Department of Social Work
Kutztown University offers a full continuum of social work education.
DEPARTMENT MISSION AND VISION
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Mission
Social Work at Kutztown University will provide high quality, nationally accredited curricula and program activities that respond to the diverse and ever-changing social needs of our rural, suburban, and urban communities, students, employers, and the profession of social work. Through focused scholarship, innovative and collaborative practice, and service to the community, undergraduate Social Work students will be prepared to provide generalist practice; MSW graduates will be prepared for advanced generalist practice with a Family-in-Environment practice perspective, and doctoral level graduates will be prepared for organizational leadership and teaching in higher education.
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Vision
The Social Work Program at Kutztown University will be widely recognized for:
- Responding to the community's needs by preparing social work professionals, leaders, and educators through BSW, MSW, and DSW programs
- Responding to the students' needs for accessible, affordable, and quality Social Work education across the social work education continuum
- Promoting equity through anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice
- Establishing Kutztown University as a leader for cooperative partnerships with community social service industry, for research and development of innovative practices
- Providing leadership in responding to the social needs in the region from a local and global perspective through programming and a diverse faculty body.
Dr. John Vafeas
Department Chair
vafeas@kutztown.edu
PROGRAMS AVAILABLE INCLUDE:
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Bachelor of Social Work (Generalist Perspective)
If you want a career that offers deep personal meaning, action, diversity, satisfaction and an abundance of options, Social Work may be your perfect fit. With a Bachelor of Social Work degree (BSW) you’ll be prepared to apply your passion for helping others in a fulfilling career promoting social justice, community, family and personal well-being.
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Master of Social Work (Family in Environment Perspective)
With KU’s Master of Social Work, you will be prepared to apply your passion for helping people in a fulfilling career promoting personal, family and community well-being. The MSW prepares you for advanced specialized clinical practice and leadership roles in diverse social situations.
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Doctor of Social Work (Teachers who can Lead, Leaders who can Teach)
Pursue your passion for social justice through enhanced leadership, and the transformative opportunity to explore and develop yourself as a scholar and practitioner. The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program prepares academicians who are able to lead, and leaders who are able to teach. One of approximately 15 Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs in the country, the KU DSW program is one of the few that emphasizes leadership and education.
The environment in the Social Work Department demonstrates genuineness, compassion, respect, and so much more.
Aleah Grimshaw, BSW 2022
WHAT IS A SOCIAL WORKER AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
Social Workers: This is Who We Are Video
Video from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Current Campaign - Textbook Lending Library
The Department of Social Work has developed a Textbook Lending Library that facilitates access to educational materials/resources throughout bachelor of social work students’ educational career. The library operates through the department and provides a lending service of essential educational materials to our students.
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Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Commission on Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.