Social work program growing rapidly at the University of Pikeville
0By Lauren Gregory
Have you ever found yourself taking up for the little guy? Are you the person who always tries to turn a difficult situation into a positive one? Do you find yourself enjoying helping people regardless of pay? If so, a career in social work may be just for you.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), social work is one of the fastest growing careers in the United States, and UPIKE is contributing to that with 18 graduates in social work.
Established in the fall of 2007, and the social work program has been full force ever since. Genesia Kilgore-Bowling is the social work program director and assistant professor of social work. UPIKE offers a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science in social work.
Caitlyn Dixon, junior, said, “Genesia Kilgore-Bowling is over the department and she has a lot of experience that we can learn from.”
UPIKE’s social work program educates students in the generalist practice approach, with emphasis on social work practice in rural Appalachia. All social work majors are provided the opportunity to practice social work in the field in an approved agency under the direction of professional social works and program faculty. Graduates of the social work program are equipped with the knowledge, values and skills necessary to be entry-level social work professionals.
“Social work is an amazing field to be able to empower others to live to their full potential and help themselves,” said senior Hannah Lucas.
The social work program at UPIKE is one of the most job ready programs on campus, and in October 2012, it became one of 482 accredited baccalaureate social work programs in the nation. This program holds up to the standards of social work programs at other universities, and can be finished in half the time. UPIKE currently does not have a master’s program in social work, but that is next on the list. The undergraduate program prepares to be job ready and teaches you how to work in many different fields with different kinds of people.
The median expected salary for a typical social worker (BSW) in the United States is $48,856, according to salary.com.
“A degree in social work opens up so many career options,” said Kilgore-Bowling.
School social work, mental health social work, health care social work, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, child welfare and family services social work are just a few career choices for a social worker.
“I love being in the program, and I think it’s teaching me a lot of skills that I’ll use in my career. I decided to major in social work because I love people and I want to help people who end up in difficult situations,” Dixon said.
The small class size and one-on-one attention plays a big role in the success rate of the program. “Our program is a little family! We are there for each other through everything!” said Lucas.
There are currently 40 students who are majoring in the social work program. To apply to the program, you need to have an introduction class, fill out an application, and write an essay about what motivates you to be a social worker.
“We recommend that students apply to the social work program early in their academic career years is possible to make sure that the student can complete the program requirements in a reasonable amount of time,” said Kilgore-Bowling.
For more information about the social work program contact Kilgore-Bowling at 606.218.5011. Additional information is also available at www.upike.edu.