WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 2, 2021 — West Liberty University has much to celebrate with its growing Social Work Program during Social Work Month 2021.
“March is the national observation of Social Work Month and we have so much to be proud of here at West Liberty University. We are one of only six state institutions in West Virginia that has an accredited BSW degree,” said Sylvia Hawranick Senften, Ed.D., MSW, who is WLU’s Social Work Program director.
President W. Franklin Evans presented Senften and students with a formal proclamation marking the start of Social Work Month and congratulated her on the success of the program.
“I congratulate Dr. Senften, her faculty and our students who are working hard in this important field of study. Social Work is a big part of daily life in the United States and serves people of all ages and lifestyles. Our students can be assured that the field offers many paths to success in their future,” said President Evans.
Senften also expressed her confidence in the professors in the program, stating “that the three faculty members have a combined 40+ years in social work education, so our students are taught by experienced professionals.”
These include: Miranda Blackburn, MSW, Brenda Rinkes, MSW, and Dr. Eveldora Wheeler.
In addition to required coursework, students must complete 400 hours of internship required during an undergraduate’s senior year. “The field agencies and supervisors are critical to the education of our students. We are grateful to their commitment to the profession.”
Another factor that makes WLU’s program strong is the small class size which averages 16 students and the two active student organizations, the Social Work Club and the Social Work Honor Society Phi Alpha that give students additional support.
“Social work is a growing field and one that offers a professional great personal satisfaction,” she added.
The theme for 2021 observation of Social Workers Month is “Social Workers Are Essential.”
The professional organization, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) utilizes this theme to promote the profession and the contributions that professionally educated social workers make in society.
“That is easy to see if you are in the field of child welfare, health care, addictions, schools and education, mental health, aging, veterans/military services, community based social services, and the court system or corrections, it is likely that agency personnel will include social workers.A BSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, allows for graduates to apply for Social Work licensure.
“Our program is getting stronger all the time and we now award more than $12,000 in scholarships annually. Many of these awards include stipends for interns, as well as financial support for students that qualify,” she said. In addition to the BSW degree, the program also offers an Addiction Studies minor which is open to undergraduate students in any major at West Liberty University.
“The program faculty are committed to being responsive to broader community needs,” stated Senften.
“We are working with graduate MSW programs in West Virginia, in order to facilitate students who are planning on starting their MSW immediately after graduation. Having the BSW degree allows the students to apply for advanced standing in a MSW program. This will give our undergraduate degree students a strong path to a successful career.”
To learn more about the bachelor’s of Social Work degree, please click here or contact Senften via email at shawranick@westliberty.edu.