Social Work

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Chairperson: Robyn Lugar
Department Office: Erickson Hall, room 534
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/socwork
E-mail: rlugar@indstate.edu

The Department of Social Work strives for distinction in its mission to educate committed and competent generalist professionals who have integrated the knowledge, values, and skill base of the social work profession, are able to provide direct services to diverse populations, and are prepared to work with client systems of various sizes and types. Students are educated to recognize social work as a discipline with a broad mandate and to accept that they have a dual responsibility to work with designated clients as well as to work toward a society that reflects economic and social justice.

Students graduating with a degree in social work are prepared to pursue the masters in social work degree, as well as to enter the workforce as a generalist practitioner. Entry-level social workers find positions that provide services relating to case management, children and youth, aging, mental health, family services, corrections and criminal justice, physical and mental disabilities, alcohol and substance abuse, medical health care, community and neighborhood services, occupational social work, schools, and income maintenance.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Degree Offered

The Department of Social Work offers an undergraduate major leading to a bachelor of social work degree, which prepares students for entry-level generalist social work practice. To complete the bachelor of social work degree, students must successfully complete the University requirement of a minimum of 124 credits, including Foundational Studies course work. Students must maintain a minimum of a 2.2 cumulative grade point average in all required social work and cognate courses. Additionally, students must earn at least a C- in all social work courses, or must retake the course prior to taking the next course in the sequence. It is the responsibility of students to consult with their advisor about the appropriate sequencing of courses.

The curriculum includes courses in the liberal arts and in the social work profession, and integrates theory and practice through a variety of classroom experiences and agency settings. The professional foundation includes course work on social work values and ethics, diversity, social and economic justice, populations-at-risk, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy and services, social work practice, research, and the field practicum. Field placement experiences help students develop observational, communication, and assessment skills while providing opportunities to work with individuals, small groups, families, organizations, and communities. The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Departmental Opportunities

Advising is a central component of the social work major. All social work majors must meet with the department’s advisement coordinator to develop an academic plan upon entry into the major and also prior to registering for any semester of classes. The department’s advisement coordinator can be contacted through the department office. Students must notify the advisement coordinator of all scheduling changes that they make, and students who drop a class, fail a class, or earn below a C in any social work course must meet with the advisement coordinator to adjust the academic plan. It is the responsibility of students to keep regular contact with the advisement coordinator to ensure the proper sequencing of courses.

The Department of Social Work offers a number of co-curricular activities. All students have the opportunity to enroll in the departmental Learning Community during their first semester, and students with an interest in international affairs are encouraged to study abroad during the summers between their sophomore and senior years. The department also supports a lecture series, a film series, a senior trip, and a Social Work Association.

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