Social Work
Mission
Our core purpose:
Western Michigan University School of Social Work educates social workers to advocate for social and economic justice and personal well being for all people. The faculty provides leadership on a local, national, and international level through research, scholarship, community service and partnerships, and other creative activities relevant to the profession.
Vision
We seek to be a school that:
- strengthens students' critical thinking skills, helps them formulate a vision of a just society, and enables them to move towards the realization of their vision
- prepares ethical, competent, reflective practitioners to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and institutions within a global and changing environment
- fosters sensitivity to diversity, cultural competence, and practice effectiveness
- is a nurturing, respectful, inclusive environment that maximizes the contributions and development of students, faculty, and staff
Guiding Principles
We believe in:
- facilitating excellence in professional education
- integrating theory and practice
- conducting research on best practices that foster solutions to community needs
- participating and seeking out mutually collaborative relationships
- ensuring professional competence through gate-keeping and bridge-building activities
- understanding and intervening within a person-centered ecological model
- evaluating educational outcomes, skills, knowledge, and values
- creating a student-centered educational environment
- maintaining a commitment to life-long professional learning for faculty, staff, and alumni
- preparing social workers to advocate for social justice