School of Social Work

A Little Background

Social work education at Eastern began in the late 1950s. The BASW Program received its initial Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation in 1974 and the MSW Program was initially accredited in 1977. In 1981, the Community-Based Part-Time Program model was approved as an integral part of the School's program delivery system. Both the BASW and MSW Programs were fully reaccredited in 1981, 2001 and most recently in 2008. Since 2003, the School has undertaken the unique role of becoming the state's "Service Grant" School of Social Work. Its focus is to identify and meet the social work workforce needs of the state and region and to work collaboratively with communities to build infrastructures to improve the quality of life for their residents.

Our Mission

The School of Social Work is committed to the ongoing development of social work education that instills a core commitment to work toward social and economic justice in a diverse society with the result being the empowerment of individuals, groups and communities in their efforts to enhance opportunities for human well-being. The School engages students in the acquisition of critically assessed knowledge and practice skills focused on working collaboratively and therapeutically with people representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

The School prepares social work professionals for practice in public and private settings to address the needs of oppressed and disadvantaged populations. Students are expected to acquire the professional values, knowledge, and skills to practice within complex social environments. Graduates are prepared to assume professional practice roles in human service agencies, community organizations, collaborative networks, and change focused coalitions. Through the collaborative efforts of faculty, social agencies, and students, the School:

• Prepares students at the baccalaureate (generalist) and graduate (advanced generalist) levels for professional social work practice.
• Provides structured part-time, off-campus, programs at both the baccalaureate and graduate levels.
• Builds bridges between practice and education through the provision of professional development opportunities and the integration of community faculty into the preparation of social work practitioners.
• Engages faculty, agencies, and students in applied research activities that strengthen communities and improve the functioning of agencies and the lives of individuals.

BASW Program

At the undergraduate level, the educational program is designed to prepare graduates for entry-level social work practice. The focus is on a problem-solving generalist model which fits the needs of the region. The objectives of the program are to:

1. Prepare graduates for entry-level professional positions in the field of social welfare.
2. Provide a foundation for those who wish to pursue graduate education in social work.
3. Assist students who want to use a social work major as preparation for other professions and services or as preparation for civic leadership and participation in community social services.

To meet these objectives, the School offers a professional curriculum with courses in human behavior in the social environment, intervention methods, social welfare policy and services, research methods and field practicum. This professional curriculum is supported by a liberal arts foundation, with required courses in the behavioral/biological sciences. The undergraduate program emphasizes a task-centered, problem-solving approach to social work practice.

Master of Social Work Program

The Master of Social Work degree (MSW) is the graduate degree that provides advanced knowledge and skills for increased effectiveness as a professional social worker. The MSW is the most marketable, most transferable and most requested degree by employers in the social services arena!

The School of Social Work offers a two-year, full-time MSW Program located in Cheney, WA and a three-year, part-time MSW Program in Everett, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima, WA. The part-time program consist of evening classes and practicum during the day. The Spokane Day Part-time Program is a one day a week program. The full-time and part-time programs have identical admission requirements and curriculum.

Both MSW programs offer an Advanced Standing Option which allows qualified individuals to obtain a MSW in 11 months for the full-time program and in 18 months for the part-time program. In addition to the full-time and part-time program admission requirements, there are other admission requirements for the Advanced Standing Option.