The University of Alabama School of Social Work

🧠 Strengthen Your Supervision Skills & Ethical Practice 🧠

Join us for the Supervision and Ethics Workshop at The University of Alabama and gain the knowledge, tools, and board-approved training needed to effectively supervise social workers while navigating complex ethical challenges. 📚⚖️

📅 October 28-29, 2026
🕗 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (both days)
📍 University Hall & Online

Perfect for:
👩‍⚕️ Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LICSW)
👨‍💼 Licensed Master Social Workers (LMSW)
🤝 Licensed Bachelor Social Workers (LBSW)
📋 Current & Aspiring Supervisors

✅ Alabama board-approved supervision training
✅ Covers recent ASBSWE supervision rule changes
✅ Integrates NASW Code of Ethics throughout the training
✅ Clinical and non-clinical supervision pathways

🎓 Presented by Joanne Terrell, MSW, LICSW, PIP

🎟️ Register now and advance your professional practice: https://bit.ly/3ZDZM3U

A summer of research, mentorship and student success!

The University of Alabama School of Social Work proudly welcomed four students to campus through the SGPI Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program, providing opportunities to explore research, engage in graduate-level coursework and learn from faculty mentors.

This year’s program brought several exciting firsts, including the inaugural Student Spirit Award, Best Research Mentor Award and SGPI Program of the Year Award—all earned by members of our Social Work community! 🏆

We’re proud to celebrate the students and faculty who made this summer one to remember. Read the full story here! https://bit.ly/4g42OIm

We loved welcoming our new BSW distance learners to campus for orientation yesterday!
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From engaging with faculty, staff, and student leaders to building peer connections, learning strategies for success in the online program, and gaining a wealth of available resources through the School of Social Work and across campus, orientation offered a great start to the academic year.
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Wishing our social work students a rewarding and successful year ahead!
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✨ National Recognition ✨

Congratulations to our very own Shana Smith for being featured in the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) BSW Student Spotlight Series! 🎉

In "Saying Yes at 40," Shana shares her inspiring journey back to the classroom, proving that it's never too late to pursue your purpose. Her story reflects resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to serving others—qualities that embody the spirit of social work. We're incredibly proud to see her representing the University of Alabama School of Social Work on the national stage.

Read Shana's inspiring story here! ❤️🐘

https://bit.ly/4bzc2uS

Dr. Sherron Wilkes, Clinical Assistant Professor and BSW Program Director, was honored to serve as the Commencement Marshal for Summer 2026 and represent both the University of Alabama and the School of Social Work. Her leadership and service reflect the values and excellence of the University and the social work profession. Congratulations to all Summer 2026 graduates. You have earned every moment of this achievement, and we celebrate your success.

🧠 Strengthen Your Diagnostic Skills with the DSM-5-TR 🧠

Join us for Differential Diagnosis: Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), a virtual workshop designed to help clinicians confidently navigate diagnostic criteria and improve clinical decision-making. 📖💡

📅 August 24, 2026
🕣 8:45 AM - 12:00 PM CST
📍 Virtual Workshop

Perfect for:
👩‍⚕️ Clinical Social Workers
🧠 Mental Health Professionals
📋 Behavioral Health Clinicians
🎓 Social Work Practitioners Seeking Licensure Renewal

✅ Learn to effectively utilize the DSM-5-TR
✅ Strengthen differential diagnosis skills through practice vignettes
✅ Explore diagnostic criteria across major mental health disorders
✅ Satisfies Alabama's 3-hour DSM-5-TR licensure renewal requirement for clinical social workers

🎤 Presented by Daphne S. Cain, PhD, LCSW

🎟️ Register today: https://bit.ly/3O1UprP

Two years ago, we were given the opportunity to build something new.

Not simply another office, but a new way of thinking about experiential education in social work.

Today, as we reflect on what the Office of Experiential Programs and Community Partnerships has accomplished, we are incredibly grateful for the faculty, staff, community partners, practicum instructors, alumni, and students who believed in the vision from the very beginning.

Together, we've strengthened practicum education, expanded community partnerships across Alabama, invested in rural communities through the Black Belt Internship Initiative, continued to grow our Washington, D.C. programs, advanced global social work opportunities, and built systems that will support students for years to come.

But our greatest accomplishment isn't measured by the number of partnerships, placements, or programs we've created.

It's measured by the future of the workforce of social workers who are entering the profession more prepared, more confident, and more committed to creating meaningful change in their communities.

Experiential education is where theory becomes practice, where confidence is built through service, and where the next generation of leaders begins to discover the kind of social worker they are called to become.

We are proud of what we've built together, and even more excited about what lies ahead.
Thank you to every person who has invested in this work. Your mentorship, collaboration, and belief in our students have made this possible.

We invite you to read our two-year reflection and celebrate what we've accomplished together: and more importantly, imagine what comes next.
https://socialwork.ua.edu/2026/08/04/two-years-of-building-the-future-celebrating-the-office-of-experiential-programs-and-community-partnerships/

🎓 Congratulations to our Summer 2026 graduates! 🎉⠀
We are so proud of your hard work, dedication, and commitment to making a difference in the world. We can’t wait to see the legendary change you’ll make in the field of social work! ❤️🐘 ⠀

Our MSW students are making a difference beyond the classroom!

Through a partnership with the West Alabama Cardiac Health Program (WACH), our students are working alongside community partners to advance food justice, address barriers to healthy food access and develop recommendations that can create lasting impact across West Alabama.

Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/45wVWyo

🌟 Student Spotlight🌟

Meet Olivia McDaniel, a senior social work student expected to graduate in December 2026!

This semester and fall, Olivia is interning with New Heights Community Resource Center, where she is gaining meaningful hands-on experience while serving the community in a variety of ways.

"I’ve gotten various opportunities like attending juvenile court, packing food bags, organizing resource closets, helping with community events, and engaging with the STARS Academy and Children’s Center students. It has been so empowering and rewarding to engage with the community on this scale!"

From supporting local families to learning about community-based services, Olivia is making an impact while building valuable skills for her future social work career. We are proud to spotlight her journey and look forward to seeing all she accomplishes!