Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from Hood College:

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior through:
   • Making ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research;
   • Using reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations; and
   • Using technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.
2. Engaging diversity and difference in practice through:
   • Applying and communicating understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo and macro levels;
   • Presenting themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences; and
   • Applying self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.
3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice through:
   • Applying their understanding of social, economic and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels, and
   • Engaging in practices that advance social, economic and environmental justice.
4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice through:
   • Using practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research, and
   • Applying critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings.
5. Engage in Policy Practice through:
   • Identifying social policy at the local, state and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery and access to social services;
   • Assessing how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services; and
   • Applying critical thinking to analyze, formulate and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities through:
   • Applying knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies.
7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through:
   • Collecting and organizing data and applying critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;
   • Applying knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies;
   • Developing mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs and challenges within clients and constituencies; and
   • Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.
8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through:
   • Critically choosing and implementing interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;
   • Applying knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies;
   • Using inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;
   • Negotiating, mediating, and advocating with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies; and
   • Facilitating effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.
9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, group organizations and communities through:
   • Selecting and using appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;
   • Applying knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes;
   • Critically analyzing, monitoring, and evaluating intervention and program processes and outcomes; and
   • Applying evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo and macro levels.

Graduates earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Hood College:

1. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the sociological perspective of society and human behavior through:
   • Demonstrating an understanding of the meaning of important sociological concepts, and
   • Applying sociological thinking (concepts and principles) to understand aspects of the social world.
2. Able to articulate the role of theory in sociology through:
   • Understanding the history of sociological thought, and
   • Comparing and contrasting different theoretical orientations in sociology.
3. Can demonstrate an understanding of, and specific skills in, the design and conduct of social research through:
   • Demonstrating an understanding of the specific uses, strengths and limitations of different method of social research;
   • Designing and carrying out a social research project; and
   • Using the computer to compile, manipulate and analyze quantitative data.
4. Possess communication and analytical skills that can be directly applies to their future endeavors in education, employment and life through:
   • Writing in a clear and concise manner;
   • Making clear and concise oral presentations;
   • Using current technology to find, organize and communicate information; and
   • Critically evaluating information that comes in a variety of formats - published reports, peer-reviewed research, and general media