News and Announcements

Faculty Spotlight
Ellen Fink-Samnick, LCSW, CCM, CRC is President of EFS Supervision Strategies. She empowers others via education & professional development  focusing on Interdisciplinary Case Management Practice, Clinical Supervision, Professional Resilience and Intergenerational End of Life Perspectives. Ellen was appointed to the Fairfax Medical Reserve Corp as a Team Leader for Mental Health/Substance Abuse, and  the Editorial Advisory Board of  The Journal of Professional Case Management.

Social Work Faculty receives Medal of Honor award
Dr. Cathy Tompkins received a Medal of Honor award by the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors for her work to bring gerontology education and scholarship to undergraduate social work programs.

Social Work faculty named Fenwick Fellow -
Dr. Halaevalu Vakalahi, Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work, was named as one of the Fenwick Fellow for next year. As noted in the fellowship announcement. Dr. Vakalahi’s study, “Pacific Islander Americans: Immigration and the Duality of Identity and Experiences,” will involve extensive review of journal articles, books, films and videos related to the experiences of Pacific Islander Americans as immigrants to the United States, particularly in relation to social, political, educational and economic-based factors that impact health, well-being and social functioning.

Social Work Faculty selected as Hartford Faculty Scholar - Dr. Cathy Tompkins, Department of Social Work, has been selected as a Hartford Faculty Scholar in Social Work.  This is a highly competitive national program that gives current faculty members two years of support so that they can obtain mentoring from senior scholars in their areas of research and continue to develop their leadership skills in Social Work.

About the Program

Welcome! We're so glad you've visited the George Mason University Social Work Department web site! Let me tell you a little bit about our programs:

GMU has had an outstanding bachelor of social work (BSW) program for over 25 years. Our students typically spend their first two years completing university-wide liberal arts requirements, and spend their final two years taking courses in the social work major. We have students of all ages; some attend full-time and others attend part-time. The undergraduate social work program is designed to prepare students for generalist practice - that is, to work with a variety of populations in a variety of settings. Classroom work is supplemented, in both the junior and senior years, by supervised field practicum experience in local human service agencies. Our graduates are extremely successful applying to graduate school and seeking entry-level social work employment.

In fall 2002, we started a master of social work (MSW) program. It's a 60 credit hour program that can be completed on a two-year or three-year plan. The initial year of course work provides a foundation for social work practice, while the second year allows students to complete an advanced concentration in organizational leadership and social change. The goal is for our students to be able to work competently with individuals and families seeking help, but also to be capable of leadership in communities, organizations, and the policy-making arena. Course work is supplemented by a total of 1,500 hours in supervised field placements. Given our location in an ethnically and economically diverse community, and our proximity to the national capital, we have a tremendous array of practicum opportunities.

If we can be of any assistance to you as you contemplate your social work education or career, please feel free to contact us.

For Program Information:

B.S.W. Program
George Mason University
Robinson Hall B, Room 378
4400 University Dr.

MSN 1F8

Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Susan Pufnock

703-993-2030

M.S.W. Program
George Mason University
Truland Bldg., Suite 150
MSN 1F7
3330 N. Washington Blvd.
Arlington, Virginia 22201
703-993-4247