Social Work

SOCIAL WORK STUDENT EXPERIENCE
The Loras Social Work program emphasizes both classroom and experiential learning. In the classroom, professors use active learning processes to teach essential theories, principles and skills.

Practicum placements in a wide variety of agencies and organizations such as residential treatment centers for children and adolescents, nursing homes, probation departments, domestic violence and foster care agencies provide opportunities for students to apply those principles and practices while expanding their professional networks. The experiences students have in practicum also assist students is designing their career goals.

Students run a highly active Social Work Club, which sponsors activities designed to raise awareness about important social issues such as domestic violence and homelessness. They also effectively raise funds and create resources to aid those in need. The Social Work Club at Loras is recognized as one of the most active and successful student organization.

CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA) is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. In accordance with the requirements of CSWE’s recognition body, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation (OSWA) administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and COA reviews.

Click the button below to review our full Social Work Program Outcomes Progress Report.

Latest Published Progress Report

The Working Poor
Through a hands-on simulation, readings, class discussions, guest speakers, and media presentations, students will gain a foundational knowledge of the history of the working poor in the U.S., the theories regarding causation and reduction, and the grassroots efforts for change as they relate to the social class referred to as the working poor. Students will build on this foundation by developing a specific knowledge of the working poor in the Dubuque community.

Self-Care and the Helping Professions
We will begin by looking at the ACES (Adverse-Childhood Experiences Study) and the importance of Trauma Informed Care in the helping professions. We will identify compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout in relation to working with vulnerable populations. The emphasis on the professional and their commitment and knowledge of self- care practices. Throughout the 3 weeks, we will study traditional self-care (exercising, journaling) as well as more untraditional methods (Reiki, essential oil therapy, meditation, laughter yoga, crystal healing, and many more.) Professionals from the community will be brought in to teach and practice with students.

Social Work with Groups and Families
This is the first course in a sequence of three generalist practice courses. This course addresses practice with families and small groups and focuses on introductory skills needed to facilitate groups. The focus is on group work which entails the deliberate use of intervention strategies and group processes to accomplish individual, group and community goals, using the value base and ethical practice principles of the social work profession.

Social Work with Organizations and Communities
This course explores the aspect of generalist practice involving proactive responding to large groups, communities and organizations. Macro skills of working within an agency or organizational leadership, supervision issues, grant writing, fundraising and community organizing are emphasized. Other skills to facilitate meetings, networking, time management, and handling conflict are addressed.

Social Work in an Aging Population
Social Work in an Aging Population will provide students with a broad overview of social work practice with older adults. Students will explore social work practice related to the changing demographics and trends in aging, biopsychosocial aspects of aging, end-of-life care, assessment practices with older adults and their families, services within the Dubuque community and nationally for older adults, career paths available in the aging field, and policy implications for practice.

View Social Work Courses

SOCIAL WORK
Division of Teacher Education & Behavioral Sciences
Julia S. Omarzu, Ph.D., Chair

Social Work Program Rationale:
The undergraduate social work major instills the values, ethics, practice strategies, communication, diversity and knowledge required for students to become effective generalist social workers. The Loras College social work program connects the theoretical and conceptual contribution of the classroom with the practice setting in several ways throughout the four-year curriculum.

The social work program provides students with a liberal arts background and a strong knowledge base in generalist social work practice. Students may select opportunities to study and practice in child and family welfare, mental health, medical social work, substance abuse, legislation and policy, probation and parole, and many other fields. Additionally, graduates qualify for advanced standing in many Masters of Social Work (MSW) programs.

Major Requirements for Social Work (B.A.)

Related Majors & Minors
Criminal Justice, B.A.
Psychology, B.A.
Social Work, B.A.
Teacher Education/Secondary Education, B.A.
Business Administration, B.A.  
International Studies, B.A.  
Philosophy, B.A.  
Politics, B.A.  
Criminal Justice, B.A.  
Sociology, B.A.   
Public Health, B.A.  
Business Minor  
Ethics, Minor
Gender Studies Minor  
Peace and Justice Minor
Sociology Minor