BSW Mission Statement

The mission of the UHM Bachelor of Social Work program is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values of the social work profession, integrated with a liberal arts education. Utilizing a generalist framework, the BSW program provides the basis for practice within the context of a multicultural environment. Special attention is given to the Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Asian communities of our state and the Pacific Region, as they interact within a global context. Social and economic justice for under-represented and oppressed groups is emphasized within the curriculum.

BSW Goals & Objectives

The primary goal of the BSW program is to prepare students for beginning level generalist practice. A secondary goal is to provide a solid foundation for students who plan to pursue advanced social work education.

In order to achieve these goals, the BSW program is organized around a foundation curriculum with content in social work practice, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare history and policies, research, and practicum. Such a perspective provides an integrated system of courses that orients the student to practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Infused throughout the curriculum is an emphasis on a generalist practice within the context of a multicultural environment.

The program objectives are as follows:

1. Values and Ethics

At the completion of classroom and field education, graduating BSW students will be able to:

  • Understand, articulate, and integrate the principles, values, and ethics of the social work profession into their practice.
    • Identify and discuss the core values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the social work profession as codified in the NASW Code of Ethics
    • Practice in a manner consistent with the mission of social work and its core values
    • Determine when an ethical issue is present and identify the key values and principles involved

2. Professional Use of Self

At the completion of classroom and field education, graduating BSW students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate achievement of professional use of self in practice.
    • Distinguish professional and personal roles, with awareness of the need to elevate service to others above self-interest
    • Use self purposefully and with awareness of own personal strengths and limitations in carrying out professional roles
    • Demonstrate flexibility in assuming various social work roles and coping with change, and is able to utilize supervision effectively

3. Critical Thinking

At the completion of classroom and field education, graduating BSW students will be able to:

  • Apply critical thinking skills in professional contexts.
    • Understand the differences between verifiable facts and value claims, and the need to weigh knowledge claims against the evidence for them
    • Critically examine arguments and evidence and show openness in the evaluation of their own practice
    • Utilize research to inform and evaluate their practice

4. Applying Theory to Practice

At the completion of classroom and field education, graduating BSW students will be able to:

  • Analyze and apply knowledge to assessment and intervention in social work practice of biopsychosocial variables and theoretical frameworks that explain individual and social systems development.
    • Understand and apply at multiple system levels a broad range of knowledge regarding individual and social development and behavior
    • Display a community-based approach to generalist practice
    • Apply theory-grounded assessment tools and interventions appropriate to practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

5. Advocacy

At the completion of classroom and field education, graduating BSW students will be able to:

  • Advocate effectively for social and economic justice.
    • Integrate knowledge of the mission, history, and philosophy of social work and social welfare
    • Use their knowledge and skills to improve the lives of communities and the individuals in them
    • Analyze the impact of social policies on client systems, workers, and agencies

6. Diversity

At the completion of classroom and field education, graduating BSW students will be able to:

  • Achieve competency in working with diverse populations.
    • Demonstrate personal and professional awareness of their own cultural values and biases and how these impact their abilities to work with others
    • Demonstrate skills for ongoing knowledge development of diversity with a focus on Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans and other oppressed groups and diverse populations
    • Develop skills in engaging persons from diverse cultures and groups

7. Communication

At the completion of classroom and field education, BSW students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate the oral, written and attending skills that will enable them to communicate effectively and appropriately in relation to their setting and audience.
    • Demonstrate knowledge of the basic requirements of record keeping in social work; and use information technologies appropriate to communicating effectively with clients and colleagues
    • Work continuously to improve their capacity to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients
    • Demonstrate skill in interviewing and in communicating orally and in writing in their academic and field work


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