Social Work Program takes last step for accrediatation

The Winston-Salem State Social Work Program is on its way toward accreditation.

The program had its third site visit from accrediting team of the Council on Social Work Education, Feb. 3-4.

Commissioner Deloris Dungee-Anderson evaluated WSSU's program.

"We have one last visit this upcoming winter and if all goes well, our program will be fully accredited by June 2012," said Isaiah Marshall, an associate professor and coordinator of social work.

"I'm excited that this is finally happening."

Dungee-Anderson said that she analyzed various categories including: the program administration; curriculum; faculty credentials; faculty's concern and care about the students and their learning; and the program's support from the University.

"The program is amazing," Dungee-Anderson said.

"There is a dedicated focus on serving the students and their learning needs."

Dungee-Anderson said that it was clear that students are addressed as individuals and their circumstances are considered.

Marshall said that the program maintains this by it's majors' meetings, various fellowships, and the small class sizes.

The program's small class sizes of roughly 15 to 18 students gives the professors a chance to get to know the students well.

"We are an upper division program, and there are 130 social work majors, but only 51 of them are in the Social Work Program," Marshall said.

"Social work majors take the core classes their freshmen and sophomore year, and then they take the upper division classes their junior and senior year."

Marshall said the commissioner had very favorable things to say about the curriculum.

"She [Commissioner Dungee-Anderson] loved our students, and felt that they were very warm and knowledgeable," Marshall said.

"She praised the faculty for the wonderful things they have done, and our new department chair, who came in this past year and engaged in the process."

 Marshall also said that the program is in the process of creating elective and special interest courses, including social work with the international population, and social work in justice studies settings.  

Dungee-Anderson said the students were overwhelmed by her visit. She said that they were also positive about the learning experience they were receiving, and lauditory about the care of the faculty.

"One student said there was a loving environment among faculty and students, and it made all of the difference to her," Dungee-Anderson said.

Lauren Waters, senior social work major from Accokeek, Md., said the professors have practiced due diligence and have instilled it within the program.

"Through our collective hard work, we have flourished," Waters said.

"I expected and anticipated nothing less than progression and expansion."

Waters said that the large amount of progress that the program has accomplished is exhilerating.

Following accrediatation, majors will be able to apply advanced standing in graduate school and will only have to attend for one year. Social Work Programs without accreditation have to spend two years in graduate school.

Waters said that if it were not for the work towards accreditation, she would have to take the two-year track in graduate school, and sit through foundational classes that she has already passed.

"Contrary to beliefs, social work is a very rigorous major," Waters said.

Dungee-Anderson said that it is clear that the students are receiving the help and education that they need to become professionally socialized in the profession.

Marshall said that he feels wonderful about the success of his former students. Several of them are attending graduate school and are practicing social work..  

"The program is very new, and I have done many accreditation visits," Dungee-Anderson said.

"I am impressed with the program, and the curriculum will assist in reporting and training strong social work practitioners."