Department of Social Work & Sociology

Be Inspiring. Be Rewarded. Be A Social Worker.
~NASW

Social Work and Sociology became one department in July 2017. The department brings students together who are committed to creating a better world by improving people’s quality of life and promoting justice and the safety of communities. Throughout our programs, students develop important research skills and have the chance to present professional-level work. We also provide opportunities for field work and internships so students can apply their knowledge and skills while serving the local community. Our students are united by shared values, including a commitment to social justice, service to others, and dedication to influencing positive social change.

The Social Work Program at Concord University is dedicated to preparing students for professional generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations. Upon completion of the CSWE accredited program, students are qualified to become licensed practitioners and join the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Concord offers both a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

The BSW program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1974. The primary mission of the BSW program is to prepare graduates for baccalaureate level, generalist, professional social practice enabling them to work effectively with various issues and people. The BSW program is offered both in-seat and online.

The MSW program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 2015. The primary mission of the MSW program is “to prepare graduates for advanced generalist social work practice with a specialized area in rural practice. The MSW program is built upon a systems approach and a strengths perspective, delivered in a manner that meets the needs of students that live and/or work primarily in rural areas”. The MSW program is offered fully online.

The Sociology program conforms to the Sociological Literacy Framework recommended by the American Sociological Association. Sociology majors develop theoretical and methodological frameworks for the student of human social behavior and social problems. The Criminology emphasis enables students to systematically analyze crime and justice issues. The primary mission of the Sociology program is to prepare students for graduate school or careers in professions related to sociology and criminology. The Sociology program is offered both in-seat and online.

The Concord University’s Bachelor of Social Work program has been accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 1974. The BSW program received Reaffirmation of Accreditation by the CSWE in February 2011.

The Master of Social Work Program entered into Candidacy in June 2013. Initial Accreditation was granted June 2015.

MSW Program Accreditation Status

  • HEPC Intent to Plan: January 2006 (re-affirmation October 2010)
  • Social Work Department: February 16, 2011
  • Social Sciences Division: February 16, 2011
  • University Graduate Council: February 28, 2011; University Graduate Council: November 15, 2011
  • Faculty Senate: March 14, 2011
  • AAEC: March 17, 2011
  • BOG: April 19, 2011
  • HEPC Program Approval: February 17, 2012
  • CSWE: Submitted April 30, 2012; May 2, 2012 Candidacy Eligibility Application Approved
  • CSWE: Benchmark I Submitted January 25, 2013
  • Higher Learning Commission, Institutional Actions Council: Approval February 25, 2013
  • CSWE Commissioner’s Visit February 26, 2013
  • CSWE: Program Response to the Commissioner’s Benchmark I Review Brief; Submitted April 11, 2013
  • CSWE: Candidacy Granted, June 2013
  • CSWE: Benchmark II Submitted January 21, 2014, Benchmark II Approved: June 2014
  • CSWE: Benchmark III Submitted December 15, 2014
  • CSWE: Initial Accreditation Submitted December 15, 2014
  • CSWE: Initial Accreditation Granted June 2015

About CSWE

The Council on Social Work Education is a nonprofit national association representing more than 2,500 individual members, as well as graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social work education. Founded in 1952, this partnership of educational and professional institutions, social welfare agencies, and private citizens is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in this country.

CSWE Accreditation

CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation (COA) is responsible for developing accreditation standards that define competent preparation and ensuring that social work programs meet them. In accordance with the requirements of CSWE’s recognition body, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), the CSWE Office of Social Work Accreditation (OSWA) administers a multistep accreditation process that involves program self-studies, site visits, and COA reviews.

Current Number of Social Work Programs

As of February 2023, there are:

  • 542 accredited baccalaureate social work programs
  • 318 accredited master’s social work programs
  • 15 baccalaureate social work programs in candidacy
  • 29 master’s social work programs in candidacy
  • 2 baccalaureate programs in pre-candidacy
  • 3 master’s programs in pre-candidacy
  • 4 accredited post-masters fellowship programs

CSWE Core Competencies for Social Work Education

Phi Alpha is the National Social Work Honor Society. The purpose of the Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

The Concord University chapter was founded in 2001, the first program in West Virginia to be chartered by Phi Alpha.

Undergraduate Phi Alpha Honor Society Membership Requirements

For consideration for membership into this prestigious national honors society, students must:

  • Declare Social Work as a Major
  • Achieve Sophomore status
  • Complete 37.5 % of the required course work for the degree including 9 semester credit hours of required social work courses
  • GPA requirements change as this is determined by calculating the top 35% of eligible students during the semester

Graduate Phi Alpha Honor Society Membership Requirements

  • Complete 12 semester credit hours of social work courses
  • GPA requirements change as this is determined by calculating the top 35% of eligible students during the semester

Eligibility is determined after the Fall semester for induction in the Spring semester. For more information, contact Concord’s Phi Alpha Honor Society adviser.

BSW Advisor: Mary Hoke

MSW Advisors: Robbin Durham & Terri Philpott

Our Faculty and Staff

Allen, Shawn
Allen, Shawn
Associate Professor of Social Work
304-384-5299
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Byrd, Samantha
Byrd, Samantha
Assistant Professor of Social Work/Training Manager
304-384-5353
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Durham, Robbin
Durham, Robbin
Assistant Professor of Social Work
304-304-5218
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Everette, Tiffany
Everette, Tiffany
Instructor in Social Work
304-384-5268
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Fedele, Angela
Fedele, Angela
Associate Professor of Social Work
304-384-5187
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Gum, Nola
Gum, Nola
Assistant Professor of Social Work
304-384-5337
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Hawkins, Madeline
Hawkins, Madeline
Child Welfare Curriculum & Training Specialist
304-384-5192
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Hegarty, Irene
Hegarty, Irene
Assistant Professor of Social Work
304-384-5174
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Hoke, Mary
Hoke, Mary
Instructor BSW Social Work
304-384-6083
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Howell, Vanessa
Howell, Vanessa
Operations Coordinator
304-384-6260
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Inghram, C. Scott
Inghram, C. Scott
Associate Professor - Social Work/Director of MSW Program/Chair Department of Social Work and Sociology
304-384-5215
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Lambert, Stacey
Lambert, Stacey
Assistant Professor of Clinical Social Work
304-384-6348
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Landseidel, Emily
Landseidel, Emily
Assistant Professor of Social Work
304-384-5302
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Luff, Tracy
Luff, Tracy
Professor of Sociology/Dir. of Honors Program
304-384-5242
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Newcomb Richmond, Marie
Newcomb Richmond, Marie
Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work/Director CU Counseling Center
304-384-6087
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Nutter-Pridgen, Kathryn
Nutter-Pridgen, Kathryn
Assistant Professor of Sociology
304-384-6026
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Oliver, Natalee
Oliver, Natalee
Adjunct Professor of Social Work

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Pace, Lori
Pace, Lori
Instructor of Criminology
304-384-6054
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Pendergast, Joan
Pendergast, Joan
Professor of Social Work / Title IX Coordinator
304-384-5289
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Philpott, Terri
Philpott, Terri
Director of Social Work Field Education / Instructor of Social Work
304-384-5282
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Pridgen, Stephen
Pridgen, Stephen
Assistant Professor of Sociology
304-384-5227
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Smith, Raymond
Smith, Raymond
Assistant Professor of Social Work
304-384-5111
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Ude, Paula
Ude, Paula
Assistant Professor of Social Work
304-384-6032
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Whittaker, Sarah
Whittaker, Sarah
Distinguished Professor of Social Work
304-384-5228
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