Elevating the Social Work Program to Department Status
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) was initially accredited in 1980 and has successfully received reaffirmation by The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) at each subsequent program review. In all program reviews, CSWE consistently recommended that PVAMU launch a Master of Social Work (MSW) program. I am pleased to report that the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) have approved the MSW program to begin Fall 2021. SACSCOC approval is forthcoming.
Furthermore, during the most recent CSWE site visit’s exit meeting, the review team recommended the elevation of the degree program to become an autonomous Department of Social Work. Approved by TAMUS and THECB, the Social Work program will become the Department of Social Work effective June 1, 2021. Dr. Felix Chima, who has ably served as program coordinator for years, overseen the accreditation process, and has received high praise from review teams, will serve as department head. Under his leadership, the program grew from about sixty majors to approximately 200 currently. Please welcome him and congratulate the faculty who have worked so diligently and collegially to accomplish these milestones.
Renaming the Division to the Division of Social Sciences
The Division of Social Work, Behavioral and Political Sciences will no longer reflect the programs housed due to administrative changes to create a Department of Social Work. TAMUS and the THECB have approved the renaming of the unit to the Division of Social Sciences. The change will be effective June 1, 2021, to correspond with the start of the summer semester.
James M. Palmer
Provost & Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs