Fact Book 2022
OUR VISION
To lead the country in communityengaged research in health, behavioral health, social and economic justice solutions for Alabama and the nation.
is where legends are made and innovation is taking place.
Established in 1965 by an act of the Alabama Legislature, The University of Alabama School of Social Work celebrated 50 years since its first MSW class arrived at UA with school-wide festivities in 2017. The school was founded to address the state’s critical shortage of and pressing need for professionally trained social workers, and we continue to evolve to produce innovators, change agents and social activists in our field. We are proud to lead the charge in training students for tomorrow’s workforce. Prior to 1965, there were fewer than 100 trained social workers in the state. Today, our program is the only one of its kind in the state that offers BSW, MSW, DSW and PhD degrees in social work.
OUR LEADERSHIP
For more information about the UA School of Social Work’s admissions process, scholarships and financial aid, contact a member of our administration. To apply for admission, visit us at socialwork.ua.edu/admissions.
Our strong commitment to academic excellence means we must be innovative in how we educate social work students to provide them with a high-quality educational experience. Our students and highly distinguished faculty use innovation in the classroom and interdisciplinary, research-based knowledge to address social problems, transform lives and develop solutions that change our world for the better.
You will find UASSW highlights the areas we are experiencing growth, transforming for the better and pushing boundaries to shape communities, individuals and families in our state, nation and beyond.
SCHNAVIA SMITH HATCHER NICOLE RUGGIANOAssociate Dean for Research
348-4654
DAPHNE CAIN
Dean for Administrative Services
348-9902
M. SEBRENA JACKSONDean of Educational Programs and Student Services
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Box 870314 | Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0314 | Telephone: (205) 348-7027 | Fax (205) 348-9419
UASSW
nruggiano@ua.edu (205)
Associate
dscain@ua.edu (205)
Associate
msjackson5@ua.edu (205) 348-4726
Schnavia.hatcher@ua.edu (205) 348-3924 Dean
TOTAL COURSE OFFERINGS $268,704.00 SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS % OF STUDENTS IDENTIFYING FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS STUDENT/FACULTY RATIO 308 SOCIAL WORK STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES PROVIDES: » Career Services » Student Learning Assessments » Advising Services » Recruitment and Retention Services » Scholarships/Stipends » Orientations and Information Sessions 11 38% 283 BSW STUDENTS 266 MSW STUDENTS 25 PHD STUDENTS 56 DSW STUDENTS 19:1 ACADEMIC & STUDENT SERVICES The University of Alabama’s School of Social Work prepares scholar-practitioners and researchers committed to ending adverse social conditions and promoting societal well-being through teaching, research and service.
51 DEGREES AWARDED 150 PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM STUDENTS (3.5 AVERAGE GPA) SPECIALTY COURSE OFFERINGS » Unique field placements locally and globally, including our premiere Washington, D.C. Internship Program » Individualized academic and professional advising for every student » Opportunities to work with faculty on research projects » Stipends for students in need of tuition assistance » Preparation for licensure » Child Welfare » Aging » Psychopathology » International Social Work » Juvenile Delinquency » Chemical Dependence » Death and Dying » Social Work in Sports » Oppression & Social Justice CAMPUS AND ONLINE PROGRAMS BSW MAJORS 288 BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM AVERAGE GPA 3.5 TOTAL UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANCE/STIPENDS AWARDED $152,947 The BSW Program prepares practitioners committed to promoting social justice and improving the well-being of individuals, families, groups, and communities.
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM OF MSW STUDENTS ARE DISTANCE LEARNERS AVERAGE GPA UA CAPSTONE GRADUATE COUNCIL1 STUDENTS ENROLLED (campus and online) » Offered in 6 locations throughout the state of Alabama for distance learners » Locations in Georgia and Mississippi » Virtual option featured in all locations (MSW/MPH AND MSW/JD) 2 COORDINATED DEGREES SKILLS LABS 268 3.980% COUNTRIES REPRESENTED (Iran, Israel and Italy)3 STATES REPRESENTED 28 STIPENDS $33,127 The MSW program prepares advanced scholar practitioners to improve the lives of individuals and families, enhance community well-being, and advocate for policies that support systemic change. 186 DEGREES AWARDED
DOCTOR OF SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM STUDENTS WHO ARE ETHNIC/RACIAL MINORITIES 50.8% STUDENTS ENROLLED PROGRAM CONCENTRATIONS Advanced Clinical Track Organizational Leadership 63 RETENTION RATE 91% AVERAGE NUMBER OF YEARS OF POST-MSW EXPERIENCE 11.1 FIRST GENERATION ADMISSION RATE 42.8%16 IN-STATE STUDENTS 2 The UASSW DSW Program is a member of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) in Social Work. GADE 16 GRADUATESThe University of Alabama’s DSW program prepares social work practitioners who have an MSW to become leaders within organizational settings, work with the highest degree of independence, and/or pursue a social work faculty appointment in higher education.
PHD PROGRAM OF ADMITTED STUDENTS RECEIVED 3 YEARS FULL TUITION/ HEALTH INSURANCE/STIPEND 100% OF STUDENTS ADMITTED HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK AS RESEARCH ASSISTANTS 100% MCNAIR CAPSTONE FELLOWSHIP COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SCHOLAR UNIVERSITY CAPSTONE FELLOWSHIPS 1 3 1 2 SOUTHERN REGIONAL EDUCATION BOARD FELLOWSHIP The UASSW PhD Program is a member of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) in Social Work. GADE 67% ACADEMIA 33% EMPLOYED IN AREA OF STUDY OF ALL OF THE PHD STUDENTS HAVE PUBLISHED FOR A TOTAL OF 82 PUBLICATIONS OR AN AVERAGE OF 3 PUBLICATIONS PER STUDENT86% EMPLOYMENT 100% The University of Alabama’s social work PhD program prepares social work scholars who develop and disseminate knowledge.
FIELD
EDUCATION 321 STUDENTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. FLY-IN SINCE 2017 INTERNATIONAL FIELD PLACEMENTS 3 #1 IN THE NATION FOR BEING THE ONLY SCHOOL OUTSIDE THE WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA TO OFFER A SEMESTER-LONG INTERNSHIP IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL 400+ FIELD AGENCY OPPORTUNITIES FOR BSW AND MSW STUDENTS MSW DC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM ALUMNI MSW WASHINGTON, D.C. INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 43 YEARS 144,654700+ HOURS OF ANNUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE (MSW DC Program is 43 years old, began in 1979. The BSW DC program is 8 years old and began in 2014.) Field education is one of the most rewarding components of pursuing a degree in social work. This is a time for students to practice and develop social work skills under competent supervision while impacting communities, families, individuals and policy.
Dr. Catherine “Cady” Carlson is an Assistant Professor of social work who has focused her career on advancing violence prevention and evidence-based mental health care to women and children in Uganda. Dr. Carlson has partnered with Raising Voices, which is a community-based organization in Uganda dedicated to anti-violence activism for women and children across the globe.
RESEARCH RESEARCH INSTITUTES Youth Services Institute Office for Military Families and Veterans 2 FUNDING AGENCIES Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration U.S. Department of Justice Health Resources and Services Administration National Institutes of Health Alabama Department of Youth Services TOP 5$ SUBMISSIONS FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING 42 MILLION TOTAL IN EXTERNAL RESEARCH FUNDING $23 PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES 96 The Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care Best Practices in Mental Health Journal 2 ACADEMIC JOURNALS CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS 107
THREE-YEAR PERCENTAGE OF: NON-ALUMNI DONORS ALUMNI DONORS 32% 68% $19,087 Raised toward the Support for Licensure Prep Fees for social work students, exceeding the $7,500 goal. The monies raised provided $500 to 38 students. 7,737 ALUMNI WORLDWIDE LEADING IN POLICY ADVOCACY AND RESEARCH 5,011100 INTERNATIONAL ALUMNI (with Hong Kong having the largest representation) ALUMNI LIVING IN ALABAMA (next largest states are Georgia and Mississippi) 2 DONOR BOARDS IN SOCIAL WORK AND ACCRUED SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENTS $7 MILLION SOCIAL WORK SOCIETY, BOARD OF FRIENDS ALUMNI & GIVING TOTAL RAISED: The School of Social Work’s alumni organizations serve in an advisory role to assist with long-range planning for the school, build positive relationships with leaders in the community and give student support.
Little Hall, 670 Judy Bonner Drive | Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 socialwork.ua.edu | SocialWorkatUA | @UA_SocialWork | UA_SocialWork | uasocialwork