The mission of the Master of Social Work Program at Governors State University is to provide an exceptional and accessible social work education to prepare outstanding, advanced social work practitioners grounded in social justice ethic. Such practitioners demonstrate a mastery of social work knowledge, values and skill-based competencies to build on the strengths and human capacities of marginalized families, their children and individuals in marginalized communities to enable self-empowerment and enhance lives and well-being in communities characterized by social-cultural and economic inequality. The Social Work Department is committed to working collaboratively with the communities we serve to support their justice-focused action agenda and their community transformational goals to create whole and healthy communities.