Many accredited social work degree programs exist in North Carolina. These programs prepare students to work in this vital field that assists people and communities in addressing their issues with duties ranging from treating mental health issues to assisting in the child adoption process. Social workers also bring awareness to issues that impact policy development. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment for social workers is expected to increase 16 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is much faster than average than all occupations. These programs equip individuals with the skills necessary to become effective practitioners.
Appalachian State University
Department of Social Work
The Department of Social Work at Appalachian State University offers bachelors (BSW) and masters (MSW) degree programs in social work. The mission of the department is to support the welfare of individuals, groups, families, and communities by adequately preparing all students for effective work in the Appalachian culture as well as for people all around the world. Many service, social, and international studying abroad opportunities exist as well as internship options, an experience that allows students to combine their coursework knowledge with local social and human service agency work.
Master of Social Work
The master of social work (MSW) program offers a regular program requiring 60 credit hours and two advanced standing programs, intended for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work, that are 33 credit hours with one of the programs being offered in hybrid fashion at a distance learning site. A concentration in individuals and families or community and organizational practice is offered. Students complete 240 hours of field education each semester. Students obtain skills in advanced clinical practice, advocacy, community development, leadership, supervision, and administrative program planning. This accredited social work degree program in North Carolina allows graduates to apply for their license in order to become a social worker or a social work manager.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
ASU Box 32155
331 Edwin Duncan Hall
Boone, NC 28608-2155
Phone: (828) 262-2299
lyonsad@appstate.edu
https://socialwork.appstate.edu/
East Carolina University
College of Health and Human Performance
The College of Health and Human Performance offers over 30 degree options throughout their academic units of Air Force ROTC, Army ROTC, Health Education and Promotion, Human Development and Family Science, Interior Design and Merchandising, Kinesiology, Recreation and Leisure Studies, and Social Work. Their master’s in social work program is ranked number 147 with 26 other schools as the 2019 best graduate program by the U.S. News & World Report. The department focuses on providing students with various academic options both inside and outside of the classroom.
Master of Social Work
This accredited social work degree program in North Carolina requires 60 credit hours for their regular program and 42 credit hours for their advanced standing program in addition to requiring students to complete 24 hours working in the field every week that equates to a minimum of 336 hours each semester. The program offers full-time and part-time completion options. The program aims to prepare students to be competent practitioners while supporting student development of high personal and professional standards as well as encouraging diversity. Students also have the opportunity to participate in several student organizations that include the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW), the Graduate Association of Social Workers (GASW), and the Phi Alpha Honor Society.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
College of Health and Human Performance
238 Rivers West
Greenville, NC 27858-4353
(252) 328-4630
MSW@ecu.edu
Fayetteville State University
School of Social Work
The school prepares students to become competent professionals in the field of social work and supports life-long learning. The school focuses on helping people in urban, rural, and military communities with a special interest in the Black population as the school is a Historically Black College and University (HBCU). Students are equipped to understand the complexities of military life which is beneficial as the school has a contract with the United States Army at Fort Sam Houston in Texas to provide military members with masters in social work degrees.
Master of Social Work
This program seeks to prepare students for working with people in urban, rural, and military communities with a focus on issues relating to families, children, substance abuse, mental health, and the military. The North Carolina accredited social work degree programs aims to provide students with the social work values, skills, and knowledge that is necessary to reduce discrimination, oppression, and poverty that occurs in a culturally diverse society and in the world. Students can choose from a traditional two-year full-time program, a one-year advanced standing program, or a part-time program that is completed on the weekends. Master of social work students can also earn a graduate certificate in the areas of substance abuse studies, military behavior, or advanced clinical practice.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
School of Social Work
1200 Murchison Road
Fayetteville, NC 28301-4298
(910) 672-1210/1334
dholme13@uncfsu.edu
Johnson C. Smith University
Social Work
The Department of Social Work prepares students to help meet the various needs that people have based on psychologist Abraham Maslow’s list of needs which include shelter, adequate food and water, belonging and a sense of being loved, and strong self-esteem. Classes address the behaviors that occur when these needs aren’t met and the psychological reasoning for them. Students take courses in a variety of areas, a hallmark of liberal arts universities such as Johnson C. Smith University, in order have a holistic viewpoint once a student enters their career.
Master of Social Work
This accredited social work degree program in North Carolina aims to prepare students to be creative and culturally competent social workers who serve small groups, organization, families, communities, and individuals. The program’s mission includes having a respect for each individual’s self-worth and dignity as well as having a commitment to social justice. A two-year program that consists of 60 credit hours is offered as well as an advanced standing option that will exempt a student from several courses. Field placement is a hallmark of the program. This opportunity enables students to practice their classroom skills in a real-world setting. Traditional students complete two field placements over two years while the advanced standing students complete one field placement over one academic year.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
Department of Social Work
100 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
(704) 378-1252
kcrozier@jcsu.edu
https://www.jcsu.edu/academics/master-of-social-work
North Carolina A&T University
College of Health and Human Sciences
The College of Health and Human Sciences offer undergraduate and graduate programs which include bachelor degree programs in nursing, psychology, social work, sociology, and sports science and fitness management as well master degree programs in physical education and social work. Many of the programs are accredited and the college boasts a high certification and licensure examination passing rate for their alumni. There is a focus to allow for cooperative interactions among the departments of nursing, psychology, human performance and leisure studies, sociology, and social work.
Joint Master of Social Work
This program is offered between North Carolina A & T, a historically black college and university (HBCU), and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The accredited social work degree program in North Carolina prepares students for clinical practice with people from diverse cultures resulting in improvements in social functioning and quality of life for people. Courses are held on both campuses and are taught by faculty from both universities. Students have library and parking privileges on both campuses and diplomas contain the seals of both universities. A two-year 60-hour program is offered as well as a 42-hour advanced standing program. Two-year students complete 1,112 hours of field instruction while advanced standing students complete 672 hours.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
201 Gibbs Hall
1601 E. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27411
(336) 334-7197
jkshears@ncat.edu
North Carolina Central University
Department of Social Work
The Department of Social Work offers bachelor and master degree programs in social work where undergraduate and graduate students complete field practicum experiences that provide on-the-job training that is supervised by social workers from more than 45 agencies. Student success is a priority that is achieved by being committed to adequate student preparation, advising, student retention, and graduation. The department’s faculty and staff are very supportive of student involvement in student organizations such as the Social Work Society, Phi Alpha National Honor Society, and the Graduate Student Organization.
Graduate (MSW) Program
The master’s in social work program provides students with an advanced knowledge base as well as advanced skills and values. This North Carolina accredited social work degree program has a special emphasis placed on adequate preparation for developing, evaluating, and delivering services for youth at-risk or in the juvenile justice system and families who interact with child and family services. There is a commitment to educate diverse cultures, as the school is a historically black college and university (HBCU). A traditional program requiring 58 credit hours and an advanced standing program requiring 35 credit hours is offered. Students can select a program concentration of children and family practice or juvenile justice. The graduate program also utilizes research to improve the field of social work.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
Department of Social Work
1801 Fayetteville St.
Durham, NC 27707
(919) 530-6100
dmcdowell13@nccu.edu
http://www.nccu.edu/academics/sc/socialsciences/socialwork/index.cfm
North Carolina State University
Department of Social Work
The department offers bachelor and master degree programs and a minor all in social work where students are prepared for careers that create economic, social, political, cultural, and demographic change. The master program was ranked 78 as the best graduate program in the nation in 2017 according to the U.S. News & World Report. In October 2017, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) awarded the department with $3.1 million grant for the education and training of students in the fields related to behavioral health.
MSW Program
The master in social work program prepares students with the values, knowledge, and skills needed to improve the quality of life for all individuals. Students acquire the skills and knowledge needed to respond to varying human issues in various settings. The program has a commitment to prepare students for being advocates for oppressed and under-served populations. Students are also taught how to develop creative solutions for when there’s a need for resources and program. The program uses an advanced generalist practice model which encourages cultural diversity in their advising, teaching, research, and scholarship. Program options exist that include a two-year 60 credit hour traditional format or a one-year 39 credit hour advanced standing format. This social work degree program in North Carolina is accredited.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
205 1911 Building
Campus Box 7639
Raleigh, NC 27695-7639
(919) 515-2492
rryner@ncsu.edu
https://socialwork.chass.ncsu.edu/msw/
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work is ranked as number five in 2018 as the best graduate school of social work in the nation according to the U.S. News & World Report. The school offers masters and doctoral degrees in social work where there is a focus on research which is used to improve education and practice in order to address issues of violence, mental health, substance abuse, and poverty. The school works with all of North Carolina’s counties to improve the health of its residents.
M.S.W.
The master’s in social work program aims to produce graduates that are prepared for advanced practice and are leaders in developing economic and social policies that strengthen people in various settings. Three program formats are offered which include a full-time 62 credit hour two-year program, a 62 credit hour three-year distance education program, and a 40 credit hour advanced standing program. The accredited social work degree program in North Carolina allows students to choose from the direct practice and community concentration or the management and policy practice concentration. The school also offers a dual degree program which allows students to earn the master in social work along with a master degree in either divinity, law, public administration, or public health in four years.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building
325 Pittsboro St CB #3550
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550
(919) 962-4905
ssw@unc.edu
https://ssw.unc.edu/programs/masters
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Department of Social Work
The Department of Social Work, which began in 1982, offers a bachelor’s and a master’s degree program in social work where the mission is to prepare students for practice in social work as a generalist for those earning the bachelor’s degree and for work as an advanced generalist for those earning the master’s degree. Additionally, the department strives to produce leaders who improve the quality of life for individuals in the area. Students learn how to address issues in rural areas including the consequences of injustice.
Master of Social Work
The master in social work degree, which requires 60 credit hours, can be obtained by completing a two-year traditional program, a three-year part-time program, or an eighteen-month fast-track program. An advanced standing program is also offered which requires 33 credit hours over 12 months for full-time study or over 24 months for part-time study. The mission of the program is preparing students for competent social work practice in various setting working with diverse client bases. Students learn how to use resources in order to help those in rural areas which include those who are part of indigenous communities. The accredited social work degree program in North Carolina also allows students to gain an awareness of contemporary and historical issues.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
Health Sciences Building 361
PO Box 1510
Pembroke, NC 28372
(910) 775-4090
socialwork@uncp.edu
http://www.uncp.edu/departments/social-work/programs-study/msw
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
School of Social Work
The School of Social Work offers both a bachelor’s degree as well as a master’s degree in social work. The school prepares students to make positive differences in the world by directly practicing with people in various settings, conducting social work research, and through analyzing policies and being advocates for positive change. Students are taught how to assist people in discovering and building on their personal and environmental strengths to overcome difficulties due to mental health issues, poverty, discrimination, health issues, and other complex life issues.
Master’s of Social Work (MSW)
The master in social work program is only one of 13 programs in the United States with a concentration on clinical social work. The program requires 62 credit hours for their full-time and part-time programs and 39 credit hours for their advanced standing program. Students complete the program in a cohort model with a maximum of 25 students to ensure adequate personal attention and intense clinical training that’s needed to become successful. This accredited social work degree programs in North Carolina aims to prepare students for providing therapy to families, individuals, communities, and groups as well as advocacy and case management for clients. Students can also obtain certificates in areas such as additions and gerontology. Study abroad opportunities are also available.
Accreditation
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Contact
McNeill Hall 3019
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403-5979
(910) 962-3872
socialwork@uncw.edu
https://uncw.edu/chhs/swk/academic/msw.html
Related Resource: Top 10 Affordable Masters in Social Work: 2018
The field of social work provides practitioners with satisfying careers that cause positive change in the world by helping individuals, families, groups, and communities deal with their varying issues. These ten accredited social work degree programs in North Carolina provide the adequate preparation that is needed to become an effective practitioner.
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