This article was originally published by UKNow.
On April 14, 2023, the United States Army and the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) will honor 26 graduating officers during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, acknowledging the officers’ successful completion of the Army-UK Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
Four of the graduating officers will enter practice in the Army National Guard, two will practice in the Air Force and 20 will practice as active-duty Army social workers. Additionally, all graduates will enter a post-graduate internship at an Army, Air Force, Army National Guard or Veteran Affairs Military Treatment Facility.
The UK College of Social Work has offered this one-of-a-kind master’s degree in partnership with the Department of Defense since October 2016. The goal is to develop well-qualified clinical social workers to fill positions across military service branches.
“The Army-University of Kentucky MSW program educates over two-thirds of all new social workers entering active-duty Army each year and provides an essential function to help maintain the readiness and enhance the well-being of our military service members, family members, and retirees,” said Lt. Col. Teresa Murray, director of the Army-UK MSW program. “We appreciate the collaboration and support we receive from the University of Kentucky as we work together to meet the needs of the Department of Defense.”
“As a land-grant institution, our commitment to armed forces education is codified via federal legislation,” Jay Miller, dean of the CoSW, said. “Our college is extremely proud — and honored — to actualize this commitment via our Army MSW program. These successful graduates are the embodiment of that commitment.”
The full-time, 60-hour MSW degree program operates within the Army Medical Department Center and School at Fort Sam Houston. Curriculum is delivered in a condensed format over 14 continuous months of study, and all classes are administered through the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston campus.
