Department Mission
The mission of the Social Work Department at Messiah University is to offer a professional degree with a strong liberal arts foundation that trains graduates for ethical and competent generalist social work practice at the entry level and/or prepares them for graduate study. Guided by the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as well as the Mission and values of Messiah University, the Department integrates principles of the Christian faith with social work values, knowledge, and skill. Therefore, there is a commitment to evidence informed practice, service learning at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels, a commitment to community, a respect for diversity and human rights, and support for the enhancement of social and economic justice for all people.
Department Goals
- To develop competent social workers who critically evaluate, self-reflect and are self-aware of how their Christian faith informs their practice, while performing the duties of their vocation in a professional and ethical manner.
- To develop social workers who engage the world to facilitate change through enhancing community and through actively engaging in issues to address social and economic justice in rural, urban and international settings.
- To develop effective Christian social work leaders in the provision of micro, mezzo and macro programming who value integrity, service and the importance of human relationships in addressing human needs and the issues of the disenfranchised.
- To develop Christian social workers who value empowerment and the strengths perspective in the application of skills and knowledge of generalist social work with systems of all sizes, while ensuring respect for clients regardless of age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.