Studying Social Work at NCCU
North Carolina Central University appears in our ranking of the 36 Most Affordable Accredited MSW Programs in the South East.
Since 1998, the College of Behavioral & Social Science has offered the Undergraduate (BSW) Program yearly to around 235 North Carolina Central University majors who aid population problem-solving efforts that foster equality, especially for minorities. Chaired by Dr. Blenda R. Crayton of Englewood Hospital, the 124-credit degree prepares for evidence-informed generalist practice with Level A CSW licensure. The 14 required courses like Statistics, Social Welfare, Community Resources, and Helping Professions have a 16:1 student-professor ratio for engagement. Junior and senior fieldwork is scheduled at 45+ partner agencies, such as the Wrenn House, Vance County CPS, Williams Ward Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Durham Public Schools, and Dress for Success. Other opportunities include joining the Social Work Society, earning the Audrey E. Johnson Award, engaging in the Women's Center, venturing to Brazil, minoring in Nutrition, volunteering for the Durham CROP Hunger Walk, and attending the Rock the Mic Lecture.
In the Miller-Morgan Building, North Carolina Central University launched the Graduate (MSW) Program in 2008 for students seeking leadership development for nonprofit careers intervening against marginalization. Directed by Dr. Hattie Moore, a 2005 Community Partners Award winner, the 58-credit program develops generalist practitioners in one Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities concentration. Each May, the Advanced Standing track bridges a CSWE-accredited baccalaureate to just 35 credits. Expect courses like Juvenile Justice, Adolescent Development, Gangs Redefined, and Data Analysis that meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00PM to 8:30PM. Field instruction requires 16 hours weekly from Duke Hospital to Freedom House Recovery before the master's capstone. Graduates might also join ESTEEM, pledge Phi Alpha, research in the Center for Justice Studies & Policy, add the Philanthropic Entrepreneurship Certificate, attend the NABSW Conference, and celebrate World Compassion Day.
About North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University was chartered by the General Assembly in 1910 after Durham pharmacist Dr. James E. Shepard's lobbying for African-American liberal arts education. Initially called the National Religious Training School and Chautauqua for the Colored Race, it became the Durham State Normal School in 1923. Six years later, the first Bachelor of Arts was awarded an accreditation was received. On July 1, 1972, NCCU got its current name by joining the UNC system. By 2007, Dr. Issac Robinson had formed its Department of Social Work separate from Sociology. Budgeting $132 million yearly, North Carolina Central now attracts 8,097 diverse Eagles, including BSW and MSW majors, and employs 564 faculty. Linked to 26,850 LinkedIn alumni, NCCU has trained Julius Chambers, Mickey Michaux, Kim Coles, and more at the 64-building, Georgian Revival-style campus.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked North Carolina Central the 13th best historically Black university and 201st top social work school nationally. On Niche, NCCU boasts America's 41st best Greek life, 147th best justice studies, and 392nd most engaged student life. In 2017, the College of Behavioral & Social Science received the HBCU Digest Best Social Work Program Award. Diverse Issues in Higher Education named NCCU #1 for African-American master's degrees. College Factual declared NCCU the 128th top social work value with the 282nd best ROI. PayScale calculated mid-career median income of $70,600 for North Carolina Central University alums. Forbes ranked Durham as the 16th best city for careers with the 79th highest growth. In Washington Monthly, North Carolina Central also has the 112th most service and 255th best Ph.D. completion rate.
North Carolina Central University Accreditation Details
In January 2019, North Carolina Central University will submit to its next institutional review from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to reaffirm the Level V accreditation for another decade under its 12th Chancellor, Dr. Johnson Akinleye. Headquartered 379 miles west via Interstate 85 in Decatur, this 11-state Deep South accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to check the academic standards of NCCU's 29 baccalaureate, 30 master's, and two doctoral majors. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) specifically extended North Carolina Central's programmatic approval through June 2024 too.
North Carolina Central University Application Requirements
Enrolling at North Carolina Central University is considered "moderately difficult" by Peterson's since 5,744 of the 8,613 Fall 2016 applicants were okayed for 67 percent acceptance. The BSW major generally considers sophomores in their Spring term after two full-time years of study. Satisfactory completion of prerequisites, including Social Work as a Profession, is mandated. Undergrads need a minimum 2.5 GPA overall, though the mean is 3.24. Exceeding the admission index score of 70 is another requirement. This system gives 20 points for "B" averages, five points for references, 40 points for excellent essays, and 15 points for NASW membership. Starting the MSW necessitates a strong liberal arts bachelor's background with social science prerequisites. Cumulative GPAs must be at least 2.75 with major GPAs above 2.99.
The Department of Social Work has October 1st and March 1st deadlines for North Carolina Central University undergrads. Traditional MSW cohorts apply by February 1st for Fall admittance only. The Advanced Standing option has a January 15th deadline to begin the "Summer Bridge" sequence. Interested students submit the online NCCU forms plus the downloaded BSW/MSW application packet to 1801 Fayetteville Street in Durham, NC 27707. Please contact (919) 530-6100 or [email protected] for further inquiries. The application checklist requests these:
- Electronic $50 application fee payment
- Official transcripts for each course of study
- Two favorable character reference letters
- Well-written, signed personal narrative
- Professional résumé of work history/skills
- Criminal background check information
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2018-19, North Carolina Central University is billing full-time BSW majors from the Tar Heel State $1,864 per semester. Non-resident undergrads pay $8,217 each term. Add-ons include the $214 technology fee, $1,293 sickness insurance, $423 athletic fee, $112 activity fee, and $113 Campus Center fee. Living at the Durham campus' dorms like Baynes Hall costs $4,223 for room and $1,931 for board. Annual bachelor's attendance equals around $22,198 in-state and $34,905 out-of-state. The MSW is charging North Carolinians $2,370 and non-residents $8,847 every semester of nine credits. Studying part-time incurs $1,185 to $6,635 per term.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Scholarships & Student Aid shares $40.55 million total yearly for median aid packages of $8,233 to 78 percent of full-time NCCU Eagles. University funds include the Cheatham-White Scholarship, Soaring Eagle Scholarship, Community College Transfer Scholarship, Apple HBCU Scholars Program, Athletic Scholarship, James Lee Love Scholarship, and Dr. AP & Frances Dickson Scholarship. The UNC Need-Based Grant has a January 1st priority deadline for $100 to $4,200. Old North State natives pursue the Education Lottery Scholarship, Golden Leaf Scholarship, Rehabilitation Assistance for Visually Handicapped, and ETV Voucher too. Submitting FAFSA forms with code 002950 could qualify for Federal Pell or SEOG Grant coverage. Money magazine ranked North Carolina Central 697th for $31,000 average debt from Perkins, Stafford, and Plus loans. Nine-month graduate assistantships can reduce or fully waive tuition. Federal Work-Study jobs also pay $7.25/hour for up to 25 weekly hours.
Learn more about North Carolina Central University at the Department of Social Work website.