Admissions : Undergraduate Degree Programs

Social Work

The Department of Social Work provides a competency-based generalist baccalaureate social work education which meets or exceeds the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Standards of Accreditation and whose curriculum is in keeping with CSWE’s educational policy and standards. The degree awarded by Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) is a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, recognized nationally as a BSW (bachelor degree in social work, accredited).

Graduates and students may be eligible for advanced standing in graduate schools for a master’s degree in social work, and students may be eligible for student membership in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and nomination to Phi Alpha Honor Society.

  • Program type: Bachelor of Arts
  • Minors / Options: Bachelor of Arts in Social Work
  • School: School of Professional Studies
  • Primary Location: Midtown campus
  • Program Information:

The Mission of the Department of Social Work is to prepare competent and effective generalist social work professionals to practice in a manner consistent with the purposes and values of the profession, to enhance human and community well being, and to value the dignity and worth of all persons. Based on the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession, the department provides students with significant opportunities to connect with faculty, students, and community, and exposes students to a world view that leads to a commitment to service, human rights, and social and economic justice. The department strives to serve as an accessible, responsive and creative intellectual resource for the people and institutions of Connecticut.

Goals

To prepare students:

  • to be competent and effective generalist entry-level social work professionals
  • to develop a professional identity grounded in social work values
  • to understand and value human relationships
  • for professional practice with a commitment to social work values and with integrity
  • to use conceptual frameworks and scientific inquiry to guide practice
  • to advance human rights and social and economic justice through proactive civil engagement in a diverse world
  • to promote positive changes in service delivery
  • to become leaders in developing and delivering human services
  • for advanced study.

Social Work students’ competency-based learning outcomes are measured across ten competency areas as specified by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Standards of Accreditation and Educational Policy Standards (EPAS).  A detailed description of EPAS and results of the annual assessment of students’ learning outcomes are available at www.wcsu.edu/sw and at www.wcsu.edu/sw/assessment/

Competency 1 — Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself
Competency 2 — Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
Competency 3 — Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
Competency 4 — Engage diversity and difference in practice.
Competency 5 — Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
Competency 6 — Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
Competency 7 — Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
Competency 8 — Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
Competency 9 — Respond to contexts that shape practice.
Competency 10(a)–(d) — Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Examples of Agencies Offering Social Work Junior and Senior Field Placements

Ability Beyond Disability, Bethel
AccessAbility Services (WCSU), Danbury
Area Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut, New Haven
Arms Acres, Carmel, NY
Association of Religious Communities, Danbury
Believe in Me Empowerment Corp., Waterbury
Bethel Health Care, Bethel
Bridgeport Public Schools, Make the Grade Opportunity School, Bridgeport
Brownstein Jewish Family Services, Southbury
Candlewood Valley Health and Rehabilitation, New Milford
Catholic Charities of Danbury, Family Services, Danbury
Catholic Charities, Community Support Program, Bethel
Catholic Charities, Homeless Outreach, Bethel
CHD/Connecticut Outreach/Pilots Program, Danbury
Connecticut Counseling Centers, Danbury
Connecticut Department of Children and Families, Danbury, Waterbury and Torrington
Connecticut Junior Republic, 21st Century Downtown Academy, Waterbury
Danbury Public Schools: Broadview Middle School, Danbury High School, King Street Primary School, Rogers Park Middle School
Danbury Regional Child Advocacy Center, Danbury
Families Network of Western Connecticut, Danbury
Family and Children’s Aid, Extend, Danbury
Family Resource Center at Vogel-Wetmore School, Torrington
Girl Scouts of Connecticut, Wilton
Green Chimneys, Children & Youth Services, Brewster, NY
Green Chimneys, Outreach Center, Brewster, NY
Hancock Hall, Danbury
HARC, Hartford
Headstart of Northern Fairfield County, Danbury
Healing the Children Northeast, Inc, New Milford
Henry Abbot Technical High School, Danbury
Hyde Leadership High School
Jericho Partnership, Inc., Danbury
Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism, Danbury
Laurel Ridge Health Care Center, Ridgefield
Masonicare at Newtown, Newtown
Morris Foundation, Therapeutic Shelter, Waterbury
Newtown High School, Newtown
Pope John Paul II Care and Rehabilitation Center, Danbury
Putnam County Mental Health & Youth Bureau, Brewster, NY
Connecticut Office of the Public Defender, Danbury
New Fairfield Senior Center, New Fairfield
New Opportunities Inc., Waterbury
Regional YMCA/Escape to the Arts, Danbury
Regional Hospice, Healing Hearts, Danbury
Sherman Senior Center and Social Services, Sherman
Southbury Senior Center, Southbury
Stamford Cares, Family Centers, Stamford
Staywell Health Center, Waterbury
The Bradley Home, Meriden
The Bridge Fund of Westchester, White Plains, NY
United Way of Western Connecticut, Danbury
Waterbury Youth Services, Waterbury
WCSU Child Care Center, Danbury
WCMHN, Jail Diversion Program, Danbury
Westchester Hispanic Coalition, White Plains, NY
WCSU Western Connection Program, Danbury
Women’s Resource Center Putnam/North Westchester, Carmel, NY

To learn more about the Social Work degree, please follow the links below