Western Carolina University’s master’s degree program in social work has received full accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education, a nonprofit national association that is recognized as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the nation.

WCU’s program began enrolling students in fall 2006, and the first students graduated from the program in spring 2008, said John Q. Hodges, program director, associate professor and head of WCU’s social work department. Students who have already graduated from the program are considered to be graduates of an accredited program because the standards are implemented retroactively.

The master of social work program serves all of Western North Carolina, with an emphasis on helping vulnerable residents in rural areas, Hodges said. The initial accreditation will extend until 2013, and then the program will be reaccredited every eight years.

“Two former social work department heads, Terry Gibson and Marie Huff, played instrumental roles in the program planning process, the initial accreditation reviews, and the first site visits from the CSWE,” Hodges said. “Also, the program has enjoyed strong support from Linda Seestedt-Stanford, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences; Scott Higgins, dean of WCU’s Graduate School; Chancellor John Bardo; Provost Kyle Carter and the entire WCU campus community.”

WCU’s master’s degree program in social work is offered in a full-time format that includes four semesters of academic work, and three- and four-year part-time options also are available. Beginning with new full-time students who enroll in fall 2010, the first and last semester courses will be offered on WCU’s campus in Cullowhee, while the two middle semesters of courses will be offered in Asheville.

For more information about the master of social work program, contact Hodges at (828) 227-7112 or by e-mail at jqhodges@email.wcu.edu.

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Last modified: Friday, Oct. 23, 2009