WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Nov. 11, 2022 — West Liberty University (WLU) and Concord University (Concord) recently marked the establishment of a new articulation agreement for WLU students who will graduate with their Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and are planning to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

“This new collaboration between both of our institutions offers a seamless transition for West Liberty University undergraduates enrolled in our Bachelor of Science in Social Work, as they seek to move on to a quality master’s degree program,” said Dr. W. Franklin Evans, WLU’s president.

“Our collaboration with West Liberty University is among the first to provide a clear and organized pathway for BSW students to enter graduate social work education at Concord. We look forward to continuing our strong history of collaborating with the social work program at West Liberty. I firmly believe this agreement will improve access to highly educated social workers in West Virginia and our surrounding communities,” said Dr. Scott Inghram, associate professor and director of the MSW program at Concord.

The four plus one agreement is already being taken advantage of by two current WLU students, Megan Maus, of Weirton, W.Va. and Kaiden Lamkin, of Philippi, W.Va.

“By partnering, Concord and West Liberty allow more students to advance in this much-needed career choice,” said Dr. Sylvia Senften, professor and chair of the Social Work program. “I am also appreciative of the Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC) of West Virginia, which has supported this pipeline project.”

The collaborative agreement between WLU and Concord gives priority admission status to WLU students enrolled in the social work program who meet specific qualifications and prerequisite courses. Application fees to Concord’s master’s degree program also will be waived. 

“This is such a plus to our students who want to go onto graduate school. We are grateful to Concord for this arrangement,” Senften added.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires a rigorous accreditation process. West Liberty University’s BSW program received its initial accreditation in 2012 and was most recently reaffirmed in 2019. 

West Liberty University is West Virginia’s first public institution of higher learning established in 1837 and now offers more than 70 undergraduate majors, plus a growing number of graduate programs, both online and on campus. 

For more information on the social work program, both undergraduate, and this new four plus one arrangement, please email Senften at shawranick@westliberty.edu.

Or you may call 1.866.937.8542 (WESTLIB), visit westliberty.edu, or follow WLU on social media, including westliberty.edu/youtube.