College of Social Work

Lori Messenger, Dean
Robert M. Mindrup, Director

http://www.csw.utk.edu/

Professors
Bowie, S., PhD – Barry
Ely, G., PhD – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Hall, J., PhD – Smith
Messinger, L., PhD – North Carolina (Chapel Hill)
Moss, J., PhD – Florida State
Nugent, W., PhD – Florida State
Patterson, D., PhD – Utah
Wodarski, J., PhD – Washington (St. Louis)

Associate Professors
Bowland, S., PhD – Washington (St. Louis)
Conway, A., PhD – Michigan
Cronley, C., PhD – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Forrest-Bank, S., PhD – Denver
Held, M., PhD – Texas
West, S., PhD – Kansas

Assistant Professors
Abrams, T., PhD – Southern Illinois (Carbondale)
Bamwine, P., PhD – Pittsburg
First, J., PhD - Missouri
Joseph, A., PhD – Pittsburg
McGarity, S., PhD – Georgia
Ravi, K., PhD – Texas (Arlington)

Professor of Practice
Chaffin, K., MSSW (Knoxville) – Tennessee

Associate Professors of Practice
Cermak, S., MSW – Pennsylvania
Childers, A., MSW – Simmons
Schriver, R., MSW – Washington (St. Louis)
Veit, K., MSSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)

Assistant Professors of Practice
Benus, H., PhD – Maryland
Foster, C., MSSW – Maryland
Hickman, C., MSSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Martin, K., PhD – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Weatherstone, S., MSSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)

Clinical Associate Professors
Mindrup, R., PsyD – Missouri (Forest Institute)
Strand, E., PhD – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Thompson, P., PhD – Utah
Zottarelli, L., PhD – North Texas (Denton)

Research Faculty
Coatsworth, D., PhD – Minnesota
Mason, M., PhD – Oregon

Field Coordinators
Adams, B., MSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Denton, K., MSW – Virginia Commonwealth
Diehl, A., MSSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Walker, T., MSSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)
Ward, M., MSSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)

Director of Field Education
Mallory, K., MSSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)

BSSW Academic Advisor
Gandy, A., LMSW – Tennessee (Knoxville)

Social work is a helping profession which focuses on providing skilled intervention in the prevention and amelioration of individual and societal problems. It is a challenging and rewarding career involving the application of knowledge, skills, and professional values to assist individuals, families, groups, and communities in reaching their potential. The primary mission of the undergraduate social work program is to develop generalist social workers who are strategic thinkers, life-long learners, and opinion shapers. It is the purpose of the college to provide an education which enhances individual and career development and fosters involvement on behalf of social and economic justice.

The program prepares students for social work careers in such diverse areas as schools, youth programs, family service agencies, nursing homes, courts, mental health, and welfare agencies. The degree provides graduates a competitive advantage in many jobs, the possibility of up to one year’s standing in some master’s degree programs in social work, and the potential to be licensed in a number of states throughout the nation.

The social work curriculum builds on a strong liberal arts base. The humanities and the social and behavioral sciences are emphasized to help students understand human diversity and the transactions between people and their environment. The curriculum combines classroom experience and agency-based field placements. Courses provide a knowledge base in social work practice theory, human behavior, social welfare policy, and research. Educationally directed field placements, which consist of over 600 clock hours of supervised field instruction in agency settings throughout greater Knoxville, provide extensive and challenging opportunities for students to apply the lessons of the classroom to the needs of society. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

The undergraduate social work program (Bachelor of Science in Social Work) started in 1982 in the College of Liberal Arts. It was granted initial accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education in January 1983, and reaffirmation was given in 1992, 2001, and 2010. The program was transferred to the College of Social Work in September 1985. The four programs, Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Master of Science in Social Work, Doctor of Philosophy, and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) in Clinical Practice and Leadership in the college represent the full continuum of social work education.

Facilities

The College of Social Work is housed in Henson Hall, located on the corner of Cumberland Avenue and Volunteer Boulevard on the UT Knoxville campus. This building houses the administrative and faculty offices, along with classrooms for the BSSW, MSSW, PhD, and DSW programs. Video and computer resources are available to facilitate instruction.

Graduate Program

The College of Social Work offers a fully accredited two-year graduate professional degree at the master’s level (MSSW). The college also offers a graduate program leading to a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD) and a program leading to a Doctor of Social Work (DSW). Information concerning graduate programs is given in the College of Social Work Bulletin and also in the Graduate Catalog. Master’s degree programs are offered on the campus in Knoxville and in Nashville. The PhD program is offered in Knoxville. The DSW program is offered via distance education.

Grading Policy

The Satisfactory/No Credit option is not permitted in the major. The minimum acceptable grade for all social work courses is a C. Courses, other than field, in which a C– or below is achieved may be repeated once. Field courses must be completed with a C or better and may not be repeated.

A student receiving a grade of incomplete (I) in any social work course must remove the Incomplete before enrollment in subsequent field practice.

Course Load

The maximum credit hours per semester allowed for any student is 19. Special permission is needed for any overload.

uTrack Requirements

Universal Tracking (uTrack) is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. In order to remain on track, students must complete the minimum requirements for each tracking semester, known as milestones. Milestones include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. uTrack requirements only affect full-time, degree-seeking students who first entered Fall 2013 or later. uTrack does not apply to transfer students who entered prior to Fall 2015.

Progression Policies and Requirements

Progression of students in the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) program to courses numbered 312 and above is competitive and is based on capacity. Factors considered include overall grade point average, performance in selected lower-division courses, and personal qualifications deemed acceptable for entrance into the professional practice of social work. Students planning to enroll in SOWK 312  in the fall semester must complete and submit the BSSW Progression Application Packet by February 1. Students planning to enroll in SOWK 312  in the spring semester must complete and submit the BSSW Progression Application Packet by September 1. These minimum standards for consideration do not guarantee enrollment in SOWK 312  and progression to upper-division status within the college. The final decision for enrollment in SOWK 312  and progression to upper-division status resides with the department head or designee.

Upper-Division Status

A lower-division student must apply for progression to upper-division status after completing at least 45 credit hours including ENGL 101 *, ENGL 102 *, SOWK 200  (with a grade of C or better) and SOWK 250 * (with a grade of C or better) and an overall GPA of 2.5 or above.

Transfer Students

Transfer students, including internal University of Tennessee, Knoxville, transfers, must meet the minimum requirements stated above to be considered for progression to upper-division status within the college. These minimum standards for consideration do not guarantee enrollment in SOWK 312  and progression to upper-division status within the college. The final decision for enrollment in SOWK 312  and progression to upper-division status resides with the department head or designee.

Readmission

Any student who has not continued enrollment for at least one semester (excluding summer) or has withdrawn from the university and wishes to re-enroll must complete and submit the application for readmission. Readmitted students who wish to resume their prior major or declare a major must meet first with an academic advisor in the college.

College of Social Work Honors Program

The Social Work Honors Program provides a small group of academically high-achieving social work majors with an enriching, engaging, and individualized undergraduate academic experience and an opportunity to earn both a BSSW and an MSSW degree in five years. All declared social work majors with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 are invited to apply for admission to the Social Work Honors Program. A grade of B or above must be earned in all honors courses and students must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.5. Students are evaluated at the end of each semester. Students with cumulative grade point averages that drop below a 3.5 will incur probationary status and will be given one semester to raise their average above 3.5. Failure to improve one’s cumulative grade point average during the probationary semester will lead to dismissal from the Social Work Honors Program. Students interested in the Social Work Honors Program should consult with their academic advisor or the BSSW program director about the application process.

Learning Outcomes for the BS in Social Work

1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
3. Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
4. Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed Practice
5. Engage in Policy Practice
6. Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
7. Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
8. Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
9. Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Academic Programs