2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Social Work
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Lloyd P. Gestoso, M.S.W., Chair
Associate Professor
Juliet J. Campbell-Farrell, M.S.S., M.L.S.P.
Lloyd P. Gestoso, M.S.W.
Janet T. Tyler, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., L.S.W., Director of Field Instruction
Assistant Professor
Elizabeth E. Wilson, M.S.W.
Administrative Faculty
Lynn H. Wallace, Ed.D.
Social work is defined as “the applied science of helping people achieve an effective
level of bio-psycho-social-spiritual functioning and effecting societal changes
to enhance the well being of all people”. (Barker, Robert L. The Social Work Dictionary. Washington: NASW Press. 1999.)
The Department of Social Work at Philadelphia Biblical University exists to prepare
students for entry into generalist social work practice by equipping them with
professional knowledge, values, and skills within the context of a biblical world
view. The ultimate goal of the department is to enable students to minister to
those in need with empathy, expertise and integrity, and to advance social change
within the Christian church and society in general.
Generalist social work practice is a holistic approach to helping that operates
through human relationships within systems. It enables the practitioner to understand
and operate within three dimensions of practice: micro (individuals), mezzo (groups)
and macro (organizations and communities). This comprehensive approach empowers
the worker to address an issue within the dimension it was found, yet consider
action within the other two dimensions.
Social work students at PBU take their God-given gifts and passions within the
areas of biblical compassion, mercy, and justice, and understand the forms and
mechanisms of oppression and discrimination, and the strategies of change that
advance social and economic justice. They demonstrate an understanding of and
respect for the positive value of diversity. They learn to flow among the dimensions
of individual, group, organization and community, using their generalist practice
skills. They learn to evaluate and implement policy, and to utilize research skills
to analyze existing research and complete their own. They study varied general
education courses to develop critical thinking skills and to gain the knowledge
of a well-educated person. Finally, they complete more than 500 hours of field
placement, where they integrate faith, theory and practice.
Graduates from the Department of Social Work are trained to work in entry-level
positions within human service organizations, both sectarian (faith-based) and
non-sectarian. With their generalist practice training they can work effectively
with issues and individuals related to the unborn, individuals affected by death
and dying, and all people in between. Graduates serve in all professional areas
addressing human relationships.
The Programs
The Department offers two programs. The first is the Bachelor of Social Work
Program. This program combines the Bachelor of Social Work and the Bachelor of
Science in Bible degrees. This program is accredited by the Council on Social
Work Education (CSWE) and requires an extensive field placement experience.
The second program is Social Service Interdisciplinary, in which the student
earns a Bachelor of Science in Bible degree. This program is not accredited by
the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).
Students apply for admission to one of these programs after the spring semester
of their sophomore year.
Field Placement
Field placement is an integral part of the social work program. It gives students
an opportunity to function in a professional setting under the supervision of
a social work professional. The department offers field placement for B.S.W. students
in a variety of areas including: children’s services, family services, services
in gerontology, services in educational settings, services for the developmentally
disabled, corrections, community services, mental health services, medical social
work, and church-based social work.
Field placement decisions are a collaborative effort between faculty and students.
There are two field placement requirements. The first is for two semesters with
a minimum of eight hours per week. In this situation students have an opportunity
to begin integrating theory in a practice setting where they can observe and understand
organizational process. The second is for one semester with a minimum of 32 hours
per week. In this situation students can begin to focus intensively on the daily
professional social work experience. Both placement opportunities are concurrent
with social work classes.
Accreditation
The Department of Social Work at Philadelphia Biblical University was founded
on a vision of social responsibility integrated with biblical education. The goal
was to produce graduates qualified to make social and spiritual change within
churches and society. The program started in 1965 and was accredited in 1974 (when
accreditation was first available) by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE),
the national accrediting agency for both graduate and undergraduate social work
programs.
Advanced Standing
A number of accredited graduate schools of social work offer advanced standing
of up to one year in a traditionally two-year Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree
program. This privilege is available to graduates of baccalaureate social work
programs that are accredited by CSWE.
Requirements for the B.S.W. Program
Requirements for admission to and continuance in the Bachelor of Social Work
Program are described in detail in the Department of Social Work Student Handbook. Briefly, these include:
Admission & Continuance
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 in social work courses
- Completion of application form
- A series of recommendations from the following sources:
- The Student Development Department
- University faculty and staff
- Social work faculty
- External professionals
- Agreed compliance with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code
of Ethics
- Demonstration of personal qualities essential for working with people, such as:
- self-awareness
- demonstrated responsibility
- sensitivity to the needs of people
- commitment to service
- understanding of biblical compassion, mercy and justice
- value orientation consistent with the social work profession
These qualities will be assessed by the social work faculty and field instructors.
Graduates of this program receive the Bachelor of Science in Bible and the Bachelor
of Social Work degrees.
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