The mission of the program of Social Work at the University of Pikeville is to expand the University’s mission by being committed to providing Eastern Kentucky and other rural Appalachian regions with entry-level professional social workers educated in the tradition of generalist social work, and who are knowledgeable, ethical and competent.

The University of Pikeville Work Program is committed to:

• Continuous examination of the human condition, as well as addressing the complexities of such.
• Creating conditions in society which foster personal freedom and human dignity in a pluralist society.
• Ethical practice.
• Improving the quality of social services in rural Appalachia by producing graduates who are committed to serving in Eastern Kentucky and other rural, Appalachian regions.
• Outreach and advocacy to the poor, the disenfranchised, the oppressed and the vulnerable in general, as well as specifically in Eastern Kentucky and the surrounding Appalachian areas.

To achieve the mission, the Social Work Program has established four primary goals:

1. To prepare knowledgeable, ethical and competent graduates for entry level professional social work in the rural Appalachian region.
2. To prepare students to use generalist practice skills with diverse client systems of all sizes with a specific emphasis on working with the needs and people of Eastern Kentucky and the rural Appalachian region.
3. To prepare students for graduate study in social work.
4. To build and maintain collaborative partnerships with the local human services community.

To achieve the established goals, the Social Work Program has established the following objectives:

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Think critically in such a way that they will be able to apply the skills to the practical and complex situations found in generalist practice situations.
2. Understand the ethical and value base of the social work profession and conduct themselves in such as manner as to adhere to the moral rules and ideals that are embedded in the profession.
3. Understand the nature of diversity and how it influences individuals, groups, society and the social work profession.
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination as they apply to individuals and groups and the implications of such for the profession of social work.
5. Apply strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social and economic justice.
6. Understand the nature and role of the social work profession both historically and in contemporary society.
7. Utilize the necessary knowledge and skills that underlie assessment and intervention in generalist practice with individuals, families, groups and communities.
8. Understand and apply knowledge regarding the impact of bio-psycho-social variables on individual development and behavior and utilize theoretical frameworks that are supported by empirical evidence to understand the interactions among individuals and between individuals and social systems (i.e. families, groups, organizations and communities).
9. Analyze the impact of social policy on clients, workers and agencies and respond with immediacy to this impact.
10. Evaluate research, apply findings to practice and evaluate their own practice.
11. Utilize effective communication skills with a variety of client populations, colleagues and communities.
12. Appropriately use supervision and consultation in generalist social work practice.
13. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems and seek necessary organizational change.
14. Understand and appreciate the unique spatial and cultural components of Eastern Kentucky and other rural Appalachian regions and apply this knowledge to conduct culturally competent assessments and interventions as appropriate for generalist social work practice.

Faculty of the University of Pikeville Social Work Program will engage in activities that promote competent social work practice, professional development and leadership activities (i.e. continuing education workshop attendance, attending professional conferences, membership in professional organizations and acceptance of leadership roles in professional organizations, on local human service boards and University and Faculty Committees).