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1. Providing content about social work practice from a
generalist perspective with client systems of various sizes
and types.
2. Preparing students with the skills, values, and knowledge to
practice with diverse populations at risk.
3. Providing content about social contexts, the changing
nature of those contexts, the behavior of organizations, and
the dynamics of change.
4. Preparing students who are aware of their responsibilities to
continue their professional growth and development.
5. Preparing students to practice with populations at risk with
unique discrimination and oppressive histories (with a
special focus on poverty).
6. Integrating biblical principles throughout the curriculum so
that students can appropriately integrate their faith and that
of their clients into the helping relationship.
7. Laying a foundation of core skills essential to a high caliber
of social work practice (i.e., problem solving, listening,
verbal and written communication, and critical thinking).
8. Creating an appreciation for the profession as well as an
understanding of the history, personalities, and issues and
events that helped to shape it.
9. Infusing throughout the curriculum the values and ethics
that guide professional social workers in their practice.
International Field Experience
The social work program offers an international field experience
in India, Uganda, or Romania to junior or senior social work
students. Students work in a variety of social service agencies in
the host country, supervised by an on-site master’s level social
worker and under the direction of the Department of Social Work’s
international field coordinator. Courses at a local university expand
the student’s understanding of the host country, and planned
activities further enhance the cultural experience. Students receive
academic credits for the course work and for the internship,
allowing them to complete their Cedarville degree within the
normal four years. The international field coordinator supports the
student throughout the entire process — pre-departure, during the
international experience, and after the student’s return to campus.
International field experience is available over the summer
break or during the school year. Students interested in
international field experience should meet with their advisor as
early as possible to discuss the feasibility and scheduling needs.
Faculty
Nelson Henning
,
Chair;
Senior Professor of Social Work.
Education:
B.S.W., Southern Illinois University, 1976; M.S.W.,
University of Illinois, 1977; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 1986. At
Cedarville since 1994.
Julie Furj-Kuhn
, Associate Professor of Social Work.
Education:
B.S.W., Philadelphia Biblical University, 2000; M.S.W., The
University of Pennsylvania, 2004. Ph.D. (ABD), Memorial
University (2015). At Cedarville since 2008.
George Huff
, Professor of Social Work.
Education:
B.A., Ashland
University, 1973; M.S.S.A., Case Western Reserve University,
1977. Licensed Independent Social Worker-Supervisor. At
Cedarville since 2000.
Maurice Lee
, Assistant Professor of Social Work.
Education:
B.A.,
Central State University, 1996; M.S.W., University of Cincinnati
2007. At Cedarville since 2014.
Social Work
The
social work major
prepares students for future ministries/
careers in professional social work, professional church and
church-related specializations, and informal assistance. The
wide range of opportunities within the social work field provides
graduates with numerous ways of investing in the lives of
individuals, families, groups, and communities.
The social work program is accredited by the Council of Social
Work Education. Social work graduates are eligible for licensure
and for advanced standing in graduate schools of social work.
Advanced standing allows students to earn a Master of Social
Work degree in a little over one year.
Goals
The goal of the social work program is ultimately to enable
students to integrate the knowledge, values, and skills of the
social work profession into competent practice by:
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2015–16 Undergraduate Academic Catalog
Department of Social Work
Faculty