VSU is the first HBCU with an accredited social work program

Virginia State University distinguishes itself from other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by adding a Master of Social Work degree program. The advanced degree program will likely be the first of its kind accredited by the Council on Social Work (CWSE) to be offered at an HBCU.

The university announced the accreditation of the program on November 21 on the university’s official website. The program has been operating since 2022, but only now has it received full accreditation. CWSE grants accreditation retroactively, covering previous semesters through fall 2022.

With the addition of the program, VSU’s mission is to teach culturally and socially competent mental health experts to assist support and lift up your communities.

“Preparing graduates to systematically and strategically address the well-being of people who have experienced trauma. It is also committed to promoting human rights and social and economic justice through community engagement, advocacy and collaborative research that influences professional practice at the local, national and global levels,” the press release reads.

VSU is not the only HBCU that has found success in academia. BLACK ENTERPRISES it was recently reported that Jackson State University is the first HBCU to win the Founder’s Award from the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).

NAI was founded in 2011 and has welcomed over 700 fellows. The organization promotes and honors creativity, diversity and invention. To join this prestigious organization, a scientist must hold no less than one U.S. patent.

JSU is a founding member of the organization and boasts many successful innovators who’ve change into NAI scholarship recipients.

Introduced in 2012, Ernest Izevbigie obtained two patents that led to the creation of EdoBotanics. The dietary complement helps cancer patients cope with the unwanted effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Other inductees included Kamal Ali ’17 and Danuta Leszczyńska ’18.

JSU President Marcus Thompson accepted the honor: “This distinction further underscores our commitment to academic excellence, economic development and social progress. This is a significant milestone not only for JSU, but for all HBCUs and the state of Mississippi.”