Accredited Social Work Education at SSU
Since 1984, the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences adjacent to Gordon Library has held the Bachelor of Social Work for Savannah State University undergrads seeking the intervention strategies for uplifting minority populations. Overseen by Dr. Catherine Gayle, the 60-credit, upper-division major emphasizes the empowerment of African Americans in urban or rural settings. The average class size of 17 means required sections, such as Self Awareness, Child Welfare, Poverty, and Gerontological Social Work, are interactive. Before the 40-question exit exam, two 200-hour practica placements like SouthCoast Health, Open Door Adoption, Pathways By Molina, Recovery Place, and Easter Seals are mandated. Majors might also join Phi Alpha, engage with CSWA-S, serve abroad in Liberia, attend the International Gospel Retreat, become Wesley Fellows, volunteer with Helping Our Sisters, and minor in Pre-Law.
Satisfying Georgia LCSW standards, the Master of Social Work was launched by Savannah State University in 1998 for graduates pursuing upper-level careers architecting policy shifts that stimulate equitable societal changes. Coordinated by Dr. Roenia Deloach, the 66-credit degree offers culturally diverse practitioners two concentrations: Clinical or Administrative Social Work. Finishing CSWE-accredited prep qualifies for the 33-credit Advanced Standing track also. The master's courses like Psychopathology, Child Advocacy, Public Finance, and Crisis Response average just 9.5 pupils. Practicum adds 700 to 1,000 clock hours at fieldwork agencies from Landmark Hospital to the Thomas D. Austin House. Other opportunities are volunteering with Park Place Outreach, joining Social Workers on the Move, pairing the MSUSP degree, adding the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate, and attending the NASW-GA Conference.
About Savannah State University
Savannah State University was founded on November 26, 1890 by the General Assembly after the Second Morrill Land Grant Act passed Congress. Called the Georgia Industrial College for Colored Youth, it initially enrolled eight Black males under Richard R. Wright, Sr. at Athens' Baxter Street School. One year later, it relocated to its current 210-acre "Hostess City" campus just 25 minutes from Tybee Island. Coeducational since 1928, it joined the USG system and became Georgia State College in 1932. Fast forward to 1996 and the Board of Regents approved Savannah State's new university status. Budgeting $55.4 million, SSU now grants 61,157 credit hours yearly to 4,429 Tigers, including Social Work majors. Linked to 11,615 LinkedIn alumni, Savannah State University has graduated Shannon Sharpe, Amelia Boynton Robinson, Donnie Cochran, and others.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Savannah State the 52nd best historically Black national college and 201st top social work school. On Niche, SSU boasts America's 97th best Greek life, 116th top party scene, and 616th best campus location. Forbes declared Savannah the 65th best place for careers and 35th highest job growth. College Factual picked SSU for the 245th best social work value and 335th top-paid graduates. PayScale calculated a mid-career median salary of $63,400 for Savannah State University alums. WalletHub crowned Savannah the South's 290th best pick. In Washington Monthly, SSU has the country's 80th best liberal arts education and 125th most service. Business Insider placed Savannah State University second among the most dangerous colleges though.
Savannah State University Accreditation Details
In March 2017, Savannah State University submitted its fifth-year interim assessment report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for keeping the Level III accreditation good through 2021 under its 13th president, Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier, who received a $4 million NIH Grant. Located 257 miles west via Interstate 16 in Decatur, this respected 11-state Dixieland accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Secretary of Education to assess the effectiveness of SSU's two associate, 26 baccalaureate and four master's degrees. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) reaffirmed the Department of Social Work in 2011 too.
Savannah State University Application Requirements
Getting into Savannah State University is labeled "minimally difficult" by Peterson's since 82 percent of the 2,950 Fall 2016 applicants were triumphant. First-year Tigers eyeing the Bachelor of Social Work must first finish 45-60 credits for major declaration. Sophomores typically apply during the Spring term after passing the prerequisites, including SOWK 2200 Human Needs and Services. Undergrads must carry cumulative GPAs above 2.3, but the mean is 2.77. Optional SAT and ACT scores currently average 920 and 17 respectively. The MSW program accepts any bachelor's major with behavioral, social, and natural science courses. Traditional entrants need a minimum undergrad GPA of 2.8 and GRE Analytical Writing score of 3.0 or higher. Advanced Standing status necessitates BSWs under five years old and "B" averages.
Pre-BSW Savannah State University undergrads must apply by the April 15th before their junior year. Master of Social Work students typically apply until May 23rd for Fall or October 31st for Spring entrance. The Advanced Standing MSW has one April 1st deadline though. Create a GA Futures account to submit the online admission form accordingly. If needed, ship paper copies to P.O. Box 20209 or 3219 College Street in Savannah, GA 31404. Please contact (912) 358-4338 or [email protected] for more information. The varying application checklists could include these:
- $25 fee via credit, money order, or check
- Registrar transcripts of all college credits
- Two or three recommendations on merit
- Graduate Record Exam score reports
- Original, 500-1,000 word directed essay
- Certificate of MMR and tetanus immunizations
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, Savannah State University will bill Georgia residents full-time BSW tuition of $3,397 each semester. Non-resident undergrads pay $9,935 each term of 15+ credits. Included expenses are the $55 activity fee, $300 athletic fee, $202 institutional fee, and $50 technology fee. Health insurance premiums add $2,258 yearly. Living at the Chatham County campus' dorms like Bowen-Smith Hall costs $1,906 for housing and $1,975 for meals per term. Annual bachelor's attendance equals $16,999 in-state and $27,460 out-of-state. The Master of Social Work presently charges Georgians $196 and non-residents $726 per credit for total prices of $6,468 to $43,560.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 81 percent of full-time SSU Tigers prowl for annual financial aid packages averaging $5,998 apiece for $23.09 million combined. University funds include the James H. Porter Scholarship, Russell Ellington Scholarship, Dixie Crystal Scholarship, John McGlockton Scholarship, Varnetta Frazier Scholarship, and Carol Larkin Eason Memorial Scholarship. The Mary Jane Stinson Scholarship founded in 1998 assists second-year MSW majors each June. Peach State residents ripen the Georgia HOPE Scholarship, Hero Scholarship, Student Access Loan, and Zell Miller Scholarship. Federal aid, such as the Pell Grant, FSEOG Grant, and Perkins Loan, require FAFSA forms coded 001590. Campus jobs of 20 hours weekly also provide up to $2,000 per semester.
Learn more about Savannah State University at the Department of Social Work website.