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Social Work is the professional activity of helping individuals, families, groups, organizations or communities improve or recover their ability to function successfully in society. The mission of the Bachelor of Social Work Program is to prepare students for entry-level generalist social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in a changing global social environment. It also prepares students for the option of continued study at the graduate level. The Bachelor of Social Work Program provides an integrative foundation of social work knowledge, skills, and values and ethics, guiding and engaging students in critical analysis and exploring best practices, building on client strengths and resiliency in helping to improve client systems.  The Program promotes advocacy for populations at-risk, social and economic justice, and respect for human diversity.   Exploration of self-awareness among each student is part of the Program’s strategies, further promoting effective, professional social work practice.  The Program’s professional curriculum  incorporates the ten core competencies of the Council on Social Work Education Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.    In a context of Christian higher education, the Program encourages students to commit to enter a profession of service to others that inspires hope, strengthens lives and promotes positive change.

The goals of the BSW Program are to prepare students:

1. for entry-level generalist social work practice with diverse populations of  individuals, families, groups, organizations,   and  communities in a changing  global social environment;
2. to advocate for human well-being recognizing the strengths and resiliency of client systems;
3. to understand social problems, formulate, influence, and/or improve social policies and services in diverse political contexts;
4. to utilize critical thinking in understanding and applying appropriate research methodologies, and best practices  for implementing and evaluating program services;
5. for professional, empathetic social work practice, guided by the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation core competencies  and  the Social Work Code of Ethics;
6. for graduate education.

The BSW Program incorporates the Educational Policy Accreditation Standards core competencies of social work practice adopted by the Council on Social Work Education.  The nine competencies are:

Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice

Competency 4: Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

The Social Work student is required to complete the following curriculum:

1. Core Curriculum requirements including SOC 205 ; PSY 201 ; MAT 105  or higher; BIO 103  and one 1 hour laboratory science;
2. Thirteen courses in Social Work
   SWK 099
    ,  SWK 225 ,SWK 312  ,
   SWK 331
    , 
   SWK 332
    ,  SWK 333 , SWK 334 , 
   SWK 422
    , SWK 426 ,
   SWK 433
    ,
   SWK 434
    , SWK 445  , SWK 448  and SWK 450 ;
3. Four interdisciplinary courses MAT 207  or PSY 301 , , PLS 201  or PLS 202 , and
   PSY 423
     
4. Thirty-seven semester hours of electives selected in consultation with an advisor. Nine of the thirty-seven elective hours must be taken in Social Work.
5. Social work students transferring from another Council on Social Work Education accredited program are required to complete the following courses at Mississippi College:
   SWK 331
    ,
   SWK 332
    ,
   SWK 433
    ,
   SWK 434
    ,
   SWK 448
     , and SWK 450  .
   Introduction to Social Work may only be transferred from another institution if a Social Welfare Program component is included in the course.

These courses provide knowledge and experience in social welfare policy and services, human behavior and the social environment, social work practice, and social work research. The social work sequence culminates in the completion of a practicum in a local social service agency. The field experience, constituting a minimum 450 clock hours, offers hands-on practice for social work students in a social work setting. The practicum is the capstone of the social work major.

There is an admission process into the Social Work program. Students may apply after successfully completing SWK 225  and

Minimum requirements for admission to the Social Work program:

1. Completion of at least 75% of core curriculum.
2. Cumulative GPA = 2.5 or higher.
3. Successful completion of SWK 225  and
   SWK 331
     (C or above).
4. Completed application form.
5. Three letters of reference.
6. Admissions interview with Social Work Admissions committee.

The following course sequence is strongly recommended for a beginning freshman. Transfer students and individuals electing a major in Social Work after previously pursuing a different course of study at Mississippi College will be advised, upon review of their academic credentials, on an individual basis. Courses marked with a double asterisk (**) must be taken in the sequence indicated. A grade of C or better is required in all Social Work classes to continue in the program. Additionally, students are required to take the Social Work Licensure Exam during the final semester of the senior year.