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University of Washington
UW School of Social Work

MSW Program Goals

The MSW curriculum emphasizes both breadth and depth in professional education to respond to changing social work practice needs.

The curriculum’s core values and principles flow directly from the School’s mission. Our primary value is our commitment to social justice. Corollary values include a commitment to multiculturalism, to social change, and to collaboration and empowerment. Further, the School is dedicated to bringing these commitments to life in its curriculum through pedagogical strategies that recognize the essential synergy between knowledge and action, and that provide opportunities for generative learning.

The MSW program has two overarching goals for its foundation and advanced years:

  • Foundation year goal: To prepare students for generalist practice including basic knowledge and skills for understanding and solving complex social problems within the values of professional social work
  • Advanced year goal: To prepare students for advanced professional practice in an area of concentration in a way that fosters social work leadership, effective social interventions, a commitment to a just and diverse society, and a commitment to public service.