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Lincoln University, BSSW, Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology

NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL FORM

Sponsoring Institution: Lincoln University
Program Title: Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
Degree/Certificate: Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work
Options:
CIP Classification: 44.0701 (Social Work)
Implementation Date: August, 2008
Cooperative Partners: N/A
Expected Date of& First Graduation: May, 2012

Authorization
Dr. Carolyn Mahoney, President

Dr. A. F.Holland, Head
Department of social and Behavioral Sciences
Person to Contact for More Information
573/681-5146

Executive Summary
Proposed Major in Social Work

The proposed social work degree concentration prepares graduates to engage in entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations within a complex multicultural society. The program provides an educational experience that prepares graduates to continue their formal educational pursuits in graduate education or a diverse range of career choices.

The degree requires 121 credit hours for graduation and consists of Liberal Arts Foundation Courses, Electives, and the Professional Social Work Core Courses. The major requirements total 48 credit hours. The proposal requires students who are interested in the undergraduate degree in social work to apply for admission to the University and complete a” Declaration of Intent” to pursue the undergraduate degree in social work at the end of the sophomore year. The student must meet with an academic advisor for an interview to ascertain acceptance into the major and must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade point. They must demonstrate acceptable standards of professional conduct, personal integrity and emotional stability requisite for professional helping relationships. The social work core courses must be taken in proper sequence, requiring four semesters of completed work beginning the Junior year.

The minimum requirement of 400 clock hours of Field Experience will be conducted over two-semesters. Specific social work skills under assessment are: 1. Process of communication, 2. Problem-solving and Identification, 3. Decision-making and counseling, 4. Analysis of social policies and trends, and 5. Cultural Competence. Ideally the student learns an approach to the practice of problem-solving while using the Strengths Perspective Theoretical Framework. Close supervision in the Field Experience will provide an opportunity for faculty to assist students with the learning process. Experiential learning in and out of the classroom will provide ample opportunity for students to determine strengths/skills in this profession. In addition, faculty will have ample opportunity to identify skills that require professional honing.

Approximately 25 students have expressed an interest in the major. A Market Plan is being developed to attract new recruits to the proposed major. This program builds upon the long-standing Minor established in the Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences several years ago.

Current faculty resources are not sufficient to meet the need to implement this degree program. Two additional full-time faculty has been proposed. The Council on Social Work Education (Accreditation Body) requires a minimum of two full-time faculty and one program director/coordinator.

MISSION AND PLANNING PRIORITIES

Lincoln University, with the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, Education and Journalism proposes a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. This degree will offer greater flexibility and opportunity for students who are currently pursuing their studies in the social work minor and related areas. The goal of the proposed degree program is to prepare its graduates to engage in entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations within a complex multicultural society. The primary purpose is to prepare students for entry level generalists’ social work practice or to continue their formal educational pursuits in graduate social work education or other graduate disciplines.

Objectives of the Program

It is expected that students completing this degree will practice in a manner consistent with social work traditions, values and ethics as expressed in the National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics. Specifically, the objectives of the program are:

Students will be prepared for careers in professional practice settings for entry-level generalist practitioners including such areas as social welfare services, child welfare, family preservation, mental retardation, mental health, drug and alcohol, juvenile justice, aging, shelters for battered women, homeless shelters, community food banks, neighborhood citizen organizations, hospitals, rehabilitations services and others;
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the strengths perspective as well as the problem-solving approach, including engagement, data collection, assessment, intervention, evaluation and termination;
Students will be able to demonstrate competence as critical thinkers, readers, writers and researchers and evidence proficiency in verbal and written communication skills relevant to beginning generalist practice;
Students will be able to use a multidimensional theoretical framework to understand human behavior and individual development across the life span;
Students will be able to describe, assess and critically analyze social policies and the impact of social welfare policies on client/consumers systems, as well as different population groups.
Students will be able to evaluate and apply research methods, research findings and related tools to evaluate practice interventions.
Students will utilize ethical techniques to help clients/consumers increase coping skills as well as demonstrate the ability to link consumers with appropriate resources and services;
Students will engage in culturally sensitive generalist practice with diverse and oppressed populations; and
Students will be able to utilize existing technology and educational services available in an information age.

The Bachelor of Science degree in social work is supportive of, and consistent with, the University’s mission. Lincoln University as an 1890 land-grant, comprehensive higher education institution, being a part of the Missouri state system of higher education, is designed to meet the educational and social needs of a diverse student body including both traditional and non-traditional students with a broad range of academic preparations and skills. As stated in the Lincoln

University Undergraduate Bulletin 2005-2007:

“The core mission of Lincoln University is to provide excellent educational opportunities for a diverse student population in the context of an open enrollment institution. The University provides student-centered learning in a nurturing environment, integrating teaching, research, and service. Lincoln University offers relevant, high quality undergraduate and select graduate programs that prepare students for careers and lifelong learning. These programs are grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and focused on public service professions that meet the academic and professional needs of its historical and state-wide student clientele.”

Lincoln University is committed to education that furthers social and economic justice and strives to incorporate this commitment into its curriculum of studies and educational activities. There is particular concern of empowerment of oppressed and disenfranchised groups. The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and social work in particular is central to the mission of the University, since its core mission statement embraces preparing diverse populations grounded in liberal arts and focused on public services. The social work profession certainly prepares students to serve the public’s social welfare needs. The primary aim is to educate professional social workers who will become leaders in a complex multi-cultural society. The social work profession has its own body of knowledge, code of ethics, practice standards, credentials, state licensing, and a nationwide system of accredited education programs. Few occupations can match social work, which offers the broadest range of career opportunities and organizational settings. Social workers secure their careers in private/public social agencies, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, hospitals, clinics, mental health facilities, schools, children and family services, extended care facilities, criminal justice facilities, courts and countless other workplaces. They are managers, educators, researchers, supervisors, administrators, therapists, caseworkers, elected political leaders, legislators, lobbyists, and serve all levels of government. Given this breadth and range of services social workers can provide, it is most appropriate that Lincoln take an active part in supplying the state and the nation to meet its employment needs while we help students fulfill career aspirations.

The proposed degree program is consistent with the University’s mission of providing quality undergraduate education and comprehensive degree offerings for both traditional and non-traditional students. There are three planning priorities and goals of Lincoln University that this proposed degree would provide support to the central mission. They are to:

- provide quality education and learning opportunities that are unique and beneficial to the citizens of Missouri and the nation;

- offer a variety of undergraduate programs that are grounded in the liberal arts and sciences;

- foster the development of the total person;

- improve academic and support services;

- enhance the quality of those academic programs and courses that are central to its institutional mission.

The proposed program for a Bachelor of Science Degree in social work is compatible with the mission in that it offers a relevant undergraduate program in preparing students for public service professions which meet the academic and professional needs of Lincoln University’s student population. The proposed degree program will be established upon an already well-founded Minor in Social Work. The social work minor at Lincoln University was established several years ago with core social work courses already established and taught for many years. The Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work will strengthen an already existing social work minor. This degree proposal adheres to the Lincoln University Strategic Plan- Goals 1 and 2, as well as the University’s mission statement.

Goal 1: “Lincoln University will prepare students for careers and lifelong learning by maintaining and developing high quality academic programs which are grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and focused on Public Service Professions.

Goal 2: “Lincoln University will develop new mission relevant programs that are responsive to the needs of the community, state and nation.”

This degree proposal will contribute to strengthening the university’s liberal arts degree programs by providing educational opportunities to diverse traditional and non-traditional students who will combine course work with field experiences. In addition the program will increase student demand for courses in the profession thereby increasing credit hours generated and new revenues.

NEED

A. Student Demand

The social work profession is facing a time when the old paradigm of the “welfare state” is being seriously questioned on all sides of the political spectrum. Social problems and social disorder are perplexing policy makers, the academy, the professions and the public. Inner cities, the suburbs and rural communities are experiencing a greater range of social problems and challenges than ever before. Policy centers are moving from the federal government to state and local communities. The organizational infrastructure to meet these challenges across the Unite States and across the state of Missouri is not ready to meet these new manpower demands. Academic social work is in a unique position to make a contribution in addressing this need. Social workers are increasingly being called upon to lead and participate in partnership with human service agencies, government and educational institutions to coordinate resources and services. Lincoln University stands in a unique position to aid in meeting the manpower demand for social workers.

A viable social work minor was developed in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences years ago. Since its development, community and student interests regarding the development of a major in social work has increased. There are approximately 25 students who have declared social work as a minor but have expressed an interest in majoring in social work. Frequent inquiries are made by Lincoln’s students majoring in other disciplines expressing an interest in pursuing an undergraduate social work degree. Given the geographical location to state government and state and local agencies there is a need for this institution to respond to this inquiry.

B. Market Demand

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, social work opportunities will expand significantly between today and 2014. Baby boomers are entering old age, which means they will need more social services. In addition, methods of caring for mentally and physically ill people are changing. The health care industry will provide many of the new opportunities. Increasingly, health care organizations operating under strict HMO reimbursement guidelines are using social workers to help cut cost. The trend is especially apparent in the field of mental health counseling, since social workers offer reduced costs for psychotherapeutic services than do licensed psychologists or psychiatrists.

Social workers held about 477,000 jobs in 2002-2005. About 4 out of 10 jobs were in state and local government agencies, primarily in departments of health and human services. Most private sector jobs were in the health care and social assistance industry. Although most social workers are employed in cities and suburbs, social work in rural areas is very lucrative. When looking at the labor statistics, we see the following: Children and Family & School Services- 274,000; Medical and Public Health Social Worker- 107,000; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers- 95,000.

According to Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, opportunities for counselors and human service workers in Missouri look very favorable for qualified applicants. These occupations will have job openings at the rate of about three to five percent each year. There will be approximately 180 job openings for counselors and 350 job openings for human service workers per year. The higher education system in Missouri does not produce enough social work students with the Bachelor of Social Work Degree to meet the employment demand. It is projected that human service jobs will rise about 4% each year in Missouri.

Lincoln is in a unique position to develop suicidology curriculum to meet the needs of Department of Defense (DOD). The BSW would be a natural place to house some of the course offerings and training that will be needed by the Military as we conduct our research and as we find training and interventions to aid the Military in reducing the suicidal rate. More often social workers and crisis intervention workers are called upon to assist families of suicide victims. The opportunity to develop curriculum, short term training and counseling intervention techniques will be necessary. All of these factors will be beneficial to Lincoln University as we pursue our work with DOD.

C. Societal Need

The National Association of Social Workers Center for Workforce Studies reported in 2004 that the demand for social work services would increase greatly over the next several years due to numerous environmental and social conditions within the society i.e. baby boomers retiring, elderly population needs’ increasing and post-traumatic stress disorders among returning soldiers from the war zones.

In addition to the conditions cited, poverty is firmly entrenched in the economic system and the rate of poverty has been increasing. Even after the longest economic expansion in modern history, millions of adults and children live with incomes well below the poverty line. If lack of education inhibits a person’s ability to earn a good income, it is necessary to find ways to improve that person’s access to education or ability to learn. If working full-time still leaves a person in poverty or without health care, wages and benefit coverage, support and help ultimately will be needed. About 13 percent of the population in the United States is living below poverty line (Kornblum & Julian, 2001). In addition there are many people who do not fall under the government’s poverty line, but still have very limited income and a living standard that is similar to those below the poverty line. (See Kornblum, W. & Julia. Social Problems, 10th ed. NJ: Prentice Hall.)
According to Kornblum & Julian, the infant mortality rate of the poor is almost double the rate of the affluent. The poor have less access to medical services and receive lower quality care from health-care professionals. The poor are exposed to higher levels of unsanitary conditions. They have higher rates of malnutrition and disease. Schools in poor areas are of lower quality and have fewer resources. As a result the poor achieve less academically and are more likely to drop out of school, to be arrested, indicted, imprisoned, and given longer sentences. They are less likely to receive probation, parole, or suspended sentences.

Becoming more common in our society are single-parent families, blended families, and mothers working outside of the home. Poverty affects single-parent families significantly more than two-parent families. The formation of blended families requires substantial adjustments by a number of people, including: spouses, children, former spouses, and close relatives and friends. Because an increasing number of mothers are working outside of the home, there is a need to expand efforts to provide more child-care arrangements available to children in these families.

Finally, the social work profession grew out of a rich history of responses to social need with a unique set of values and ethics. The unique contribution of social work practice is the focus on both the person and the environment; this duality and the interaction between them constitute the special purview of the profession and make it distinct from other helping professions. In summary, social workers make a commitment through professional training to both help people in need and improve society while giving special attention to the interactions between people and their surroundings.

III. Duplication of Proposed Program

Currently, Lincoln University offers a minor in social work and seeks to offer a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. This program is not unnecessarily duplicative of other Missouri Institutions. The program at Lincoln will meet an institutional, local, and state service need. The degree would meet service need with social agencies in the state capitol and the surrounding areas which are the service population for the university.
There are three universities in Mid-Missouri that offer the Bachelor Degree of Social Work. They are the University of Missouri, Columbia College, and William Woods. Columbia College recently made program adjustments in their degree program and no longer offers the social work degree but that of Human Services. William Woods, a private institution have capped the number of students to matriculate in its degree program. The University of Missouri provides the largest number of social workers to meet the state’s social work manpower needs. Both William Woods and the University of Missouri have capped the number of students in their social work degree programs.
Moreover, the Department has been heavily prompted by the School of Social Work, University of Missouri to establish an undergraduate program. They are unable to meet the manpower demands since enrollment has previously been capped at the BSW levels.

They too believe that Lincoln is strategically located to aid in meeting needs of new students as well as those persons currently employed in state government who are in need of undergraduate degrees in social work for purposes of job mobility. In addition to our internship program, various state and local governmental agencies solicit our students for support. We also believe that our students will gain sufficient expertise in social work thereby making them more competitive and marketable.

An Articulation Agreement with the School of Social Work and Lincoln University has been established. This partnership with the University of Missouri serves both campuses. Finally, we are in agreement that another undergraduate program in the area is needed because the pool of social work undergraduates is not enough to meet current employment demand.

The Bachelor of Science degree in social work will be closely linked with the Bachelor of Science/Arts degrees in Sociology and Psychology. The cost of instruction will require hiring two new faculty to add to one permanent tenured faculty member in social work, to maintain the program. As stated previously, the minor was established many years ago. Since that time new course offerings have been developed and old offerings have been updated to meet the requirements of the Council on Social Work Education Accreditation Standards. The development of the Field Experience component will be needed as well as field instruction manual and identification of field supervisors. Marketing of the program and review of library holdings will be necessary to make sure the program has necessary holdings to accommodate a degree program.

IV. PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Existing programs will be strengthened and enriched as additional students and new perspectives will be introduced to the social work profession. The proposed program is grounded in a liberal arts base and contains a coherent, integrated professional foundation in social work practice.

During the junior and senior years the BSSW Program is full time. For admission to the BSSW program, a student must demonstrate the capacity for successful work at the undergraduate level, with a minimum of 2.00 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Credits awarded from College Level Examination Program (CLEP) by the department are acceptable for inclusion in the 60 credits. A minimum of 121 credits is required for graduation from the BSSW program.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

A. Total credits required for graduation:121 cr. hrs.

B. Residency requirement, if any:30 cr. hrs.

C. General Education- Total Credits 47cr. hrs.

Courses (distribution area and credits)
Communications skills - 9
Mathematics Skills - 3
Personal & Comm. Health - 2
Lifetime Wellness - 1
University Seminar - 1
Life and Physical Sciences - 7
Social Behavior & Sciences - 12
Humanities & Fine Arts - 6
Cultural Diversity - 3
International Diversity - 3

D. Major Requirements-Total Credits48 cr. Hrs.

I. Content on Multicultural social work - 3

II. Human Behavior in the Social Environment - 6

III. Social Welfare Policies and Services - 6

IV. Research - 6

V. Social Work Practice - 9

VI. Field Instruction - 18

E. Free elective Credits: 25 (Sum of C, D, and E equal A)
Minor of 18 hours required

F. Requirements for thesis, internship or other capstone experience: Major is inclusive of Field Practicum Experience as well as a Field and Integrative Senior Seminar.

G. Any unique features such as interdepartmental cooperation:
Minor in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice and Political Science.
Bachelor of Science: Social Work

Sample Program

Freshman Year		Junior Year
First Semester		Frist Semester
GE 101 University Seminar	1	SW 400 Multicultural S.W.	3
Eng. 101 Composition & Rhetoric	3	SW 401 Social Casework	3
MAT Mathematic Requirement	3	*Psy 304 Personality Theory	3
S/A 201 Introduction to Sociology	3	SW 405 S.W. Research	3
PED 111 Personal & Comm. Health	2	SW 404 Human Behavior	3
His 101 or 102 World Civilization	3
	15		15

Second Semester		Second Semester
Eng. 102 Composition & Rhetoric II	3	SW 401 SW w/Groups	3
Mat 117 Elementary Statistics	3	SS 452 Data Analysis	3
Psy 101 General Psychology	3	SW 406 P/Com. Org.	3
Science Requirement	3	SW 403 SW W/Aged	3
Humanities & Fine Arts	3	Upper Division Elective	3
Lifetime Wellness Skills	1
	16		15

Sophomore Year		Senior Year
First Semester		First Semester
SW 201 Introduction to Social Work	3	SW 499 Field Practicum	6
His. 205 American History	3	SW 499L Field Seminar	3
CD 200 Culture Diversity	3	Upper Division Electives	3
Spt 206 Fundamental of Speech	3	SW 495 Special Subjects	3
Science Requirement w/Lab	4
	16		15

Second Semester		Second Semester
International Culture Diversity	3	SW 499 Field Practicul	6
SW 301 Social Welfare Policies	3	SW 493 Integ. Seminar	3
Soc 301 Sociology of the Family	3	Upper Division Electives	5
Psy 303 Social Psychology	3		14
Humanities & Fine Arts	3
	15

*Students may substitute Psychology 404- Abnormal Psychology or Psy 417- Psychotherapies when approved.

V. FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS

This proposal requires hiring two (2) new faculty to support full-time teaching and Field Experience. This major requires extensive development of field coordination and the identification of social agencies and field supervisors in those agencies. Moreover, the Field Instructor’s role is to plan, supervise, and instruct students in various tasks throughout the semester while the student is engaged in the field experience. In addition, an extensive evaluation of students’ performances is conducted and very necessary for purposes of accreditation. The course offerings already established will be scheduled in accordance with the needs of the design of the degree program as well as the development of additional courses thus requiring a full-time faculty to support the degree program.

Salaries have been computed based upon the current employment system used by the University for hiring full-time tenure track professors. Fringe benefits are computed based upon the University Fiscal Officer’s projections of .31% of base salary.

Other expenditures include computer needs for two new faculty approximately $3500/each and marketing and advertising the program for the first two years of its development. The use of advertisements, brochures and announcements will be developed to increase awareness of the program and for purposes of recruitment. Another one-time expenditure is the recruitment of a consultant for purposes of reviewing and assisting faculty in determining whether the accreditation guidelines and standards have been fully met according to the Council on Social Work Education.

Revenue generated for this degree program is based upon current tuitions/fees for full-time students. The University currently supports one full-time faculty and one adjunct faculty. (See Form FP)

Form FP

FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS (deleted)

VI. PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS AND PERFORMANCE GOALS

Student Preparation

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work at Lincoln University must:

Apply for admission to the University
Maintain a minimum of 2.0 cumulative grade point average
Complete lower division/ general education required course work
Complete the “Declaration of Intent” to pursue the undergraduate degree in social
work at the end of sophomore year. Student must meet with academic advisor for an
interview to ascertain acceptance into the major
Maintain a grade of “C” or higher in all social work requirements
Complete 121 semester credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0
Demonstrate acceptable standards of professional conduct, personal integrity and
emotional stability requisite for professional social work practice
Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills necessary for forming professional helping
relationships.
Comply with the stipulation that academic credit for life experience and previous
work experience will not be granted in lieu of field placement or for course work.
Comply with residence credit with a minimum of thirty (30) hours required for a
Bachelor degree.

The social work core courses must be taken in proper sequence, requiring four (4) semesters of completed work beginning the Junior year. Field Practicum is offered both Fall and Spring Semesters (12 Credits) and must be completed before the degree is awarded. Credit towards graduation is given for work completed in other approved/accredited institutions of higher learning after careful review of courses to be transferred and their equivalency.

Faculty Characteristics

Faculty resources are not sufficient to meet the need to implement this degree program. Two additional full-time faculty will be needed to implement the degree social work program. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE-accreditation body) requires a minimum of two full-time faculty and one program director/coordinator with at least a Master’s of Social Work from a CSWE accredited program with full-time appointment in social work and whose principle assignment is to the baccalaureate program. Faculty who teach required field practice courses should have a Masters Social Work Degree from a CSWE- accredited program and at least two years post-baccalaureate or post-master’s social work degree practice. In addition the Field Education Director should have full-time appointment to the program and sufficient assigned time to provide leadership for field education.

Currently, Lincoln University has one full-time Associate Professor and one adjunct faculty who teach courses in social work. Both faculty hold the MSW from accredited CSWE institutions. The one full-time faculty member has 23 years of teaching experience in social work. The adjunct professor is a licensed practitioner as well as 7 years of teaching experience in social work.

It is expected that each faculty will be assigned 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. In addition to the 12 credit hours, faculty are expected to serve on assigned Department, College and University Committees, provide academic advisement for students, participate in marketing and recruiting new students to the program, developing partnerships with state and local agencies, as well as staying abreast of cutting-edge research and practice modalities.

It is expected that full-time faculty will continue professional development and be fully active with professional activities e.g., completion of terminal degrees where needed, conference participation, workshops developed and implemented as well as seeking alternative funding sources for the program. Each faculty will be assigned students for mentoring, counseling and academic advisement over the course of their studies. Close supervision in the Field experience will provide an opportunity for faculty to assist students with the learning process. Creative experiences in and out of the classroom will provide ample opportunity for students to determine strengths/skills in this profession. In addition, faculty will have ample opportunity to identify skills that require professional honing.

Enrollment Projections

Year	1	2	3	4	5
Full-time	10	15	20	25	25
Part-time	5	5	5	5	5

Student and Program Outcomes

It is projected that 10 out of 20 students majoring in Social Work will complete requirements for the degree in 3 years and by the fifth year approximately 25 students will graduate. All social work programs provide foundation content in: 1. Values & Ethics, 2. Social and economic justice, 3. Human Behavior and Social Environment 4. Social welfare policies and services, 5. Social Work Practice and Field Education and 6. Research. The curriculum is developed and organized as a coherent and integrated whole consistent with program goals and objectives. The social work program will administer field education consistent with program goals and objectives that:

Provides for a minimum of 400 hours of field education for the baccalaureate program.
Admits only those students who have met the programs specified criteria for field education.
Specifies policies, criteria and procedures for selecting agencies and field placements with appropriate field education supervision and learning experiences.

Outcomes and objectives of the program for students successfully completing the program are:

Students will be able to demonstrate competence as beginning generalist social work practitioners.
Students will be able to demonstrate competence as critical thinkers, writers and analysts.
Students will be prepared to enter graduate school in social work and/or related disciplines.
Students will be prepared for beginning careers in public-private, non-profit organizations.
Students will be knowledgeable of human diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice.
Students will be knowledgeable of the role social policy plays in social work practice.
Students will be able to utilize existing technology and educational resources available in an information age.

The field practicum sequence is an important component in teaching undergraduates the necessary skill, knowledge and values needed to perform professional social work. The two-semesters of field education focuses on the development of social work skills, professional development and the utilization of specific content relative to agency regulations for generalists. The field education end product should prepare the student with the ability to perform beginning social work practice. Specific social work skills under assessment are: 1. Process of communication (interviewing, verbal and non-verbal gestures, observations, recordings group interactions and social histories). 2. Problem-solving- problem identification, causes and appropriate methods of intervention. 3. Decision-making- enabling and counseling; analysis of data, awareness of social trends, policies, intended and unintended consequences of policies on families, individuals and groups, awareness of cultural differences in the decision-making process.

Ideally, the student learns an approach to the practice of problem solving while using the Strengths Perspective Theoretical Framework. The student is educated in a process of thinking and analysis which employers can utilize instead of specific role performance and settings.

The field instructor’s role is to plan, supervise, and instruct students in various professional tasks. The instructional process includes planning a semester’s program, conducting routine conferences to discuss with students their progress and/or problems and evaluating students at the end of each semester.

The department will use several measures of evidence to assess over-all achievement of the learning objectives. These will include direct (demonstration of specific skills in the field), indirect (surveys of students) and descriptive assessments completed by the student. A Field Learning Contract will be used to assess student learning outcomes. The learning contract puts into practice the content learned in the classroom into “real world” experiences- in which we can determine the skills, attitudes and professional competencies mastered. Student surveys provide an indirect measure of learning outcomes. The surveys will request a self-appraisal of his/her ability to perform tasks associated with the programs’ learning objectives. Periodic feedback will be solicited regarding other aspects of the educational experience.

The assessment process for this program will be comprehensive and will be determined at several intervals during the course of a student’s matriculation of study. The department will develop an entrance survey administered in the Introduction course that will measure Values’ Inventory. An exit survey will be administered to graduating seniors during Senior Seminar- Spring Semester of each year. Students will also have an opportunity to evaluate field practicum experiences to determine if learning objectives have been appropriately met. Evaluations of the student’s performance in the field practicum will be ascertained at the end of fall and spring semesters of the senior year.

Each instrument used will be designed to evaluate the student’s mastery of the learning objectives. The expected results are that 70% of students matriculating in the program will successfully complete the undergraduate degree. Approximately 50% of those graduating will enter the labor market and will successfully find employment in social work, 30% will find employment in related areas and the remaining 20% will enroll in graduate school.

Program Accreditation

The undergraduate degree program will seek accreditation with the Council of Social Work Education during the third year of operation. The university operates under the auspices of the criteria of North Central Association for Colleges and Universities. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) promotes academic excellence in baccalaureate social work education. The EPAS specifies the curricular content and educational context to prepare students for professional social work practice. Beyond these basic requirements of the EPAS, individual programs focus on areas relevant to their institutional and program mission, goals, and objectives. While accreditation is ultimately evaluative, in social work education it is based on a consultative and collaborative process that determines whether a program meets the requirement of the EPAS. Very early on in the implementation of this program consultation with the Council will be on-going. We have been very careful to review the accreditation standards in the development of this proposal so as to ensure that program goals and objectives are in-keeping with the Council’s goals and objectives. CSWE uses the EPAS for the accreditation of social work programs. The Educational Policy and the Accreditation Standards are conceptually integrated. The accreditation process reviews the program’s self-study document, site team report, and program response to determine compliance with the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.

Alumni and Employer Survey

Educational majors across the disciplines at Lincoln University engage in the development of an Assessment Plan. The Office of Assessment will conduct the appropriate follow-up with alumni. A five to ten year follow-up study with alumni will be done to determine satisfaction of education while at Lincoln University. More importantly, efforts will be made to seek feedback from employers with a written survey after the fifth consecutive year of the degree program. We believe this input will be helpful since the Social Work Program relies heavily on Field Practicum Experience. The relationship with agencies for the Field Experience should also provide an entrée in the world of work for our majors. This on-going relationship is critical to the university as well as the student. Receiving feed-back from employers is a valuable outcome of
this program in that we will be able to determine how satisfied they are with our student’s performance. This type of follow-up will enable us to review what we are doing well and determine areas in need of improvement.

Institutional Characteristics

The proposed Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work will be uniquely established in Jefferson City, the seat of the state capitol. The Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences developed a Minor in social work years ago. It is the most sought after undergraduate degree in social and behavioral sciences. We are an accredited university and have strong ties with social and governmental agencies. We continue to maintain relationships with community constituents and other stake holders in the state. This degree would serve the community well.

In addition, the existing physical facilities and instructional equipment are adequate to meet the needs of the proposed program. Social Work courses are regularly scheduled in classrooms containing appropriate projection equipment with appropriate technological needs at the finger tips of the professor. There will be no cost associated in this area for implementing the program.

The library resources serves as the primary educational resource center of Lincoln University, supporting the curricula and research needs of the institution through the development of pertinent library collections and the provisions of services designed to facilitate access to information. The library is an 80,000 square foot facility, with a seating capacity of approximately 450. The library contains over 157,000 book titles and has 650 active periodical titles. The library is designed to accommodate computers, fiber optics and Internet Access. Private and group study rooms are available for student, faculty and staff use as well as community use. Two bibliographic instruction rooms and two viewing rooms feature multimedia capabilities. The library complies with the American Disabilities Act, including access and a Telesensory Vantage CCD system which can enlarge printed material.

Inman E. Page Library also has Innopac, an online public access catalogue, as well as an interlibrary loan service. The library is a member of the American Library Association and Online Computer Library Center, which provides access to approximately 30 million bibliographic records. There are over 40 CD-ROM databases with citations and abstracts from journals and publications in various disciplines. The Ethnic Studies Center, within the library, also provides opportunities for multicultural experiences for students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community. The library is adequate to meet the educational needs of this proposed program.

Finally, the administration is in full support of this program and believes it to add to its curriculum offerings. The proposed program will be administered by the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the College of Liberal Arts, Education and Journalism. The proposed program is to be offered on the Lincoln University campus.
The University, the College and the Department is well suited to meet the needs of this proposed major, it is timely and much needed.

To view the Appendices please contact B.J. White.