College of Social Work
Undergraduate
Dean: David W. Springer; Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Lisa Schelbe; Associate Dean for Research: Yaacov Petscher; Associate Dean for Academic Administration: Jennifer Jane Farinella; Assistant Dean for Culture and Community Engagement: Keithen Mathis
The social work program at Florida State University has its origins in the early history of the institution, with social welfare content first being introduced into the curriculum in the 1920s. By the mid-30s, during the Great Depression, undergraduate courses in casework and group work were offered, as well as field placements at the Leon County Welfare Association and the Leon County Unemployment Relief Council.
In 1947, the year that the Florida State College for Women was named Florida State University, Dr. Coyle Moore became the Chair of the Department of Social Welfare. The Master of Social Work program was established in 1948 and in 1950 received accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education, which has earned reaccreditation continuously since that time. The School of Social Welfare was created in 1950 and Dr. Moore became the first Dean. The bachelor's program was accredited in 1974, the first year that undergraduate programs were granted accredited status.
The PhD program in social work was approved by the Board of Regents in 1974 and accepted its first student in the fall of that year. In June 1973, as part of an overall University structural reorganization, the social work program became identified as the School of Social Work with Dr. L. Diane Bernard as Dean.
Earning recognition as the College of Social Work in 2005, Dr. C. Aaron McNeece was named Dean in the same year. In 2002, FSU established the first CSWE-accredited master's program in the U.S. with a complete online curriculum.
The College of Social Work is dedicated to the preparation of tomorrow's social workers who demonstrate awareness of the impact of the many social changes that have taken place in our contemporary world. The College's curriculum is continually updated, recognizing and responding to the changing demands made on the profession. The curriculum is rooted in the ecosystems perspective, which serves as an organizing framework for the entire program, thereby providing an effective basis for studying people and their environment. The combination of class and field work provides students with a rich educational experience and the opportunity for the integration of research, theory, and practice. Presently, there are approximately 150 undergraduates and 1000 graduate students enrolled in the College, with 35 faculty members. More than 20 students are engaged in active study for the PhD in social work.
The College of Social Work is committed to the pursuit and delivery of excellence in social work education. Through teaching, research, and service, the College educates its graduates for productive careers as professional social workers in diverse arenas, contributes to the knowledge base guiding social welfare practice and policy decisions, and offers expertise and energy to local, state, and national concerns.
The College's initiatives build on the traditional heritage of social work and are guided by a commitment to community-based social services. Recognizing that communities function as political, social, and familial entities, the College's efforts emphasize, but are not limited to, health care, mental health, and the special concerns of children, families, women, and the aged. The College recognizes and values mutuality among diverse community groups, and promotes models of service-delivery empowering vulnerable populations ensuring social services for all community members.
Degree Programs
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
BSW Program Director: Carol Edwards, MSW
The curriculum offered at the baccalaureate level is designed to enable students to provide services to individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in generalist social work practice.
Master of Social Work (MSW)
MSW Program Director: Fran Gomory, MSW
The curriculum at the MSW level is designed to provide quality preparation for high-quality advanced practitioners who will work with diverse client systems and problems. Students may choose an advanced curriculum in either clinical or social leadership concentrations.
Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD)
PhD Program Director: Stephen Tripodi, PhD
The PhD program in social work is designed to advance the social work profession through the development of researchers/scholars and educators.
Overseas Study
International Program Director: Neil Abell, PhD
Florida State University offers students the opportunity to study abroad and to gain valuable experience through international internships. For information concerning eligibility, fees, and other details of these programs, contact the College's Director of International Programs. Social work majors are encouraged to consider these opportunities for study overseas.
Requirements
Requirements for a Major
The BSW Program is specialized admissions program and the admission requirements include: completion of CoreFSU Curriculum at Florida State University or completion of an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public community college and a minimum of a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on all college work attempted. Students are admitted during the Fall or Spring semesters. In addition, students must meet the following prerequisites by the end of Term 4 (or before admission to FSU, if the student is transferring from a community college):
- Completion of a course in each of the following cognates with a grade of “C” or better: (a) American Government (American National Government or American Government); (b) Biology (Human Biology or Human Anatomy and Physiology); (c) Economics (Introduction to Economics, Microeconomics or Macroeconomics); (d) Introductory Psychology; and (e) Introductory Sociology or Social Problems
- Complete a formal application to the BSW Program.
A minimum of 50 semester hours in social work is required for graduation. It is expected that each student, with counsel from the advisor, will move through the required courses in the sequence specified in the academic map. Required courses in the major are SOW 3203, 3350, 4104, 4232, 4323, 4341, 4360, 4403, 4414, 4510, 4522, and 4620 and two social work electives for a total of 50 credit hours towards the required 60 to earn a bachelor's degree.
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses attempted to be eligible to complete an internship in their final semester. No social work course with a “U” or a letter grade below “C–” will apply toward a social work major.
The College of Social Work does not require a foreign language as part of its undergraduate program of studies. However, in order to graduate from Florida State University all students must provide the University with verification of completion of two units of the same foreign language in high school or at least eight semester hours of the same foreign language (or equivalent proficiency) at the college level. Students are expected to have satisfied this requirement upon admission to the University.
Students majoring in social work are not required to complete a minor in another department but must have a total of 60 hours to graduate.
Field Education
Director of Campus-Based Field Education: Katrina Boone, MSW; Director of Online Field Education: Rosalyn Deckerhoff, MSW
The purpose of field education is to provide students with a structured learning opportunity for development and reinforcement of appropriate levels of competence in the field of social work. Field education allows students to apply knowledge, values, and skills learned in the classroom to social work practice settings. As students undertake learning tasks within the reality of agency life, a vehicle is established whereby knowledge and theories can be applied, attitudes and values examined, and skills developed and refined.
The field education component of the College of Social Work is designed to ensure that each student completes a high-quality educational experience in a supervised agency placement. This learning experience is designed to enhance a student's ability to integrate theory into effective evidence-based social work practice, broaden the range of skills for performing social work functions, and strengthen awareness of attitudes, motivations, and judgments identified with the profession of social work. The Office of Field Education selects field placements based on the potential for providing the range and depth of learning experiences necessary to achieve the educational objectives established for those students. Agencies affiliating with the College of Social Work represent the diversity found in social services throughout our community. The College offers a wide array of internships in both public and private agencies, and with diverse populations of clients so that students will be provided opportunities for exposure to a wide range of social work roles and learning tasks.
Undergraduate field education, SOW 4510, is a 12 semester hour course (512 clock hours) that requires the student to register for and successfully complete a 32-hour-per-week field placement for one semester. Students must register concurrently for SOW 4522, Integrative Seminar. The field education course is designed to help students develop the skills necessary for generalist social work practice.
The course is restricted to social work majors and can only be taken after the completion of all courses necessary for the completion of the degree. The student must have a GPA of 3.0 or better in all social work courses and an overall GPA of 3.0 to register for SOW 4510.
Honors Programs
The College of Social Work encourages students to apply for the honors program. For requirements and other information, see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter of this General Bulletin.
Minor in Social Welfare
A minor in social welfare requires 12 hours in social work courses with a grade of “C–” or better in each of the following courses: SOW 3203, 3350, and two social work electives. At least six hours must be completed at FSU. Students must complete an application for the minor and register for SOW 3350 and SOW 3203. Please note that the minor does not qualify a student to apply for advanced standing graduate programs in social work or for professional certification or licensure.
Program Opportunities
The College of Social Work offers other opportunities that afford students the ability to focus on specialized areas of interest. With guidance from advisors, students may create a program of study that meets their specific educational and career goals.
Child Welfare Practice Certificate Program
This certificate program offers both undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to focus their curriculum on issues related to child welfare. Coursework addresses: the prevention of neglect, abuse, exploitation, or delinquency of children; the protection of homeless, dependent, or maltreated children; the strengthening of families to maintain children in their own homes; the development of advocacy groups, and analysis of social policies and mental health issues related to this population. Child welfare practitioners provide a continuum of services in both public and private settings. For further information, visit https://csw.fsu.edu/academics/certificate-programs/certificate-programs-overview.
Gerontology Certificate Program
The mission of this certificate is to educate students about gerontological theories and practices and provide students with gerontological internship and service-learning experiences. These educational objectives will give students the skills they need for frontline positions in practice and administrative positions in social service organizations. For more details, visit https://csw.fsu.edu/academics/certificate-programs/certificate-programs-overview.
Research and Outreach Programs
The Florida Institute for Child Welfare
In 2014, the Florida Legislature established the Florida Institute for Child Welfare at the Florida State University College of Social Work under legislative mandate, Section 1004.615, Florida Statutes. The Florida Institute for Child Welfare devised a strategic plan which aligns with the statute and describes how the Institute is governed, including the mission and vision and the foundational pillars developed to target mandated outcomes. Researchers from across the state dedicated to improving the safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes for the children in Florida's child welfare system have joined the affiliate network to become Institute Affiliates and help the Institute achieve its goals.
The Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) seeks to promote safety, permanency, and well-being among the children and families of Florida involved with the child welfare system. To accomplish this mission, the FICW proposes to engage in interdisciplinary research and evaluation, the foundation of which lies in partnerships between Florida universities, schools of social work, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), sheriffs, community-based care lead agencies and provider organizations and others across Florida. The FICW proposes to collaborate with community agencies and statewide training resources to translate knowledge generated through research, policy analysis, and evaluation into practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for children and families. The FICW will serve as a resource for policymakers, programs, and practitioners on best-practices related to safety, permanency, and well-being with attention to diverse and underserved populations. The FICW will also work to strengthen the child welfare workforce through assessing the readiness of workers to assume job responsibilities, evaluating pre- and in-service training, determining adaptive and resilient responses of workers to stressful work environments, developing leadership capacity, and identifying innovative and effective methods in the management of human service organizations.
Institute FOR TRAUMA AND RESILIENCE STUDIES
The endowed Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies has been established within the College of Social Work to research family violence as it occurs in all age groups, including children, adults, and the elderly; identify and explore related research domains, including supervised visitation, homelessness, and women's issues; disseminate the findings of this research at the local, state, national, and international levels; evaluate the effectiveness of family violence intervention; support the development of innovative programs for reducing family violence; analyze legislation addressing family violence issues; develop curricula that strengthen social work studies on family violence; provide continuing education and training opportunities to those working in agencies that provide services for those experiencing family violence; serve as a regional clearinghouse on resources related to family violence; and collaborate with the courts and community organizations on family violence concerns.
Institute for Justice Research and Development
The Institute for Justice Research and Development is a premier research center in the College of Social Work at Florida State University focused on criminal justice system-wide practice and policy innovations and preparing the social work profession for leadership in smart decarceration. The multidisciplinary center forges campus wide and national wide partnerships in criminal justice research.
The Institute is first-of-its-kind in a college of social work — a research center focused on preparing the profession of social work to practice and research in areas of justice-involved individuals and their families. At the Institute we prioritize highly active research-practice-policy partnerships. Through these partnerships, evidence informs practice/policy strategies and policy/practice strategies shape research agendas. We use a unique research-to-practice/practice-to-research methodology that can be employed in the context of a research trial in order to speed the translation of learnings to almost real-time.
Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Consulting Center
The Florida State University Regional Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Consulting Center is a full-service, University-based diagnostic and training center that has been in operation since 1983. Comprehensive diagnostic and consultative services are provided to 18 school districts in the Panhandle region of north Florida. Referrals also are accepted from the research schools at Florida State University and Florida A&M University, as well as Children's Medical Services and other state and community agencies. Multidisciplinary collaboration is an integral part of center services. The staff includes professionals from school, counseling, and clinical psychology, counseling education, and social work. Consultation with professionals from speech and audiology and pediatric medicine also is available.
Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children
Mission
The Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children (“CFC Center”) was created by the Stoops Family Foundation, Inc. to generate and sustain transformational knowledge development for effective policies, services, and usable research for the promotion of communities, families, and the children of Florida, the nation, and across the globe.
Institutes and Centers
Housed under the CFC Center is the Trinity Institute for the Addictions (https://csw.fsu.edu/research/center-study-and-promotion-communities-families-and-children/trinity-institute-addictions).
Advisory Council
The Center is overseen by its Advisory Council, serving as a voluntary advisory and support group that assists the Center's mission. The council works directly with the Dean of the FSU College of Social Work, the Center's Executive Director, and the College of Social Work's Director of Development. The Advisory Council promotes the general and financial welfare of The Center by establishing beneficial relationships and networks between FSU alumni, faculty, staff, students, friends, and the community.
Trinity Institute for the Addictions (Inactive)
The Trinity Institute for the Addictions is an endowed social work institute focused on biopsychosocial approaches toward the prevention and treatment of substance use, abuse, and dependence across all domains of practice. To that end, the Institute is dedicated to advancing translational research with an emphasis on intervention strategies to address the effects of addictive processes on body, mind, and spirit. The scope of the Institute encompasses the conduct of etiological, epidemiological, and clinical research, as well as training and services that leverage evidence-based practices from the leading edge of addiction science.
Student Organizations
The Student Association of Social Workers (SASW) is an organization of and for social work students. It is open to undergraduates as well as graduate students, and participation by all is welcomed. The association is a good vehicle for socialization into the profession and orientation to the College. It can be used as a channel for handling feedback to the school about the program and is an excellent way for students to get to know one another as well as to participate in a wide array of community service activities.
The Phi Alpha Honor Society serves as a means of recognizing outstanding academic students. The society involves itself in fundraising and community service.
Sigma Phi Omega recognizes excellence of those who study gerontology and aging and the outstanding service of professionals who work with or on behalf of older persons.
College of Social Work Scholarships
The following scholarships are offered to Social Work majors. If you would like information on how you can apply, please contact the BSW Program office at the College of Social Work at (850) 644-5713 or e-mail bsw@csw.fsu.edu.
Angela Martinez And Raul Chavez Endowed Social Work Scholarship
The Angela Martinez and Raul Chavez Endowed Social Work Scholarship provides much-needed support to MSW students, with a preference for Hispanic students, with a commitment to mental health. This scholarship should be awarded to students who are high-performing and demonstrate financial need.
Art Cleveland Play Therapy Endowment Scholarship - Fund #8557
The Art Cleveland Play Therapy Endowment supports social work students interested in play therapy.
Barbara White Social Work Scholarship – Fund #7962
The Barbara White Social Work Scholarship was established in memory of Barbara Williams White, a three-time alumna of the FSU College of Social Work. She also served as a professor and associate dean at the college from 1979 until 1993. The scholarship supports social work students who demonstrate integrity and passion for the profession. Students must have a 3.0 GPA and financial needs.
Bernhard Scher Undergraduate Scholarship – Fund #5265
Dr. Scher served as Dean of the School of Social Work from 1968-1973 and was a faculty member until his death five years later. This memorial scholarship, established by the family of Dr. Scher, was first presented in 1978. The undergraduate recipient of this award Demonstrates A Strong Commitment To Social Work Values Through Actions And Words.
Bill and Nolia Brandt Scholarship – Fund #7526
This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students who are in good academic standing, of high moral character, and demonstrate financial need. Students pursuing a dual MSW/MBA degree or the LEAD certificate are encouraged to apply.
C. Aaron McNeece Endowed Field Education Scholarship – Fund #7175
Created by the College's Field Advisory Committee, this scholarship honors its namesake, Dr. McNeece, who served as a College of Social Work faculty member for 30 years. He held various leadership positions in the College and was the Dean from 2004 until his retirement in 2008. Dr. McNeece has received international recognition for his work in chemical dependency and treatment for criminal offenders. This award is intended to support BSW and MSW students during their internships.
Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families and Children Assistantship - Fund #8510s
Created thanks to the generosity of Jeff and Aggie Stoops, the Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities Families and Children provides opportunities to Social Work students to work with the center to generate and sustain transformational knowledge development for effective policies, services, and usable research for the promotion of communities, families, and children in Florida, the nation, and across the globe.
Cheryl Roland Endowed Scholarship – Fund # 7240
Cherie Rowland established this scholarship, first awarded in 2013. Cherie is an alumna and a strong advocate for women. Graduate students with an expressed interest in women's issues are eligible for this award.
Christopher D. Hefren Child Welfare Endowed Doctoral Scholarship – Fund #8285
This scholarship serves as a lasting tribute to donor Judy Hefren's son, Christopher. It supports doctoral candidates whose primary research focus is Child Welfare.
Citrus Health Network Scholarship – Fund #5286
Established in 2002, this scholarship serves as a lasting tribute to the community services provided by Citrus Health Network, Inc. It is awarded annually to graduate students interested in working in the behavioral healthcare field in the Miami-Dade County area.
Coyle & Mabel Moore Scholarship – Fund #5261
Dr. Coyle Moore came to Tallahassee in 1928 to develop a course of instruction in social work at the Florida State College for Women (FSCW). When FSCW became a University in 1947, Dr. Moore was appointed dean of the School of Social Welfare. Mrs. Moore, who had a degree in social work from the University of North Carolina, was an active advocate of community service. This award, created in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Moore, supports full-time undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate a commitment to the social work profession through strong character and service.
David L. Albright Social Work Endowed Doctoral Scholarship – Fund #8416
This scholarship supports Ph.D. students who are committed to contributing to the research and scholarship on military populations or veteran-connected populations.
Delia Sanchez Social Work Scholarship - Fund #9258s
Delia Sanchez Social Work Scholarship in memory of Delia Sanchez. The Delia Sanchez Social Work Scholarship will serve as a lasting tribute to her commitment as a public servant and lover of all people. Her passion for social work was impactful to preschool-aged children through Head Start. The award should be awarded to social work majors focused in the area of child welfare. All eligible students may apply and will be fully considered. Preference will be given to Hispanic/Latinx applicants, consistent with the donor's intent and in accordance with applicable University policies, regulations, and federal and state law. This scholarship will be awarded to a student in good academic standing and can demonstrate financial need.
Dianne F. Harrison Montgomery Award – Fund # 5257
The Dianne F. Harrison award was created in honor of former PhD Program Director and Dean Dr. Dianne F. Harrison by her friends and former colleagues. This is a competitive award given to doctoral students with the best dissertation prospectus.
Dianne F. Harrison Award – Fund #9227
The Dianne F. Harrison award was created in honor of former PhD Program Director and Dean Dr. Dianne F. Harrison. This is a competitive award given to doctoral students with the best dissertation prospectus.
Donald J. Hevey Memorial MSW Scholarship – Fund #9227
The Donald J. Hevey Memorial MSW Scholarship will provide much-needed support to an MSW student who demonstrates an interest in community behavioral health. This award is intended to support students who are high performing and demonstrate financial need.
General Scholarships – Fund #7526
This fund is available for students who may not qualify for other scholarships offered by the College. It is intended to support high-performing students and students who demonstrate financial need.
Gomory Family Scholarship for Homeless Services – Fund #7526
The Gomory Family Scholarship for Homeless Services is awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to working with the poor and the homeless.
Grace Ann Graduate Assistantship - Fund #9002s
The Grace Ann Graduate Assistantship will support full-time MSW students with a proven commitment to criminal justice or women's issues. This award is intended to support high-performing students and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to students who have practiced in the field and have shown commitment to criminal justice or women's issues.
Guy & Delores Spearman Scholarship – Fund # 5251
This scholarship was created by 1975 MSW Alumnus Guy Spearman and his wife to support exemplary undergraduate and graduate social work students who come to FSU from Brevard County, Florida. Mr. Spearman is well known as a legislative lobbyist and an enthusiastic supporter of FSU.
Herndon Scholars Program – Fund # 5300
The Herndon Scholars Program is sponsored by the Helios Education Foundation, which created the scholarship in 2007. It was first awarded in Fall 2008. It provides annual scholarships to graduate students in the College of Social Work. Recipients must be MSW or Ph.D. students who are also Florida residents. Preference is given to students who have practiced in the field of social work before graduate school.
James & Mary Koalska Undergraduate Scholarship – Fund #5260
Professors Paul and Betty Piccard established this memorial scholarship in memory of Bettyʼs parents, James Koalska and Mary Brennan Koalska. The Koalskas were the children of Irish and Polish immigrants and entered the workforce at a very young age. While they could not benefit from a college education themselves, they valued education. They provided their daughters with opportunities in higher education – one in nursing, the other in social work. This award covers tuition for a social work undergraduate student whose parents did not attend college.
Jane Addams Scholarship – Fund #8689
This scholarship, established in 2018, supports students in the College of Social Work who are enrolled full-time, in good academic standing, and demonstrate financial need.
Jim Clark CSW Leadership Scholarship – Fund #9226
This scholarship, established in 2018, supports students in the College of Social Work who are enrolled full-time, in good academic standing, and demonstrate financial need.
Joanna F. Gorman Scholarship – Fund #5256
The Joanna F. Gorman scholarship was established to honor Dr. Gorman, who had a deep commitment to the profession's development and a clear vision of social works mission to create a more just society. Full-time social work students receiving this award show evidence of outstanding academic achievement, exemplify the highest standards of character and plan to work for one year in the area of child welfare, health, or mental health.
John & Meg Paschal International Scholarship – Fund #8055
This scholarship is available to Social Work students who are studying abroad. Eligible recipients must have a 3.0-grade point average or higher, a passion for the profession, and demonstrated financial need.
John P. & Jane W. Wakeman Memorial Scholarship for Arts in Social Work – Fund #5278
Mary Wakeman established this scholarship to honor her parents, John and Jane. BSW and MSW students with an expressed interest in studying and practicing the arts in social work are eligible for this award.
Joyce Harper Laidlaw Scholarship in Child Welfare – Fund #5284
First presented in 2003, the Laidlaw Scholarship was established by FSU alumna Joyce Harper Laidlaw and her husband, Don. This award is intended to support graduate students who have decided to focus their studies on child welfare.
Karen Oehme Endowed Scholarship – Fund #8632
The Karen Oehme Endowed scholarship is awarded to students that work at the Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies.
Katherine Kole MSW Scholarship - Fund #9251
Katherine Kole MSW Scholarship will be awarded to a Master of Social Work, on-campus student. Preference is given to single-parent MSW students. This scholarship will be given to a College of Social Work student who is enrolled full time in the MSW on-campus program, in good academic standing and demonstrates financial need.
Lamar F. Everett Scholarship – Fund #7269
This scholarship was established as a bequest from Mr. Everettʼs estate in 2009. The award is intended to support undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Social Work who are economically disadvantaged and academically worthy.
Macdill-Wold Unconquered Scholarship Endowment – Fund #8977
The scholarship supports social work students who have experienced foster care, homelessness, relative care, or ward of the State status or are completing internships in child welfare or pediatrics.
Mark DeGraff & Lula Hamilton DeGraff Scholarship – Fund # 0553
This award, first presented in 1985, is given to a senior undergraduate or graduate student who intends to conduct research on factors influencing the growth and development of youth, or who intends to work professionally with youth.
Margaret H. Jacks Scholarship in Aging – Fund #5259
For more than five decades, Ms. Jacks was a formidable and outspoken advocate for elderly Floridians. This scholarship is for graduate students studying gerontology. Recipients must have completed one course on aging or demonstrated a commitment to the field of aging through volunteer or work experiences.
Mary DiNitto Endowed Scholarship – Fund #7437
Dr. Diana DiNitto (MSW '74) established the Mary DiNitto Endowed Scholarship in honor of her mother's 90th birthday. This generous gift supports students in the College of Social Work with strong interests in the profession and creative ideas for practice broadly defined. Preference will be given to students with financial needs.
Maura's Voice Research Fund Award - Fund #8709s
Maura's Voice Research Fund provides undergraduate research opportunities for Tri-Delta students to work with researchers on reducing violence and responding to the complex causes and effects of firearm violence, especially the interacting phenomena of gun violence and psychiatric illness thanks to the generosity of Jeff Binkley. Maura's Voice Research Fund will look for new approaches to forensic evaluation, management, treatment, and prevention strategies, while supporting sound policy development and implementation.
MSW Class Of ʼ75 March Graduates Scholarship – Fund #5279
In March 2000, attendees shared stories about their lives during a class reunion. They recognized the defining influence FSU had on their successes. This award was created to support full-time MSW students interested in community-based practice, advocacy, or public policy. Eligible students must also have a demonstrated commitment to social justice concerns.
Patricia Vance Scholarship – Fund #5293
Ms. Patricia V. Vance, MSW. “Pat” served on the FSU College of Social Work faculty from 1966-1986, supporting students and faculty. She worked to promote the profession through her service and teaching. Upon retirement, she and her husband, Dr. Maurice Vance, established this scholarship for students returning to school to forward their professional careers in social work. MSW and Ph.D. students in the College of Social Work are eligible for this award. Academic achievement, financial need, and dedication to the field are considered when selecting recipients.
Richard M. King Scholarship in Social Work & Business Administration – Fund #5280
This scholarship was established by alumnus Richard King (MSW ʼ69) to encourage graduate students who demonstrate an interest in earning both an MSW and a Masterʼs in Business Administration (MBA) degree. Social work students who take electives in the College of Business are also eligible for this award.
Robert P. Hurrle Doctoral Scholarship – Fund #5289
Selected by the director of the PhD Program, this scholarship is awarded to full-time doctoral students who are newly entering the program. Academic excellence and dedication to evidence-based social work are considered during selection, with priority given to students interested in working with the aged or veterans.
Robert P. Hurrle Scholarship Fund – Fund #5282
This scholarship supports Social Work students who are completing their field internships in a foreign country or students who are studying abroad.
Sarah Sealey Morrill Scholarship – Fund #5258
This scholarship is a tribute to Sarah Sealey Morrillʼs life-long commitment to community mental health services. It is intended for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in community mental health. Mrs. Morrill graduated from the FSU School of Social Work in 1955. She was a pioneering activist who planned and established counseling and guidance services for children in Leon County. Later, she assumed leadership roles in planning and managing programs for the elderly.
Spearman Social Work Veteran Support Scholarship – Fund #7991
This scholarship is intended to support student veterans in the College of Social Work. Eligible recipients should be pursuing research on military service members, veterans, or their families and communities.
Spearman Social Work Veteran MSW Field Scholarship – Fund #7991
This scholarship is intended to support MSW students in the College of Social Work who are also veterans. Eligible recipients must be completing their MSW field placement to qualify for the award.
Victoria E. Warner Scholarship- Fund #5271
This scholarship was established to honor Dr. Victoria Warner, a long-time faculty member and Chair of the Department of Social Work at Florida A & M University in Tallahassee. Full-time junior or senior level undergraduate students are eligible for this award.
Violet Crook Scholarship – Fund #5299
Dr. Wendy Crook was a professor in the College of Social Work who initiated the creation of an endowment to support doctoral students in 2006. Sadly, Dr. Crook passed away in 2007 before her pledge could be fulfilled. When her mother passed in 2012, the pledge was fulfilled five years later. This scholarship honors Dr. Crook and her love for the College and Social Work. It is intended to support doctoral students who seek to contribute to the body of knowledge on women's issues in the macro social environment.
Walter W. Hudson Doctoral Scholarship – Fund #5291
Dr. Walter Hudson was a former faculty member and was named the first recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Social Work & Research in 1999. Dr. Hudson was an international leader in measurement theory, development and testing of assessment and outcome evaluation tools, statistics, evidence-based practice methodology, and computer applications for practice. This award is intended to support Ph.D. students at the College of Social Work.
William Lloyd Garrison MSW Endowed Scholarship - Fund #9257
The William Lloyd Garrison MSW Endowed scholarship will support deserving MSW students in perpetuity with first preference for this scholarship given to an Eagle Scout or Boy Scout with financial need regardless of gender. The scholarship also will support students who demonstrate leadership experience and have financial need. It was established to honor William Lloyd Garrison's life of service to the Boy Scouts and will serve as a lasting tribute to his vision and commitment to leadership. Garrison earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1962 and earned his MSW degree at Florida State University in 1967. He continued his academic efforts at Case Western Reserve University, where he graduated in 1976 with a master's degree in management. William enjoyed a fulfilling and multifaceted career in social work and nonprofit management spanning more than four decades.