A Family Tradition: Dr. Shawnise Miller Tells Her Social Work Story

By admin | September 1, 2017

An inspirational story of a family tradition helped shape a young leader—Dr. Shawnise Miller, the new Program Director for the online Master of Science in Social Work from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville.

When asked what drew her to the field of social work, Dr. Miller immediately thinks back to her childhood.

“My grandmother was the director of a local social service agency and from an early age, I spent time at her office. I didn’t go to daycare, I went to work with my grandmother. And even after starting school, I would spend my summer breaks at her office. Watching her help people and their families shaped me greatly.”

It was there that she learned that help can come in a variety of forms. “It could be providing direct services like food or financial assistance for rent…or it could be advocating for social justice on behalf of individuals or even whole groups of people.”

Entering the Family Business

When it came time to chart her own career course, Dr. Miller followed the passion for helping others in which she was raised and pursued her bachelor’s in psychology at the University of Louisville. Once she got started, she just couldn’t stop and pursued her master’s and her Ph.D. in social work.

“Growing up, my father always told me that school was my job, so I took it seriously. I developed a true love and appreciation for learning…And now, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching for me is being able to fulfill my own passion for learning as I challenge myself to explore new teaching techniques and technologies and develop new curriculum to then challenge my students.”

In addition to being the program director, Dr. Miller is also a professor, teaching Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice, a foundation course in the MSSW program. It’s there that she gets to help students bridge the gap between the theoretical concepts presented in social work literature and concrete examples of people and communities in need.

“I love seeing the light bulb moments for my students…watching them make connections between course materials and real-life situations.”

In her course, students will also learn how to collaborate with peers, an essential skill in social work where so much of the work is spent building relationships and connecting clients with the right people who can offer the best assistance.

“Collaborative work is something my students will engage in throughout their careers so I integrate it throughout my curriculum. I give a group assignment and then I work with each group to help them work effectively and efficiently as a team. I have to be intentional about teaching them to collaborate…I can’t make the assumption they already know how.”

Dr. Miller’s experience in the online classroom and her dedication to staying on the cutting edge of online learning techniques promise good things in the online social work program at U of L’s Kent School. We on the Online Learning team are excited about her appointment and look forward to working with her.

About UofL’s Master’s in Social Work

If you have considered pursuing your master’s in social work, please take a moment and visit our site to learn more about UofL’s social work program. We offer a 30- and a 60-hour program depending on your background and experience, and we would love the opportunity to help you pursue your education goals.

Master of Science in Social Work at University of Louisville

Advice from a Non-Traditional Student

By admin | May 19, 2017

Sara Keinath isn’t your traditional student. An active wife, mother and career professional, her passion for social work led her to pursue her Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at UofL — an online degree that provides the learning flexibility she needs.

How did you start your social work career?

“I am a wife, mother and non-traditional student who went back to school a little later in life. I was unsure whether social work was my true calling until late in my undergrad career, but now I feel like this career is most certainly my home.”

Why the MSSW program?

“When I was pursuing my undergrad in psychology, I knew I would need to continue my education, but was unsure what I wanted to do. I tossed around getting a Psy.D. in clinical psychology, because I thought I wanted to do counseling. That was until I did an internship that focused more on case management. Then I did my research and realized that a MSSW degree would allow me to do case management work along with the clinical/counseling side, plus offer the job opportunities that are more widespread.”

Did you consider a specialization?

“I did not specialize, simply because I wanted to have a more general experience and it allowed me to pick and choose my electives to get that broader educational experience.”

Why did you choose UofL?

“I chose UofL, because at first I was looking at local programs and I was impressed with the Kent School’s curriculum and reputation. The majority of social workers I had talked to had been educated there and had positive things to say about the program. Then when UofL started to offer the online program option, it became the obvious choice for me.”

What did you find most valuable in the online format?

“I liked that the online courses offered the same content and the same professors as the on-campus program. I am a non-traditional student who went back to school once my children were in school. Due to my family’s schedule, a traditional format wouldn’t have been ideal. I needed flexibility and the online program afforded me that. Being able to spend time with my family and be an inspiration to them are very important things to me.”

How has the internship helped you in your current position?

“I am currently employed at Hosparus and have always loved hospice work. That was my goal even before I started the UofL MSSW program. They have employed many interns over the years, and due to my internship there, I was offered a permanent position. Without that ‘in’ I highly doubt I would be an employee there. I am very thankful that it worked out that way.”

What are your professional plans for the future?

“As of now, I honestly just really like where I am. I have no desire to go anywhere else. Having said that, I am currently pursuing my LCSW and once I finish that program, I do hope to do some private practice work on the side.”

What advice do you have for other students in an online social work program?

“My advice is to stay on top of the work. It can be easy to say, ‘I’ll do that later,’ but then before you know it you have dug a hole that is too deep to crawl out of. Also, getting to know your classmates and networking with professors has to be approached differently in the online learning setting. I highly encourage students to make the effort to form those relationships, because this program can be difficult and they will need that support from those students who are in it with them.”

About UofL Online Learning

If Sara’s story resonates with you and you’re interested in pursuing a master’s in social work, visit our online MSSW program page.

The University of Louisville currently offers more than 20 online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The Social Work Generalist: Perspectives on a MSSW Degree in Action

By admin | January 5, 2017

Kelsey Harrell works in the field of medical social work and is a graduate of the Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) at UofL. Here she shares her perspectives on how a degree open to a broader educational horizon and many career paths can sometimes be best.

Tell us about yourself and your social work career. What lead you to enroll in the MSSW program? Did you specialize in a particular area?

“I chose the MSSW program because I felt it would provide me with a wide range of career opportunities post-graduation. I did not specialize in a particular area because, at the time, I was not sure which area of social work I would choose in the long run.”

Why did you choose UofL?

“I chose UofL mainly for their completely online MSSW program. Many colleges and universities I looked at wanted students to visit the campus for classes, either once a month or once a semester. Since I work full time and wanted to go to school full time, I needed a school that did not require an ‘on campus’ presence. UofL’s online program really worked for my busy schedule.”

What did you like best about the program in terms of specific courses or projects?

“I felt there was an appropriate flow to the classes and I was constantly building on what I had learned in previous semesters. I really enjoyed the practicum classes as they were an opportunity to work ‘hands on’ in different social work settings.”

What did you like best about the online format? Why was it most convenient for you?

“I really enjoyed the online format because it allowed me to work at my own pace within each weekly session. I could organize and prioritize assignments based on what I felt was most important. The online format allowed me to work on school-related assignments no matter where I was and fit my school schedule in with the rest of my responsibilities.”

How has the program helped you in your current position?

“I currently work as a hospital social worker which requires multitasking on a daily basis. This program helped me become more organized and self-motivated, and strengthened the skills necessary for my current job, as well as others I may take on in the future.”

What does your career path hold for you? Where would you like to go?

“As of now, I want to focus on medical/hospital social work. I am currently employed by a hospital which serves all ages, although I would like to move to a children’s hospital at some point in my career. I would also consider social work administration in the future. My options are wide open and that’s what I love most about my education.”

What advice do you have for other online graduate social work students?

“I would advise social work students to create an online community with other students in the MSSW program. During my time at UofL I relied on my peers for support, ideas and answers to questions when I wanted a quick reply. Talking with people who can understand what you’re going through is a wonderful support system to have. Our cohort even created a Facebook page that kept everyone connected … even after graduation!”

Join thousands of students like Kelsey on a path to success with UofL online learning! To learn more about the MSSW program here. To learn about the convenience and flexibility of our online learning programs in general, check out the Online Learning FAQs page.

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks Online MSSW Program at UofL’s Kent School of Social Work #3 in the Country

By admin | October 20, 2015

The Social Work Degree Guide recently compiled a list of the 25 best nationwide CSWE accredited online Masters of Social Work programs for 2015. Only programs accredited with CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education, were chosen for the listing. The online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work ranked very highly, coming in at #3 in the country and achieving the Guide’s highest possible point score total.

Ranked as the #1 Social Work program in Kentucky, and touted as a top-ranked program by US News & World Report, the online MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School was awarded the #3 spot in the nation due to educational excellence in the areas of online education, enrollment flexibility, accessibility for students regardless of geographic location, and having an Advanced Standing option in place for those students already holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Students are able to complete the MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School entirely online, while following the same course curriculum as traditional classroom students. The program is open to all candidates currently holding a bachelor’s degree. A Standard Track is offered for those students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, while an Advanced Standing Track is available to streamline the process for those holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Within the online MSSW program, multiple areas of specialization are available for students to choose from, including Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Military Social Work, and Gerontology. The online curriculum is focused on facilitating practices that support and promote social justice. In addition to the online courses, the degree also has a real-world learning component, which involves hands-on instruction, performed in a student’s approved location of choice. This provides invaluable field experience to online students, enabling them to acquire hands-on opportunties in their own communities.

The #3 ranking in the country, as given by the Social Work Degree Guide, is an honor, and speaks to the dynamic quality of the MSSW offered at UofL’s Kent School. The Kent School has been educating social workers since 1936. While steeped in a tradition of educational excellence, the Kent School remains entirely focused on the future with 100% online programs such as the Master of Science in Social Work.

For further information and to view the Top 25 Online MSW Programs 2015, as published by the Social Work Degree Guide, please visit the following link: http://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/online-msw-programs/. Visit the University of Louisville’s Online Master of Science in Social Work program page to learn more about this highly ranked, dynamic 100% online Master’s Degree program.