“Graduating from an accredited social work program is required for licensure, so this was a vital step,” explained Elizabeth Talbot, Ph.D., M.S.W., M.S., associate professor of social work and director of USD’s M.S.W. program.

This milestone carries added significance because it marks the first time South Dakota has ever had an accredited M.S.W. program.

“With the first accredited M.S.W. degree program in South Dakota’s history, we are eager to prepare social work practitioners who will further enhance the social welfare of our state,” said Michael Lawler, Ph.D., M.S.W., dean of the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences.

Additionally, the CSWE approved accreditation a full year ahead of expectations, based on the strength of the program. And, though USD’s first M.S.W. cohort graduated in 2012, this year’s accreditation retroactively applies to their degrees.

“We passed our candidacy phase (an early phase of the process) with flying colors, which was a critical point, because it meant every student who graduated from that point on was considered to have graduated from an accredited program,” said Talbot.

Graduates from USD’s M.S.W. program are already in high demand, and will fill a variety of roles throughout the state and beyond.

“One hundred percent of our graduates are working – they all have jobs,” said Talbot. “There’s such a need for M.S.W. graduates in South Dakota that our graduates aren’t going to have any trouble finding employment in the state.”

For more information, please visit http://www.usd.edu/health-sciences/social-work/index.cfm.

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