For those seeking master’s in social work degree programs in Alabama, there are a number of world class options. Most people don’t necessarily associate the state of Alabama with top notch universities. Instead, when people think of Alabama, they think of the beaches of the coast, crops like pecans and cotton as well as for the state’s contribution to air and space flight. In addition to all of this, however those interested in social work will find a number of outstanding programs in the Heart of Dixie including the following:
Alabama A & M University
College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences at Alabama A & M University is home to a number of exceptional programs including one of the available master of social work degree programs in Alabama. The college is dedicated to preparing their students for the real world and ensuring that they can go into their chosen careers with the knowledge and experience that will help them succeed. Students from the college are also well prepared to enter into other universities for more education, including at the doctoral level.
Master of Social Work
The College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences offers an MSW to students who are interested in pursuing a career in social work. This program teaches students how to practice social work with all types of people as well as deal with issues like poverty, discrimination, oppression and justice. Part of the emphasis of this program is building relationships through respect, acceptance and confidentiality, all things critical to social work. The program also encourages a commitment to improving the lives of those graduates work with in their chosen field and this is taught through the classroom, through research and through hands on experience that they will receive at Alabama A & M.
Students who successfully graduate from this program will be fully prepared to enter into the workforce as social workers. They will also be ready to apply for their social work license.
Accreditation
Alabama A & M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. CSWE accredits the social work program.
Contact
The College of Education, Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
117 Carver Complex North
P.O. Box 262
Normal, AL 35762
Phone: 256-372-5500
Email: veronica.ayers@aamu.edu
Website
Samford University
School of Public Health
The School of Public Health at Samford University offers one of the master of social work degree programs in Alabama. The school has a philosophy of focusing on the well-being of entire populations of people, including the elderly, those who are at-risk and children. The school knows that students who graduate and enter into the work force will have a number of challenges waiting for them. It is with this knowledge that the school focuses on preparing their students for these challenges through coursework, research and interaction with faculty. Upon graduation, students with an education from Samford University are ready to hit the ground running in a number of disciplines, including social work.
Master of Social Work
The MSW program is based on Christian principles and helps to prepare graduates for a career in social work. Successful graduates promote healing, wholeness and reconciliation through their work. The MSW program at Samford University is a rigorous one and the emphasis lies on mastering the values, skills and knowledge of the social work discipline. This includes ideals like human rights, economic justice and social interactions.
The MSW program at Samford University can be done either full or part time. There are three different tracks a student can choose including a two-year full time program or a three or four year part time program. In order to be admitted into the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree in social work and have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate work.
Accreditation
Samford University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. According to the program’s website, “The MSW program was admitted to accreditation candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in June 2015 and is currently pursuing full accreditation.”
Contact
Samford University
School of Public Health
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229
Phone: 205-726-2611
Email: mwcarter@samford.edu
Website
The University of Alabama
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work at The University of Alabama has been around since 1965 and was designed to meet the need for trained social workers in the state. The School of Social Work offers bachelor, master and Ph.D. degrees in social work. When it comes to their master’s program, the school offers both classroom and online courses, ideal for those who may already be working on a full time basis. All of the programs from the School of Social Work will give students a well-rounded educational experience and prepare them to enter into the workforce or to continue their education in social work.
Master of Social Work
The MSW program at The University of Alabama is an advanced program for those interested in a career as a social worker. In order to complete the program, students will need to complete 60 credit hours, typically encompassing two years of study.
The program is divided into a few different parts. The first part of the program will teach students how to be professional as a social worker and will lay down the fundamentals of this career path. The second year is even more advanced and will get into the details of social work. In their second year, students may also elect to work towards a dual degree between social work and public health. Distance learning is available and students will need to go through a rigorous admissions process before enrolling in courses.
Accreditation
According to the program’s website, “The MSW program was admitted to accreditation candidacy by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) in June 2015 and is currently pursuing full accreditation.”
Contact
The University of Alabama
School of Social Work
728 Magnolia Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
Phone: 205-348-7027
Email: gradschool@ua.edu
Website
Troy University
College of Health and Human Services
The College of Health and Human Services at Troy University is dedicated to teaching students that there is more to education than a classroom. There are a number of degree programs offered by the College of Health and Human Services and all of them offer students the opportunity to have hands-on experiences. These experiences are essential for an easy transition from college to the chosen career. Staff are highly educated and experienced and use their own past to prepare students for the future. Students are encouraged to reach out to staff and work with them in order to get the most out of their education.
Master of Social Work
Troy University began offering a master of social work for students at their Dothan Campus in the fall of 2014. Upon graduation from this program, students will be fully prepared to take their licensing exam and enter into the social work field. This is either a one or two year program depending on if students already have a bachelor’s degree in social work. Those who do not will need to take core classes, then focus on the master’s program in their second year. There are also two concentrations that students can choose through this program. They can choose a concentration that focuses on working with military families or they can choose to concentrate and work with organizations. A focus on globalization will be found in all aspects of the program and students will be taught to meet the needs of people throughout the world.
Accreditation
Troy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Troy University
College of Health and Human Services
500 University Drive
Dothan, Alabama 36303
Phone: 866-291-0317
Email: kleigh@troy.edu
Website
As you can see, for those interested in social work, there are a number of opportunities available in Alabama. It doesn’t matter if you are interested in a school in the city or one a bit off the beaten path, there are plenty of master’s in social work degree programs in Alabama for you to consider.
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