UK Social Work Responds to Critical Need, Launches Fully Online Undergraduate Degree
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2020) — Helping people in need is more than a career — it’s a calling. Now you can answer that calling by earning a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) from the University of Kentucky completely online.
Times are tumultuous, and 2020 has brought challenges like never before. From a public health crisis to movements against social injustice, communities are in critical need of continued support. Social workers aim to provide that support by offering services to improve overall safety and well-being.
The hope is, behind every person or community going through a difficult challenge — abuse, addiction, discrimination, poverty — a social worker is there to help address it.
Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
“Now, there is a heightened need for social workers who are trained to explore and implement innovative solutions to society’s most pressing challenges,” Jay Miller, dean of the College of Social Work (CoSW), said. “By extending our undergraduate degree offering into the virtual space, we are creating opportunities for more people to actualize their goals of becoming social work professionals in their communities.”
The growth in child abuse and neglect cases, the devastating opioid epidemic and complex mental health issues are overwhelming social workers with complicated caseloads.
Additionally, COVID-19 has created a storm of factors that will almost certainly lead to an increase in unreported cases of abuse and neglect. As school closures remain in effect, at-risk children are cut off from helping professionals. At the same time, vital parts of the child welfare system are still under immense strain. From mandatory court appearances to home-based parenting programs, the pandemic is making it more difficult to serve children, families and communities.
The BASW program is designed for anyone who is passionate about being a catalyst for change. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed for careers in social work and social justice, with curriculum spanning advocacy, crisis intervention, social policies and more. The program offers a unique lens through which to view individuals, families, communities and society at large.
“The social work profession has a rich tradition of emphasizing the value of individuals' experiences and of understanding the complexities of inequality,” Diane Loeffler, director of undergraduate studies, explained. “Our fully online undergraduate program option will prepare students to practice social work in a wide array of settings, with an emphasis on social justice."
Social Work is a fast-growing profession, and the BASW provides students with the opportunity to truly engage in and learn about how to affect change within and across systems. According to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is expected to experience continued nationwide growth. Of particular demand are social work practitioners with advanced training. With the addition of the online undergraduate program, the CoSW has created an online pathway for motivated students to obtain a bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree.
Social workers play a prominent role in improving lives. Ultimately, graduates of the program will be positioned to become innovative leaders and join the greater conversation about creating a stronger society.
Amid unprecedented challenges, Miller hopes the CoSW's proactive approach will transform communities and the lives of people who call those communities home. “We know the power of social work in addressing the needs of individuals, families and communities," he said. “This new offering is another way that we seek to actualize our commitment to the well-being of individuals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.”
You can find more information on the BASW program here. To help students become well-rounded practitioners, the CoSW offers a wide array of degree paths and certificates. To learn more about other programs, you can visit the college website.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.