BSW
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
Social work has been defined as one of the best suited careers for the future to meet the needs of our complex society and ever changing economic circumstance. Students in our BSW Program will learn knowledge, values, and skills to become a professional entry-level generalist social worker for the 21st century.
The School of Social Work offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with a major in Social Work. The BSW Program began in the Fall 2008 and is currently the only public institution of higher education in Oregon that offers this degree. We were accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in June, 2011. We are accredited until June, 2015. Our Program prepares undergraduates to become professional entry-level generalist social workers to work in a wide variety of community based, human services organizations in both the public and private sectors. Graduates will be able to work in a variety of settings and areas including but not limited to the following: mental health, homeless shelters, child welfare children's programs, health care, schools, substance abuse, corrections, juvenile justice, assistance to the poor, aging, immigration, family violence, etc.
Learn more about BSW Admissions and program requirements.
Our Mission Statement
The BSW Program emphasizes commitment to social justice, equity, and the eradication of poverty. The curriculum prepares professional entry-level generalist social workers to provide competent, value/ethics based, and effective services to people from a wide range of backgrounds. As generalist social workers, students are educated to recognize and utilize strengths in individuals, families, and communities. The Program provides educational opportunities for professional social workers to learn and practice collaborating with groups, organizations, and communities to achieve the mission of social and economic justice, empowerment, and self determination of people and groups in the communities they serve. This mission builds on the tradition and history of Portland State University as an urban public institution within the School of Social Work.
Program Goals
- To provide a statewide program with the goal of preparing generalist social workers who are informed and effective leaders in challenging injustice and promoting social and economic change.
- To prepare social workers to practice with at-risk individuals and families through strengthening the capacities of family and community systems.
- To prepare social workers to assume the role of change agent regarding issues, policies, and community needs that affect individuals and their families and to contribute to the knowledge of the profession.
- To prepare generalist social workers able to work with a diversity of populations, integrating empirically informed practice and consumer voice within an established ethical framework.
- To provide a foundation for advanced graduate study in social work and prepare social workers to be life long learners.
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