The MSW Program at Illinois State seeks to prepare advanced social work practitioners who act as agents of social change who in turn will promote individual and societal well-being. The School has identified broad MSW curricula goals. These curricula goals are grounded within a liberal arts foundation to ensure that students' practices are grounded in traditional values and theory and be current with the demands of the changing practice environment. The MSW curricula goals are derived from three sources: (1) the goals of Illinois State University, (2) the goals of the School of Social Work, and (3) the objectives of the MSW Program.<br><br>The Gerontology Practice sequence prepares students for practice with older adults in a variety of settings. The most recent edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that 5 in 10 jobs in the health care and social assistance sectors will be for people with expertise in working with older populations. This sequence emphasizes the development, delivery, and management of services to meet the specific needs of the growing population of elderly. The curriculum prepares graduates for advanced practice across an array of settings including long-term care centers, assisted living centers, mental health centers and institutions, elder protection agencies, medical agencies, and community centers. Students who pursue this specialization in the MSW program will also qualify for the Gerontology Certificate from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Some of the coursework, including electives, draw from a cross-disciplinary curriculum. In addition to course work that is specific to gerontology, students will complete their advanced practicum in an agency setting with older adults.