History

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Dr. Coyle Moore

The social work program at Florida State University originated in the early history of the institution. Dr. Raymond F. Bellamy, professor of sociology from 1918 to 1956, first introduced social welfare content into the curriculum in the 1920’s. In 1928 Dr. Coyle Moore, later to become the first Dean of the School of Social Welfare, joined the sociology faculty and taught “The Field of Social Work” and an introductory social welfare course “for those who expect to take up social work.” By the mid 1930’s, during the Great Depression, undergraduate courses in casework and group work were offered, as well as field placements at the Leon County Welfare Association and the Leon County Unemployment Relief Council.

In 2005, the social work program became identified as the College of Social Work. Today, the College of Social Work at Florida State University offers social work degrees at the baccalaureate, master, and doctoral levels. The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) initially accredited the M.S.W. degree program in 1950. The baccalaureate program was among the first of such programs accredited by CSWE in 1974. The Ph.D. program in social work was approved by the Florida Board of Regents in 1974 and accepted its first student in fall of that year.

There are presently approximately 300 undergraduates and 450 graduate students enrolled in the College, and the faculty numbers 35. Twenty-six students are engaged in active study for the Ph.D. program.

Administratively, the College is directed by a Dean, an Associate Dean for Research, and an Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Other administrative faculty members are responsible for field education and BSW, MSW and Ph.D. programs. The faculty oversees committees addressing most areas of College functioning, with student representatives on each committee.