Social Work Department

Jay Memmott, M.S.W., Ph.D., LCSW-PIP, Chairperson, MSW Program Director
Social Work Department
Julian Hall, Room 254
(605) 677-5589
Email: Jay.Memmott@usd.edu
Website: www.usd.edu/socialwork

Debra S. Norris, Ed.D; BSSW Program Director
Julian Hall, Room 252
(605) 677-5588
Debra.Norris@usd.edu

Tamara Goetz, Program Assistant
Julian Hall Room 253
(605) 677-5401
Tamara.Goetz@usd.edu
Website: www.usd.edu/socialwork

FACULTY

Associate Professors:

Jay Memmott, Ph.D., Mental Health, Addictions, Change, Natural Helping
Debra S. Norris, Ed.D., Macro, Rural, Intergenerational Practice

Assistant Professors:

Peter A. Kindle, PhD, Research Methods, Statistics, Policy, Macro Practice
Soonhee Roh, PhD, Gerontology, Clinical Practice

Lecturers & Instructors:

Deborah S. Aden, MSW, Department of Social Work Field Education Director
Kathy LaPlante, MSW, Child Welfare and Family Services, Micro Practice

MAJOR:

Social Work, B.S.

SPECIALIZATION

Child Welfare (Optional)

The undergraduate program in social work is the only accredited Social Work program in South Dakota’s system of higher education. The program received accreditation at the baccalaureate level from the Council on Social Work Education in 1974 and has been reaccredited continually since that time. The Social Work Program requires formal admission. Admission procedures are explained in the BSSW Student Handbook and include completion of a criminal background check before program entry. Employment opportunities for graduates include professional entry-level positions in a variety of social and human services agencies and organizations. Graduates are eligible for social work professional licensing and “advanced standing” in graduate schools offering the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

The Social Work Program requires formal admission. Preparation for Admission requires the achievement of at least a 2.3 cumulative GPA, completion of a volunteer or work experience, and the successful completion of 60 hours of coursework and completion of the non-departmental requirements. As a professional program in the School of Health Sciences, the BSSW Program requirements include successful clearance from a criminal background check and participation in immunization requirements before program entry.

Application Requirements

Specific admission procedures are explained in the BSSW Student Handbook. Students are encouraged to meet with their Social Work Academic Advisor to insure timely preparation.

Application Deadlines

Students are encouraged to submit the application in mid-January.

SCHOLARSHIPS & SUPPORT

Helen Anderson Quirk Scholarship (Junior and Senior Majors)
Elizabeth Booth King Scholarship (Junior and Senior Majors)
Harrington Book Award (Sophomore through Senior Majors)
AmeriCorps (During Field)
State of South Dakota Paid Internship Program