Mission, Goals and Objectives for Appalchian's MSW Program
Mission Statement of the Master of Social Work Program
 The mission of the Master of Social Work Program is to prepare graduate students to integrate advanced professional knowledge, values, and skills from a generalist social work perspective to practice competently and effectively with systems of all sizes, to assist diverse client systems on issues of social and economic justice, and to provide leadership in the development of service delivery systems. The MSW Program provides an educational experience that prepares masters level social work students to understand and assess the contexts of professional practice and the behavior of individuals, organizations, and communities, and to apply strategies of change that advance social and economic justice. Graduate students are prepared to use critical thinking skills, personal and institutional resources, theoretical frameworks, and research to meet the needs of client systems of various types and sizes. The MSW Program also provides students with innovative advanced knowledge, methods, and skills to work effectively with individuals and families or communities and organizations depending upon the selected concentration. Through scholarly activities and service, members of the MSW faculty contribute to the knowledge base of the profession and enhance social work practice throughout the region and state.
Program Goals
At Appalachian State University, the MSW Program has goals derived from its mission. The eight goals are as follows:
GOAL #1: To provide graduate students with social work education that is grounded in the profession’s history, purposes, and philosophy, and is based on a body of knowledge, values, and skills.
GOAL #2: To provide graduate students with an integrated professional social work foundation curriculum that is grounded in the liberal arts, and an advanced social work curriculum that is built from the professional foundation.
GOAL #3: To prepare graduates who can function with a high degree of autonomy and effectiveness within diverse social work settings.
GOAL #4: To prepare graduates who contribute to the quality of social work services in their organizations & communities with an emphasis on the service region.
GOAL #5: To prepare graduates to fill leadership roles in the agencies and communities they serve with an emphasis on the service region.
GOAL #6: To prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, & methods of innovative advanced social work practice with individuals & families, with an emphasis on the service region.
GOAL #7: To prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, & methods of innovative advanced practice to work with communities & organizations, with an emphasis on the service region.
GOAL #8: To respond to the legislative intent & to community leadership in the geographic region by extending the MSW to students unable to attend Appalachian State University.
Foundation Program Objectives
The objectives of the Master of Social Work Program at Appalachian State University are derived directly from the goals of the program. The following objectives represent the Foundation Curriculum Program Objectives.
- Educational objectives of the professional foundation curriculum include preparing students to demonstrate the ability to:
- Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice.
- Understand the value base of the profession and adhere to ethical standards and principles for professional practice.
- Practice without discrimination related to clients’ national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, culture, class, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, family structure, and marital status.
- Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance economic and social justice.
- Understand the history of the profession and its relevance to contemporary issues.
- Apply the knowledge and skills of a generalist social work perspective to practice with systems of all sizes.
- Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
- Analyze the effects of social policies and apply strategies for modifying problematic policies.
- Evaluate the reliability and validity of research studies and appropriately use research findings to inform practice.
- Evaluate the processes and effectiveness of practice interventions.
- Effectively use communication skills with systems of various sizes.
- Appropriately use supervision and consultation to inform social work practice.
- Appropriately function within service systems and seek system change when needed.
- Recognize the evolving global context of professional practice.
- Collaborate with other professionals.
- Utilize relevant technology to advance professional practice.
Concentration Objectives
Two concentrations are available to Appalachian’s MSW students following completion of foundation course requirements. The first concentration is known as “Individuals and Families,” and the second is known as “Community and Organizational Practice.” The specific objectives for the two concentrations are as follows:
Individuals and Families Concentration Objectives
- Successful completion of this concentration prepares students to:
- Have advanced skills regarding comprehensive assessment and demonstrate beginning diagnostic skills for use on behalf of diverse children, adolescents, and adults of all ages, particularly those at risk of oppression, discrimination, and poverty.
- Be able to critically evaluate and appropriately apply empirically-based and “best practice” treatment interventions on behalf of diverse individuals and families.
- Be able to competently assess and utilize supervision and consultation as needed and/or required for licensure.
- Be able to practice in various settings with autonomy, competence, and leadership as an advanced social work professional and pursue state licensure as a clinical social worker.
- Be able to evaluate one’s own practice and support the evaluation of one’s agency/practice setting.
Community and Organizational Practice Concentration Objectives
- Successful completion of this concentration prepares students to:
- Apply advanced theoretical and practice knowledge and skills in the areas of community social work practice, nonprofit and public administration and organizational management.
- Conduct comprehensive needs assessments for communities and organizations.
- Design, implement and evaluate interventions to address the needs of communities and organizations.
- Guide and engage in community advocacy and community development processes.
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to serve in supervisory/management and leadership positions in social welfare agencies.
- Engage in innovative program development and community planning.
Additional Program Objectives
Finally, the Master of Social Work Program at Appalachian State University also has developed additional objectives to cover the required content in relation to its particular mission and goals. These additional program objectives follow:
- The MSW Program will contribute to increases in the number of Masters level prepared social work professionals in the service region.
- The MSW Program will contribute to increases in the number of advanced practitioners with skills at the master’s level.
- The MSW Program will contribute to increases in the number of licensed clinical social workers in the service region.
- The MSW Program will contribute to increases in the number of masters level prepared social work professionals with leadership, advocacy, and community development skills in the service region.
- The MSW Program will help prepare leaders for NASW, social welfare agencies, public and non-profit agencies within the service region and the state.
- The MSW Program will contribute to increases in the number of innovative program planners.
- An off-campus MSW program will be established concurrently with the on-campus MSW program.
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