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Social Work (SW)

Social workers are educated to help people with problems in virtually any setting. These problems can range from those on the individual level to problems on a much broader level that affect groups and communities. Thus, social workers need a wide array of skills in order to work with these various system levels, which include individual, family, group, organizational, and community systems. Social workers are concerned with the interaction between people and their social environments as well as the responsiveness and effectiveness of social institutions to provide needed resources.

Social work is a dynamic profession based on knowledge drawn from a variety of disciplines as well as its own body of knowledge, practice skills, research, and professional values. The profession has a code of ethics, practice standards, and a national system of accredited education programs designed to bring together the desire to help others with the skill and knowledge needed to provide that help. Those who are interested in a career in social work should be willing to commit themselves to a professional way of life that includes the following values: a commitment to service, belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all persons, belief in the importance of human realtionships, integrity, competence, and a commitment to social justice.

Skidmore’s Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. It has two objectives: (1) to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice, and (2) to prepare students for graduate study in social work. In addition, the program serves non-majors by offering a range of courses designed to increase students’ understanding of human relationships, social justice, and social services.

Students must apply for admission to the social work major by the end of their sophomore year. Selection is based on demonstrated academic competence, a willingness to abide by the profession’s code of ethics, and suitability for beginning professional practice. Applications for admission are available from social work faculty and on the department website. Students planning to go abroad should talk with the department chair in their first year. While students will devote much of the first year to college degree requirements, students can begin introductory courses in social work during their first year.

Social Work Department
Second floor, Tisch Learning Center
518-580-5410