The Social Work Program is a distinctive program at Manchester College, launching graduates into service-oriented careers throughout the world. Here are just a few things that make the MC Social Work Program exceptional:

Accreditation

Our Social Work Program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1979. This gives our graduates access to state and federal civil service exams and provides the credentials needed for professional licensing in social work. The Manchester College Social Work Program also prepares students very well for graduate school. Our CSWE allows our graduates to apply for advanced standing in many master of social work programs.

Academic Quality

The Social Work Program takes its commitment to academic quality seriously. Every year, we assess how effective we are in preparing students for professional social work practice and make improvements to our Program accordingly. Here are our most recent Program Assessment Reports to show you how we are doing:

Celebrating Diversity Workshops
These 6-hour workshops, offered to students and the entire college community each term, provide opportunities for participants to examine issues of identity, unfreeze prejudicial attitudes, and act on the basis of shared values. Workshops focus on gaining ideas, strategies and resources for taking an active role in promoting positive relations among diverse people. All social work students are required to participate in one workshop before they are admitted to the Senior Social Work Practice Block.

Anti-Racism Retreat
During the senior year, while enrolled in Social Work Practice I and Social Service Policy, students participate in an overnight retreat, which provides group experiential learning about racism, institutional racism, and oppression, designed to help students begin to experience the feelings generated in majority-minority encounters in a racist society and understand the dynamics of racism.  Students analyze racism as a systematic problem of society and develop action plans for combating racism individually and through group efforts.

Human Diversity Workshop on LGBTQ Issues
This six-hour workshop on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender awareness is offered as a part of the Field Instruction Seminar.  Its focus is on confronting the myths and stereotypes related to sexual orientation and gender identity; recognizing the forms of oppression experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people; and developing culturally competent skills and strategies to achieve social justice.

Chicago Seminar on Racism, Human Diversity, and Urban Social Issues
As a part of Field Instruction Seminar during the spring of the senior year, students participate in a three-day field trip to Chicago, which allows them to confront issues of racism, poverty, political influence, economics, employment, housing, human diversity, and the contributions of the various cultures to the fabric of the city.

Social Workers L.E.A.D.
Social work stduents and faculty take a day-trip to Indianapolis every winter to participate in this event sponsored by NASW Indiana and IASWE (Indiana Association of Social Work Education).  Social Workers' Legislative, Education, and Advocacy Day (LEAD) is a time to learn about social policy and policy-making and to rally at the Statehouse in support of (or opposition to) key policy issues of the day. Students also have the opportunity to meet with state legislators during LEAD.

Professor Brad Yoder discusses social policy with social work student Jacob ('08) at LEAD.

MC social work students and faculty at LEAD in Indianapolis.

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