ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT SECTION 1:
Program Description // 2011 -2012
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT – SECTION 1
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
COLLEGE / SCHOOL / DIVISION: The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work
PROGRAM/UNIT: BSW
ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR: Mrs. Carrie Waites, MSW, LCSW
Year: 2011-2012
a.
Identify and discuss the mission of the program/unit in the context of the University and
College/School/Division.
BSW Program Description
The mission of the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social work at Norfolk State University is
to provide social work education programs that prepare students to develop and deliver
services that strengthen and/or empower individuals, families and communities. The School
and its programs emphasize the values of social justice, social responsibility, and respect of
human rights, dignity and diversity. The School is especially committed to addressing the
strengths and challenges for an ethnically and culturally diverse population in an evolving global
community.
Brief History
The Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University reflects a
tradition of providing professional educational programs that prepare students for competent
social work practice. The School prepares students at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral
levels for the profession. The Baccalaureate Social Work (BSW) Program was initially accredited
by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in 1974. The Master of Social Work (MSW)
Program, the first graduate program at N.S.U., was initially accredited in 1975. The Doctorate
of Social Work Program, Ph.D., the first independent doctoral program at N.S.U., was initiated
in January 1995.
The School’s mission has evolved in preparing a continuum of professional social
workers who are competent and effective, providing leadership in the development of service
delivery rooted in the School’s philosophy, responsive to contemporary practice needs, and
capable of contributions to future developments in social welfare and social work.
All of the School’s programs conceive human diversity as a centerpiece for their identity.
Diversity forms the central core around which the education is focused with the theme,
Strengthening Families and Communities. Our special mission is to prepare students with the
commitment, confidence, and competence to practice on behalf of diverse populations.
Program Goals and Learning Outcomes
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT SECTION 1:
Program Description // 2011 -2012
The Baccalaureate Social Work (BSW) Program is designed to prepare students for
entry- level, professional social work practice as generalists. Generalist practitioners are
expected to be able to intervene with diverse populations in various size systems. The BSW
program goals and student learning outcomes are as follows:
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Students are prepared for employment as beginning professional social work practitioners
utilizing a generalist approach that emphasizes the 10 core competencies and practice
behaviors as defined by CSWE EPAS
Students are competent to develop and deliver services that strengthen and empower
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Students will demonstrate mastery of the core competencies at the beginning professional
level
Students will possess a foundation of values and ethics which guide professional practice
Students are prepared to work differentially with diverse populations with a special
commitment to the affirmation of the unique characteristics and needs of populations
Students have a variety of modes of intervention appropriate to the range of social systems
in which people live
Human Resources
The School of Social Work, BSW Program, has highly qualified full-time and adjunct
faculty with expertise in a variety of content areas (e.g. policy, family, child welfare, mental
health, health, aging, community development, social and economic justice and research who
are respected in the region as professors, instructions and researchers, as well as trainers for
professional development activities.
Technological Resources
The School of Social Work provides students and faculty with a state-of-the-art
technology center that includes teleconferencing capabilities, videotaping and videoconferencing and high-speed, streaming media technology.
Vision and Aspirations
School of Social Work faculty views their school as a leading proponent of professional
social work practice and education. Given this view, the faculty aspires to continue the School’s
history of excellence in teaching, research, advisement, community and University service.
Furthermore, all programs within the School aspire to enhance services and education in a
global community; thus meeting workforce demands globally as well as nationally, regionally
and locally.
b.
Provide a brief history of the program/unit, including any recent specialized accreditation or audit
review. Briefly discuss history of outcomes assessment in the program/unit.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT SECTION 1:
Program Description // 2011 -2012
Norfolk State University has engaged in a rigorous assessment program under the auspices of the Office of
Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment beginning in the early 1980’s. Since the inception of the Universities
assessment model, the School of Social Work has been an active participant. Assessment activities in the school
are comprehensive, varied, and ever evolving across programs – BSW, MSW, and PhD. The programs are at
different levels of involvement and maturity based on the State Council of Higher Education mandate.
Undergraduate programs were the first group to launch comprehensive assessment activities.
The BSW program ascribes to a competency practice based model which utilizes multiple measures at strategic
sites and benchmarks. The sites of measurement are entry, interval, exit, and follow up. Data from the various
measurement sites are utilized to inform and promote change in the explicit and implicit curriculum to enhance
attainment of program competencies. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), has consistently
reaffirmed the accreditation of the BSW program. At this time, the BSW program is fully accredited by CSWE.
c.
List all statements of intended program student learning outcomes (academic degree programs) // List
statements of intended program outcomes (educational support/administrative/community outreach
units).
The following chart provides statements of the intended program/student learning outcomes.
Outcome 1 Students are prepared for employment as beginning professional social work practitioners utilizing a generalist approach
that emphasizes the 10 core competencies and practice behaviors as defined by CSWE EPAS
Outcome 2 Students are competent to develop and deliver services that strengthen and empower individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities
Outcome 3 Students will demonstrate mastery of the core competencies at the beginning professional level
Outcome 4 Students will possess a foundation of values and ethics which guide professional practice
Outcome 5 Students are prepared to work differentially with diverse populations with a special commitment to the affirmation of th
unique characteristics and needs of populations
Outcome 6 Students have a variety of modes of intervention appropriate to the range of social systems in which people live
d.
Briefly address
i. How and when were the statements of intended outcomes developed?
The intended outcomes where developed in consultation with faculty, students, professional practitioners, and
other community stakeholders. In addition, the intended outcomes are consistent with accreditation standards and
the educational policy statement provided by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Student learning
outcomes were developed at the onset of the accreditation process but are reviewed annually and modified if
needed to meet best practices, contemporary standards, and accreditation requirements.
ii. Are statements of intended program outcomes periodically reviewed?
Intended program outcomes/student learning outcomes are reviewed annually and modified as needed to meet
best practices, contemporary standards, and accreditation requirements.
iii. Do course syllabi discuss the course rationale in the context of intended program
learning outcomes (academic degree programs only)?
Course syllabi discuss the rationale and context for each student/program learning outcome. This rationale
incorporates the relationship between CSWE core competencies and specific learning outcomes.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT SECTION 1:
Program Description // 2011 -2012
Discuss the ways in which program goals and statements of intended program outcomes are
communicated to students/customers/clients (e.g., website url, program brochures, orientation).
Program goals and statements of intended program outcomes are communicated to students and stakeholders
through the university catalog, program brochures, university and school websites, curriculum, orientation,
departmental meetings, advisement, and course syllabi.
e.
Briefly discuss curriculum organization (academic degree programs only) or the organizational
structure of the unit (non-academic units).
The BSW program is a structured two phased sequential model. Phase one is pre-social work education which
occurs in the first and second year and comprises 60 credit hours. Courses are general education and beginning
level social work. At the end of the second year studet5ns are required to apply to the Professional Program,
which is 60 credit hours that include advanced undergraduate social work courses and field practica. The program
is staffed by a cadre of both full-time and adjunct social work professionals. All professors meet the Council on
Social Work accreditation requirements for teaching faculty.
f.
Upload and briefly discuss curriculum maps (academic degree programs only / optional for 20102011).
The curriculum mapping exercises are scheduled for Fall 2012 and will address the current educational policy
core competencies and practice behaviors.
g.
List any off-site locations utilized by the program (academic degree programs only). For each site,
indicate whether a student can obtain 50 percent of credits toward the program degree.
New College Institute has a cohort of BSW students for whom the curriculum is delivered utilizing multiple
modes of delivery, face to face, video teleconferencing, on line, and modular. Students may obtain 50% of the
credits toward the degree program on site.
h.
Indicate whether program majors can accumulate more than 50% of credits required for graduation
via online instructional methods (academic degree programs only).
Program majors cannot accumulate more than 50% of credits required for graduation via on line instructional
methods.
i.
j.
Indicate whether the program is engaged in joint or collaborative degree arrangements with other
institutions (academic degree programs only).
k.
Indicate whether the program offers accelerated degree options (academic degree programs only).
l.
If appropriate, briefly discuss how the unit provides services to (i) online students and (ii) students
taking courses at the off-site locations (educational support/administrative/community outreach
units).
No
No
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT REPORT SECTION 1:
Program Description // 2011 -2012
Students are provided advisement on site, as well as access to departmental meetings via teleconferencing. Also,
the students have access to library resources, student services and support, technology support, funding
opportunities, community services activities, and all sponsored programs through both the school and host
university. A number of support services are available onsite, such as resource library, technology center,
tutoring, testing, funding, cultural activities and referral services.
m. Briefly discuss program/unit human and technological resources.
The program has access to a cadre of competent faculty members and staff who provide valuable resources and
support to the program. The program has access to technological support services, computer lab, video
teleconferencing capabilities, mobile access to web based technology, videotape/CD library and recording
equipment and studio.
Briefly discuss program/unit vision and long-term aspirations.
The program envisions the offering of additional on line courses with a long range plan to develop an on line
degree option.
n.