The University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a public coeducational institution that began admitting students in 1831.

The School of Social Work was established in 1965 by the Alabama Legislature, and the School’s first dean was appointed the following year. The M.S.W. Program was first accredited in 1969, and the first class received master’s degrees the same year. The M.S.W. program was reaccredited in 2003 for the maximum period of eight years.

The undergraduate program in social work was approved in 1969 and placed within the School of Social Work in 1970. In 1974, the undergraduate program was first accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The B.S.W. program was reaccredited in 2003 for the maximum period of eight years.

The doctoral program began as a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program in 1975 to prepare teachers and researchers for the social work profession. Over the years, recognizing the need for increased emphasis on research within the profession, the faculty substantially revised the program. As of 1992, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) has been conferred. The doctoral program is affiliated with the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) in social work.

The School of Social Work currently offers the degrees of Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.), -Master of Social Work (M.S.W.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.).