匹兹堡大学

The BASW Program prepares its graduates to engage in entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and/or organizations within a multicultural society. Professional practice settings for entry-level generalist practitioners include child welfare, family preservation, mental retardation and mental health, drug and alcohol, juvenile justice, aging, shelters for battered women, homeless shelters, community food banks, neighborhood citizen organizations, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers, among many others.

In concert with the School's mission, the BASW Program, built on a strong liberal arts base, prepares its students to be competent entry-level generalist social work practitioners and for graduate education. Recognizing the profession’s values of service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry, the program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to advance human and community well-being. Utilizing a person-in-environment framework, the program prepares students to enhance the quality of life for all people, locally and globally; to practice with diverse populations; to analyze critically the social, economic, and environmental factors affecting individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities; and to advocate for those who confront structural barriers; thus, program graduates are prepared for service and leadership.

As such, the goals of the BASW Program are to prepare students to:

• Practice with cultural humility in accordance with the principles, values, and ethics that guide the social work profession.
• Use their liberal arts foundation and their understanding of bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural development to engage in evidence-informed generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within a multicultural society.
• Advocate for human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Continue formal education either in graduate social work education or in some other graduate discipline.