Department of Social Work

Dean: Anna McPhatter

Chairperson: Yvonne Greene

Professors: Kevin Daniels, Georgia Jennings-Dorsey, Minli Liao, Dawn Thurman, Dana Wilson

The Social Work Program started in 1969 as the Undergraduate Social Welfare Program in the Department of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts. In 1975, the program received departmental status and the name changed to the Department of Social Work. The change in name and status was a reflection of the recognition that the baccalaureate degree in social work is the first professional degree in this profession. The social work program received approval from the Council on Social Work Education in 1971. In 1975, it became one of the first undergraduate programs in the country to receive accreditation by this body. The department has continued to receive re-accreditation since that time. In 2005 and 2006 respectively, the department reached new growth and expanded to add both a Masters and PhD program. Both programs have adapted the rich tradition of enhancing the knowledge base of future social workers and leaders in America with a specific focus in urban areas. In 2009, the Department of Social Work became the School of Social Work.

Since the first class earning the B.A. degree graduated in 1971, students completing the undergraduate degree in social work have gone on to distinguished careers in social work and other related disciplines. Social Agencies located in the Baltimore-Metropolitan area employ numerous Morgan social work graduates. These agencies include Baltimore Public Schools, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, correctional facilities, child welfare agencies, and agencies that provide services to the elderly. In addition, seventy-five percent of the students receiving the bachelor’s degree in social work from Morgan pursue graduate studies in social work within two years of receiving the BS.

The Major in Social Work Statement of Mission and Goals

The mission of the Social Work Program is to prepare beginning generalist and advanced practitioners to practice competently and effectively with urban families, groups, organizations, and communities. In recognition of Morgan State University’s mission to address human service needs of urban residents, the program is committed to the alleviation of human suffering, and the improvement of the quality of life for urban residents. African Americans often make up a substantial percentage of the urban population and are over-represented among urban residents facing unrelenting social and economic problems. The program has a major focus on preparing its graduates to address systematically and strategically, issues of poverty and socioeconomic disadvantage, interpersonal and community violence, substance abuse and mental health problems, social injustice, and discrimination. The program’s overarching goal is to prepare beginning and advanced social workers whose knowledge, values, ethics, and skills enable them to intervene effectively with distressed African American communities, as well as other communities and populations at risk for negative outcomes and overall well-being. The Program’s curriculum is established upon the mission and goals and is supported by the faculty through applied research, scholarship, and ongoing commitment and service to the city and state. The BSW and MSW Programs at Morgan State University are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The Ph.D. Program is also offered in the School of Social Work.

Programs

Bachelor of Social Work

Social Work, B.S.W.