WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 22, 2023 —West Liberty University’s Social Work Program is observing the national celebration held every March that recognizes the importance and impact of professional social workers. The theme for 2023 is Social Work Breaks Barriers.
“I congratulate our social work students who are studying and preparing for a successful career in this much needed field of endeavor. Serving others is the heart of social work and we are proud of our program, its faculty and students,” said Dr. Cathy Monteroso, WLU interim president.
Monteroso signed an official proclamation of the month in her office that was shared with campus.
WLU Social Work Program has been accredited since 2012 and has had 102 graduates over the last 11 years.
Recently, the students had a chance to enjoy a guest speaker, commissioner Jeffrey Pack, who serves as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Social Services in the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
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. It also has a minor in IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Engagement and Awareness).
“The need for social workers remains constant,” said Sylvia Berman, Ed.D., MSW, who is WLU’s Social Work Program chair. “We work hard to educate students that will enter the field prepared and experienced through internships and more.”
Social workers are employed in an array of sectors, including hospitals, mental health centers, schools, social service agencies, community centers and in politics. WLU is one of only six state institutions in West Virginia that has an accredited BSW degree.
In addition to required coursework completed through the junior year of the program, 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 the many organizations that have a true commitment to the profession and offer our students a chance to experience hands-on learning. The agencies provide a vital connection to the community that transitions our students from learners to professionals,” said Professor Miranda Blackburn, the program’s Field Education Coordinator.
Another factor that makes WLU’s program strong is the small class size which averages 16 students. The Social Work Honor Society Phi Alpha gives students another supportive boost.
“We appreciate the support from the students and University employees. The Social Work Club welcomes students of all majors and finds multiple ways to engage with the University and the broader communities,” said Kaiden Lamkin, president of the Social Work Club.
The social work profession has existed for more than a century and attracts people who have a desire to help individuals, families, communities, and our nation overcome issues that prevent them from reaching their full potential, according to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) website. NASW promotes the profession in a variety of ways including Social Work Month.
“Our program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and we 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,” Berman said. This is an important fact since a BSW from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, allows for graduates to apply for Social Work licensure.
To learn more about the Bachelor of Social Work degree, please click here or contact Berman via email at shawranick@westliberty.edu.