UofM Lambuth Will Offer Master of Social Work Program in Fall 2017

January 4, 2017 - The Department of Social Work at the University of Memphis will add the Master of Social Work (MSW) program to the UofM Lambuth campus beginning this fall. Classes will be offered in the evenings and online to accommodate working students. The department has had a strong presence in West Tennessee during the last five years through its undergraduate social work major.

The addition of the MSW program to UofM Lambuth will address a critical shortage in the region. In 2016, the Health Resources and Services Administration designated all counties in West Tennessee as mental health shortage regions. Social work is the largest mental health profession. Sixty percent of all mental health services in the United States are provided by clinical social workers, according to the National Association of Social Workers. Social work is also one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected employment of social workers to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024. Employment opportunities for social workers are being driven by a growing demand in health care and social services.

Susan Neely-Barnes, interim department chair and professor in the Department of Social Work, said, "Employers in the Mid-South have consistently commented that graduates of our MSW program stand out for their knowledge, skills and professionalism. We are excited to expand the MSW program to Lambuth and contribute to the number of highly trained professionals in a critical shortage region."

For more information and instructions on how to apply, go to https://www.memphis.edu/socialwork/graduate/index.php or email socialworkinfo@memphis.edu.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Gabrielle Maxey
901.678.2135
gmaxey@memphis.edu