Masters Degree

Mission

The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program is to prepare students for professional social work practice responsive to the challenges and resources present in rural areas in general and indigenous communities in particular, and to present local historical and contemporary social issues within a global perspective. The MSW Program is designed to help meet (1) the immediate need in northern coastal California and (2) the growing need in public, private and tribal social service agencies in the United States for advanced generalist social work professionals. The need in the state for MSW professionals, particularly in child welfare, mental health and in rural areas, has been documented as critical in several studies. The MSW Program responds to this statewide demand, as well as to the local need as expressed by agency administrators and staff.

MSW Interns for Open Door Health Clinic
MSW students at Dean Higgins' reception, 2005While the primary intent is to meet the critical need for MSW staff on the North Coast, a long-term goal is to attract students from throughout the state and country who have an interest in one or more of the unique qualities this MSW Program offers: 1) rural social work, 2) a perspective that is Native American and offers experiences in indigenous agencies and communities, 3) an educational foundation that includes the natural environment and activist environmental movements with peace and justice work, and 4) a developing international component.

The goals of the MSW Program are derived from Humboldt State University's and the Department of Social Work's mission and goals to contribute to a community that is socially responsible, equitable, diverse and a model of community involvement for social change. The Department's intention to meet the immediate and long-standing needs for advanced social work practitioners in this region and the growing demand in other regions are reflected in the goals of the MSW Program:

  1. Enhance social functioning, and strengthen individual, family, group, organization and community functioning in ways that maximize people’s abilities, culture, lifestyle choices and spiritual beliefs.
  2. Develop professional working relationships based on partnership and mutual learning dedicated to social justice, equity, cultural competence and peaceful resolution of conflicts.
  3. Understand the relationships among national and global economic, political and social systems to the maintenance of poverty and oppression.
  4. Take leadership roles in public, private and tribal social service agencies in such areas as mental health, anti-poverty work, rural community development, and child welfare.