Skip to main content

Brigham Young University. School of Social Work

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1985-

Administrative History

The School of Social Work (est. 1985) is an instructional unit at Brigham Young University.

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.

Citation:
Wesley W. Craig autobiography, 1990-1998 (School of Social Work at BYU)

College of Family, Home and Social Sciences at BYU, via WWW, November 9, 2000 (History: "Social Work remained in the Department of Sociology until 1980 [when] it became its own Department. . . . In 1985 the Social Work Department became the School of Social Work.")

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Wesley W. Craig autobiography

 File — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230330125]
Identifier: MSS SC 3066
Scope and Contents

Comments on his ancestry; early life in Cabarton, Cascade, and elsewhere in Idaho; service in the U.S. Navy during the 1940s; conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), 1949; work in the Department of Sociology and School of Social Work at BYU; and professional and religious experiences, including in Guatemala, Peru, Spain, and Venezuela.

Dates: 1990-1998