The Department of Social Work continues to experience growth in terms of students, faculty, and programs. The BSW program is a thriving “middle-sized” program in terms of the number of social work majors and minors. The BSW program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1978. The MSW program enrolls nearly 60 graduate students and received initial accreditation from the CSWE on June 19, 2006. Our MSW program offers a unique concentration: advanced direct practice in rural settings. Significant departmental projects include the WKU Training Resource Center (TRC), the Public Child Welfare Certification Program (PCWCP), the Credit for Learning Project (CFL), and a number of faculty that are working within the area of gerontology.

Dr. Jay Gabbard, Dr. Muh Bi Lin, Dr. Dean May (Department Head/BSW Program Director), Ms. Jan Peeler, Dr. Dale Smith, Dr. Cindy Snyder, and Dr. Susan Wesley all have primary assignment in the BSW program. Ms. Eileen Arnold (MSW Admissions Coordinator), Dr. Amy Cappiccie, Dr. Suzie Cashwell (MSW Program Director), Dr. Janice Chadha, Dr. Mimi Sodhi, Dr. Saundra Starks, and Dr. Gary Villereal all have primary assignment to the MSW program. The Credit for Learning Project has two full-time faculty, Ms. Melanie Randolph, and Ms. Carol Robey, while Ms. Vivian Hurt (Field Director) handles field instruction duties for both the BSW and MSW programs. Mr. Randy Johnson serves as the director of the WKU Training Resource Center (TRC). Office staff in the department include Deirdre Greene (Department/BSW Program), Marsha Hopper (CFL Project/MSW Program), Emily Gouvas (Field Instruction/MSW Program), and Janie Perdue (TRC grant).