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Our History

Social work education at Eastern began in 1959 when a social work major was added by the Department of Sociology. Later, the Department was renamed to the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work with a major in each of the three disciplines.

The School of Social Work came into existence in 1974 with the passage of Washington Senate Bill 2574 providing for a Professional Master of Social Work degree at Eastern Washington State College (now Eastern Washington University). The bill was the result of a graduate and professional education needs assessment sponsored by the Washington State Legislature and a feasibility study conducted by the Council on Social Work Education. The feasibility study noted that no graduate-level professional school of social work existed between Seattle and Minneapolis across the northern tier of states at that time. After examining eight universities located in the inland northwest, the study recommended a graduate-level professional school of social work be established at EWU.

Following legislative approval and initial funding, a search and planning committee was established made up of the provost, graduate dean, and one social work faculty member each from both EWU and WSU, plus three professional social work practitioners from the social work community in Spokane. In the fall of 1974, John O’Neill was hired as dean of the new school and three faculty members were hired to plan a curriculum, establish a location for the school, and develop necessary ties and commitments with the social work practice community, and launch a new school. One social work faculty member each from EWU and WSU also joined in this effort.

The first MSW class was admitted and began the graduate curriculum in Fall of 1975. Also, the BA in Social Work program transferred to the School of Social Work during that academic year. The MSW program has expanded to many parts of Washington State and beyond, and the BA program is a large and respected program. Both the MSW and the BA have grown and matured during the past four decades. As of the 2015 Spring Commencement, EWU has awarded a total of 2,358 BA degrees (in Social Work) and 3,567 Master of Social Work degrees and the School of Social Work has enhanced the landscape of social services in the Inland Northwest.

Mission of the Bachelor of Social Work Program (BASW)

The BASW Program, based in a regional, comprehensive public university, prepares competent generalist practitioners to educate, broker, coordinate services and advocate for social change through the development of critical thinking, ethical practice, and the use of research and theory to deliver culturally responsive services.

Goals of the EWU BASW Program

  1. Preparing graduates for generalist practice that integrates strengths, empowerment, ecosystems and evidence-informed frameworks.
  2. Preparing graduates for ethical and culturally informed generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  3. Preparing graduates for effective generalist practice that promotes social justice within and across multiple systems.
  4. Responding to regional baccalaureate social work education needs.

Mission of the Master of Social Work Program (MSW)

The MSW program, based in a regional, comprehensive public university, prepares advanced generalist practitioners to become effective leaders for socially just practice through the integration of skills, ethics, research, and theory, in advancing the well-being of individuals and society.

Goals of the EWU MSW Program

  1. Preparing graduate students for advanced generalist practice integrating empowerment, eco-systems, and evidence-informed frameworks.
  2. Preparing graduate students for ethical and culturally informed practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  3. Preparing graduate students to become effective leaders in promoting socially just systems.

Providing programs to address local and regional social work education needs.

Chair & Director Kathryn DePaolis

Kathryn DePaolis Dr. DePaolis received her MSW from the University of Illinois, Chicago and her PhD in Social Work from the University of Kansas. Dr. DePaolis is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair and Director of the School of Social Work at Eastern Washington University. Dr. DePaolis has served as the BASW Program Director and Associate Dean in the College of Professional Programs. Her areas of interest include cyberbullying and bullying among youth and equity. Her professional experience includes 16 years direct social work practice in various environments. Dr. DePaolis has published several articles in peer reviewed journals in the fields of social work, psychology and education and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses on a variety of subjects including policy, case management, and social work with communities. You can reach her at  or 509.359.4538.

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