The University of Southern Mississippi – Supporting a Social Work as a Career
Building a pathway from community college to cetification and employment in South Mississippi
The shortage of social workers in Mississippi, especially in the southen part of the state, has been an ongoing problem. The School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi develops and transmits social work knowledge and skills consistent with the values of the profession, informed by the culture and history of Mississippi.
Through the proceeds from a grant from The Bower Foundation, a strategic plan has been implemented to increase the enrollment in the Bachelor of Social Work program, help students successfully pass the licensure exam, and find work in south Mississippi. The project will serve as a model for local level partnerships between five community colleges and Delta State University. This partnership is necessary to meet the increasing need for licensed social workers who address an expanding array of social, emotional, behavioral, and other mental health needs in South MS.
The University of Southern Mississippi is a community of engaged citizens, operating as a public, student-centered, doctoral-granting research university serving Mississippi, the nation, and the world. The University is dedicated to scholarship and learning, integrating students at all levels in the creation and application of knowledge through excellence in teaching, research, creative activities, outreach, and service.