Historically Black Fort Valley State University has announced that it will launch a master of social work degree program. Recruiting for students will begin in the fall. Classes start in the spring semester.
The new program will offer face-to-face and fully synchronous online paths to the degree. The new program requires a total of 45 credit hours. This will allow the enrolled students to graduate within two years. The degree has two concentrations: mental health and alcohol and drug addiction counseling.
The new master’s degree program will allow students to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities to prepare for immersion in a culturally diverse landscape. Graduates will have career options for students looking to serve in high-demand areas, including as therapists, counselors, social program administrators/managers, and researchers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, the overall employment of social workers will grow by 11 percent by 2028.
Komanduri Murty, professor and chair of the university’s department of behavioral and social sciences, called the MSW program a welcome addition, especially for previous social work graduates who want to expand their professional options. “We are very excited about this wonderful opportunity to start a new master’s program for our social work majors, who have long been awaiting it,” Dr. Murty said. “Our faculty are fully prepared to equip students in the MSW program to develop a holistic perspective and deeper understanding of human behavior.”
