History

The university’s Department of Social Work began as a “Concentration” in the fall of 1972 in the Department of Sociology, with funding from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).  In subsequent years, it was recognized as a reputable, successful course of study and thus received recognition in a marriage to the Sociology Department.  The name of the new identity was Sociology/Social Welfare Department.   

Application was made, in 1975, to the university’s board of trustees to grant a social work degree—specifically, a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)—and approval was given.  Four years later, the Class of 1979 earned the first degrees.  Later, in 2002, the social work program received accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) retroactive to apply to the Class of 2001.

Mission

The mission of the Social Work Program at Johnson C. Smith University is to provide students with a liberal arts and social work education that prepare them for graduate school or as competent entry level generalist practitioners to practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations and communities.

Goals

The Social Work Program at Johnson C. Smith University has four goals.

1. The program seeks to develop and implement an appropriate curriculum, thereby graduating competent generalist practitioners who will be able to practice at all systems levels and who can evaluate their own effectiveness. The graduates will be effective generalist social work practitioners who can:

1a. integrate liberal arts, professional foundation courses, and appropriate electives that incorporate new and changing knowledge and practice skills that prepare graduates to empower human systems by using critical thinking skills and effective communication.

1b. respect and apply knowledge and skills required to work with diverse populations.

1c. understand the global context of social work.

1d. demonstrate awareness of social issues and problems and commit to working toward economic and social justice.

1e. demonstrate the ability to integrate values and ethics in their practice.

2. The program seeks to prepare students for graduate education in social work and other disciplines.

3. The program seeks to share knowledge with students and other professionals through courses, guest lecturers, workshops, and conferences.

4. The program seeks to encourage faculty and students to engage in research and service to advance the cause for social justice in North Carolina, the United States, and the world.