DSW Program Mission and Goals

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Our Mission is based on professional core values

Grounded in the profession’s core values of social justice, equity and ethical responsibility, the mission of the Doctor of Social Work Program (DSW) at the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science is to support social work professionals in becoming transformative practitioner-scholars—driving innovation in leadership and management, teaching and praxis, and practice-relevant research. The DSW program prepares practitioner-scholars to integrate real-world experience with applied research to inform policy and strengthen social work practice across service delivery systems.

DSW Program Goals

Program goals established by the Kent School of Social Work and Family Science.

  1. 1
    Develop and enhance expertise

    GOAL 1: Develop and enhance students’ substantive expertise in social work leadership and management, and teaching and learning.

  2. 2
    Assess and utilize practice-relevant research

    GOAL 2: Prepare students for critical assessment and utilization of practice-relevant research associated with leadership, management, teaching and learning.

  3. 3
    Utilize innovative approaches

    GOAL 3: Prepare students to advance practice through effective use of innovative approaches to social work leadership and management, and teaching and learning practice.

  4. 4
    Skillfully lead with confidence

    GOAL 4: Prepare students to demonstrate competence and ethical social work leadership in social work practice and teaching.

  5. 5
    Engage, develop and implement

    GOAL 5: Prepare students to engage in various modes of inclusive scientific inquiry to develop and implement practice-informed research and evaluation in social work leadership and management, and teaching and learning practice.

  6. 6
    Disseminate and apply knowledge

    GOAL 6: Prepare students to disseminate and apply practice-relevant research-informed knowledge in social work leadership and management, and teaching and learning practice.