Master of Social Work

Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives

Mission Statement

The MSW Program in the Department of Social Work at Azusa Pacific University seeks to develop competent advanced social work practitioners who can integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of social work to advance social justice and provide services to assist individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Grounded in the profession’s Code of Ethics and sensitivity to diversity, the MSW Program is committed to excellence in our teaching and scholarship, the integration of faith and learning, the development of professional leadership, and the strengthening of communities in local, national, and international contexts.

Program Goals

1. Students will exhibit competence in generalist and advanced social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities, including appropriate uses of supervision, consultation, and discernment to seek necessary organizational change.
2. Students will demonstrate knowledge, built on a liberal arts foundation, of the history of the social work profession and empirically supported theoretical frameworks that provide understanding of individual development and behavior across the life span and interactions among and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
3. Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills, skills related to the effective integration of research in practice, and adequate preparation for leadership, advanced study, and lifelong learning.
4. Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills to partner with communities to advocate for the development of policies and programs that seek to advance human rights and wellbeing, promote social and economic justice, empower clients, and respect diversity.
5. Students will practice according to the values and ethics of the profession, and effectively and ethically integrate Christian faith in practice, including non-discrimination in the areas of age, class, culture, color, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
6. Faculty will engage in ongoing scholarship reflecting the goals and needs of professional social work practice.

Program Objectives

Foundation Objectives

Upon successful completion of the foundation year, students will demonstrate the following outcomes:

1. Knowledge of the history of the social work profession and the ways history has influenced contemporary social welfare structures, issues, and professional activities;
2. Knowledge of social work values and related ethical standards and principles, and demonstration of the ability to practice according to these values, standards, and principles;
3. Critical thinking skills within the contexts of micro- and macro-level professional social work practice;
4. Abilities to critically assess and articulate the relationships of Christian perspectives and institutions to professional values, knowledge, and activities;
5. Application of generalist social work knowledge and skills to practice with different client populations, communities, and organizations, including use of appropriate communication and technology skills;
6. Practice based on knowledge, skills, and values of respect and non-discrimination in the areas of age, class, culture, color, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation;
7. Knowledge of the forms and mechanisms of discrimination and oppression, and application of advocacy and social change strategies that advance social and economic justice;
8. Competent use of empirically supported theoretical frameworks that provide understanding of individual development and behavior across the life span and interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities;
9. Skills to analyze, formulate, and influence social policies;
10. Skills to evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate the effectiveness of practice interventions; and
11. Skills to function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems, including appropriate uses of supervision and consultation, and to seek necessary organizational change.

Concentration Objectives

Upon successful completion of the concentration year, students in the Community Practice and Partnerships concentration will demonstrate the following outcomes:

12. Application of advanced theoretical, research, and practice knowledge and skills in community practice with diverse constituencies, including knowledge of advocacy, collaboration, supervision, professional ethics, and relevant social welfare policies.

Upon successful completion of the concentration year, students in the Clinical Practice with Individuals and Families concentration will demonstrate the following outcomes:

13. Application of advanced theoretical, research, and practice knowledge and skills in clinical practice with diverse clientele, including knowledge of interdisciplinary collaboration, supervision, professional ethics, and relevant social welfare policies.