Lewis University Social Work program has successfully passed Benchmark III in the accreditation process for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). It anticipates achieving full accreditation in June 2013. “The accreditation will allow our graduates to be more competitive in the job market, take the Licensed Social Worker (LSW) exam and become eligible for advanced standing admission to graduate school—students who pursue a graduate degree in social work could achieve advanced status resulting in earning a master's degree within one year,” Dr. Arthur Horton, Jr., chair of Social Work, commented.

"The Department of Social Work is proud to provide an education grounded in social work theory and prepare our social work students as general practitioners," Horton added. Other full-time faculty members include Professor Barbara Nichols, field education director, and Dr. Ruth Osuch, self-study coordinator.

Students are already discovering that the Lewis University Social Work program is a launching pad for their success in helping people with their personal well-being, preventing crisis, and counseling individuals, families and communities. In the last semester, 9 of the 12 graduates have already secured paid positions or accepted enrollment in a graduate program. Five of those students were hired by organizations that they served as an intern while they were completing studies at Lewis University.

2011 alumnae Yvette Flores is currently an enrollment and matching specialist at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm Beach and Martin Counties. She assists in providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives. She said, “Completing research papers and projects, and an internship experience at Lewis University have carried over from the student role into the professional world. Examples like meeting deadlines, being professional and confidence in my education have helped my career thus far.” She is currently working toward earning her Master of Social Work degree at Florida Atlantic University.

Beyond the classroom, the Lewis University Social Work program celebrates student success and helps students advocate for others. More than 20 students have been inducted into the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society since 2011. A group of students have also travelled to Springfield, Ill., to participate in the National Association of Social Workers Social Work Advocacy Day.

The CSWE is a non-profit national association representing more than 3,000 individual members as well as graduate and undergraduate programs of professional social education. The organization's fourth site visit is scheduled for February 2013.

For more information on the Lewis University Social Work program, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@lewisu.edu or call (815) 836-5250.

Lewis University is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.