apply knowledge of bio-psycho-social variables that affect individual development and behavior, and use theoretical frameworks to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and social systems (i.e., families, groups, organizations and communities).
8. Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies.
9. Evaluate research studies and apply findings to practice, and, under supervision, to evaluate their own practice interventions and those of other relevant systems.
10. Use communication skills differentially with a variety of client populations, colleagues, and members of the community.
11. Use supervision appropriate to generalist practice.
12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, and under supervision, seek necessary organizational change.

Portfolios

All students graduating from the Social Work Program at MacMurray College complete a portfolio. Portfolios provide evidence of students’ personal and professional growth through the compilation of documents that demonstrate integration of the liberal arts, developing professional competencies, personal and scholarly growth, and commitment to self-directed, lifelong learning. The portfolio consists of learning goals, professional objectives, resume, self-assessments, examples of academic work, records of achievements, and other materials related to your development as a professional. Your portfolio will be individualized to reflect your unique professional journey. The social work faculty will provide you with guidance in the development and maintenance of your portfolio. The Portfolio consists of the following:


• Freshman Year:
  200 word essay stating reasons for wanting to enter the field of Social Work
• Sophomore Year:
  Completion of Cultural Sensitivity exercises
  Research paper in APA Style
• Junior Year:
  Completion of Basic Development Task Exercise
  Completion of Strengths and Soft Spots Exercise
  Individual Assessment
  Group Leadership Assessment
  Family Assessment
• Senior Year:
  Completion of Social History
  Agency Profile
  Evidence Based Practice Paper
  

APPLICATION, ADMISSION, AND RETENTION IN THE SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT:

First Year
A student must meet the following criteria:

1. Admission to MacMurray College
2. Attain an overall GPA of 2.5
3. Letter of recommendation from a non-social work faculty member.
4. Maturity to accept the extra self-discipline to be a social work major (i.e. regular attendance in all classes, academic honesty, and self-examination).
5. Demonstrates effective coping with personal problems (e.g., personal and professional stress, freedom from alcohol and chemical dependency, behaviors that puts others at risk).
6. No illegal or criminal behavior that may preclude professional licensure or certification.
7. Completion of the first entry in the student’s social work portfolio, a 200 word essay stating reasons for wanting to enter the field of Social Work.

Second Year
A student must meet the following criteria:

1. Cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in all classes.
2. Attain at least a "C" in all prerequisite and social work courses and an over all grade point average of 2.5 in all social work courses.
3. Progress toward 50 hours of volunteer service
4. Completion of second year social work portfolio assignments
5. Criteria and portfolio review with social work advisor
6. Continued compliance with the requirements of the first year.
   
Third Year
The student will be reviewed for acceptance into the department by the social work faculty. The review will take place as you are completing SWK 314, Generalist Practice II. You will be expected to verbally address a case provided by faculty in the interview. You will discuss strategies a social worker would use to address the case and any possible ethical issues. The student must also demonstrate readiness to begin field work by satisfactory compliance with all requirements. Additionally, you must also meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of all Social Work Department application materials.
2. Completion of third year social work portfolio assignments.
3. Documentation of 50 hours of volunteer service.
4. Personal interview with Social Work Faculty.
5. Commitment to the principles and standards of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
6. Continued compliance with the requirements of the first and second years.


Fourth Year
You will be reviewed by the agency instructor of your placement agency and social work faculty. Completion of all portfolio assignments with a satisfactory grade. You must also comply with the requirements for the first, second, and third years and with the principles and standards of the NASW Code of Ethics.

Note: Students who are unable to fulfill all of the requirements for each level of acceptance into the Social Work Department may be accepted on a conditional basis. If a student is accepted conditionally, those conditions will be put in writing and reviewed by the student and her or his advisor at the midterm and the end of each semester.

*Any student may be reviewed at any time if she or he is unable to maintain the standards set for his or her class standing.*

Nondiscrimination Policy

MacMurray College and the Social Work Program are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by law.

Life Experience:

Consistent with the policy of MacMurray College, the Social Work Program does not grant academic credit for life experiences.

Requirements to Begin Field Practicum:

INTERVIEW: Student records will be reviewed by the social work faculty prior to an interview. The interview will be conducted by two members of the social work faculty.

COURSE WORK: SWK 203, 225, 226, 304, 312, 314, and 345 must be completed as prerequisites to field placement with a grade of “C” or above. An overall and social work 2.5 grade point average is required.

ETHICS: Commitment to the principle of confidentiality and other provisions consistent with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.

MATURITY: The student must have the level of maturity to accept the extra self-discipline to be a social work major (i.e. regular attendance in all social work classes).

LEGAL HISTORY: Free from conviction of a crime of violence or sales or distribution of controlled substances.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Maintain academic honesty.

DRUG FREE: Free from substance abuse and demonstrate an ability to handle personal problems.

Requirement for Credit:

For each credit hour earned, the student must work 37.5 hours, or a total of 450 hours per semester to receive twelve (12) semester hours of credit. Hours worked includes only work performed within the agency setting and your field seminar. Students are required to complete a total of twelve (12) credit hours of field placement. The amount of hours required reflects the criteria set forth by the Council on Social Work Education.

Agency Selection:

The selection of the field placement is a joint effort between student, faculty, and agency. The process begins with the Application for Fieldwork Position which is completed by the student (Appendix A). The student chooses one - three agencies to interview for the practicum from the book of agency listings in the Social Work Department. If the student has a specific career interest that is not addressed within our present listings, she or he may identify a different agency is long as it meets the Department’s requirements.

The student is responsible for initial agency contact, followed by an interview visit at the agency site. The agency instructor may wish to receive the student’s application for field work prior to the scheduled interviews. After the interview process, the student discusses his/her preferences for placement with the Director of Field Instruction. The Director of Field Instruction will assign each student to an agency based on student preference, acceptance of the student by the agency instructor, and the Director’s judgment as to the site that will provide the best learning environment for the student.

Transfer Students:

First Year:
To be accepted as a pre-social work major, you must write an essay of about 200 words describing your family background, life experiences and reasons for your interest in social work. Instructions for this essay will be provided.

A student will be accepted upon meeting the following criteria:

1. Admission to MacMurray College.
2. Maturity to accept the extra self-discipline to be a social work major (i.e. regular attendance in all classes and self-examination).
3. Demonstrates effective coping with personal problems (e.g., personal and professional stress, freedom from alcohol and chemical dependency, behaviors that puts others at risk).
4. No illegal or criminal behavior that may preclude professional licensure or certification.
5. Academic honesty.
   
• Requirements to Begin Field Practicum: You will be reviewed by two social work faculty who will discuss with you your readiness to begin field practicum. You must have completed Social Work 203, 225, 226, 304, 312, 314 and 345.
  
  Advisement:
  Advisor Responsibilities:
• Assist students in declaring the social work major
• Guide students of the BSW Program through graduation
• Assist students in completing course schedules and registering for courses
• Counsel students regarding their progress in the program including strengths and ares needing improvement
• Assist students in developing their career goals and future educational plans
• Protect the privacy of student’s advising folders

Students declaring a social work pre-major are enrolled in first year courses by a social work faculty member. If you have questions or concerns, your advisor is there to help. You are encouraged to speak frequently with your advisor and to attend all scheduled meetings.

The offices of social work are located in Mac Hall Rooms 10B, 10C, and 10D. The faculty may be contacted by calling the Social Work Program Secretary at 217-479-7097.

Social Work Program Retention:

BSW Program students are expected to uphold the standards of conduct expected by the College, the Social Work Program, and the NASW Code of Ethics. Enrollment in the BSW Program implies the willingness to comply with these standards.

The Director of the Social Work Program and the Director of Field Practicum determine the retention status of BSW students. Academic and personal standards required to remain a BSW student in good standing include but are not limited to:

• Meets and maintains the conditions required for admission/retention as a student at MacMurray College.
• Meets and maintains the conditions established for acceptance into the BSW Program.
• Fully complies with all expectations for corrective actions when deficiencies have been identified and an improvement plan has been specified.
• Fulfills all obligations to the Program, field practicum agency clients, and College (e.g., timely completion of assignments, regular and on-time class attendance and meetings with advisor).
• Establishes and maintains professional, healthy, and collegial relationships with fellow students, faculty members, and field instructors.

Social work faculty meet regularly to discuss student status and progress in the BSW Program. Any student may be reviewed at any time if she or he is unable to maintain the standards set forth for continuation in the BSW Program.

Student Review System:

Purposes:

The Department is committed to helping students maintain the high standards expected in a professional social work course of study. The goals of the Review Committee are to ensure student readiness to help others solve problems, advise students of problems with their conduct or grades, and help students resolve the issues deterring progress toward their goal of helping others.

Need for Review:

If it appears to a member of the social work faculty that a student is not meeting the standards outlined in application, admission, and retention policies located in the Social Work Student Handbook (pgs.12-14) or is having problems that could affect her or his ability to help others the Review Committee will be convened. The Review Committee will consist of two members of the social work faculty, including the Department Chair and, if the student desires, a student advocate selected by the student to review the student’s standing in the Social Work Program. The student will be given a written statement describing the concerns. The student has the opportunity to explain the situation and/or work it out herself or himself. Unless the student is able to explain the situation to the satisfaction of the Review Committee, he or she may be placed on probationary status as a social work major until the difficulties are resolved.

Along with the description of concerns, the student will be given a list of options for remedying the situation and a list of services available. These services may include campus resources, faculty who may be able to help, a tutor, agencies, and/or a student advocate who may be selected by the student. The amount of time the student has to remedy the situation will be negotiated at the time the description of concerns is given.

Second Written Description of Concerns:

If the time has elapsed and/or the student has been unable to remedy the situation, a second and final description of concerns may be given to the student. A written contract will be developed between the Review Committee and the student who received the warning.

Amending the Contract:

If at any point in the process, the student needs to renegotiate or amend the contract, the petition to amend must be in writing. He or she must explain what amendments are desired and why. If two members of the Review Committee deny the petition, the student may ask for a hearing. The student may be accompanied by the peer advocate to the hearing.

Dismissal:

Although it is the intention of the department to retain all majors, if the goals stated in the contract have not been reached within the specified time, the student is subject to dismissal from the social work program. The Review Committee and the student who received the warning shall attend this hearing. An advocate chosen by the student may also attend this meeting. If the student is dismissed, the reasons for dismissal will be put in writing and may be appealed to the Academic Dean within fourteen working days.

Failure to Appear:

Failure to appear at any hearing or meeting in this process is reason for dismissal. The dismissal may be appealed in writing to the Review Committee within five work days of the hearing or meeting date. The decision to dismiss the student may be reversed if the student can show good cause why she or he did not appear.

Petition for Readmission:

Students may reapply in writing to the Social Work Department six months after dismissal, unless another time-frame was specified in writing at the dismissal. The following questions/items must be addressed in the readmission petition:

1. How have the problems cited as reasons for dismissal been remedied?
2. Any documentation that might support the argument such as grades from the most recent semester or a letter of reference.
3. What are the indications that the student is now prepared to help others?


Confidentiality:

A student is entitled to confidentiality from all members of the Review Committee. The limits to confidentiality are that members of Review Committee may speak freely with each other in private. The Social Work Department chair may discuss the proceedings with the Associate Dean and the Dean of the College.

A student’s peer advocate has the right to all information specified in a written agreement between the student who received the description of concerns and the peer advocate. This agreement may be terminated at any time by either the advocate or the student who received the warning.

Student Advocates:

A peer advocate may be selected among social work majors. Students who are selected as peer advocates may decline without giving an explanation. If a student chooses to become an advocate that student's confidentiality is expected. A peer advocate and student may terminate their arrangement at any time at their request of either party. This must be done in writing and a copy given to a faculty member on the Review Committee.

STUDENT RIGHTS:

Statement of Non-discrimination:

The MacMurray College Social Work Program supports the MacMurray College policy of nondiscrimination. The College policy of nondiscrimination reads as follows:

MacMurray College shall not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or irrelevant physical condition in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other College-administered programs.

Sexual Conduct Policy:

The MacMurray College Social Work Program supports the MacMurray College Sexual Conduct Policy found in The Maggie.

Disabilities:

The American with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides protection from discrimination for qualified individuals with disabilities. Students with a disability, who require assistance, should contact Laura Covell, Coordinator of Services for Special Needs Students, 479-7222. Her office is located in the MacMurray Education Complex, Room 206-7.

Right to Appeal:

The faculty intends to help students work out any difficulties so they will be accepted and remain a social work major. Students are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5, a "C" and a social work G.P.A. of 2.5 in all social work prerequisites and courses, be free from chemical dependency, no criminal conviction for violence or drug sales, regular attendance in social work classes, academic honesty, and a commitment to the NASW Code of Ethics. Students must meet and maintain these standards in order to become and remain a social work major. If a student is having difficulty in a course or if a professional issue occurs, the student is notified as soon as possible. The faculty member and student discuss the situation. If a pattern of difficulty with classes or professional issues occurs, the student may speak with her or his advisor about the difficulty. If the issue cannot be resolved, the department chair is involved. The student, faculty member, or chair may initiate involvement whenever a student is having difficulty in a course or a professional issue occurs.

At any step in the process the student may appeal the outcome of the proceedings to the Academic Dean. Students have 14 (fourteen) days to appeal all decisions by the Review Committee.

Rights of a MacMurray College Student:

The rights and responsibilities of a MacMurray College student are written in "The Maggie" issued to each student at the beginning of each school year and obtained through the Student Life Office.

Social Work Department's Cultural Diversity Statement:

The MacMurray College Social Work Department supports the MacMurray College policy of nondiscrimination. The program accepts and the faculty welcomes all qualified people into the program. Diversity including race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, life style choices, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and handicaps enriches all members of the program.