Welcome to the Department of Social Work

Welcome to the webpage of the Department of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The historical roots of the Department date back to the 1970’s at UNCC when social work was part of a different department in the College of Arts and Sciences. Since that time, there has been tremendous progress. Quality has been the outcome.

The Department is part of the College of Health and Human Services and we have a BSW Program and a MSW Program. Both programs are fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The accreditation occurred in 2008, and in 2016 we’ll go through the reaccreditation process to gain another eight years of accreditation.

We are fortunate to be housed in one of the newest, technology-equipped buildings on campus, conveniently located across the street from the Student Union. You’ll easily see the copper dome on our building.

I have always believed that the Department is the faculty and the faculty is the curriculum. If there is any truth to my belief, then we are a very rich Department. The members of the faculty have years and years of practice experience in different service settings with a vast array of clients. They have studied and earned degrees at excellent universities and, now, they bring their crafts and commitments to UNCC. There is not enough space on this webpage to catalog all the important research they have done and are doing, the excellence in teaching, and all the agencies and issues with which they are involved.

When considering one of our programs, one of the most critical factors to examine is the Department’s organizational culture. Our Department has a positive, student-centered, vibrant culture emphasizing student involvement, community engagement and a steadfast commitment to serve vulnerable people in the Charlotte region. If you get a chance to visit us, you will feel the positive synergy and dedication among the faculty, staff, and students.

The faculty, the hard work, the students, and the synergy brought about a big upward jump in our national ranking in 2012. In 2008, the U.S. News and World Report ranked our MSW Program as 82nd in the country. Our ranking jumped to 66th in the country and second in the state. We continually strive to get better and better.

Mark Ezell, Ph.D.

Chair and Professor