Kathrin Parks, Ph.D., Associate Dean
| General Education |
36-39 credits |
| Major |
43-45 credits |
| General Elective |
31-39 credits |
The Loras Social Work Program is a supportive learning community that graduates value-based, generalist practitioners who promote human and community well-being. Students, grounded in the liberal arts, empowerment, and person-in-environment frameworks, are guided by the values of the social work profession. Working with and in partnering agencies, students actively learn knowledge, social work values (service, social justice, dignity and worth of the human person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence, human rights), and skills based on scientific inquiry; identify and challenge systems that perpetuate social, racial, economic, and environmental injustice. Students adopt respect for human diversity and adhere to ethical guidelines that inform their work with diverse populations and contribute responsibly for all people locally and globally.
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.
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 allowing them to complete a MSW degree in about 9 months.
Senior Performance Requirement (Practicum 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 practicum instruction hours. A student can complete practicum 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 practicum instruction experience for social work students:
| Iowa Department of Health & Human Services |
Families First Counseling |
| Juvenile Court Services |
Hillcrest Family Services |
| Almost Home |
Fountain of Youth |
| Unity Point Hospital |
Maria House |
| Hills and Dales |
Multicultural Family Center |
| Lutheran Services of Iowa |
Waypoint Services |
| Stonehill Care Center |
Riverview Sexual Assault Program |
| Teresa Shelter |
|
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
