KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 10, 2020 — Beginning spring semester 2021, King University’s award-winning Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree will be available to students throughout the Knoxville region in a distance learning format.
The BSW is designed to benefit human well-being and human rights, affirm the dignity and worth of others, and empower the vulnerable and oppressed in society. Graduates can choose from a range of career options, including legal and medical work, addictions counseling, victim advocacy, child welfare, school social work, policy analysis, and more.
“We’ve had a surge of interest in the field of social work over the past several years, and the need for qualified leaders and counselors is only going to increase,” said Kristi Reynolds, assistant vice president of Enrollment Management for King’s Adult & Graduate Studies in Knoxville. “Not only is this degree an investment in the personal and professional lives of our students, it’s a commitment to the well-being of society, and we look forward to seeing the long-term impacts on our region.”
The 16-month program can be taken one class at a time, and includes a one-semester field practicum. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and in 2019 won first-place distinction in the Phi Alpha International Humanitarian Service Award. The program is also ranked as one of 2020’s most affordable online degrees by Online U.
“Our program is one that embraces a service orientation,” said Jodi Helbert, Ph.D., associate professor and the founding program coordinator of the social work program in King’s School of Health and Professional Sciences. “Our faculty keep in mind that everything in the program must be Christ-centered, student-focused, and aligned with NASW Code of Ethics. In this environment, our students quickly learn the importance and rewards of shifting their thinking from the idea of ‘serve us’ to ‘service,’ and it’s quite gratifying to see them being broadly recognized for their achievements — especially since we know that for each of those accolades, there are many people in the community who will be assisted in an ethical and effective way.”
“We’ve been able to accomplish a great deal in this program in a relatively short span of time,” Reynolds said. “In addition to a steady climb in program enrollment, our graduates have a 100% pass rate for licensure, to date, and we look forward to offering this high-quality curriculum to an expanded audience.”
For more information about King University, visit www.king.edu, and for information specific to the BSW, visit king.edu/socialwork.
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King University is a Presbyterian-affiliated, doctoral-level comprehensive university. Founded in 1867 as King College, the University offers more than 90 majors, minors, pre-professional degrees and concentrations in fields such as business, nursing, law, medical and health sciences, pharmacy, education, and humanities. Graduate programs are offered in business administration, education, and nursing. A number of research, off-campus learning opportunities, and travel destinations are also available. King University is a NCAA Division II and a Conference Carolinas member with 25 varsity sports. For more information about King University, visit www.king.edu. King University does not discriminate against academically qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability. King University is certified by SCHEV to operate in Virginia. King’s primary location in Virginia is Southwest Virginia Community College, 724 Community College Rd, Cedar Bluff, and VA 24609.