Social Work
The department of social work at Niagara University is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the baccalaureate level and offers a program leading to the bachelor of science degree in social work.
Mission Statement
The Social Work Department at Niagara University is committed to the creation of a just and compassionate world, where human dignity and worth of the person, and well-being are restored, preserved and celebrated, regardless of one’s socioeconomic position.
Given this commitment, the mission of the Social Work Department at Niagara University is the preparation of competent generalist social work practitioners capable of empowering practice with diverse client systems of all sizes and types, who act ethically, who think critically, who participate actively within the community, and who are committed to social and economic justice. Consistent with the Vincentian tradition of Niagara University, students and faculty engage in social service and social action activities to benefit at-risk populations and impoverished communities.
The Department’s Goals
There are five goals derived from the Department’s Mission Statement:
- Prepare competent generalist practitioners who are grounded in liberal arts and who integrate social work knowledge, values, and skills with diverse client systems of various sizes and types.
- Prepare graduates with skills and knowledge to build capacity with populations to advance their social, economic, political, and environmental goals.
- Provide a foundation for graduates to demonstrate commitment to social and economic justice through active citizenship, social policy activism, and through improving social service delivery systems.
- Provide opportunities for students to participate in community-based simulations, service learning, and student-run organizations.
- Prepare graduates for employment in entry-level generalist social work practice and graduate education.
Graduates of the Niagara University Department of Social Work will demonstrate mastery of the nine CSWE Core Competencies.
Admission Procedures
Students go through two separate admissions procedures as they progress through the department’s degree program. Initially, students apply for entry into the preprofessional foundation sequence. After successful progress in the preprofessional foundation sequence, students apply for entry into the professional foundation sequence. These admission procedures are described in the baccalaureate social work student handbook.