Augustana University to launch social work program named after former principal

SIOUX FALLS, SD (Dakota News Now) — After more than 15 years, Augustana has announced that the university is reinstating its social work program.

According to a press release, the program will exist within the Sharon Lust School of Education, named after former director of Augustana’s social work program and emeritus assistant professor of social work, Dr. Harriet Emily (Johnson) Scott. ’59.

“I am thrilled beyond words with the creation and launch of the program,” said Sharon Lust School of Education Dean Dr. Laurie Daily. “The City of Sioux Falls and surrounding communities have an immediate and emerging need for behavioral health training and support.”

University officials thank the Scott family and Sanford Health for their support that enables the Harriet Emily Scott Social Work Program in Augustana to include Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees. . The university hopes to launch the BSW in the fall of 2024, which will include a face-to-face learning environment. The MSW, which is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2027, will consist of a hybrid program. Students who have earned a BSW from an accredited program will be able to enter the MSW program with Advanced Standing, which means they can complete the program in one year. Those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in related fields could take the 2-year MSW program.

Augustana is hiring a program director this year to develop program proposals and obtain internal and external approvals from the Commission on Higher Education (HLC) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), which is a process of 3 years. The university plans to offer a specialization in the area of integrated behavioral health within the MSW program, as well as a certificate option for clinicians.

“We are intentional in designing and delivering the program to equip graduates to serve in a variety of roles in a variety of settings,” Daily said. “These programs have strong clinical components. These are skills that students need to develop, so we try to develop our hybrid courses so that they have online components (both synchronous and asynchronous) and intensive on-campus learning experiences.

According to a press release, Scott earned his bachelor’s degree from Augustana, MSW from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from South Dakota State University. The Estelline, South Dakota native is honored to have her family invest in the social work program on her behalf and proud of her experiences in professional social work and social work education. Once appointed to the CSWE Commission on the Role and Status of Women in Social Work Education and elected to the CSWE Board of Directors, Scott worked hard to serve Augustana and the profession. She continues to serve the Sioux Falls area as a part-time geriatric care manager, helping to ensure that individuals and families receive the services they need to care for aging members.

“I hope these high standards of social worker expectations will not be minimized. A social work education program and social agency programs must continue to set high standards for the community and the state to find resources to serve and celebrate our diverse populations,” Scott said.

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