Julia S. Omarzu, Ph.D., Chair
| General Education |
36-39 credits |
| Major |
45-50 credits |
| General Elective |
31-39 credits |
The Loras Social Work program provides a supportive learning community that graduates competent, ethical, value-based, generalist social work practitioners who critically use their liberal arts background in service to others. Working with and in partnering agencies, students, grounded in empowerment, actively learn knowledge, values, and skills, reflect upon those through opportunities in and outside the classroom, adopt and adhere to ethical approaches with diverse populations, and contribute responsibly to an ever-growing and changing world.
Social Work Program Rationale:
The undergraduate social work major instills the values, ethics, practice strategies, communication, diversity and knowledge required for students to become effective generalist social workers. The Loras College Social Work program connects the theoretical and conceptual contribution of the classroom with the practice setting in several ways throughout the four-year curriculum.
The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Course requirements for the major usually require six semesters for completion. The social work program handbook, which further specifies program requirements, is given to students applying for formal acceptance into the program.
The social work program provides students with a liberal arts background and a strong knowledge base in generalist social work practice. Students may select opportunities to study and practice in child and family welfare, mental health, medical social work, substance abuse, legislation and policy, probation and parole, and many other fields. Additionally, graduates qualify for advanced standing in many Masters of Social Work (MSW) programs.
Senior Performance Requirement (Field Instruction)
As the capstone of their education, senior social work students complete 420 hours of actual social work practice in a social service agency. Students have a choice in completing their field instruction hours. A student can complete field part time over two semesters registering the first semester for L.SCW 446 (4.5 hours) and the second L.SCW 447 (4.5 hours), although most students complete a block placement of 9 credit hours during one semester under L.SCW 448 during the last semester of their senior year. The following are some of the agencies providing field instruction experience for social work students:
| Department of Human Services |
Families First Counseling |
| Juvenile Court Services |
Hillcrest Family Services |
| American Red Cross |
Project Concern |
| Unity Point Hospital |
Headstart |
| Hills and Dales |
Multicultural Family Center |
| Lutheran Services of Iowa |
Waypoint Services |
| Stonehill Care Center |
Riverview Sexual Assault Program |
Student Learning Outcomes - Social Work
- Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
- Advance Human Rights and Social, Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice
- Engage Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Practice
- Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
- Engage in Policy Practice
- Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
- Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
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