 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
New Department
of
Social Work announced
Opening the door to new opportunities for social work students, faculty and staff, the Social Work Program officially became the Department of Social Work after recent approval by the university’s Board of Trustees. The new department resides in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Most notably, department status will help pave the way for a new master’s of social work degree.
The department has a well-established bachelor’s of social work (BSW) program and is working to develop a master’s of social work (MSW) degree. This combined BSW/MSW program will be the first of its kind in the Triangle. With university approval, the plan is for classes to begin in fall 2005.
“Achieving department status is a significant milestone in our continuing development,” said Linda R. Williams, director of field education and member of the department faculty for 25 years. “This is a real statement of commitment to our department by the university, and it certainly clears the way for a number of exciting new initiatives.”
The new status also will increase accessibility to research grants, allow the department to expand its teaching and support staff, and help facilitate the accreditation process, which takes place every eight years through the Council on Social Work Education.
“As a professional degree-granting unit, we have to demonstrate autonomy in curriculum, administrative processes and hiring,” said Dr. Joan Pennell, head of the Department of Social Work. The Social Work Program achieved accreditation last spring, and Pennell says that the new department status will help make the process go even more smoothly.
The Department of Social Work currently offers a BSW, which prepares students for entry-level social work practice in many public and private social agencies. The department has 125 students, with 20 percent from underrepresented groups. The department’s mission is to promote a socially responsible society through education, research and extension/community service.
Posted December 1, 2003
All Rights Reserved
