MSW Program Goals

The M.S.W program’s goals are derived directly from its mission statement and are designed to meet the social service needs of its Program locations and beyond. The program goals are:

1. To provide a foundational M.S.W. curriculum and an advanced generalist social work curriculum that prepares M.S.W. graduates for autonomous social work practice that promotes social, economic and environmental justice and endeavors to address poverty and other social problems within individual, organizational and community contexts within, but not limited to, West and Northern Michigan and the state of Michigan.
2. To award the graduate degree to individuals who are skilled practitioners who adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics, incorporating diversity into their practice and are capable of assuming leadership and scholarly professional roles in the community, region, state, national and global communities.
3. To contribute to the ongoing development of professional social work knowledge and practice through research and scholarly inquiry that employ state-of-the-art technology.
4. To prepare students for continued professional development opportunities throughout their careers, including doctoral education.

MSW Mission Statement

The mission of the GVSU M.S.W. Program is to prepare advanced generalist social workers who enhance and sustain the welfare and wellbeing of the individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities of West Michigan, the state, the nation, and the world; and who further the goals of the University and of the social work profession in this region and beyond. This is accomplished through professional leadership, advancement of the social work field’s knowledge through research and evaluation, and a focus on diversity, social justice and human rights.