Alabama State University is proud to announce that its Department of Social Work has just received the re-affirmation of its Bachelor of Social Work Program (BSW) and the new or initial accreditation of its Master of Social Work (MSW) program by the national body that oversees it, which is the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE).
BACHELOR PROGRAM
The interim chair of the Social Work Department at ASU (and the MSW program director of the department) - Dr. Turenza Smith - said the BSW program at ASU has been accredited since 1989.
"Alabama State University's BSW social work program is the only accredited social work program in the Montgomery area," Smith said. "The BSW program currently has approximately 190 pre-major and majoring students in it and averages about 45 students graduating from it each year," she said.
Smith said that these students go on to successfully pursue advanced degrees or obtain employment within the social work profession in areas including, but not limited to, child welfare, medical social work, rehabilitation, corrections, school social work and gerontology.
"The University's BSW program has been instrumental in producing exceptional social workers who continue to make a difference in their communities," Smith added.
MASTERS PROGRAM
Alabama State University's MSW program was approved by its accrediting body to accept its first cohort of students in the summer of 2016. Since that time, the program has successfully graduated 35 students.
The MSW Program at Alabama State University has been a major program addition the University’s current offerings of advanced programs in its professional disciplines. Smith said that the newly accredited Alabama State University MSW program provides easier access for potential students residing in the central and southern areas of the state, which will help it with increased enrollment. Currently, the program offers three program tracks: advanced standing, traditional and part-time, which is offered to help its students manage the demands of an advanced life-style of current work and family, as well as a way to help people meet their varied educational needs. To help meet the demands of a hectic lifestyle, its MSW classes are held in the evenings and offered in a hybrid-format (partially in class/partially on-line) with program concentrations being offered in Forensic Social Work, Gerontology, and Mental Health.
"ASU hosts the only MSW program to offer a concentration in Forensic Social Work in the state of Alabama and in its surrounding states...and interest and enrollment in it continues to increase," Smith said.
SOCIAL WORKER POSITIONS ON THE RISE NATIONWIDE
According to the National Bureau of Labor and Statistics (2018), overall employment of social workers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than the average for all other occupations.
In alignment with the University’s mission, the BSW and MSW programs afford students the opportunity to receive both academic and experiential (practical learning experiences) in the field of social work. Students can potentially complete both the University's BSW & MSW programs within 5 years.
Smith said that students completing these programs carry on the professional legacy of social work, as well as ASU’s heritage to help the least, last and lost among us in society.
"These programs allow our students to uphold the University's mission by developing a level of professional competence, responsible citizenship and a strong commitment to promoting social and economic justice for populations at-risk," Smith stated.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Monday, June 25th 2018 at 5:28PM
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