About the Department

Two social work student studying on the lawn.

We have approximately 90 majors, 4 full-time faculty, and several contract faculty. Our classroom environment is interactive and rich in diversity. Our faculty is committed and easily accessible.

Mission Statement

The mission of La Sierra University’s Social Work Program is to prepare ethical and competent generalist practitioners who demonstrate the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills of the social work profession. This quality education is provided through a foundation of mentoring and nurturing professional growth in learners of all ages within a Christian perspective. This perspective values and embraces diversity while actively serving individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations through service learning and internship opportunities.

Social Work Goals

  1. Prepare students with the knowledge, values, ethics, and skills in generalist social work practice for working with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations.
  2. Infuse throughout the curricula the appreciation and respect for all aspects of diversity.
  3. Facilitate the growth of students through academic advising, mentoring, and professional development.
  4. Offer curricula in a way that provides accessibility to working students.
  5. Prepare students for entry-level professional practice, continued advanced education, and lifelong learning.
  6. Prepare students to embrace a commitment to community service.
  7. Equip students to recognize the impact spirituality can have on professional practice

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of program students will be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

  1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior
  2. Advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice 
  3. Engage in anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in practice
  4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice
  5. Engage in policy practice
  6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
  10. Integrate spiritual and religious beliefs in social work practice
  11. Participate in service-learning activities in response to community needs

Summary Of Assessment Measures For The Department Of Social Work 2023

Assessment Measure #1: (End Of The Year Field Evaluation)

Dimension(s) assessed: Skills, Cognitive/Affective Processes, Knowledge, Values Skills
Cognitive/Affective
Knowledge
Values
When/where students are assessed: End of Senior Year/ Field Placement
Who assessed student competence: Field Instructor / Field Director
Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-10: 3 out of 5
Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-10: 80%

Assessment Measure #2: (Senior Comprehensive Exams)

Dimension(s) assessed: Skills, Cognitive/Affective Processes, Knowledge, Values Skills
Cognitive/Affective
Knowledge
Values
When/where students are assessed: End of Senior Year / Final Comprehensive Exam
Who assessed student competence: Social Work Faculty and External Evaluators
Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9: 3 out of 5
Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9: 80%

Assessment Measure #2: (Poverty Simulation)

Dimension(s) assessed: Skills, Cognitive/Affective Processes, Knowledge, Values Skills
Cognitive/Affective
Knowledge
Values
When/where students are assessed: SOWK 316: Critical Reflection Assignment
Who assessed student competence: SOWK 316 Course Instructor
Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competency 3: 73%
Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competency 3: 80%

Assessment Measure #2: (Research Activities)

Dimension(s) assessed: Skills, Cognitive/Affective Processes, Knowledge, Values Skills
Cognitive/Affective
Knowledge
Values
When/where students are assessed: SOWK 348: Research Critiques / Article Reviews
Who assessed student competence: SOWK 348 Course Instructor
Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competency 4: 73%
Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competency 4: 80%

Assessment Measure #2: (Spirituality Assignment)

Dimension(s) assessed: Skills, Cognitive/Affective Processes, Knowledge, Values Skills
Cognitive/Affective
Knowledge
Values
When/where students are assessed: SOWK 215: Spiritual Identity & Religious Beliefs Critical Reflection
Who assessed student competence: SOWK 215 Course Instructor
Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competency 10: 73%
Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competency 10: 80%

Assessment Measure #2: (Service Learning Activities)

Dimension(s) assessed: Skills, Cognitive/Affective Processes, Knowledge, Values Skills
Cognitive/Affective
Knowledge
Values
When/where students are assessed: SOWK 216: Critical Summary Reflection
SOWK 405: Lobby Days Critical Reflection
Who assessed student competence: SOWK 216 and SOWK 405 Course Instructors
Outcome Measure Benchmark (minimum score indicative of achievement) for Competencies 1-10: 73%
Competency Benchmark (percent of students the program expects to have achieved the minimum scores, inclusive of all measures) for Competencies 1-10: 80%

Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes

La Sierra University Baccalaureate Social Work Program

COMPETENCY

COMPETENCY BENCHMARK

PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS ACHIEVING BENCHMARK (n=14)
Competency 1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior 80%90%
Competency 2: Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice 80%94%
Competency 3: Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice80%94%
Competency 4: Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice 80%87%
Competency 5: Engage in Policy Practice 80%95%
Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 80%96%
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 80%92%
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 80%89%
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities 80%87%
Competency 10: Integrate Spiritual and Religious Beliefs in Social Practice 80%94%
Competency 11: Engage in Service-Learning Activities within the Community to Identify Needs. 80%96%

Last completed on September 1, 2023