Top Social Work Schools in Georgia with Program Information

Social work schools in Georgia award undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as graduate certificates in social work. Keep reading to find out the top colleges and universities in the state of Georgia offering social work programs.

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Top Social Work Schools in Georgia

1. Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA

With an enrollment of more than 32,000 students, Georgia State University (GSU) is one of the state's largest postsecondary schools. The university's School of Social Work in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies offers both Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degree programs. In 2009, GSU's social work programs received more than $3 million in grants and professional contracts.

The BSW is a 4-year program that combines classroom instruction with a social work internship that lasts two semesters. Courses are offered in social welfare programs, research methods, human behavior, social policies and communication. The internship requires students to complete two 8-hour shifts each week during the last year of the program. Students gain practical social work experience through work with local community organizations, welfare agencies and related groups.

The MSW program focuses on fostering and developing partnerships within communities. Courses include human development, community research methods, social justice, studies in diversity, social work assessments, social work leadership and project management. In addition to classroom instruction, students gain field experience through practicum opportunities with local social work and public health agencies. Students in the MSW degree program can also pursue a certificate in several areas of study, including child welfare leadership, nonprofit management, public health and gerontology.

2. Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA

Founded in 1963, Kennesaw State University is a mid-sized public university serving over 21,000 students every year. It was ranked amongst the top regional colleges for the South in the 2012 edition of U.S. News and World Report. The Department of Social Work and Human Services offers several degrees in social work, including a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Human Services and a MSW.

The B.S. in Human Services is a general degree in human services designed to prepare students for a number of related careers, including social work. Courses examine sociology, psychology, state government, interview skills, support groups, studies of poverty and human services ethics. Students can also join a certification program set up by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NPLA).

The MSW program at Kennesaw is offered both as a full-time program and a part-time clinical practice-focused program. Specializations are offered in children and family services as well as mental health services, the latter of which also has a substance abuse services subdiscipline. The curriculum includes coursework in clinical practice, research methods, addiction, substance abuse and forensic social work, as well as a required practicum.

3. University of Georgia in Athens, GA

The University of Georgia was ranked the 62nd best school in the country by U.S. News & World Report in 2012. The public university offers several social work degree programs through its School of Social Work, which was established in 1964. These include a BSW program, a MSW program and a Doctor of Philosophy program.

The BSW degree program aims to give students a foundational understanding of social work principles. With this degree, students can pursue entry-level positions in social work. Social work courses include the history of social work, studies of diversity and human development. Students are also expected to take part in an internship during the entire duration of their senior year.

Students in the MSW degree program are trained to become social workers or other professionals who require a graduate-level social work education. The MSW offers two degree paths, one for students interested in working directly with clients in need and one for students interested in community health and development and policy-related positions. Students in this program can also earn a certificate in marriage and family therapy, gerontology or nonprofit management.

The social work Ph.D. program is designed for students interested in advanced research and instruction positions within the social work field. The program typically requires three years of intense study and requires students to complete a doctoral dissertation in order to graduate. Courses are offered in social work theory and practice, academic research, statistical methods and social work education.

List of Ten Great Social Work Schools in Georgia

School Name	Distinction	Location
Albany State University	The joint Waycross Program option	Albany, GA
Augusta State University	Program offers a minor in gerontology	Augusta, GA
Fort Valley State University	Social work program received $597,929 grant in 2011 for child welfare studies	Fort Valley, GA
Georgia State University	The strong field education component to the social work curricula	Atlanta, GA
Kennesaw State University	The multidisciplinary approach of the B.S. in Human Services curriculum	Kennesaw, GA
LaGrange College	Oldest private college in the state of Georgia	Lagrange, GA
Savannah State University	Three student organizations for social work students	Savannah, GA
University of Georgia	Social work study-abroad programs in Ghana, Ireland and Mexico	Athens, GA
Valdosta State University	Home to the Graduate Social Work Organization	Valdosta, GA
Wesleyan College	The first college in the world to allow women to seek degrees	Macon, GA