Social Work at McDaniel College:  “Help Starts Here”.

It is the fundamental mission of the Social Work Program at McDaniel College to prepare students for entry level, culturally sensitive, generalist practice with individuals, families, small groups, communities and organizations.  Through coursework, field education, and the learning environment we provide, we endeavor to impart to our students the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become competent generalist practitioners.  The college's overarching commitment to the liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies, international education, gerontological studies, and service learning initiative provides the ideal context for professional growth and development within a thriving person - environment setting.

To fulfill this mission, the Social Work Department has adopted four goals:

1. The social work program is built on a liberal arts perspective and provides students with the knowledge, skills, and training needed for competent and effective entry-level culturally-sensitive generalist social work practice with an emphasis on client populations-at-risk.
   
2. The social work program will foster the professional development of its students, alumni, faculty, field instructors, and advisory board through such activities as continuing education, research and evaluation, presentations and publications, consultation and training, internships and employment in order to enhance the delivery of human services to community organizations and social service agencies.
   
3. The social work program will provide students, faculty, alumni, and other constituencies with opportunities to assume leadership skills at the local, state, national, and international level through social advocacy, community organizing, social activist, and political action.
   
4. The social work program will aim to expand educational and fieldwork opportunities specific to social work education in international settings.