The Social Work Program’s mission is congruent with the University’s mission. The primary mission of the baccalaureate Social Work Program at Bowie University is to offer a sound educational program that is designed to prepare students with the values, knowledge, and skills for entry into the social work profession as generalist practitioners. Students are expected to have a commitment to improving human conditions, a desire for promoting social justice for disadvantaged persons, and a desire for engaging in scholarly research and critical thinking concerning societal issues and social problems. Students who complete the program are not only prepared to work with diverse and multilevel client systems as generalist practitioners, but they are also equipped to continue their education at the graduate level.

Consistent with the mission of Bowie State University, the social work program serves a diverse population, reaching students at the southernmost tip of Maryland. It is the only social work program in the University System of Maryland located in the Washington metropolitan area. Social work majors at Bowie State reflect the University’s commitment to honor its heritage of providing access to higher education for African Americans and other underrepresented populations. The students enrolled in the social work program include a substantial number of nontraditional undergraduate students who are employed in the field of human services while pursuing their degrees primarily through evening course offerings.

The strength-based, problem-solving/planned change process model combined with an ecological approach provide the underpinnings of the Social Work curriculum. Also reflecting societal demands, requirements for classes in professional writing, and Spanish or sign language have been added to the curriculum.