Social Work Major
Viewing the profession through a social justice lens, Carthage social work majors learn to work with individuals, families, communities, and organizations. Each senior then completes a community-based, two-semester internship to demonstrate the competencies needed in practice. The Carthage program allows many social work majors to enter graduate school with advanced standing.
The Carthage Social Work Department is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, an international agency that assures a program meets the standards established for a bachelor’s degree in social work.
“While I came to Carthage for the programs, I have stayed at Carthage for the faculty. My professors are the best thing about Carthage.”
“Students should consider social work because it is an eye-opening major that completely changes how people view the world. It is a major that aims at being the groundwork for helping people.”
“I chose Carthage because of the programs it has to offer! No matter how I want to spend my time at Carthage, I feel there will always be something for me.”
Social Work Major
Social work is an undergraduate major that prepares students to be competent and effective professionals, educated to provide leadership in the development of critical social service delivery systems. Based on a belief in the intrinsic value of all humankind and the advancement of social justice and human rights, we are committed to educating students to become anti-racist, anti-oppressive, generalist critical social work practitioners. Our program is committed to an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the liberal arts with critical social work knowledge and values to serve those most marginalized in the U.S. and the world by advancing social justice through courageous ideas and actions.
The Carthage Social Work Department follows academic standards for professional preparation set forth by the Council on Social Work Education. All aspects of the department are developed within the history, philosophy, and values of the profession.
Department Goals
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- To educate students in the values and knowledge of critical social work and social justice in collaboration with other disciplines.
- To graduate anti-racist BSW generalist practitioners who will become courageous social change agents in their community.
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The Social Work Department recognizes the insidiousness of institutional racism and is committed to being a leader at the College toward becoming an anti-racist institution.
Social Work Major Competencies
Carthage College abides by the Council of Social Work Education accreditation standards. The education competencies are as follows:
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- Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
- Competency 3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
- Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
For the complete accreditation standards from the Council of Social Work Education, please see the EPAS 2015 Report.