Michael Smith Chair, ETSU Social Work Department

As the Chair of East Tennessee State University’s Department of Social Work, I welcome you to our department and its quality programs. We are located in the College of Arts and Sciences, with a longstanding BSW Program and a new MSW Program. The BSW Program, accredited since the Council on Social Work Education first extended accreditation to BSW programs in 1974, has a proud history of preparing the majority of the region’s social workers. The BSW Program offers a curriculum that prepares entry-level professionals in the generalist tradition. The MSW Program prepares students for clinical practice. BSW and MSW students are provided excellent practicum experiences through a broad variety of internship field placements.

In addition to launching a new MSW Program, we have taken on an initiative through a federal Title IV-E grant in order to train foster parents and Department of Children’s Services workers in the fourteen counties of Northeast Tennessee. Student scholarships are available through this initiative for those who are interested in the field of Child Welfare.

Ongoing activities in the department speak to our commitment to ETSU, our students, the practice community, the field of social work, and social work education. We offer recognition to social work students across the nation for their academic excellence through our headquarters of the Phi Alpha Honor Society. A Social Work Career Day joins students, community agencies, and practitioners in an educational and informational exchange. Students and faculty are involved in a number of community-based interdisciplinary learning and service activities. Both junior and senior faculty members are engaged in teaching as well as scholarship pursuits. Highly qualified as experts in their field, they are enthusiastic in sharing their knowledge and expertise in the classroom.

This is an exciting and promising time for our students. New opportunities for student research, scholarship, advocacy, practice, and other learning are constantly being developed. The East Tennessee State University Department of Social Work offers a strong educational experience and a hospitable environment in a beautiful part of the country. Located near the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, the region offers an engaging quality of life as it grows in its diversity and cultural enrichment. Many have found the area a great place to live and our social work department a great place to learn. The links on our web page will provide additional information about our programs and our faculty. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.

Sincerely,

Michael Smith
Chair
SmithML1@etsu.edu