1. Social Work as a Profession

Social work is a profession in which practitioners work to enhance the functioning of individuals, families, groups, and communities as well as work for positive change in societal conditions. Social workers are employed in all levels of government as well as community and private organizations and individual therapeutic agencies. Social Workers are the largest providers of mental health services in the country.

2. The Social Work Master’s Program at 国产AV

The Department of Human Services at 国产AV has a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) program. Students learn about both clinical and community practice and are able to develop the requisite skills to practice in many settings such as schools, hospitals, mental health, residential treatment, child welfare, forensic, geriatric, hospice, and many others.

The program is 60 credit hours and can be completed in two years (full-time) or 3 years (part-time). Students with a BSW degree from an accredited school can apply for Advanced Standing Status and complete the MSW program in one academic year. 

3. Accreditation and State Licensure

The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national social work accrediting body. Accreditation by CSWE ensures students that they will be a part of a high quality instructional environment, and also enables students to fulfill the educational requirements that prepare them for eligibility to take state licensure exams (Licensed Master Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Social Worker).

4. Hybrid Format

Social work’s web-hybrid, competency-based, “signature pedagogy” program is offered for full-time (2-year) or part-time (3-year) students. In this program, students attend five intensive weekends during the fall and spring semesters starting at 5:00 pm on Friday and all day Saturday. The remainder of the coursework is completed online. This combination of weekend intensive face-to-face classes and web-based coursework has proven to be a popular program among students who work full-time or who live at a considerable distance from campus. Advanced Standing students also utilize the web-hybrid format. 

5. Hands on Learning!

MSW students complete practicum placements where you can put your learned skills to work! The Field Office has contractual agreements with 125-150 human service agencies across the state of Georgia. Eighty to ninety students are placed in these agencies and supervised by the Field Office each academic year. The most common placements are in Mental Health, School Social Work, Hospice, Inpatient Psychiatry, VA Hospitals, and Department of Children and Family Services.

6. MSW Student Body

Your colleagues will come from a variety of educational and career backgrounds. Some enroll directly after finishing an undergraduate degree and others have extensive experience in a human service field. 

7. Social Work Faculty & Staff

The Program of Social Work includes many faculty from a variety of backgrounds, a Department Head, and a Director of Field Education. Faculty members and staff all place a high value on student growth and success.

8. Community Service

An example of the Department of Social Work's community involvement is My Friend’s House, an Alzheimer’s Day Care Program funded by the state. My Friend’s House serves several Alzheimer’s patients each day while their caretakers work.

9. Program Growth

The program began in 1995 and was CSWE accredited in 1998. From 1998 to current, the MSW Program of Social Work has been CSWE aggregated. The program began as a traditional, on-campus program which later changed to a blended face-to-face and online program called web-hybrid. The web-hybrid program was designed to meet the needs of today's Social Worker. The department is continually evolving in response to student feedback and to meet the needs of the community.

10. Meeting Us!

Prospective students interested in more information can contact the department by email at socialwork@valdosta.edu or calling the office at 229-333-5776. The following are also available to you:

  • A call from a faculty member to answer any questions you may have 
  • Information Sessions 
  • Department tours (by appointment only). Please call 229-219-3550.