Social Work at Chadron State College

The Social Work curriculum integrates the challenges of, and opportunities for, addressing poverty, oppression, human diversity and social and economic justice.

Social work recognizes the importance of human relationships for individual development and healthy communities. Social workers are trained to empower individuals and families as they strive to enrich their lives, reach their potential and attain their goals. The Social Work Program also encourages students to develop knowledge and skills in advocacy, policy development, collaboration, collegiality, and networking.

The Social Work Program offers pre-professional introductory courses for the freshman and sophomore years. Junior and senior years are spent completing advanced professional coursework and end with an agency-based field practicum. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, mental health agencies, government agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations.

CSC offers excellent transfer opportunities from community colleges in the region. The Social Work Program is available for distant sites students through a combination of interactive television, online discussion boards, and on-campus attendance (one day per week during the final year prior to Field Practicum). Distance education is a commitment of the Social Work Program because we are dedicated to the development of professional social workers throughout the region.

Student Perspectives on Social Work


Jazmin

Perspectives on Social Work: Hartman, Newman, Perez Osorio

 

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Michaela

Perspectives on Social Work: Michaela Weverka

 

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Kiran

Perspectives on Social Work: Kiran Mand

 

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Social Work Program's Mission

The Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Chadron State College provides an undergraduate experience that fosters student development of practice behaviors, and competencies including the knowledge, skills, and values in order to function as generalist Social Workers. The acquired competencies prepare social workers who demonstrate practice abilities that enhance the capacities and quality of life for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within the region of western Nebraska, southwest South Dakota, southeast Wyoming, and northeast Colorado.

In order to carry out the Social Work Program’s Mission of Chadron State College, the Social Work faculty strive for excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Social Work faculty teach foundation curriculum with a sensitivity to student needs and with an awareness of the requisite practice behaviors and values appropriate to a competent social work practice at a baccalaureate level. To maintain student learning, Social Work faculty use innovative technology, experiential and active learning approaches, and outcome-based learning that individualize curriculum and instruction to the needs of individual learners.

Social Work faculty continually evaluate courses through student process evaluations, course evaluations of teaching and objective attainment, peer reviews of teaching, assessment of written assignments, and tests of student learning and evaluation of student demonstration of competencies through practice behaviors identified by the Council on Social Work Education. Social Work faculty seek to integrate scholarship with student learning through presentations at regional and national conferences, special projects, and community consultation. Social Work faculty provide service to the College, community, and professional associations by serving on local and regional boards and committees and participating in projects with local human service systems.

Accreditation

Chadron State College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Nebraska State Department of Education. The Baccalaureate Social Work Program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1992. In 2014, the Social Work Program received reaffirmation of accreditation by CSWE for the next 8-year cycle through October 2022. The CSWE Accreditation process provides an agreed standard for Social Work Education at the national level. It assures students that the education they receive at an accredited BSW program is equivalent to that of other schools in the nation. It is important for admission into graduate programs in Social Work, and for state licensing as a professional Social Worker.

Learn about accreditation and the Council on Social Work Education

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