About the College of Social Work
CSW Mission Statement
Through education, research, and community engagement, the College of Social Work advances the transformation of policies, practice, and interventions to alleviate human suffering, enhance well-being, and promote social justice.
College Community
The University of Utah College of Social Work, established in 1937, is a leader in
social work education in the Intermountain West. The College offers students an inclusive
and challenging learning environment where students are encouraged to collaborate
with faculty, peers, and community partners in analyzing and resolving critical social
problems.
Anti-Racism Statement
The College of Social Work commits to the long-term work of anti-racism; that is, recognizing and dismantling racism and interrelated oppressions in its curriculum, programs, organizational practices, processes, and outcomes. Anti-racist social work education supports us in doing the important work of reshaping social work practice, programs, and policies for an equitable and inclusive society. It explicitly highlights, critiques, and challenges all forms of racism—individual, interpersonal, institutional, and structural—by addressing how racist beliefs and ideologies structure lived experiences, personal and professional relationships, education and employment opportunities, and physical and emotional health. It also examines and challenges how programs and institutions such as education, health care, housing, food access, justice, and social provisioning, among others, support and maintain disadvantages and advantages along racial lines. We engage in the work of anti-racism to prepare social workers who will contribute to building a just, equitable, and peaceful society.
The University of Utah has both historical and contemporary relationships with Indigenous
Peoples. Given that the Salt Lake Valley has always been a gathering place for Indigenous
Peoples, we acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional
and ancestral homelands of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes and is a
crossroad for Indigenous Peoples. The University of Utah recognizes the enduring relationships
between many Indigenous Peoples and their traditional homelands. We are grateful for
the territory upon which we gather today; we respect Utah’s Indigenous Peoples, the
original stewards of this land; and we value the sovereign relationships that exist
between tribal governments, state governments, and the federal government. Today,
approximately 60,000 American Indian and Alaska Native peoples live in Utah. As a
state institution, the University of Utah is committed to serving Native communities
throughout Utah in partnership with Native Nations and our Urban Indian communities
through research, education, and community outreach activities.
Message From the Dean
Stop. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.
Many of us find ourselves in unfamiliar territory. We live in a country and world that at times feels strange and unknown; for many of us it is a place we haven’t been before and find ourselves wondering what to do next. Standing still and doing nothing—for more than a brief moment—is not an option, at least not for social workers. This is the world we have been educated and trained to engage with. A society in need of guidance, support, hope, advocacy, justice, and healing. Again and again, social workers have risen to the challenges of the times—in schools, community agencies, mental health clinics, hospitals, the halls of government, hospice facilities, and on and on.
The College proudly plays a role in preparing students to rise to meet society’s needs. Knowledge, practice, and critical thinking skills are the tools of the trade, and that is how we prepare students to succeed in an inevitably changing world.
Our focus is on big IDEAS: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Sustainability. These are not simply aspirational goals; they are inspirational goals. It is not a question of if, but of how we forge our success. All of these IDEAS resonate with our mission to achieve excellence in academia and the profession; they also align with the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare’s Grand Challenges for Social Work.
- Inclusion means developing and/or expanding opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized.
- Diversity means meaningfully involving people from a range of different social, racial, and ethnic identities, and of different abilities, ages, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
- Equity means ensuring equal and just treatment, affording everyone opportunities for success.
- Accessibility means enacting strategies and strengthening infrastructure that increase students’ ability to accomplish their academic goals—financial support, program delivery options, and solutions that address the continuum of human abilities and experiences.
- Sustainability means planning for our collective futures by advocating for policies and practices supporting social, economic, and environmental resources and justice.
We know we cannot do this work alone. Each of you, students, staff, faculty, community
members, and agencies, all have a role to play. And so, I extend an invitation to
join us in our work and be a part of accomplishing big goals and pursuing big IDEAS….
Philip Osteen, PhD
Dean
Leaders in Social Justice and Behavioral Health
The College of Social Work develops social work leaders to promote social justice
and behavioral health in all communities. Health and justice includes sociocultural,
economic, sovereign nation, psychological, spiritual, environmental, political, and
biological dimensions. To achieve these aims, we provide rigorous education with a
focus on human diversity and vulnerable populations, social justice initiatives, and
interdisciplinary collaboration. We collaborate with community partners to develop,
implement, optimize, and evaluate evidence-based approaches to practice and policy.
Our students study and apply critically-appraised research, theories of practice,
behavioral health interventions, models of community practice, innovative research
methods, and policy analyses that prepare them to lead locally and globally. Our faculty
and research staff engage in a research-to-practice model integrating advances in
service delivery informed by translational research. Through federal, state, and foundation
grant funding, the College’s research activities produce and disseminate knowledge
to improve individual and societal well-being.
Computer Lab
Fall and Spring Schedule
Monday - Thursday: 8 A.M. – 7 P.M.
Friday: 8 A.M. – 5 P.M.
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
Classes in the lab
The lab is also unavailable to all students when classes are being held. Postings
will be made prior to classes.
Holiday Break Hours
Hours: 8 A.M. – 4 P.M.
Closed: Saturday and Sunday
The Computer Lab will be closed on all University of Utah holidays and university
closure days.
Lab Rules & Policies
- The lab adheres to the University’s Acceptable Use Policy – PLEASE READ!!!
- Absolutely No Food and/or Drink in the Lab
- DO NOT INSTALL any programs, games, or chat/messaging software.
- If you have questions reguarding email, please click here: University Email and Web Information
If there are any questions regarding these rules and policies please ask the Lab Manager or a Lab Assistant or email: Lab Manager
Contact Us
If you are not sure who to contact, please call or visit our main office for assistance.
Main Office
801-581-6192, Room 101
Dean’s Office
801-581-8827, Room 107
Computer Lab Tech Assistance
801-585-3703, Rooms 211 & 212
BSW & MSW Offices
801-581-8053, Suite 331
PhD Office
801-585-5979, Room 214