B.A. in Social Work

What is social work?

Social Work is involvement with and for people. Social Workers help individuals, families, groups, and communities in dealing with relationships, solving problems, and coping with the many social and environmental concerns which affect and direct daily life. Social work is concerned with ensuring the responsiveness and effectiveness of the social institutions from which we seek resources. Social workers are concerned with the interaction between people and their social environment and institutions. Social workers are concerned with societal conditions in their efforts to improve the quality of life.

What do I do with my degree?

Social Work majors are prepared as entry-level generalist social workers and graduate with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus. Our graduates are respected by the social services community and are sought to fill the social work positions. Students are also prepared for graduate studies upon graduation.

Graduates of the Social Work program have been successful in finding employment. The majority of our job-seeking graduates tend to be employed in professional jobs within six to eight months of graduation.

Our school is committed to providing education and training for students to fill jobs in traditional and newly emerging areas where a Bachelor of Social Work degree is considered the appropriate entry level. Some of the traditional areas are: adolescent care in residual facilities, work with elderly in nursing homes, multi-service community centers, youth work, and social work lobbyist.

Note: Graduates from our program may use the title Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) because of our accredited status with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Mission

Through the teaching of social work knowledge, values, skills, and practice the Social Work Program at Mississippi State University , Meridian Campus will prepare individuals for competent and effective practice, provide leadership in the development of service delivery systems, and develop social work knowledge.

Goals

• Prepare students for beginning generalist professional practice with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations;
• Prepare students to develop and identify the values and ethics to be applied within the social work profession;
• Prepare students to intervene effectively with diverse populations while promoting social and economic justice;
• Prepare students as beginning social work generalists who link social research and social service practice;
• Prepare students for critical thinking and life-long learning through an educational process combining a liberal arts foundation with professional social work education; and
• Prepare students for graduate education in social work.

Program Objectives

The Social Work Program Objectives further outline the program goals and are consistent with the premise of the Council on Social Work Education's Educational Policy.

• Apply critical thinking skills within the context of professional Social Work practice.
• Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and practice accordingly.
• Practice without discrimination and with respect and knowledge knowledge and skill related to the clients' age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.
• Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
• Understand and interpret the history of the Social Work profession and its contemporary structures and issues.
• Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist Social Work practice with systems of all sizes.
• Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the life span and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities.
• Analyze, formulate, and influence social policies.
• Evaluate research studies, apply research findings to practice, and evaluate their own practice interventions.
• Use communication skills differently across client populations, colleagues, and communities.
• Use supervision and consultation appropriate to Social Work practice.
• Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational changes.

Social Work Faculty

• Marian Swindell, Ph. D., Associate Professor of Social Work, Meridian Campus, A.A., Peace College; B.A., University of North Carolina, 1989; M.S.W, University of Alabama, 1992; Ph. D., Univeristy of Alabama, 2001. (View Vitae)
• Sandra Vaughn, Associate Professor of Social Work and Program Director, Meridian Campus. S., Mississippi State University, 1971; M.S. W., University of Southern Mississippi, 1985; A.C.S.W. 1987; L.C.S.W. 1985 (View VItae)
• Rhonda Carr, Assistant Professor of Social Work and Corrdinator of Field Education, Meridian Campus, B.S., University of Southern Mississippi, 1979; M.S.W., 1981; A.C.S.W., 1986; L.C.S.W., 1987 (View Vitae)

Want more information about Social Work? Contact Ms. Sandra Vaughn at the Division of Arts and Sciences, MSU-Meridian by e-mail at svaughn@meridian.msstate.edu or by telephone at 601-484-0144.

Last Updated: 1/5/09