Department of Social Work

The Social Work Student Experience

The Social Work program is much more than the curriculum. We educate, advocate, and continuously create opportunities for our students to shine.

Social Work Association

20 years ago, the Department Chair, Eloise Bridges founded the Coppin State University Social Work Association. She established this student organization to:

• help students learn about the field of Social Work.
• assist students in planning social work career goals.
• provide a mutual support system for students' educational and personal needs.
• provide services that support campus, neighborhood, and  community well-being.
• increase awareness on the Coppin campus of the Social Work program.

Social Work Honor Society

Phi Alpha Honor Society is the national honor society for students studying social work. Coppin State University is home to the Theta Rho chapter which was chartered in 1999. A primary goal of Phi Alpha is to nurture closer bonds among students of social work as well as promote humanitarian goals and ideals. It continues to foster high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

Theta Rho inducts new members annually, and also conducts 2 meetings every year. The first meeting hosts a speaker, and the second one is a business meeting. Students run the business of the Theta Rho chapter under faculty advisement.

Admissions Eligibility

Any student who meets the eligibility criteria automatically gets an invitation to join. Once a student receives the invitation, they may submit an application. To be eligible for Phi Alpha admission, a student must have:

• Declared social work as a major
• Achieved sophomore status
• Completed 9 semester hours of required social work courses
• Achieved top 35% of the social work major

Social Work Alumni Association

The Social Work Alumni Association commits to support, mentor, and advocate the needs of students, social work faculty, and the University. It also exists to:

• maintain a close relationship between alumni and the University
• support the social work program
• promote the University's growth and development

Membership

Any graduate of the Coppin State University's Social Work Program may join the Social Work Alumni Association. Membership dues cost $40.00 per year.

Maxie Collier Scholars Program

The goal of the Maxie Collier Scholars Program is to educate and recruit more African-American professionals into public mental health and to address the shortage of trained clinicians available to serve seriously emotionally disturbed children, adolescents, and their families.

Influencing State Policy

Influencing State Policy (ISP) is an open group of policy-minded people who are interested in informing, creating, and evaluating state-level policy. Founded in Chicago in 1997 by social workers and educators, ISP works to help increase the efficacy of those in the social work profession in influencing policy and legislation.

Department of Social Work Student Handbook

The Department of Social Work Student Handbook is the catalog for the social work degree program at Coppin State University. The Handbook includes:

• a description of the social work profession.
• social work course descriptions and requirements.
• faculty profiles.
• admissions policies and procedures.

Several appendices include important documents for social work majors, including a degree check sheet that enables each student to track progress through the social work curriculum.

Dorothy I. Height Center for the Advancement of Social Justice

The Dorothy I. Height Center for the Advancement of Social Justice is a community-based resource that focuses on community engagement through social justice-related education, advocacy, research and referrals. The Center honors Dr. Height’s name and contributions by actualizing her visions, applying her strategies, and emulating her determination to affect positive social change locally and beyond. Our mission is to heighten awareness regarding national and international human rights and social justice issues that impact marginalized populations and communities.