Social Work Receives Accreditation
The University of Texas at San Antonio's College of Public Policy was officially granted accreditation for its Master of Social Work program by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting body for undergraduate and graduate social work programs.
Accreditation provides federal research opportunities, funding opportunities and scholarships not previously available. Graduate students are now eligible for internships at federal social service agencies that require students to be enrolled in accredited social work programs. Accreditation maximizes employment opportunities for UTSA Social Work graduates, who will now be eligible for social work licensure not only in Texas, but throughout the United States.
“Achieving accredited social work status is a result of collaborative efforts by the UTSA Master of Social Work program administrators, faculty, staff, current students, alumni, community social workers and the college and university administration," said Dennis Haynes, professor and social work department chair. "We would not be at this point without the investments constituents have made in our program and our students.” The UTSA social work program becomes the tenth accredited master of social work program in Texas and the only accredited MSW program in the San Antonio area at a public university.
The first UTSA social work courses were offered in January 2005, with a cohort of 17 students. As of spring 2008, the MSW student population has grown to 96 students and a department of 13 administrators, faculty and staff. During 2007, 77 MSW students completed field internships in 44 human service organizations, totaling 35,400 service learning hours. Since the program's inception, 21 students have graduated with their MSW degrees. Many of them have passed licensure exams and are employed in the San Antonio area.
UTSA MSW classes are offered evenings and weekends to accommodate working professionals. With UTSA’s MSW program granted accreditation, the department anticipates increased enrollment. Prospective applicant sessions are offered on an ongoing basis. For more information, contact UTSA's department of social work at (210) 458-3000 or visit the website at www.utsa.edu/copp/SW/index.html.
Submitted by James Benavides, Public Affairs Specialist.