Social Work

Why choose social work?

“The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well­being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s focus on individual well­being in a social context and the well­being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.

Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs. Social workers also seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs and social problems.” Source: NASW Code of Ethics at http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

The BSU Social Work Department prepares students for generalist practice through rigorous academic and field instruction. The BSW degree allows one to sit for preliminary social work licensure in Massachusetts.

For more information on this major contact:

Chairperson: Dr. Arnaa Alcon
Administrative Assistant: Andrea Delaney
Web Site: Social Work
Phone: 508.531.2773
Building: Burrill Office Complex (95 Burrill Avenue)