Bid to remove LCSW exam does not put quality of care at risk
Mary Byrne
Cambridge
The writer is a member of the board of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and a professor emerita in the School of Social Work at Salem State University.
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Boston Globe
11-07-2025
- Boston Globe
Bid to remove LCSW exam does not put quality of care at risk
Upon receiving the MSW, an applicant for independent clinical practice is still required to successfully complete a challenging exam — the one for an LICSW — after completing two years of closely supervised practice by a licensed independent clinical social worker. Mary Byrne Cambridge The writer is a member of the board of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and a professor emerita in the School of Social Work at Salem State University.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
New MSW program at Missouri Western seeking accreditation
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — Those interested in filling the ever-present need for social workers, especially in rural areas of Northwest Missouri, can receive training through a growing program at Missouri Western State University. The bachelor's program in social (BSW) has been accredited for nearly 40 years. However, a few years ago, the administration and faculty decided to begin a master's program for social work (MSW) which will soon begin its third full year. Department Director, Dr. Grey Endres, said this third year represents a milestone for the program in regard to full accreditation. Pre-candidacy is year one. Then, in year two…you reach what is called full candidacy," Endres said. "When you clear the hurdles of year three…you get what's called your full accreditation." This coming year has the potential of clearing those hurdles for the new program, which means the graduates from both years will also receive credit for having graduated from a fully accredited program. In order to fully achieve their career goals in social work, recent program graduates, like Theresa Sullivan, know that being connected with an accredited program is key. However, for Sullivan, the support of professors and staff in this MSW program have made all the difference. "The staff and professors are very personable and easy to approach," Sullivan said. "As a working mom, the commitment the university has shown to this degree is crucial, because it can be hard for working parents to get to Kansas City or other areas for a master's level program." Sullivan added that a program like this getting off the ground in St. Joseph will benefit the entire region, especially in rural areas. Endres said the program is part of the vision the faculty, staff and administration had in mind when designing an accredited program for social work. Endres said, given the size of the faculty, he feels the program could accommodate around forty students. MWSU graduated 12 MSW students in year one, and expects to graduate 16 this year, counting the May and December 2025 graduating class. In addition to providing graduate-level training for the wide range of care social workers provide — from dealing with child abuse to assisting all ages with mental health needs — Endres said the program also provides a boost to caregivers and non-profit organizations in the community. "Because of the practicum requirements for our MSW students, we have been able to provide around 32,000 hours of service to Northwest Missouri since our beginning," Endres said. "One of our practicum students even assisted a local school in rescuing a child who was being groomed for human trafficking this past year." In the Fall of 2025, the program will partner with Voices of Courage by allowing students to open up a mental health clinic for parents and children at VoC, giving both a practical education opportunity for students and a much needed mental health resource for the community. For recent MSW graduate Sullivan, the diversity of courses and the wide range of backgrounds among the professors expand the opportunities for training and allow graduates a wide range of choices when it comes to the next steps in their careers. "This program is beneficial for any aspect of a social work career, because of the diverse course offerings," Sullivan said. According to the social work department guidelines, there are two tracks for the MSW program: one for those with an undergraduate degree in social work (BSW), as well as a track for those whose undergraduate training is in a related field like education, criminal justice or psychology. "We are fortunate to have the facilities we have at Missouri Western," Endres said. "We have classrooms that mirror real-world places, like hospitals, and we also have practicum requirements that place students in real-world experiences. To find out more about the program and qualifications for admission, visit
Yahoo
27-11-2024
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Katie Lugar named state Social Worker of the Year
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Katie Lugar of Terre Haute has been named Social Worker of the Year by the Indiana chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. She is director of Multicultural Services and Programs at Indiana State University and is a founding board member of the Pride Center of Terre Haute, where she serves as president of its board of directors. She also serves as an advisory member of the Terre Haute Human Relations Commission. Advertisement The award 'is a way to recognize social workers who have made outstanding contributions to the profession,' said Beryl E. Cohen, executive director of the NASW-Indiana Chapter. Lugar 'exemplifies what a social worker is' and all the ways that social work can impact communities, individuals and families, Cohen said. 'We're really proud of the work she's done and that she's part of the NASW-Indiana chapter.' Nominations are redacted of identifying information, and the organization's board then does a review based on a rubric. The individual with the highest score receives the award. 'It's truly based on what they have achieved,' Cohen said. In receiving the award, Lugar said, 'I'm honored to be able to represent the profession and to be a constant advocate in our community. There is a lot of work to be done.' Much of her work deals with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Through the PRIDE Center, she supports the LGBTQ+ community. Through ISU's Multicultural Services and Programs, she works with international, women, Hispanic, Latinx, LGBTQ+, and military veteran students. 'There is a lot of complicated work around those populations' that can involve advocating for more resources, structural support or policy change, Lugar said. Given the current political environment, 'We are already seeing the problems arise,'' she said. 'People's rights and access to care is immediately at risk. There is a lot of fear … about what rights they will retain and what they won't have when elected officials change over.' Lugar added, 'We are trying to ensure we are on top of everything happening at the local, state and federal levels and advocating to ensure people are able to retain and expand their rights.' Two other social workers from Terre Haute have received the state award in recent years. Nichelle Campbell-Miller won it in 2021, while Julie Campbell-Miller received the honor in 2023.
