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THE MAJOR
The Social Work
major is a department within the College
of Integrated Science & Technology and the School
of Health and Human Services.
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSSOWK.shtml
Description
of Major:
The Social Work program prepares students to become generalist Social Workers who are committed to strengthening community life for diverse individuals, families and organizations while promoting social justice through advocacy and action. The Social Work Program offers an environment geared toward achieving professional growth and excellence. Graduates are prepared to work with a wide variety of diverse populations including children and families, the elderly, juvenile and adult corrections, and the physically and mentally ill. Social workers also work in a board spectrum of settings such as social services, independent living skills programs, hospices, long-term care communities, and a variety of residential treatment facilities. Additionally, social workers help communities provide or improve services and participate in relevant legislative processes. The program also prepares students for graduate study in social work.
In addition to lecture and class discussion, the social work program utilizes a variety of innovative and experiential approaches to enhance learning. Field trips and volunteer opportunities familiarize students with social work settings. Role playing and videotaping supplies students a medium for developing practice skills. Literature and television specials / films / videos provide a context for the application of theoretical models and perspectives. The department offers minors in Family Studies and Nonprofit Studies, as well as a minor in Gerontology that can lead to a Certificate in Gerontology. The Social Work program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
Social work is a challenging and rewarding profession. It is a career field for those with a strong desire to help people and to make a difference as well as to effect change at the community and societal level to enhance the well-being of all people. Social workers help people function the best in their environment, deal with their relationships, solve personal and family problems and see clients who face a life-threatening illness or social problem. They assist families that have serious domestic conflicts, including those involving children or spousal abuse. These professionals use numerous skills in their involvement with others, such as: interviewing, intake/referral, assessment, problem solving, intervention/service planning, case management, service provision, crisis intervention, community outreach, program development, evaluation, advocacy, research, and networking skills. Social work has similarities to many other human services professions, such as, medicine and nursing, psychology, education, counseling, physical and vocational rehabilitation, and many others. Although there are similarities, social work is distinct in interdisciplinary knowledge base and its focus on the person within an environment system. Social workers recognize that they must understand how other professions operate and what they do, because the core to their success in the field, is collaboration with other professions. Interdisciplinary cooperation and teamwork are major elements that encompass role of social workers, especially in fields such as corrections, education, health, mental health, and social services. Addressing social problems requires the knowledge and perspectives of numerous disciplines, whether the task is as large as revising the nation's welfare system, or as specific as helping one individual or family overcome a social or personal problem.
Tell
me more about specializations in this major.
The Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) is a generalist degree that provides the student with entry-level skills for a variety of human services endeavors. The BSW degree helps students, who want to make a difference in people’s lives, develop skills in helping people reach their potential in their environment. This may be done through direct services or by working to change or improve social conditions.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
The BSW is a generalist degree that will provide entry‑level skills for a wide variety of human service endeavors. Some combinations could include: Africana Studies, Asian Studies, Conflict Analysis & Intervention, Criminal Justice, Family Studies, Gerontology, Health Communication, Latin American Studies, Nonprofit Studies, Nutrition, Political Science, Public Health, Religion, Sociology, Spanish, Special Education - non teaching minor, Substance Abuse Intervention or Women's Studies.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Characteristics include: commitment to increased self?awareness;
willingness to critique one's communication and interviewing
skills; development and practice of intervention techniques
and strategies; identification with values of the profession;
and a desire to help others.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated
with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated
careers that utilize skills and experiences developed
during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some
fields will require graduate study or further training.
The listing below offers examples of possible career
paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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