Social Work

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Chairperson: Carol Brownstein-Evans, PhD; BSW Program Director: Leanne Wood Charlesworth, PhD; Professors: David, MSW, Norwood Evans, DSW, Watkins, PhD; Associate Professors: Brownstein-Evans, PhD, Wood Charlesworth, PhD, Metzger, PhD, Russell, PhD; Clinical Associate Professors: Sharp, MSW; Clinical Assistant Professor: Mark Primus, MSW

Mission Statement
The mission of Nazareth College’s baccalaureate social work program is to educate ethical, competent social workers prepared for generalist practice. The BSW program prepares students to engage in strengths-based practice, advance human rights as well as social and economic justice, and to respect diversity.

Competencies
Graduates of Nazareth College’s baccalaureate social work program will be able to:

1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
4. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.
9. Respond to contexts that shape practice.
10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Accreditation
The baccalaureate program in social work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). This accrediting body ensures that all baccalaureate and graduate-level social work programs are of a high quality and that they graduate competent professionals. Graduating from a CSWE-accredited baccalaureate program enables students to apply for both entry-level professional social work positions and for advanced standing in graduate programs of Social Work.

The Department of Social Work also offers a CSWE-accredited MSW degree program in collaboration with the College at Brockport, SUNY.   

Both Nazareth College programs are registered also with the Division of Professional Education New York State Education Department.

Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) Program
The Nazareth College Department of Social Work offers a CASAC program (approved as a New York State OASAS Certified Education and Training Provider). The curriculum develops knowledge and skills relevant to this field of practice.

General Information
The social work program requires extensive supervised field experiences and makes use of Rochester-area health and human service agencies to acquaint students with the diversity of professional activity and opportunities existing in the field.

Students are required to receive at least a ‘C’ grade in all required SWK courses and maintain a 2.3 overall average in SWK, in order to continue in the major. 

Return to: School of Health and Human Services