Welcome

Welcome to the Division of Social Work at Thomas University! We are glad you are here visiting our website and hope you will find this information helpful. If you don’t find what you are looking for, be sure and e-mail us at bmilford@thomasu.edu and we will be happy to do whatever we can for you. We are a growing program here at Thomas University and are committed to developing skilled social workers who will go out and change the world! We hope you will consider joining us in doing this important work. This website will introduce you to our faculty, program and requirements. You will also find all the forms you need in order to submit an application to our program.

Meet the Faculty

Bill Milford, MSW, LCSW Division Chair Assistant Professor of Social Work B.A. University of Connecticut M.S.S.W. Columbia University Teaches: All Practice Classes (Social Work with Individuals, Families, Groups, Communities and Organizations), Human Sexuality, Leadership and Community Service	Laura Myers, MSW, Ph.D Accreditation Chair Assistant Professor of Social Work B.A. University of Southern Mississippi M.S.W. University of Georgia Ph.D. University of Georgia Teaches: Ethics in Social Work, Cultural Diversity, Human Behavior in the Social Environment, Research & Evaluation, Gerontology, Leadership and Community Service, Introduction to Social Work	Susan Fowler, MSW, LCSW, Ed.D Field Program Director Assistant Professor of Social Work B.A. Emory University M.S.W. University of Georgia M.Ed. University of South Carolina Ed.D. University of Georgia Coordinates Field Practicum Placements Teaches: Field Seminar, Behavioral Health and DSM IV, End of Life Issues, Ethics, Cultural Diversity
Bill Stone, M.A., Ph.D. Adjunct Professor of Social Work B.A., M.A. & Ph.D. Florida State University Managing Supervisor for Habitat for Humanity (Tallahassee, FL) Teaches: Social Work with Communities and Organizations	Kurt LaRose, MSW Adjunct Professor of Social Work B.A. Union Institute & University M.S.W. Florida State University Current: Private Practice & School Counseling Services contractor Prior Employment: ECHO (a basic needs provider for under served and impoverished clients) and Father Flanagan’s Girls & Boys Town (a residential group home & treatment foster care provider) Teaches: Rural Health Issues, Field Seminar, and works as Field Liaison	Brenda Reddick, MSW Adjunct Professor of Social Work B.A. Fisk University M.S.W. Valdosta State University Social Services Supervisor: Decatur County DFCS Teaches: Child Welfare, Issues in Family Violence

Great Questions to Ask

Great Questions to Ask About Social Work at Thomas University

Why should I seek a degree in social work?
You don’t need to look very far to see the need for social workers in our world. There are so many vital needs that social workers help to address: child abuse and neglect, family counseling, psychotherapy, legislative advocacy, community organizing, school social work, drug rehabilitation, group counseling, sexual assault issues, cultural diversity training, foster care, adoption, hospitals, hospice, children, teens, families, the elderly… wherever there is a population in need – social workers are there.

Why should I seek a degree in social work from Thomas University?
Thomas University offers a degree program in social work that guarantees you a low student/faculty ratio in your classes and a flexible class schedule designed to accommodate the needs of full time students and full time professionals. Our faculty is experienced in supporting first generation students, working parents and other interested groups in obtaining their BSW degree. And Thomas University participates in the 4-E Child Welfare Training Grant which provides full tuition scholarships for students interested in working in child welfare (more on this below). Our program is presently in the candidacy phase of receiving accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education which is the gold standard for social work education programs.

What characteristics do you look for in a student who is interested in the BSW program at Thomas?
That’s a great question. The most important characteristic is that you are interested in helping people and you are open to learning about new ways to do that. To accomplish this, you will need to take risks and be flexible. You will need to risk trying new things (like how to interview people) and be open to receiving feedback about how you can improve your skills. You need to be a good student who is able to critically examine research so you can discern the best ways to help people. You need to be comfortable with computers as many of our program elements are on-line (cable or DSL preferred over dial-up) and require lots of on-line time. You need to be a person who is willing to work hard on developing your communication skills – both written and verbal – as that is the most important quality cited by employers about valued employees. Most importantly, you need to be a responsible and ethical professional who realizes that your behavior not only affects yourself but those you serve.

What does accreditation do for a social work program?
Accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education enables professionals and other schools to know that you have achieved a certain standard of excellence in your social work education. Accreditation also enables graduating BSW students to be considered for “advanced standing” in a Masters of Social Work (MSW) program. This may allow the student to skip courses in their Master’s degree studies and obtain an MSW in a full calendar year (summer, fall, spring). However, please note that accreditation does not guarantee a student advance standing – MSW programs decide that on a case by case basis. Thomas University’s Social Work Program is presently in the “candidacy” phase toward our CSWE accreditation. This means that we have met the intial requirements for the development of our program and are in the process of instituting measures to show our achievements. Students from Thomas University who graduate during our candidacy phase will be eligible to be considered for advanced standing from MSW programs on a case by case basis.

What makes social work different than other helping professions?
All of the helping professions seek to assist persons using a knowledge base of expertise developed by researchers. In social work, we use the “generalist” perspective which means use whatever information, technology or resource that is ethical, effective and available to help the client. Social work utilizes a “person in environment” or “ecosystems” approach which maintains that in order to help someone, you must also deal with the situation that they are in that helped to cause their problem.

Are there jobs in social work?
Yes! Social workers are in increasing demand because of the variety of skills and workplaces in which they can function (see our handout below). The Governor of Georgia recently requested funding for 500 more child welfare case workers for the state of Georgia to help meet the state’s dire needs. Social workers are the preferred professional for those positions.

Course Prerequisites and Requirements

The major objective of the undergraduate degree in social work is to prepare graduates for beginning professional social work jobs in public and private agencies as generalist social workers working with individuals, families, groups and communities. The student at Thomas University completes 48 semester hours of general education courses before applying to be admitted to the degree program in social work. The general education courses are in the areas of life skills, math and science, social sciences, humanities, and English. After admission to the degree program the student takes 66 semester hours in junior and senior courses in the areas of human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy, social work methods, field practica and research.

The Bachelor of Social Work Progression

Here is what the typical schedule for a Social Work major looks like:

Click to download the above form.

Classes for juniors are offered during two different times: Tuesday and Thursday evenings or all day Thursday.

Printable Tuesday-Thursday Evening Schedule for Juniors

Printable All-Day Thursday Schedule for Juniors

Printable Schedule for Seniors

Title IV-E Training Grant

The Title IV-E Training Grant for Public Child Welfare

What is it?
The Title IV-E Training Grant for Public Child Welfare is an extraordinary educational grant that pays for tuition, fees, books and mileage for persons interested in a career in public child welfare or for current Division of Family and Children Services staff who wish to upgrade their professional skills and training.

Who sponsors the grant?
The Title IV-E Training Grant is a partnership between eight Georgia Schools of Social Work and the Division of Family and Children Services. The eight Schools of Social Work include Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Dalton State College, Georgia State University, Savannah State University, Thomas University, University of Georgia, and Valdosta State University.

What are the requirements for the grant?
The grant is open to all current DFCS employees and those interested in a career in child welfare. Potential students should be interested in obtaining a Bachelors of Social Work and/or a Masters of Social Work degree. Once in the program, students will participate in courses in child welfare practice and complete a field placement in a DFCS office. The student repays grant funds by working for DFCS for a specified period of time (typically one year of employment for every academic year of IV-E funding).

How do I apply for the grant?
You must first be accepted as a social work major at Thomas University in order to be eligible for consideration for the IV-E training grant. Once accepted as a social work major, you must then fill out an application for the IV-E program.

Can I work and attend school at the same time?
Yes! If you are a DFCS employee, the Staff Enrichment and Educational Development Program or S.E.E.D. Program allows DFCS staff to attend class part time during normal working hours. If you have other employment, many of the programs allow students to attend part time during non-traditional hours.

Why should I do this?
The IV-E grant allows you the opportunity to increase your professional skills, enhance longevity and job satisfaction, and improve opportunities for salary increases and job advancement.

For information regarding Thomas University and the IV-E Grant, contact Bill Milford at bmilford@thomasu.edu. For information regarding the IV-E Grant in general, please contact Angie Saturday at ansaturday@dhr.state.ga.us.

Forms and Info

Forms, Information and Such

Click on the highlighted form to download it or be hyper-linked to its location.

Application to Thomas University
If you are a new student or are transferring to Thomas University, you will need to fill out this form to be accepted into the University. Applications are accepted at any time.

Note: Many of the following forms are Microsoft Word documents. If you do not have Word installed on your computer, please contact Bill Milford at bmilford@thomasu.edu to obtain printed copies.

Application to the Thomas University Social Work Program
Fill out this form and send in two references in order to be considered for admission to the Social Work Program. Applications are accepted at any time.
Microsoft Word Format | PDF Format | Online Application

IV-E Child Welfare Training Grant Program – Job Overview and Assessment
If you are seriously considering applying to the IV-E Child Welfare Training Program, you must read a document titled "Overview of the Child Welfare Positions" from the Department of Family and Children Services. It gives a great summary of the various positions, roles and expectations that are involved in working for DFCS. There is also a self-assessment at the end so you can gauge your “fit” with the program. (*Note: I believe the assessment is a bit harsh but you will get their point as you proceed through it.) Click one of these links to download and read this document.
Microsoft Word Format | PDF Format

IV-E Child Welfare Training Grant Program – Video Overview of DFCS Work
If you are seriously considering applying to the IV-E Child Welfare Training Program, you must view this video that gives an excellent overview of what it is like to work for DFCS for case workers themselves. It demonstrates the breadth of work that they provide, the commitment and flexibility that it takes for the job, and the fortitude that you must have to deal with issues such as child abuse and neglect. Be forewarned that there are explicit scenes within this video to inform you about the seriousness of cases that DFCS workers investigate and manage. Click on the link below to view the video (26 minutes long – Windows Media Player)
DFCS Recruitment Video

Application to the IV-E Child Welfare Training Grant Program
This is an on-line application througnh the state’s DFCS website. You may want to look over the application first before filling it out because you can’t stop and start the process once you begin it. Please note that you must be admitted to the Social Work Program in order to be considered for the Child Welfare Training Grant. This is a competitive grant with a limited number of slots. Applications for this program can be submitted at anytime. However, interviews and program admission are dependent upon available slots each semester. Apply now (!) if you are interested so we can contact you when appointments for the next interviewing round are made (May, August and/or December).

The Title IV-E Training Grant for Public Child Welfare
This information sheet is an overview of the IV-E program.

“To Be A Social Work Major”
This is a document that describes the course requirements for lower division and transferring students who are considering Social Work as their major. It details lower division courses that are necessary in order to be admitted to the social work program.

Typical Schedule For Social Work Majors
This is the above document detailing, semester by semester, the courses offered to complete the Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Thomas University Course Progression Sheet for Social Work Majors
This sheet will enable you to compare your transcript with the lower and upper division requirements for Social Work Majors.

Facts and Information about Social Work
This is some interesting information about what social work is, where it is practiced and the job growth potential for social workers.

What Can I Do With A Social Work Degree?
This is an excellent overview of the various career areas and types of employers that hire social workers along with a cursory description of the kinds of skills those positions require. There are also excellent suggestions for how to get your foot in the door (ie volunteering) to gain some experience in these areas to see if they are the right job for you.

The 2005 Bridges Newsletter
An occasional newsletter about the faculty, students and other news of interest about the division of social work. Must reading for those who wish to be in the know!