Xavier University expands evening program for social work studies

The world needs more licensed social workers to deal with the ever-growing number of problems out there. That’s the thought behind Xavier University’s plan to offer students the chance to complete coursework for a bachelor’s degree in social work in the evenings on a part-time basis. The change allows those already employed to pursue the degree without giving up the day job.
 
“Currently, you must have a four-year degree to use the title of social worker,” says Carolyn Jenkins, an associate professor who has been with the program since 1965. Those who have already completed their core coursework for a bachelor’s degree should be able to finish their degree in approximately eight semesters of evening classes. Xavier’s was one of the first social work programs accredited when accreditation began in the late 1970s and Xavier social work graduates tend to have a higher acceptance rate into the better graduate schools. In 2007-2008, the program had 51 students enrolled and four full-time faculty.

Writer: David Holthaus
Source: Laurel Bauer, Xavier University