The purpose of the DSW program is to produce scholar/practitioners who will provide leadership in family-centeredsocial work practice. Special emphasis is placed on contributing to the knowledge base for social work practice andservice delivery on behalf of diverse, especially African-American, families. The program seeks students and facultywith the capacity for and commitment to a focus on the family as the unit of attention in research and theorydevelopment. Knowledge building for effective service delivery to African-American families, and disseminatingknowledge for family-centered social work will be paramount.