Union College News

Union College Adds Social Work Program

Union College has sought and received approval from the Council on Postsecondary Education to offer an undergraduate social work major. Coursework for the new major will be offered for the first time during the Fall 2007 semester.

According to Union College’s President, Ed D. de Rosset, the program is being added as a “service to the region in a broad sense, and to individuals who have specific needs.” The program is also a way for Union to “address its core values and live by them,” he told those gathered at a recent planning meeting.

The program will prepare students for entry-level professional social work practice, or to proceed to graduate study. Union College is voluntarily seeking accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Jim Cox, Associate Professor of Sociology and the faculty member who has led the effort to launch the program, believes professional accreditation, though voluntary, is crucial: “This is a step any college must take to best serve its students. We want our graduates fully prepared for entry-level professional practice or graduate school.”

According to Cox, “the process takes five years but is retroactive; therefore, any student graduating before the process is complete will be recognized as graduating from an accredited program, and Union is completely committed to achieving CSWE accreditation.”

The new social work major joins other new programs created to meet the needs of a growing undergraduate and graduate student body: a graduate psychology program and new undergraduate majors in management and theatre have recently been added.

Students interested in the new social work program can call Union College’s office of admissions at 606-546-1657 or 1-800-489-8646

Febuary 16, 2007

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