Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Social Work Program

Phone: 580.774.7087

Fax: 580.774.7180

socialwork@swosu.edu

History of the Program

The first MSW faculty member at Southwestern Oklahoma State University began offering social work coursework on campus in 1977. A major was offered in Sociology (Concentration in Social Work).

In 1994 the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approved a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program for SWOSU, and Social Work became an independent degree program. The institution in May 1995 granted the first Bachelor of Social Work degrees. In 1996 because of student interest and growing numbers of social work majors, the SWOSU administration authorized a second faculty position for the Social Work Program.

An Application for Candidacy was submitted to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).CSWE is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States. In February 1998 CSWE sent official notification that the SWOSU Social Work Program had been granted candidacy status. Full accreditation was granted by CSWE in November 2001, retroactive to all SWOSU BSW graduates from 1998 on.

The Social Work Program is a fast-growing program on campus. Patricia Albaugh, MSW, LCSW, is the Program founder. She retired from the Program after a very lengthy time of service and dedication to the Program. Debbi McFarlin is the current Program director. She began the director's position in January 2004. Chris Gregston serves the role as an Assistant Professor. He began working for the Social Program full-time during the 2005 fall semester.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Social Work Program faculty are longstanding members and supporters of the professional organization National Association of Social Workers. The BSW curriculum informs students of the NASW Code of Ethics and NASW Policy Statements related to critical issues in social welfare locally and globally. Students will be introduced to NASW state and national activities, including sponsored meetings and conferences, which students will be invited to attend. Students are encouraged to join NASW especially during their senior year as part of their professional preparation for graduation.