Social work focuses on helping people and empowering them to make changes in their lives. Viterbo University offers a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Social Work. The social work program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education at the bachelor's degree level since 2000. Viterbo University provides a challenging and dynamic curriculum including 13 professional classroom courses and 450 hours of supervised field education. State licensure is required to practice social work. Because Viterbo's program is accredited, graduates are eligible to take the licensure exam necessary for entry-level employment in social work.

Definition of Generalist Social Work Practice

Generalist practice is grounded in the liberal arts and the person-in-environment framework. To promote human and social well-being, generalist practitioners use a range of prevention and intervention methods in their practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities based on scientific inquiry and best practices. The generalist practitioner identifies with the social work profession and applies ethical principles and critical thinking in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Generalist practitioners engage diversity in their practice and advocate for human rights and social and economic justice. They recognize, support, and build on the strengths and resiliency of all human beings. They engage in research-informed practice and are proactive in responding to the impact of context on professional practice. The baccalaureate program in social work prepares students for generalist practice. The descriptions of the nine Social Work Competencies presented in the EPAS identify the knowledge, values, skills, cognitive and affective processes, and behaviors associated with competence at the generalist level of practice. (Education Policy and Accreditation Standards, CSWE 2015)