Social Work at Brigham Young University had its beginnings as an "emphasis of study" in the major of sociology. Two prominent sociologists, Professor Joe Symons and Professor John Christiansen had a dream that one day BYU would educate professional social workers. In 1969 a landmark decision was made to hire a practicing social worker from the local community and move forward with the creation of a major in social work. Dr. Eugene Gibbons was extended an invitation to join the Sociology Department as a permanent faculty member and was given the responsibility of providing leadership in the development of the Social Work major. Social Work remained in the Department of Sociology until 1980, at which time it became its own department. Shortly after the MSW program was developed and initiated in 1982, the Social Work Department approached the University administration concerning the Department's organizational structure. In 1985 the Social Work Department became the School of Social Work.