Social Work
Mount Saint Mary's College

Social Work

Assessment

The Social Work Program’s assessment plan was developed collaboratively by our full-time and FTE faculty members and alums of the department. The plan is connected to the mission of the college and its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. The department works to prepare students for their professional careers and graduate school.

In order to succeed in our student outcome goals, students are strongly encouraged to utilize student support services, including the Learning Center, Career Services, Media Center, and technological support such as through various computer labs. They are made aware of our goals through syllabi and the Social Work website.

As a result of our assessment retreats (January and May) and feedback from the assessment committee, we have made the necessary modifications to some of our outcomes. We will continue to adapt and revise if needed based on our future assessment activities.

Goal

Outcome

Mastery of the Social Work Perspective, which involves building skills in complex thinking using social work theories. It requires that students understand and effectively apply theories on human behavior and interaction to real life circumstances.

Outcome 1:
Students will master the major theoretical schools in Social Work.

Outcome 2:
Students will be able to utilize biopsychosocial Analysis.

Mastery of Social Science Research Methods, intends to train students to be able to identify and define a research question, determine appropriate strategies, implement these strategies, and evaluate their research results.

Outcome 1:
Students will master quantitative research methods.

Outcome 2:
Students will be able to use SPSS data analysis software.

Outcome 3:
Students will master qualitative research methods.

Professional Competencies, was developed in order to better prepare students for the professional world. This goal consists of developing basic skills necessary for professional presentation for applicants for employment and/or graduate studies.

Outcome 1:
Students will be able to create a professional resume appropriate to their future profession.

Outcome 2:
Students will demonstrates an understanding of Social Work ethical standards.

Outcome 3:
Students will be able to perform professionally in an internship setting.

Outcome 4:
Demonstrates the ability to access resources for clients and act as an advocate for them.

As advocates, strong communication skills are fundamental to the field of Social Work. Students will learn to communicate and analyze in therapeutic and culturally competent modes.

Outcome 1:
Students will practice the roles of communication in human interaction via technology and multimedia.

Outcome 2:
Students will practice varying techniques of culturally competent communication.

Rubric for Goal 1 Outcome 1: Mastery of Social Work Theories

3 = Exemplary: Demonstrates thorough understanding of all three of the required social work theories. Correctly applies all three theories to the internship experience. Writing is well-organized throughout, with very few or no grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.

2 = Satisfactory: Demonstrates basic understanding of the three required theories theories. Minimally applies each of the three theories to internship experience. Writing is mostly well-organized, with minimum grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

1 = Below Expectations: Marginal understanding of theories, with minimal application of theories to internship experience.

Rubric for Goal 1 Outcome 2: Mastery of Biopsychosocial Analysis

Mastery of biopsychosocial analysis includes a basic understanding of the interactional impact of the following six dimensions:

How biological impacts psychological
How biological impacts sociological
How psychological impacts biological
How psychological impacts sociological
How sociological impacts biological
How sociological impacts psychological

3 = Exemplary: Demonstrates thorough understanding of all six dimensions to biopsychosocial approach. Correctly applies all six dimensions to a case study observed during the internship experience. Writing is well-organized throughout, with very few or no grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.

2 = Satisfactory: Demonstrates basic understanding of the six dimensions to the biopsychosocial approach. Minimally applies each of the six dimensions to the internship experience. Writing is mostly well-organized, with some grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

1 = Below Expectations: Marginal understanding of biopsychosocial approach, with very little application of approach to internship experience.