Shippensburg University plans MSW cohort in Schuylkill County

Shippensburg University plans to bring an accredited Master of Social Work program to Schuylkill County in partnership with the Schuylkill Community Education Council (SCEC).

Shippensburg's MSW, operated collaboratively with Millersville University, is fully accredited through the Council on Social Work Education and offers a quality and affordable graduate social work education. The partnership with SCEC will allow residents of Schuylkill County to participate in the program while remaining close to home. SCEC is a leader in bringing quality higher education to the county.

According to Dr. Deborah Jacobs, professor of social work and gerontology, and department chairperson at Shippensburg, "We are excited to be able to bring our MSW program to a location that will meet the needs of Schuylkill county residents. Our joint MSW program is the only one in Central Pennsylvania that is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Our affordable tuition and strong academic program are something we feel all regional residents should have access to without having to drive long distances. We hope this is only the first of several cohorts that respond to pressing needs for more masters level trained social workers in rural areas of Central Pennsylvania."

The mission of the program is to provide accessible social work graduate education to prepare students for advanced generalist practice and to provide professional leadership and contribute to the development and dissemination of social work practice knowledge.

The program seeks to:

• Prepare students for competent advanced generalist practice, with a focus on rural client systems, through the acquisition and demonstration of social work knowledge, skills, and values.
• Provide leadership and service for the social welfare systems and the social work profession.
• Foster commitment to professional development and the creation and dissemination of knowledge.

More information is available here.