Social Work Department

Dr. Cindy Juby

University of Northern Iowa

“…the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities…”

To do what?◦ Enhance or restore their quality of life

University of Northern Iowa

Social Workers have many roles: ◦ Counselors◦ Educators◦ Mediators◦ Administrators◦ Advocates/ Political consultants◦ Researchers

University of Northern Iowa

There are many social work settings: ◦ Schools◦ Hospitals◦ Probation/Corrections Departments◦ Mental Health Clinics◦ Alcoholism/Drug Facilities◦ Nursing Homes◦ Group Homes

University of Northern Iowa

Professional social workers are the nation’s largest group of mental health services providers. There are more clinically trained social workers than psychiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatric nurses combined. (NASW, 2005)

University of Northern Iowa

National Association of Social Workers www.naswdc.org

As a social worker, you might:◦ Run a group (therapy, socialization, education)◦ Do individual counseling◦ Work with families who struggle with various

problems (domestic violence, child abuse)◦ Counsel children or teens◦ Help alcoholics or drug addicts to deal with their

addictions◦ Attend team meetings on treatment planning

for patients in mental hospital settings

University of Northern Iowa

Social Workers help people to overcome life’s problems.

Do you: ◦ Have a genuine interest in people?◦ Believe in the human potential for growth?◦ Enjoy working with people?◦ Have patience and perseverance?

University of Northern Iowa

Person-in-environment perspective. Social workers see people as being connected

to a larger social world. This might include family, school community or peer groups.

Strengths perspective. Social workers assume that everyone has

strengths, and that there are strengths in the resources around us. They help people to find and utilize these areas of strength.

University of Northern Iowa

Focus on students Student Social Work Association Low student-faculty ratio CSWE (Council on Social Work Education)

accredited program MSW (Master of Social Work) Program

University of Northern Iowa