Department of Social Work
The Department of Social Work knows that human dignity and social justice are important for individuals, their communities, states, and for the entire country. Our students are committed to relieving suffering, affecting social change, and enabling people to overcome obstacles and lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Email:
socialwork@olemiss.eduOffice Location:
Garland Hall 205, University, MS, 38677Phone:
662-915-7336Office Hours
8 - 5 Monday through FridaySocial Media
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About the Department of Social Work
Human dignity and social justice are the watch-words for social workers. Wherever there are people, social workers are present. Career opportunities are found in a wide range of workplaces, such as hospitals, schools, businesses, public agencies, police departments and private practices.
Social workers are committed to relieving suffering, affecting social change, and enabling people to overcome obstacles and lead productive lives.
Meet the Department of Social Work's faculty and staff
Keith Anderson
- Chair and Professor in Social Work and Professor of Public Health
Jennifer Buford
- Instructional Assistant Professor in Social Work
Patricia Digby
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Social Work
Kristy Durkin
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Social Work
Cheryl Fergerson
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Social Work
Amy Fisher
- Interim Chair and Professor of Social Work
Misa Kayama
- Associate Professor of Social Work
Drew Lefmann
- Instructional Assistant Professor of Social Work
Yi Jin Kim
- Associate Professor of Social Work
Daniel Durkin
- Associate Professor of Social Work (Macro Policy & Advocacy)
Tess Lefmann
- Associate Professor of Social Work
Claudia McDavis
- Academic Advisor
Shane Robbins
- Instructional Associate Professor in Social Work
Desiree Watson
- Associate Professor of Social Work
Saijun Zhang
- Associate Professor of Social Work
See What's Happening at the Department of Social Work
What programs does the Department of Social Work offer?
UG
Learn to provide much-needed social services and support for individuals, families, and communities.
- Oxford
- Tupelo
- DeSoto
GRAD
Gain the comprehensive training and experiential learning opportunities you need to become a compassionate and competent social work professional dedicated to addressing diverse societal challenges.
- Oxford
GRAD
Plan a focused program of study, expand your knowledge and competencies, establish academic and professional expertise, and formulate a philosophy about your future career.
- Oxford
Accreditation and Honor Code
The BSW degree program at The University of Mississippi has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974. View a copy of the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards,
Reaffirmation of accreditation for the BSW and MSW programs was granted in 2017.
Per the requirement of CSWE Board of Accreditation’s recognizing body, the Council on Higher Education Accreditation, and accreditation standard 4.0.3 (2015 EPAS) and 5.0.1(d) (2022 EPAS), accredited programs must post student assessment outcomes publicly on its website and routinely update (minimally every 2 years) its findings. Programs must provide CSWE with the weblink to the published form on the program’s website where it is accessible to the public and data presented on the form must be collected within 2 years of today’s date, at all times.
Council on Social Work Education - Form AS 4(B)
(The University of Mississippi) Baccalaureate Social Work ProgramAssessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Council on Social Work Education - Form AS 4(M)
(The University of Mississippi) Masters Social Work ProgramAssessment of Student Learning Outcomes
School of Applied Sciences Honor Code
The School of Applied Sciences maintains an expectation of honor and academic integrity in all of its teaching, learning, research, and service activities. All School of Applied Sciences, faculty, staff and students are expected to:
- Uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in their own work,
- Refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity,
- Foster integrity and professional responsibility as a part of the University community.
The History of The Department of Social Work
The Department of Social Work was established in the academic year 1969 -1970 as part of the Department of Sociology. In 1983 the Department of Social Work became an autonomous department within the College of Liberal Arts. Offering the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree, the department has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974.
In 2000, the Department of Social Work was transferred from the College of Liberal Arts to the newly created School of Applied Sciences where it currently resides with four other departments. In 2003, the Department of Social Work began offering courses on a part-time basis at the Desoto and Tupelo campuses. In the fall of 2006 we continued to grow across Mississippi by offering a full-time BSW program at the Tupelo Center and expanded the BSW program at the Desoto Center to a full-time program in August 2008.
In February 2007, the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) approved the University of Mississippi to offer the Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree. The faculty in the Department of Social Work began offering the MSW Program the following year in August 2008.
The Department of Social Work is always looking forward to the future and constantly rethinking the ways we can help our students and our surrounding communities.