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Florida State University School of Social Work Files

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 2007-013

Scope and Contents

The College of Social Work files primarily comprise a fairly complete collection of undergraduate student handbooks (some with revised editions) prepared by the Department of Social Work from 1971-1992. The handbooks describe requirements for the B.S. and B.A Degree, list undergraduate courses, and offer information on social work certification, post graduate education, and other student related topics. Several pamphlets describe the Doctoral Program in Social Work, but they only cover scattered years from 1975-1984. In addition, the collection includes other materials published by the Department of Social Work and FSU's Institute of Governmental Research that relate to field instruction, improving the research aspects of the social work curriculum, student research projects, and public welfare programs and administration in Florida's 67 counties.

The College of Social Work files is significant to researchers studying not only the history of the Florida State University social work program from the early 1970s through the early 1990s, but the collection provides a model of how higher education social work curriculums evolved in the U.S. during this time.

Dates

  • Created: 1963-1992
  • Other: Majority of material found in 1972-1985

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

To request permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from the archives, please contact Heritage & University Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. Researchers must obtain separate permission from the copyright holders of material held within University Archives collections for which the institution does not hold copyright.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Florida State University social work program began in the early years of the institution. Dr. Raymond F. Bellamy, professor of sociology from 1918 to 1956, first introduced social welfare content into the curriculum in the 1920s. In 1928 Dr. Coyle Moore, later to become the first Dean of the School of Social Welfare, joined the sociology faculty and taught "The Field of Social Work" and an introductory social welfare course "for those who expect to take up social work." By the mid 1930s, during the Great Depression, undergraduate courses in casework and group work were offered, as well as field placements at the Leon County Welfare Association and the Leon County Unemployment Relief Council.

In 2005 the social work program became identified as the College of Social Work. As of 2008, there are approximately 300 undergraduates and 350 graduate students enrolled in the College and 32 faculty numbers. More than 50 students are engaged in active study for the Ph.D. in social work. The program offers social work degrees at the baccalaureate, master, and doctoral levels.

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) initially accredited the Masters in Social Work degree (MSW) program in 1950. The baccalaureate program was among the first of such programs accredited by CSWE in 1974. The Ph.D. program in social work was approved by the Florida Board of Regents in 1974 and accepted its first student in fall of that year. Administratively, the College is directed by a dean and is assisted by an associate and assistant dean. Other administrative faculties are responsible for the doctoral program, the undergraduate program, part-time programs, and field instruction. The faculty oversees committees addressing most areas of school functioning, with student representatives on each of these committees. Agency field internships are carefully selected, and provide students with the opportunity to put into action both the conceptual and practice aspects of social work.

Extent

0.80 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

It is evident from her signature on many of these materials that they belonged to Patricia V. Vance, Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the Department of Social Work, during the 1970s and 1980s.

Method of Acquisition

Given by FSU College of Social Work in 2007.

Existence and Location of Originals

Portions of collection available online?: No

Processing Information

Processed by Burt Altman in October 2008

Title
Florida State University School of Social Work Files
Author
Burt Altman
Date
00/00/2008
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
eng

Repository Details

Part of the FSU Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
116 Honors Way
PO Box 3062047
Tallahassee FL 32306-2047 US
850-644-3271