Social Work is about helping people-children, families, older adults, and whole communities. The social work program prepares students for entry level professional positions in a diversity of public and private settings, including child advocacy and welfare, children and youth counseling, school social work, medical social work, church social work, missions, foster care and adoptions, geriatric social work, and mental health. The program prepares students to empower people, particularly those who are vulnerable, to achieve a better "fit" with their world and to help the world to be more responsive to the needs of people. The program emphasizes the importance of a liberal arts foundation and of Christian and social work values that promote social and economic justice. READ MORE
The major also emphasizes preparation for graduate study. Graduates from the BSW program are eligible to apply for advanced standing in graduate programs leading to the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
Upcoming Events
- March 12-13 - Child Advocacy Days, Nashville
- March 14 - In Our Backyard: Community Action Against Human Trafficking, 9:00 a.m., Carl Grant Events Center -
Pre-registration Required
- March 27 - Social Work Day on the Hill, Nashville
- April 3 - Social Work Awareness Day, Carl Grant Events Center
- May 7 - Field Honors Luncheon, Carl Grant Events Center
- May 14 - BSW Evening graduation dinner, 5:00 p.m., Coburn Dining Room
- May 17 - BSW graduation dinner, 6:00 p.m., Carl Grant Events Center
- May 18 - MSW graduation brunch, 10:00 a.m., Carl Grant Events Center
- Learn More About These Events
Faculty
- Janet E. Furness
- Associate Dean of Social Work, College of Education & Human Studies
- Professor of Social Work and MSW Program Director
- Education:
B.S., Philadelphia Biblical University
M.S.W., Rutgers, the State University
Ed.D., University of Rochester
- Office: BAC 69, Box 3018, 731-661-5908 (voice)
- E-mail: jfurness@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Mary Anne Poe
- Professor of Social Work and BSW Program Director
- Director, Center for Just and Caring Communities
- Education:
B.A., Vanderbilt University
M.S.S.W., University of Louisville
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: BAC 82B, Box 1825, 731-661-5397 (voice)
- E-mail: mpoe@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Theresa L. Blakley
- Rhonda Hudson
- Associate Professor of Social Work & Director of BSW Adult Studies Program
- Education:
B.S., Florida A&M University
M.S.W., Barry University
Ph.D, Barry University
- Office: BAC, Box 1918, 731-661-5553 (voice)
- E-mail: rhudson@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Shuna L. Mason
- Assistant Professor of Social Work and Program Director, B.S.W. - Germantown/Olford Center
- Education:
B.A., Hendrix College
M.L.S.P., Bryn Mawr College
M.S.S., Bryn Mawr College
- Office: Olford
- E-mail: smason@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Nita Mehr
- Tammy Patton
- Visiting Professor of Social Work
- Education:
B.S., Lambuth University
M.S.S.W., University of Tennessee at Memphis
- Office: BAC 131
- E-mail: tpatton@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Virginia Schwindt
- Assistant Professor of Social Work and MSW Field Director
- Education:
B.B.S., Hardin-Simmons University
M.S.S.W., University of Texas
- Office: BAC, Box 1843, 731-661-5701 (voice)
- E-mail: vschwindt@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Michelle Sherrill
- Assistant Professor of Social Work and Field Director - Olford Center/Germantown Campus
- Education:
B.S.W., Indiana University
M.S.W., Indiana University
- Office: UUG, 901-312-7172 (voice)
- E-mail: msherrill@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Todd Stanfield
- Elizabeth E. Wilson
- Associate Professor of Social Work
- Education:
B.S.W., Philadelphia Biblical University
M.S.W., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Ph.D, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Office: BAC, Box 1853, 731-661-5933 (voice)
- E-mail: bawilson@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Roslyn Y. Wilson
Program of Study
- Social workers help people achieve a better
"fit" with their world and help the
world to be more responsive to the needs
of people. Union’s Social Work Program,
rooted in Christian faith and commitment,
prepares students for entry-level
social work practice, teaching students to
appreciate human life as God’s creation
and to promote social and economic justice
for all. Union’s Social Work Program
also provides a solid foundation for graduates
to pursue a Master of Social Work
degree.
- One exciting aspect of the curriculum is
the opportunity to apply theoretical
knowledge to practice. Community service
and the Field Practicum, the capstone
course, allows social work majors to get
"hands on" experience. During the Field
Practicum, seniors work one semester
under a professional social worker in the
community.
- Graduates have many career options
including case managers, crisis counselors,
geriatric social workers, family
service workers, church social workers,
alcohol and drug counselors, foster care
and adoption specialists, international social workers, school
social workers, mental
health counselors, child
advocates, and medical
social workers.
Please see the Academic Catalogue description for more detail.
Student Organizations
- Phi Alpha
Advisor: Mary Anne Poe
Phi Alpha, National Honor Society for Social Work Students, Eta Phi Chapter, fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work. Social Work majors with an overall GPA of 3.2 and a GPA of 3.6 in social work courses are invited to become members. Students become eligible for membership at the end of their Junior year in the Social Work Program.
- Social Work Reaches Out
Advisor: Mary Anne Poe
Social Work Reaches Out is for students majoring in social work and for those interested in social work.The organization assists in developing professional social work identity and provides an opportunity to be involved in volunteer community social service. Social service opportunities include child mentoring and advocacy,nursing home activities,community organizing,and resource development. The organization gives students regular opportunity to interact with others having similar interests.
Past News
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10/3/2012 - Social work majors combine coursework with community service
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4/19/2012 - Mentoring Coalition declares April 22 as day of prayer for city’s youth
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3/27/2012 - Social Work Awareness Day set for March 29
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2/24/2012 - Social work conference to address human trafficking
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3/30/2011 - Union to host social work conference April 7
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9/9/2010 - Union to hold Social Justice Symposium Sept. 16
Recent Photos
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Rhonda Hudson, associate professor of social work and director of BSW adult studies program, asks a question to Anika Strand, senior social work major, during the annual fall poster session. - Zac Calvert
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Anika Strand, senior social work major, paints the bleachers in the North Side High School gym as a part of Union's tenth annual Campus and Community Day. - Anne Richoux
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Senior social work majors, Emilie Neal(right) and Natalie Schklar, volunteer at North Side High School as a part of Union's tenth annual Campus and Community Day. - Anne Richoux
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Natalie Schklar, senior social work major, paints tables in North Side High School's gym during Union's tenth annual Campus and Community Day. - Anne Richoux
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