In the midst of CRC Symposium Week earlier this month, Methodist University senior Jairus Brown was called to the Huff Concert Hall stage to receive the “Outstanding Social Work Senior” award in front of hundreds of his fellow students. But for Brown, it was not the award that will be remembered that day. It was his interaction with the faculty member who awarded him the recognition and played a part in helping him realize his potential – Dr. Carla Fagan, director of the Social Work program.
In the midst of CRC Symposium Week earlier this month, Methodist University senior Jairus Brown was called to the Huff Concert Hall stage to receive the “Outstanding Social Work Senior” award in front of hundreds of his fellow students.
But for Brown, it was not the award that will be remembered that day. It was his interaction with the faculty member who awarded him the recognition and played a part in helping him realize his potential – Dr. Carla Fagan, director of the Social Work program.
The two embraced in a tight-knit hug on stage, a perfect example of the connection the Social Work program builds with each student as students develop into knowledgeable, compassionate professionals.
“I’ve always had good relationships with the professors, including Dr. Fagan,” Brown said. “They all have a wide range of knowledge and I’ve been able to learn so much from them. Being under their wings, you learn everything that you need to know.”
What is MU’s Social Work Program?
Methodist University’s Social Work program has a strong history of success since starting as a major in 1975, graduating exceptional social work practitioners who continue to impact the entire region. At its core, the program prepares students to pursue human well-being and the alleviation of oppression and poverty by serving individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
“Social work is a helping profession,” said Fagan, who is also an associate professor of Social Work and a coordinator of Gerontology. “The profession may not make you rich, but it will allow you to sleep well at night knowing that you’ve made a difference in someone’s life.”
A degree in Social Work can lead to careers in several areas including adolescence, home health, travel, athletics, politics, and freelance – with the opportunity for graduate school, as well. According to Fagan, there is always a demand for social workers because of all of the areas they can impact globally.
Quality Connections
Social Work at MU is offered as a bachelor’s degree or minor with on-campus and online options available. The University’s program is also accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), ensuring students receive modern, high-quality education. In fact, even though the accreditation requires a 25-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, the program cuts that in half with approximately a 12-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio.
“We get to know our students. We create relationships so they know they can come to us with any issue. We directly advise all of our students,” Fagan added. “We’ve had students from larger schools say they thought they were just a number at their program. But our students don’t say that here – we care about each individual student.”
Experiential Learning
One of the key tenants of the program is the field practicum opportunities it offers to students. Each student is required to complete 400 hours of field practicum in their final semester, allowing them to be placed at a vetted field placements across the region.
Recently, students have spent a semester working for Operation Inasmuch, Fayetteville Urban Ministries, Department of Juvenile Justice, Whispering Pines Nursing Home, and a dozen others. Fagan said some of the students perform so well that some of the field practicum placements have offered students full-time positions in the past.
Brown, of Gainesville, Georgia who will be graduating from MU with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work in a few weeks, is wrapping up his field practicum at the Guardian ad Litem – a program that serves abused and neglected children in court. Brown makes phone calls, creates reports, makes home and school visits, and even attends court from time to time. The Guardian ad Litem in Cumberland County is led by Sharon Scott, who worked directly with Brown.
“It’s been a lot to take in, but I’ve been really excited about it,” Brown said. “The Social Work program has taught me to have thick skin and how to deal with difficult situations. When you deal with a lot of different aspects for a job, you have to learn how to handle it.”
Online Flexibility
One of the remarkable aspects of the Social Work program is the flexibility that it offers. The program is now offered online, allowing students from all over the country – including New York, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Colorado, and California currently – to develop their skills as a social worker. Online students are still required to complete an in-person field practicum during their final semester, but MU works with each online student to find the right field placement for them.
Fagan said the online flexibility is especially a great fit for full-time workers, active-duty military, veterans, and their families.
“We have someone in the Navy at the moment who is taking our online classes while on a ship,” she said. “But we make sure our online students are getting an equal education to our on-campus students. We have an online Canvas community that encourages our students to build relationships with one another and the faculty.”
Not only do the faculty prioritize personal connections with each student, but they also possess a wealth of knowledge and expertise. The program has four full-time faculty members – Dr. Gail Augustine (Assistant Professor of Social Work), Fagan, Cheryl Fiser (Assistant Professor of Social Work), and Dr. Wanda Reives (Associate Professor of Social Work) – with more than 120 years of combined experience and varying areas of strength including child welfare, research, practice, community, and education.
Life-Changing Education
In the eyes of Brown, the Social Work program has changed his life for the better – a common theme for many of the program’s alumni.
“It’s been unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve gained so many skills I wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for this program and Methodist University.”
For those interested in applying or learning more about the Social Work program, visit the program’s webpage or Apply webpage to get started.