Social Work

Mission

The CSC Social Work program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1993. Students who graduate from Chadron State College in Social Work are prepared for social work practice in a multicultural context within the region, as well as nationally and globally. The challenges of and capacities for addressing human diversity are integrated throughout the social work curriculum. The social work curriculum is also designed to encourage the development of knowledge and skills in collaboration, collegiality, and networking. Graduates of the CSC Social Work program are prepared to provide professional leadership within the region.

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Chadron State College provides an undergraduate experience that fosters student development of practice behaviors and competencies including the knowledge, skills, and values in order to function as generalist Social Workers. The acquired competencies prepare social workers who demonstrate practice abilities that enhance the capacities and quality of life for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within the region of western Nebraska, southwest South Dakota, southeast Wyoming, and northeast Colorado.

In order to carry out the Social Work Program mission of Chadron State College, the Social Work faculty strive for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Social Work faculty teach foundation curriculum with a sensitivity to student needs and with an awareness of the requisite practice behaviors and values appropriate to a competent social work practice at a baccalaureate level. To maintain student learning, Social Work faculty use innovative technology, experiential and active learning approaches, and outcome-based learning that individualize curriculum and instruction to the needs of individual learners.

Social Work faculty continually evaluate courses through student process evaluations, course evaluations of teaching and objective attainment, peer reviews of teaching, assessment of written assignments, and tests of student learning and evaluation of student demonstration of competencies through practice behaviors identified by the Council on Social Work Education. Social Work faculty seek to integrate scholarship with student learning through presentations at regional and national conferences, special projects, and community consultation. Social Work faculty provide service to the College, community, and professional associations by serving on local and regional boards and committees and participating in projects with local human service systems.

Student Learning Outcomes

To carry out the mission of the Social Work Program and Chadron State College, the Social Work Program seeks to prepare Social Work Professionals who will, upon completion of the Program, be able to:

  1. Critically engage, assess and intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities using multidimensional theories and strategies that enhance the social functioning and interactions of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities by involving them in recognizing assets and strengths, accomplishing goals, developing resources, and preventing and alleviating distress. Monitor and evaluate intervention efficacy. Apply knowledge of human development across the lifespan and age appropriate prevention interventions.
  2. Utilize the skills and knowledge to successfully practice within the context of rural settings with diverse cultures, reflected by but not limited to age, gender, mission/orientation, sexual preference, racial or ethnic background, disability, marital status, religious orientations, and life style. Communicate the value of diversity in all social institutions. Recognize the impact of societal values that marginalize or grant privilege to individuals and groups on local and global levels.
  3. Utilize knowledge of basic human rights, the forms and mechanisms of oppression/social/economic injustice, integrate a value-base that fosters commitment to advocacy, and develop social skills, practice behaviors, and political skills necessary to alleviate oppression/social/economic injustice.
  4. Critically analyze and implement social welfare policies, services, and programs through political and organizational processes in order meet basic human needs and support the development of human capacities. Demonstrate understanding of historical and current social policies and services.
  5. Work collaboratively within rural human service agencies and human service delivery systems with supervisors and professional colleagues and develop personal/professional/political support systems.
  6. Engage in research-informed practice. Utilize the knowledge and skills of research, evaluate professional practice using qualitative and quantitative research methods, use and solicit collegial feedback, and apply existing knowledge to advance Social Work practice.
  7. Practice Social Work with an ethical orientation compatible with the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers and to apply strategies of ethical reasoning, and act professionally and intentionally in situations with ethical dilemmas. Conduct one’s personal life ethically by recognizing and managing personal values in order to allow professional standards of ethical practice to guide practice.
  8. Develop an identity as a professional Social Worker and practice Social Work with the highest regard for the strengths/capacities, integrity and value of all beings whether as individuals or in families, groups, organizations and communities. Demonstrate application of the value base of the profession and relevant laws to practice.
  9. Apply critical thinking, logic, scientific inquiry, and discernment. Demonstrate creativity and ability to communicate relevant information to others.
  10. Enter a graduate program in Social Work with advanced standing.

The Social Work Program consists of pre-professional studies in the freshman and sophomore years and the professional major which is usually completed during the student’s junior and senior years of study. Except for some transfer students, incoming students who want to major in Social Work are given the status of a Pre-Professional Social Work major. The Pre-Professional Social Work major is determined by the student indicating Social Work as an area of interest when first enrolling in college. Identifying an interest in Social Work permits the School of Education, Human Performance, Counseling, Psychology, and Social Work to assign the student to a Social Work faculty advisor. Prerequisite courses to the Professional Social Work Program include the following courses:

BIOL 121
121L
HUMAN BIOLOGY
and HUMAN BIOLOGY LABORATORY
3
ECON 130SURVEY OF ECONOMICS3
LS 236FAMILY LAW3
PSYC 131INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES3
PSYC 240STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGY3
SW 231PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK3
SW 251HUMAN BEHAVIOR/SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I3
SW 252HUMAN BEHAVIOR/SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II3
SW 271SOCIAL WELFARE HISTORY & SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS3

Students considering Social Work should consult the Social Work faculty early in their academic career to insure that the necessary Prerequisite coursework is completed prior to admission to the Professional Social Work program.

Admission to the Professional Social Work Program

The admissions policy of the Chadron State College Professional Social Work Program is to accept all qualified students within the limits of its resources, facilities, and mission. Qualified students are admitted without regard to age, race, marital status, gender, religion, national origin, or disability. Educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other programs and activities, are administered without discrimination. Chadron State College offers a B.A. degree with a comprehensive major in Social Work which is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduating students are prepared to practice as competent beginning Social Work professionals.

Generally, students make application to the Professional Social Work Program during the fall semester of the junior year. Students who change majors or transfer to Chadron State College make application to the Professional Social Work Program when they have either completed or enrolled in all Prerequisite Social Work courses. Applications to the Professional Social Work Program are available online in the Social Work Student Handbook.

Admission Criteria

Admission to the Chadron State College Professional Social Work Program is based on the following criteria:

  1. Junior standing
  2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.50 and a 2.75 GPA in Prerequisite Social Work courses
  3. Completion of an Application to the Professional Social Work Program by deadlines published during the fall semester. An Application to the Professional Social Work Program includes: the application form, three letters of reference, written responses to questions identified on the application form, a personal statement, and a current resume
  4. Completion of the following required courses:
    1. BIOL 121
      121L
      HUMAN BIOLOGY
      and HUMAN BIOLOGY LABORATORY
      3
      ECON 130SURVEY OF ECONOMICS3
      LS 236FAMILY LAW3
      PSYC 131INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES3
      PSYC 240STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGY3
      SW 231PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK3
      SW 251HUMAN BEHAVIOR/SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I3
      SW 252HUMAN BEHAVIOR/SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II3
      SW 271SOCIAL WELFARE HISTORY & SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS3
  5. Documentation of 40 hours of volunteer experience in a social service setting must be completed by the beginning of the fall semester of the senior year.
  6. Completed interview with Social Work faculty and the Social Work Program Advisory Committee.
  7. Signed statement of acknowledgement of student’s willingness to abide by the NASW Code of Ethics.

In accordance with the educational standards of the Council on Social Work Education and Chadron State College, the Social Work Program does not grant academic credit for life experience for any social work course requirement.

After discussion with Social Work faculty, a student who does not meet the admission requirements for the Social Work Program may petition the Social Work Advisory Committee for special consideration.

Once accepted into the Professional Social Work program, students who apply to enter the Social Work Field Program are required to complete a criminal background check. The background check will include states and counties of prior residence and will be completed at the expense of the student.

A student with a major felony conviction(s) including but not limited to the use of weapons or abuse of vulnerable individuals may not be able to complete SW 464 SOCIAL WORK FIELD PRACTICUM, depending upon the Program’s ability to find a field placement site. If a student completes the Social Work Professional Program, he/she may not be able to secure a license to practice Professional Social Work, depending upon a given state’s social work licensing board’s standards or depending upon a given agency’s hiring standards. Students with questions about prior convictions must schedule a meeting with the Social Work Program Director and Field Director to discuss circumstances and options available.

Applications for admission to the Professional Social Work Program are reviewed by the Social Work Program Advisory Committee. Students also interview with the Social Work Program Advisory Committee. Action on admission requests may include admission, conditional admission, or denial of admission. Students are notified of the decision of the Social Work Program Advisory Committee by an official letter from the Director of the Social Work Program. Students who are not accepted may appeal the decision by initiating the appeal process as outlined in the Social Work Program Student Handbook.

Transfer Students

Students transferring into CSC may upon completion of Prerequisite Social Work courses or upon enrollment in Prerequisite Social Work courses, apply for admission to the Professional Social Work Program. Before a student can be admitted to the Professional Social Work Program, the application process must be completed.

In situations where students are applying to the Professional Social Work Program while finishing Prerequisite courses, students may enroll in Professional Social Work courses on a conditional basis with permission of the Director of the Social Work Program.

Students wanting to transfer credits from another institution must submit an official transcript to Chadron State College for evaluation. Unless an articulation agreement related to Social Work courses exists between Chadron State College and the institution, students must submit syllabi from prior Social Work courses to the Director of the Social Work Program. For Social Work Program courses, the final decision concerning content and acceptability of transferred courses rests with the Director of the Social Work Program.

Termination Policy

Please refer to the Chadron State College Termination from Social Work Program policy for further details.