Department of Social Work
Florida A&M University has a long history of training social workers who are dedicated to facilitating social and economic justice and improving lives in Florida and across the nation.
Our Programs
The MSW and BSW Programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The accreditation status is important as many states, programs and graduate schools have policies which require or prefer graduates from accredited social work programs.
BSW
We seek to educate students who will engage in the problem-solving process with individuals, groups and communities; promote social and economic justice for oppressed people; and demonstrate knowledge and sensitivity to human diversity.
MSW
The MSW program is designed to prepare students for responsible, professional social work practice in community development and administration.
What We Have To Offer
The social work faculty, along with the University, students, staff, and community strive to deliver a high-quality program committed to the enhancement of human well-being, social and economic justice, and the alleviation of poverty and oppression in all forms.
Alumni Resources
Welcome Back!We welcome all alumni to tell the tale of their wonderful experiences as a professional Social Worker!
Field Education
Learn MoreField Education is a vital part of the social work curriculum where concepts learned in the classroom are integrated with the practice setting.
Grievances
Learn MoreIf you feel an injustice has occured either with your grades or personally please know that we are here for you.
Scholarships
Learn MoreEach year, The Hubert Reddick Endowed Scholarship awards a $1,500 scholarship to students majoring in social work and one for sociology.
Student Organizations
Learn MoreStudents are encouraged to cultivate their professional skills through honor and service organizations.
Purpose & Values
We are committed to human and community well-being.
“The purpose of the social work profession is to promote human and community well-being. Guided by a person-in-environment framework, a global perspective, respect for human diversity, and knowledge based on scientific inquiry, the purpose of social work is actualized through its quest for social and economic justice, the prevention of conditions that limit human rights, the elimination of poverty, and the enhancement of the quality of life for all persons, locally and globally.”
“Service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry are among the core values of social work. These values underpin the explicit and implicit curriculum and frame the profession’s commitment to respect for all people and the quest for social and economic justice.”
“Generalist practice is grounded in the liberal arts and the person-in-environment framework. To promote human and social well-being, generalist practitioners use a range of prevention and intervention methods in their practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities based on scientific inquiry and best practices. The generalist practitioner identifies with the social work profession and applies ethical principles and critical thinking in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Generalist practitioners engage diversity in their practice and advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. They recognize, support, and build on the strengths and resiliency of all human beings. They engage in research-informed practice and are proactive in responding to the impact of context on professional practice.”
Social Work Competencies
In 2008 The Council on Social Work Education adopted a competency-based educational approach.
A competency-based approach refers to identifying and assessing what students demonstrate in practice. In social work this approach involves assessing students’ ability to demonstrate the competencies identified in the educational policy.
Tell Me More
Each competency embodies the knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive and affective processes that comprise the competency at the generalist level of practice, and includes a set of behaviors that integrate these components. The behaviors represent observable components of the competencies, while the competency statements represent the underlying content and processes that inform the behaviors.
The CSWE nine (9) Core Competencies are listed below:
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Competency 2: Advance Human Rightsand Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice
Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
