The mission of the BSW Program is to prepare generalist social workers who enhance and promote well-being and advocate for social, economic and environmental justice of the citizens, organizations and communities of West Michigan, the state, the nation, and the world; and to further the goals of the University and of the social work profession in this region and beyond. West Michigan’s unique setting consists of diverse cultural communities as well as urban and rural settings, creating significant potential for skilled social work professionals to make a profound impact on our community.

BSW Program Goals

The BSW program’s goals are derived directly from its mission statement and are designed to meet the social service needs of its Program locations and beyond. They are:

1. To provide a generalist social work curriculum in a high-quality learning environment that prepares BSW graduates for entry level social work practice that promotes social, and economic justice and endeavors to address poverty and other social problems within organizational, individual, and community contexts within, but not limited to, West Michigan and the State of Michigan.
2. To prepare generalist social workers who exhibit a professional commitment to enhancing social justice, promoting human rights, ensuring the dignity and worth of all individuals, practicing social work with integrity, upholding the NASW Code of Ethics, incorporating diversity into their practice, and advancing the profession’s reputation and knowledge base.
3. To prepare students for continued professional development opportunities throughout their careers, including graduate education.
4. To contribute to the development of social work scholarship and human rights advocacy by supporting the engagement of students, faculty and staff in local, regional, statewide, national and international organizations focused improving the quality of life for all persons.

The mission of the GVSU MSW Program is to prepare advanced generalist social workers who enhance and sustain the welfare and wellbeing of the individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities of West Michigan, the state, the nation, and the world; and who further the goals of the University and of the social work profession in this region and beyond. This is accomplished through professional leadership, advancement of the social work field’s knowledge through research and evaluation, and a focus on diversity, social justice and human rights.

MSW Program Goals

The MSW program’s goals are derived directly from its mission statement and are designed to meet the social service needs of its Program locations and beyond. The program goals are:

1. To provide a foundational MSW curriculum and an advanced generalist social work curriculum that prepares MSW graduates for autonomous social work practice that promotes social, economic and environmental justice and endeavors to address poverty and other social problems within individual, organizational and community contexts within, but not limited to, West and Northern Michigan and the state of Michigan.
2. To award the graduate degree to individuals who are skilled practitioners who adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics, incorporating diversity into their practice and are capable of assuming leadership and scholarly professional roles in the community, region, state, national and global communities.
3. To contribute to the ongoing development of professional social work knowledge and practice through research and scholarly inquiry that employ state-of-the-art technology.
4. To prepare students for continued professional development opportunities throughout their careers, including doctoral education.