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.

Department Mission Statement

The Social Work Department at Niagara University is committed to creating a just and compassionate world, both locally, nationally, and globally, where human rights, the 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, grounded in research-based knowledge, guided by a person-in-environment framework, capable of empowering practice with diverse client systems of all sizes and types, who act ethically, with integrity, recognize the significance of human relationships, think critically and apply evidence-informed practice, participate actively within the community, and are committed to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Grounded in research-based knowledge that is critically examined for its relevance to and impact on historically marginalized communities, the program applies evidence-informed practice in ways that advance social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and promote systemic change. Consistent with Catholic and Vincentian values of Niagara University, learners and faculty engage in social service and social action activities to benefit at-risk populations and impoverished communities, bringing this Vincentian commitment to all levels of practice—individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Recognizing that sustainable professional practice is essential to the well-being of those we serve, the program also affirms the importance of practitioner self-care and reflective practice as integral to ethical and competent social work.

Social Work Program Goals

The Social Work program is grounded in a liberal arts education and the Catholic and Vincentian tradition of Niagara University, and the goals reflect these foundations and the expectations of CSWE’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards. Our goals are informed by Catholic Social Teaching and Vincentian values, which are rooted in St. Vincent de Paul’s writings, which prioritize under-resourced populations with “great gentleness and cordiality."

• Goal 1: Competent generalist practice
  The program prepares competent entry-level generalist social work practitioners who demonstrate the nine CSWE baccalaureate competencies through ethical and professional behavior, engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation with client systems of all sizes, and who uphold human rights and anti-racist, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI)–centered practice across these systems.

• Goal 2: Integration of liberal arts and social work
  The program prepares graduates who draw on a liberal arts foundation to integrate social work knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes in practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, with explicit attention to historical harms and the use of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices.

• Goal 3: Partnering with marginalized communities
  The program prepares graduates with knowledge and skills to collaborate with people and communities who experience marginalization, including those facing economic insecurity and other forms of structural oppression, in ways that promote safety, self-determination, and equitable access to resources.

• Goal 4: Commitment to justice and policy practice
  The program provides a foundation for graduates to demonstrate commitment to social, racial, economic, and environmental justice through active citizenship, community engagement, social policy practice, advocacy, and efforts to transform social service and other systems that reproduce inequity.

• Goal 5: Service, accompaniment, and civic engagement
  The program provides opportunities for learners to demonstrate concern for people and communities living with inadequate resources and other conditions of risk through service learning, field practicum, and co-curricular engagement that embody respect, mutuality, and solidarity.

• Goal 6: Preparation for employment and further education
  The program prepares graduates for employment in entry-level generalist social work positions and for graduate education, emphasizing lifelong learning, critical reflection, supervision, and the integration of research and practice to enhance professional growth, and it supports monitoring of program outcomes (such as employment, graduate study, and time to degree completion) consistent with 2022 EPAS expectations.

Graduates of the Niagara University Department of Social Work will demonstrate mastery of the nine CSWE Core Competencies.

Admission Procedures

Students can declare social work at any point (e.g., as an incoming student, as a change of major, or as a transfer student). In the fall semester of junior year, students must complete the professional sequence application. Within the application, students will need to provide evidence of their major and overall GPA, B- or better in all SWK core classes, etc.. Professional sequence admission criteria are listed in the Social Work Student Handbook.

Professional Sequence Requirements:

• 53 or more credits

• Overall GPA is 2.5 or better 

• SWK GPA is 2.5 or better

• Complete all SWK prerequisite courses: SWK 100, SWK 210, SWK 200, SWK 211, SWK 310, BIO 101, PSY (any course), SOC (any course), MAT 102 

• B- or better in all SWK courses 

• Complete SWK 100 Impact Hours

• Complete SWK 310 Impact Hours

• Submit a passing SWK 310 Impact Hours verification form with a signature from an agency representative

• Obtain an 80% or better in Professional Sequence Modules

Bachelors

Minor

Courses