Department of Social Work

The Social Work Department at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is committed to providing a quality education to baccalaureate level social work students who upon graduation are prepared to engage in entry-level generalist social work practice with client systems of various  sizes and types.

Social work students are prepared to apply:

1. Problem-solving techniques,
2. Intervention strategies utilized when working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations.

The program builds its professional foundation upon:

1. The knowledge,
2. Cognitive/affective process,
3. Skills necessary for graduates to practice with diverse populations, groups, and settings.

The program is committed to preparing students who demonstrate competent practice skills when working in rural and urban settings. Strategies and interventions to alleviate poverty, oppression, and discrimination are constantly sought as mechanisms to promote social and economic justice, environmental justice, and empowerment. Overall, ongoing and continuous evaluation of the total program is always at the forefront of the faculty’s agenda.

The social work program’s baccalaureate curriculum prepares students for generalist social work practice.

During the evaluation of the total program and curriculum, the social work faculty collaboratively agreed to use the Council on Social Work Education (2015) definition of generalist practice. The definition of generalist practice states:

“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” (CSWE 2015 Education Policies & Accreditation Standards).

1974

The Social Work Program was initiated in 1974 by one faculty member. It was a component of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

1977

Specific planning for additional faculty and courses was started in early 1977. The courses were initially classified as social science courses as required by the goals and objectives of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Council on Social Work Education. Before social work became part of the general curriculum at UAPB, an intense plan was written and submitted to the Chancellor in 1977 outlining the practicality of a social work degree. The plan was approved, and the Social Work Program began to gain autonomy. In 1977, the courses were given a social work prefix.

Present

The Department of Social Work is housed in the School of Arts and Sciences. The Social Work Program involves students in the studies and activities that will enable them to cope effectively with the socio-cultural and interpersonal process of a constantly changing, complex society.

The conceptual model of social work provides the student with basic knowledge and skills in the three components of social work practice: orientation to the ethics and standards of the profession of Social Work; knowledge concerning the Social Sciences and Human Behavior; and both knowledge and skill in the problem-solving process.

Our program competencies include:

• Competency 1 Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
• Competency 2 Advance Human Rights and 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 Individual, 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

1. To provide social work students with the theoretical constructs, knowledge, and applicable skills required for competent generalist social work practice.
2. To prepare social work students to advocate and be culturally sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable and disenfranchised population in both rural and urban regions.
3. To promote social and economic justice and empowerment necessary to alleviate poverty, oppression, and discrimination.
4. To prepare competent entry-level professional social workers with a commitment to social work values and service.