SCC and EKU to Offer Social Work Degree

Published on Mar 25, 2024

Somerset Community College (SCC) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) are proud to announce a collaborative partnership to enhance educational opportunities for students pursuing careers in social work. The two institutions have entered into an agreement to establish an articulation and transfer plan through the University Center of Southern Kentucky (UCSK), facilitating a seamless transfer pathway for students to earn an associate in arts (AA) degree from SCC and transfer to earn a Bachelor of Social work from EKU on SCC’s campus.

This partnership underscores the commitment of both institutions to foster a more accessible and streamlined transfer pathway while promoting credit transferability and academic excellence. Through a pathway with an AA degree at SCC, students can transfer seamlessly from SCC to EKU, maximizing their educational potential and career prospects.

Key highlights of the partnership agreement include:

1. Priority Admission: Upon successful completion of the AA degree at SCC, participating students will be granted priority admission to EKU’s Bachelor of Social Work program and complete their EKU courses on SCC’s campus through the UCSK.
2. Credit Transfer: EKU will accept the credit hours from the AA degree at SCC towards the Bachelor of Social Work degree, enabling students to progress efficiently through the program.
3. Mutual Oversight: SCC and EKU are committed to monitoring and supporting students through the UCSK to ensure program quality, consistency, and transferability for the benefit of students.

Dr. Carey Castle, President of Somerset Community College, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "This collaboration represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide accessible, high-quality education to our students. By joining forces with Eastern Kentucky University, we empower individuals to pursue rewarding careers in social work while meeting the region's growing demand for skilled professionals."

“With social work being among the 20 most-needed professions in the state, access to EKU’s degree program is crucial for addressing social issues such as poverty, inequality, mental health and family dynamics,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “Social workers’ efforts have the potential to transform individual lives and entire communities, creating transformative change for generations to come. We are honored to extend the reach of this exceptional EKU program and contribute to the continued success of this region.”

Both EKU and SCC are dedicated to upholding the highest accreditation standards and compliance with accrediting bodies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Council for Social Work Education.