DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
Maintaining our community commitment throughout the crisis. FGCU’s Department of Social Work has the distinction of being the only academic social work program in Southwest Florida. Social workers are the largest providers of mental health in the country and FGCU’s program is vital to supplying the region with qualified professionals. We maintain many collaborative partnerships with local social service agencies, many of whom welcome our students as interns.
} Having more than 125 students complete field education internships with local social service agencies.
During crises when nearly everyone else is closing down or reducing their services, social work programs stay open. They are critical to maintaining lives when chaos hits. Our student interns know this and insisted on serving Southwest Florida through these programs, either virtually or face-to-face. That means Department of Social Work students did not miss a beat in their internships, regardless of shutdowns and restricted access in other local services. They were on-site, assisting the Harry Chapin Food Bank, Lee County Human and Veteran Services, Lee Cares, Elite DNA Therapy and others that remained open. But even services that did not remain face-to-face, like Eva’s Closet, brought in interns to help.
} Having two faculty members participating in statewide academic consortium to develop a unified curriculum focused on substance use disorders and treatment.
Social Work students also lost very little face time in the classroom. The program did go virtual for the remainder of spring semester, March through May 2020. Because the summer program is 100% virtual anyway, COVID did not interrupt it in the least. And when fall semester rolled around, students overwhelmingly voted to return to in-person learning. Despite one of the most far-reaching and longest crises the world has ever faced, FGCU’s Department of Counseling 2020 highlights include: 18
MARIEB COLLEGE OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
} Achieving a 99% average graduation rate for MSW students and 97% average graduation rates for BSW. } Maintaining Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) exam pass rates on par with national averages for both first-time and repeat candidates.
} Developing a library social work program in partnership with Lee County Public Libraries. } Celebrating two Social Work students being inducted into the FGCU Hall of Fame and having another selected as Marieb College Undergraduate Student of the Year.
} Hosting several donation drives sponsored by the Social Work Student Association. } Having two alumni found the Family Initiative Autism Support Center, SWFL’s first facility dedicated to serving individuals and families impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK DEGREE PROGRAMS } Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) } Master of Social Work (M.S.W.)
CERTIFICATE } Medical Social Work
