
Welcome from Department Chair
Welcome to the Department of Social Work at UNC Pembroke! We are excited to see that you are considering social work as a next Step in your career.
There is truly a wide range of opportunities available for social workers with BSW and/or MSW degrees, and UNCP offers a hybrid BSW program and hybrid and online MSW programs to help you reach your goals. One of the most beneficial aspects of a social work degree is that social workers can work in so many capacities.
As you start your studies at UNC Pembroke, faculty in our department are here to help answer any questions you might have about social work careers or our social work degree program. Our faculty is here to support you in your career goals and hope to see you Soon in the UNC Pembroke Department of Social Work.
I may be reached at summer.woodside@uncp.edu or in the David E Weinstein Health Sciences Building, Room 361-E
Go Braves!
Dr. Summer Woodside. PhD, LCSW, LISW-CP
Department Chair & Associate Professor, Social Work

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
The mission of the Department of Social Work at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is to prepare students to become leaders in enhancing the quality of life and seeking solutions to rural problems. It is particularly concerned with the consequences of injustice, and thus focuses on the empowerment of populations-at-risk and the advancement of economic, political, and social justice in all communities.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke is to prepare students for competent professional social work practice based upon an advanced generalist model. Social workers are prepared for practice in varied settings with diverse client populations. They are equipped to utilize resources available in rural areas and to work with members of indigenous communities. Students will develop an awareness of both historical and contemporary social issues embedded in the context of a larger, more global reality.
Field Practicum
The field practicum for the student is one of the most important components of social work education. It gives the student the opportunity to integrate all his/her social work knowledge, values and skills learned in previous social work courses into his/her field experience. The student is supervised by a professionally trained social worker while they, in most cases, carry a caseload within the agency. The student is given the opportunity to assess all client systems from micro, mezzo and macro systems
Minor, Licensure, & Certifications
The Department of Social Work offers a minor in social welfare as well as a variety of licensures and certifications. These provide students with specialized experiences that create more focused skill sets.

School Social Work
Students who are currently enrolled in the BSW or MSW programs and professionals who have already completed.

Child Welfare Collaborative
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke's social work department is a participating partner of the North Carolina Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC).

Undergraduate Minor in Social Welfare
The Department of Social Work offers a minor in social welfare. To enroll in any minor course the student must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.

Criteria C: MSW with emphasis on Substance Use Disorders and Recovery
The North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board has approved the Department of Social Work as a “Criteria C” program.

Apply for Undergraduate

Apply for Graduate
Over 40 years of serving the community
65% of BSW and 70% of MSW are People of Color
20% of BSW Graduates are male
The UNCP Department of Social Work is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation. See BSW and MSW Program Outcome Assessment Reports here.
Accreditation of a baccalaureate or master’s social work program by the Council on Social Work Education’s Board of Accreditation indicates that it meets or exceeds criteria for the assessment of program quality evaluated through a peer review process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the Board of Accreditation has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards.
Accreditation applies to all program sites and program delivery methods of an accredited program. Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.