Impact Lives. Be a Change Agent.
Social workers live by a set of values and a code of ethics in their professional life. Get involved in one of the UA School of Social Work’s undergraduate or graduate student organizations to use these values to make a difference.
Our student organizations bring together our peers, our professors, and individuals through service, campus events and volunteer work to positively impact our communities and promote social justice causes, diversity, and other values of the social work profession.
Professional and Student Organizations for BSW Students
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The faculty of the School of Social Work encourages students to become members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Benefits of NASW membership include a reduction of fees for workshops and other special events, and a subscription to the journal Social Work. Information and applications for membership may be obtained online.
Undergraduate Social Work Organization (USWO)
All undergraduate students enrolled in the School of Social Work are eligible to become members of the USWO. This organization provides a format for student discussion of issues, both professional and academic as well as for socializing and fun.
What Are BSW Ambassadors?
BSW students can gain valuable experience
while giving back to the School of Social Work
through the BSW Ambassadors Program.
Social Work Association for Cultural Awareness (SWACA)
This organization provides a structure and forum through which social work students and students from other disciplines can exchange ideas, offer services, and develop programs in the interest of minority communities and the community at large.
Contact: Dr. Cassandra Simon (csimon@sw.ua.edu)
Phi Alpha Honorary Society-Psi Chapter
To become an active member of this national social work honorary, undergraduate students must have declared social work as a major, completed nine semester hours in social work courses, and must rank in the top 35% of their program. (membership by invitation).
Contact: Dr. Amy Traylor (atraylor@sw.ua.edu)
Ambassadors serve the School by assisting in a variety of functions serving recruitment and retention purposes. For example, they assist with Bama Bound (freshman orientation), Capstone Scholars Day, Homecoming events and Career Days. More information, including eligibility requirements and application can be found on the Ambassadors page.
Contact: Mary Sella msella@sw.ua.edu
Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association is the official representative organization of the student body at The University of Alabama. Fifty senators from every college at UA make up the SGA Senate. If you are interested in participating in the Student Government Association, you can visit the SGA website at https://sga.ua.edu/ or its office in room 2617 of the Ferguson Center. You can also call 348-2742.
Professional and Student Organizations for Graduate Students
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
The faculty of the School of Social Work encourages students to become members of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Benefits of NASW membership include a reduction of fees for workshops and other special events, and a subscription to the journal Social Work. Information and applications for membership may be obtained online at http://www.naswdc.org/.
Graduate Social Work Organization (GSWO)
GSWO is an organization within the School of Social Work. Our fundamental purpose is to become engaged in the community in a way that creates cohesion among the multiple graduate-level MSW cohorts. GSWO’s mission is to combat social injustice in the community through advocacy, research, and direct action. Our activities and events are student-generated and student-led. Visit the GSWO page for more info.
Contact: Dr. Sherron Wilkes skwilkes@ua.edu
Doctoral Student Organization (DSO)
All students are encouraged to join actively in the PhD Program’s ongoing development through the Doctoral Student Organization (DSO). Through the DSO, students may be involved in and influence the academic, organizational, and social aspects of the PhD Program. This group enables doctoral students to participate in curriculum matters and policy decisions through a voting representative on the PhD Program committee. In addition to voting rights, DSO members, along with other doctoral students, have a role in interviewing and evaluating prospective faculty members, planning orientation of new PhD students, recruiting and recommending applicants to the PhD Program Director, and in hosting professional enrichment and social events throughout the year. Especially popular are colloquia featuring visiting scholars.
Contact: Dr. Debra Nelson-Gardell dnelsong@sw.ua.edu
Social Work Association for Cultural Awareness (SWACA)
This organization provides a structure and forum through which social work students and students from other disciplines can exchange ideas, offer services, and develop programs in the interest of minority communities and the community at large.
Contact: Dr. Cassandra Simon csimon@sw.ua.edu
Phi Alpha Honorary Society-Psi Chapter
To become an active member of this national social work honorary, undergraduate students must have declared social work as a major and completed nine semester hours in social work courses with an overall grade point average of 3.00 and a grade point average of 3.50 in social work courses.
Contact: Dr. Debra Nelson-Gardell dnelsong@sw.ua.edu