Department of Social Work and Sociology

Arnold Barnes, Chairperson

General Program Requirements

The admission of the students to the undergraduate degree program in the Department of Social Work and Sociology is based upon the general admission requirements of the University. All majors are required to take courses in Sociology, Statistics and Research.

Degrees Offered

Social Work - Bachelor of Social Work
Sociology - Bachelor of Arts

Sociology Objectives

The objectives of the Sociology Program are as follows:

to provide students with analytic and systematic skills necessary to understand the problems inherent in societal relationships and to subsequently attempt to solve them,
to prepare students for graduate study in the discipline,
to provide a sociological background for departmental and university students who must meet major specific, general education or liberal arts requirements.

Sociology Requirements

Sociology Major - Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of University courses. Included in the 120 semester hours are 49 hours of sociology. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in these courses; sociology majors are required to complete an 18 hour concentration. Sociology majors are required to successfully complete a one semester internship in their senior year.

Comprehensive Examination: All students must pass the Comprehensive Exam prior to graduation from the department, which is given in the Senior Seminar class during the second semester of the senior year. Those who do not pass the exam will not be able to pass the Senior Seminar course with a “C” or better and hence will not be able to meet all the requirements for graduation from the University. NOTE: the Senior Seminar course can be repeated, if necessary. All sociology majors are required to join and participate in the Sociology/Social Work Society.

Career Opportunities

A degree in sociology is preparatory for graduate study in sociology and can serve as the basic preparation for study of law, social work and public administration, entry into government service positions, and applied research and education.

A BA in sociology is excellent preparation for future graduate work in sociology in order to become a professor, researcher, or applied sociologist.
The undergraduate degree provides a strong liberal arts preparation for entry level positions throughout the business, social service, and government worlds. Employers look for people with the skills in research, analysis, and communication that an undergraduate education in sociology provides.
Since its subject matter is intrinsically fascinating, sociology offers valuable preparation for careers in journalism, politics, public relations, business, or public administration - fields that involve investigative skills and working with diverse groups.
Many students choose sociology because they see it as a broad liberal arts base for professions such as law, education, medicine, social work, and counseling. Sociology provides a rich fund of knowledge the directly pertains to each of these fields.

Social Work Mission and Objectives

Historically North Carolina A&T State University played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement. In the turbulence of 1960, four freshmen sat down at a segregated lunch counter in Greensboro, NC. Their actions inspired a national sit-in movement. Our history has influenced a program culture that emphasizes the Social Work profession’s commitment to ethical practice and social justice. Community Service opportunities are a part of required class volunteer hours.

The mission of North Carolina A&T State University’s BSW program is to prepare students through classroom interactions, field experiences, and extra curricula activities to engage in competent, ethical and evidence-based generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in order to positively impact socioeconomic inequalities and improve the quality of life. The goals/objectives of the BSW program are to:

Prepare students for generalist social work practice.
Promote continued learning and critical thinking which builds on the broad knowledge base provided by the liberal arts perspective.
Advance students’ capacity to become change agents in championing human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
Prepare students for graduate school and ongoing professional development.

North Carolina A&T State University’s BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); it’s most recent reaffirmation was granted by the Commission on Accreditation in June 2011. NCAT has a proud legacy as one of the oldest accredited BSW programs in the nation.

The mission of the BSW program is evidenced by an infused curriculum reflecting the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Our curriculum contains core values of service, social justice, the dignity and worth of the person, integrity, competence, human rights, and scientific inquiry. The curriculum of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program is structured to promote critical thinking, an appreciation of diversity, a commitment to high ethical standards, and an understanding of both the art and science of social work practice.

NCAT’s BSW program is grounded in the person and environment perspective. The competencies of the BSW program are based on the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Education Policies and Accreditation Standards (EPAS).

The Social Work competencies are:

Competency 1 - Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Competency 2 - Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Competency 3 - Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice
Competency 4 - Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice
Competency 5 - Engage in Policy Practice
Competency 6 - Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 7 - Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 8 - Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Competency 9 - Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Social Work Requirements

Social Work Major - Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of University courses. Included in the 120 credit hours are 64 credit hours in social work and cognate courses. A minimum grade of “C” must be achieved in English, Speech, Sociology and all Social Work courses. Formal admission to the BSW program is required before taking any upper division Social Work courses. Students must have a 2.6 GPA or better to be admitted to the BSW program and in order to continue they must maintain a 2.6 GPA or better. Social Work majors are required to successfully complete an internship in their senior year. Professional liability insurance is required before entering the Field.

Students interested in participating in the Child Welfare Education Collaborative should make their application during spring semester of their junior year, when they are applying for senior year field practicum placements.

Entering the program - Students desiring to change their major to Social Work (from another major) must have a 2.6 GPA or higher. Students must meet with the Bachelor of Social Work program director for an initial interview to assess the number of courses/semesters remaining for graduation. Students transferring from another university or community college should arrange a meeting with their advisor within the first week of school to assure that they are enrolled in the correct courses. All social work students will participate in a BSW application process prior to taking junior and senior level social work courses. This application process consists of attending an Information Session, completing a Personal Statement and meeting with their advisor. Students must have successfully completed specific social work courses (SOWK 133 , SOWK 134 , SOWK 310 , SOWK 315 ), maintained an overall 2.6 GPA, and completed a minimum of 45 credit hours. No academic credit is given for previous life experience.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Social Work provides students with the competencies essential for immediate entry as a generalist into the professional field of social work. Career opportunities include but are not limited to departments of social services, mental health agencies, centers on aging, non-profit organizations, advocacy services, social justice organizations and various areas in the criminal justice system. The Social Work Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Directory of Faculty

Kendra Alexander; Assistant Professor
B.S., North Carolina A&T State University; M.S.W., M.P.A., University of North Carolina; Ph.D., Northwestern University

Arnold Barnes; Associate Professor and Chairperson
B.A., M.S.W., University of Maryland; Ph.D., Washington University (St. Louis, MO)

Anderson Bean; Teaching Assistant Professor
B.A., M.A., University of North Carolina; Ph.D., George Mason University

Grace Gowdy; Assistant Professor
B.A., University of North Florida; M.S.W., Florida State University; Ph.D., Boston University

Carmen Monico; Associate Professor
B.S., University of Maryland; M.S.W., Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University

Sharon Parker; Associate Professor
B.A., Greensboro College; M.S.W., University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Mashooq Salehin; Associate Professor
B.S.S., Shahjalal University of Science & Technology; M.S.W., Southern Illinois University, Ph.D., University of Texas

Linda Samuel; Associate Professor
B.S., South Carolina State University; M.S.W., University of South Carolina; Ph.D., Clark Atlanta University

Stephanie Teixeira-Poit; Assistant Professor
B.A., Stonehill College; M.S., Ph.D., North Carolina State University

Michelle Vance; Assistant Professor
B.S., Appalachian State University; M.S.W., University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Ph.D., University of Central Florida

Jeannette Wade; Assistant Professor
B.A., Cleveland State University; M.A., Ph.D., University of Akron

Tobin Walton; Assistant Professor
B.S., University of Evansville; B.A., University of Southern Indiana; M.A., University of Louisville; Ph.D., University of Tennessee

Elizabeth Watson; Teaching Assistant Professor and Co-Director of BSW Field
B.S., Columbia Union College; M.S.W., Howard University; Ph.D., Andrews University

Chiquitia Welch-Brewer; Associate Professor
B.A., Cleveland State University; M.S.S.A., Case Western Reserve; Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Lisa Workman; Associate Professor
B.A., University of Akron; M.S., Case Western Reserve University; Ph.D., Norfolk State University