Grambling State News

Bachelor’s, Master’s programs reaccredited

GRAMBLING, La. – April 1, 2021 – The School of Social Work at Grambling State University (GSU) received reaffirmation of accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation (CSWE) for the Baccalaureate Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. Approved for the next eight years, CSWE is the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States. The educational policies and accreditation standards set by the organization define competent preparation for professional social workers.

“The recent accreditation action by CSWE is a validation of the strength of the BSW and MSW programs,” said Dr. Connie Walton, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The Social Work faculty work daily to ensure that students are prepared to be successful in the field. The accreditation review included a comprehensive examination of each program. Social Work faculty and staff are to be commended on their dedication to maintaining first-class programs.”

“Reaffirmation of accreditation is a major milestone and we (the faculty) are very proud of this achievement,” said Jacqueline Garrison, DSW, LCSW, Associate Dean of the School of Social Work. “Accreditation by CSWE indicates that the content and quality of our BSW and MSW programs have been evaluated and are aligned with the standards set by the profession. Achieving this gold standard further enables the University and the School of Social Work to advance the mission of extending access to a high-quality education.”

The School of Social Work was created in 1984 under the administration of Dr. Joseph B. Johnson and has been a pioneer in Social Work education for over 37 years. Its aim is to make a difference in the lives of people in the northwest region of the state of Louisiana, and the state of Louisiana at large by providing a creditable and quality social work education to students as a beginning generalist at the undergraduate level, and advanced direct practitioners at the graduate level.

Both the BSW program and the MSW program are designed to provide students with the skills needed to take the next step in their careers as professional practitioners and change agents in social work and human services. When students graduate, they are professionally and competitively prepared to address the needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities across the country.

“We aim to be a leader in the academic marketplace for social work training and education in the areas of diversity and child welfare within a rural context, and to provide the knowledge, values, and skills needed to impact racial, gender, social, economic, and geographical oppression in the state of Louisiana,” Garrison said.

Graduating MSW student Emily Todd said the School of Social Work helped her feel prepared to step into the Social work field after transitioning from a different major.

“My professors have not only taught me the essentials; they have also imparted their real-life experiences and exposed me to the processes that I’ve studied,” Todd said. “I have also had the chance to do meaningful research on the subjects that matter most to me and in that, gained the knowledge and confidence to do the work that I most look forward to doing in the field of social work. I’ve already accepted a job as a community social worker in the State of New Hampshire doing work that expands on my internship training/work, as well as other experiences I have had in this program. I feel prepared to ace my master’s level licensure because I have been given every tool that I’ve needed while being in this program.”

About the Council on Social Work Education

Founded in 1952, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include over 800 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs, as well as individual social work educators, practitioners, and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development, so that social workers play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories.

For more information about the social work program, contact Dr. Jacqueline Garrison at garrisonj@gram.edu .

About Grambling State University

Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university founded in 1901 that combines the academic strengths of a major university with the benefits of a small college. This combination enables students to grow and learn in a serene and positive environment. The 590-acre campus offers 43 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. A member of the University of Louisiana System, Grambling State University has been accredited by 13 accrediting associations and holds accreditations in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. With a longstanding tradition of excellence, Grambling State University continues to emphasize the value and importance of each student, exemplified by our motto: Where Everybody Is Somebody.