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Mission  |  History 

Interim Director, Dr. Joohee Lee

Welcome to the School of Social Work at the University of Southern Mississippi. Since 1976, when we became the first accredited master’s program in Mississippi, our school has embarked on the journey alongside our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to produce dynamic solutions for personal, interpersonal, and system problems, especially those unique to the poor, oppressed and underserved of Mississippi and beyond. The collaborative strengths of each of us and our commitment to the social work profession have continued to drive our community forward to advance, and the journey will continue.

We are pleased to offer both bachelor's and master's degrees in social work. The master's program is offered in three scheduling formats: full-time (two years), part-time (three years), and advanced standing (BSWs only). Our school provides a welcoming and stimulating environment where students are known and supported as individuals. Through face-to-face courses and hands-on educational experiences, we offer students the blend of challenge and guidance needed to become committed and capable professional social workers.

We are proud of our social work graduates and alumni and look forward to welcoming new students into our program!

Meet our Faculty

Mission Statement

The USM School of Social Work develops and communicates social work knowledge and skills consistent with the values and ethics of the profession.  We are inspired by a vision of social justice and advocacy for the well-being of all people.  Our graduates produce dynamic solutions for personal, interpersonal, and systemic challenges with particular attention to the needs of people who are poor, oppressed, and underserved. (Adopted 2.14.2020)

 

Derived from the School mission are the following program goals. The faculty believes that the School’s goals and objectives were logically derived from its stated mission above.  

We prepare students for competent, ethical, and culturally informed social work practice.  

• We deliver a dynamic, integrated competency-based curriculum.  
• We infuse opportunities across the curriculum for students to demonstrate mastery of social work knowledge, skills, and values.  
• We promote a professional social work identity.  

We advance knowledge relevant to social work practice and social welfare.  

• We engage faculty, staff, and students in research and scholarship.  
• We pursue and secure external funding to support research and program activities.  
• We translate research findings and critical inquiry into scholarly products that inform practice, policy, and social service delivery.  

We inspire realization of human potential.  

• We promote healthy human growth and development.  
• We develop dynamic strategies and actions to address oppressive social conditions.  
• We model leadership and advocacy for social change. 

(Adopted February 2020)

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School of Social Work History 

The School of Social Work offers both the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees. The MSW program started in 1974. A part-time program began at Southern Miss' Gulf Park campus in 1996, and a part-time program was operated in Tupelo from 1997 to 2003.

Accreditation

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national association representing social work education in the United States, accredits the School of Social Work’s BSW and MSW programs. The BSW program achieved initial accreditation in 1996, and has been continuously accredited since that time, including the on-site program at the Southern Miss Gulf Park campus in fall 2005. The MSW program has been continuously accredited since 1976.

Leadership

Directors of the school have included:

• Joohee Lee, 2024 - Present
• Jerome Kolbo, 2019-2024
• Tim Rehner, 2008-2019
• Michael Forster, 2000-2008
• Earlie Washington, 1992-2000
• Beulah Compton, 1988-1992
• Shirley Jones, 1977-1987
• Lester Glick, 1974-1976

College Affiliation

The school is part of the College of Education and Human Sciences, one of four academic colleges at 91ÉÙÅ®¼¯ÖÐÓª. The college was newly formed in summer 2018 as part of a university-wide academic reorganization. 

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