Honoring Social Workers: A Message from Dean Gary Bowen

During times of crisis, our communities turn to our health and behavioral health professionals for solace and support. It seems fitting, then, that we celebrate the profession of social work in the month of March given that now, more than ever, we need to recognize the value of social workers and mental health workers who provide needed care, resources, research, and advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable among us.

Many of these individuals are on the front lines daily serving children and families who are sick, hungry, or in need of housing or financial assistance to pay basic bills. They provide care, therapy, and other assistance to patients with mental illness or developmental disabilities, and they help individuals and families problem solve and navigate complex public systems to ensure they get the help they need.

Our social work researchers also commit their lives to the science of our profession. They focus on real-world problems and work directly with individuals, families, communities, organizations and systems to translate research into innovative approaches to address society’s most pressing needs. Their work helps shape policies, programs and direct service interventions that bring about positive change within a framework of social justice.

In these times of uncertainty, we also need to remember that social workers are highly trained to recognize and promote the strengths of individuals and families. There is little doubt we will all need to dig deep in the months to come for resiliency to sustain us. For now, it is comforting to know our nation’s social workers will be leading and guiding the way.

To watch a video that Dean Bowen recorded on March 25, 2020, please visit SSW on YouTube.

Our School Is Ranked #3 in the Nation -- and #4 in the World!

UNC School of Social Work is ranked #3 in the United States by US News & World Report in its national ranking of graduate schools (2019). This is the highest ranking our School has received to date, according to Dean Gary Bowen. Five U.S. schools tied for the third-place rank, with each receiving the same score as its peers -- we are ranked equally with University of Washington, University of Chicago, University of California-Berkley and Columbia.

Separately, our School has been ranked as the #4 most influential school of social work in the world for the number and quality of research articles authored by its faculty and published by top-tier academic journals. This ranking, published by the Center for World University Rankings (2017), also included University of Washington, University of Toronto, University of Michigan and University of Chicago in its top five.

We're really proud to earn this national and international recognition of excellence. Congratulations to our faculty, students, alumni, staff and partners on this acknowledgement of our achievements!

COVID-19 Update

We ask that our students, faculty, staff and visitors give careful attention to preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 by taking appropriate precautions. These include washing your hands frequently, avoiding places where you may be more likely to be exposed to coronavirus, self-quarantining if you think you may have been exposed to coronavirus and seeking appropriate medical attention if you experience respiratory symptoms.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has established travel restrictions and other safeguards as preventative measures against the possible spread of coronavirus. Please review the University's official web page on the coronavirus for current and updated notices that may affect you. In addition, we encourage you to plan ahead for the possibility of attending classes remotely through online systems, adjusting your field experience activities in accordance with your field site's guidelines and other changes to your regular schedule, if needed.

If there are updates, cancellations or other COVID-19 information specific to UNC School of Social Work, you can find those SSW updates on our website.

Stay safe and healthy!

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