The mission of the social work program is to prepare students for beginning level generalist social work practice with oppressed, at-risk, and vulnerable populations. The program provides a rigorous intellectual base and opportunity for effective skill development and an educational perspective that views human diversity as normal, desirable, and enriching for society. Students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values appropriate to the social work profession. Students in the program are expected to develop a sensitivity to human suffering and injustice. They will develop an understanding of the factors that contribute to discrimination, oppression and vulnerability; and a strong commitment to advocacy, empowerment, social change, and economic justice. The curriculum provides an intellectual base and opportunities for beginning generalist practice with populations, especially of concern to the program. These populations include: racial and ethnic minorities; women; gay men; lesbians and bisexuals; the physically, developmentally and emotionally disabled; abused and neglected children; the impaired elderly, low income and poverty level individuals and families; the hungry and homeless; and other disadvantaged persons.
The mission of Mary Baldwin College as published in the 2008-2009 Academic Catalog is as follows:
“The mission of Mary Baldwin College is to provide undergraduate and graduate education consistent with the institution’s rich heritage as a private liberal arts College primarily for women, which affirms its Christian roots while welcoming a broad diversity of views. This mission is implemented in the residential programs for women and the nonresidential programs for men and women over 21 through focus on teaching and learning; concern for the individual; commitment to the liberal arts as preparation for life, for careers, for graduate and professional studies, and for leadership; and emphasis on high ethical standards.”
The college’s mission is in perfect alliance with the curriculum of the social work program. We educate and train social work professionals who are dedicated to both personal development and social change through enhancement of individual and group problem-solving capabilities and the creation of a more nurturing, just and humane society. As part of this mission, students prepare to be competent, effective, skilled, and ethical professional social work practitioners who contribute to the amelioration of human suffering. Within this framework, the program prepares students for generalist social work practice and policy leadership to mitigate severe social problems which challenge the strength and viability of a diverse and complex nation.
Our graduates are encouraged to build on the strength of individuals, families, and communities, and to lead the scholarly search for innovative, efficacious, and equitable solutions to an array of societal issues. To this end, our social work program is committed to the development of new knowledge that will inform the evolution of social policy, the organization and delivery of social services, and the profession’s ability to intervene effectively with the vulnerable, disenfranchised, and marginalized populations who depend upon the knowledge and skills of social workers.
The goal of the social work program is to teach students to apply the tenets of strengths-based, generalist practice. Our program prepares students to serve at-risk individuals from varying backgrounds throughout central Virginia. Special attention is given to human dignity and worth, human diversity and cultural competence, and in the enhancement of social functioning and the promotion or social and economic justice or a fair distribution of resources, goods and services to meet human needs and aspirations by drawing upon personal strengths and community resources. Building on liberal arts perspective and a generalist foundation, the social work program prepares students for assessment, intervention and evaluations of individuals, families, small groups, organizations, neighborhoods and communities. Students are also made aware of the need for continual growth and development as a social work professional.
Students develop a dual focus on changing both persons and their environment. They visualize potential clients and agent for changes on a continuum ranging from micro-to mid-to macro level interventions, small systems and large systems, including the system of social work professional itself. Students apply their classroom theory while working as interns at local social service agencies. Since the program focuses on generalist practice and emphasizes enhancement and empowerment of at-risk groups, it is consistent with the purpose of social work education.
The overall goals of the baccalaureate program are to:
According to Educational Policy of Accreditation, there are twelve program objectives. These objectives are expected to be addressed in the foundation course offerings. The following table displays the program objectives and the curriculum sequence in which they are covered.
Foundation Program Objectives and Curriculum Area
| Program Objectives | Human Behavior | Policy | Practice | Research | Field Instructor |
| Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional social work practice. | X | X | X | X | |
| Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly. | X | X | X | X | X |
| Practice without discrimination and with respect, knowledge, and skills related to clients’ age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. | X | ||||
| Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice. | X | ||||
| Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes. | X | ||||
| Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes. | X | ||||
| 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 | X | ||||
| Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies. | X | ||||
| Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions. | X | ||||
| Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities. | X | ||||
| Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice. | X | ||||
| Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change. | X |
Further, these program objectives are reflected in the overall objectives of our baccalaureate social work program, which are derived from the program’s goals. By completing the following six objectives, Mary Baldwin students will graduate with a diverse, strengths-based theoretical approach to social work practice.
