Graduate Social Work program continues climb in national rankings

The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work graduate program has climbed into the top 25 percent nationally in the 2016 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The Master of Social Work degree program moved up 12 spots on this year’s list, from 68 to 56; 234 schools offer graduate degrees in social work nationwide.

“Our jump in the rankings reflects social work faculty members’ reputations for high quality, nationally relevant scholarship and teaching,” said MSW program director Bob Herman-Smith.

UNC Charlotte’s MSW program is now ranked higher than any other master’s program without an associated social work doctoral degree program. The recognition in the national rankings continues an upward trend for the School of Social Work, which transitioned from a department in 2015, and named its inaugural director last month.

UNC Charlotte also offers a part-time MSW program that makes it possible for enrollees to earn a graduate degree while taking many classes remotely.

Currently, much of the work done by faculty and the 135 students in the MSW program focuses on vulnerable populations in the growing urban and suburban regions of North Carolina.

Vivian Lord, interim director of the School of Social Work, said linking research with community outreach is a key measure of program quality and an ongoing focus.

“While the national reputation of the MSW program grows, faculty continue to strive to connect directly with students, linking them with the community and its needs, and expanding our applied research focus to help people in Charlotte and beyond.”

For more information on the MSW program, see the School of Social Work website.