Current Students
Calendar
Winter 2026
March:
March 13-22 - Spring Break
March 26 - Last day to drop a class (16-week classes)
March 29 - MSW Town Hall Meeting @ 12:30 PM, Zoom
March 29 - MSW Syncronous Classes
April:
April 6 - Graduate students pre-registration, 9:00pm
April 12 -MSW Syncronous Classes
April 13 - Incomplete grades due for August seniors/graduating students; Petition and transient forms submissions due for graduating students
April 13 - Last day to order regalia for May graduation
April 20 - Online registration for F26 opens for new/transfer students
April 26 - MSW Syncronous Classes
May:
May 4 - All incomplete grades for F25 due
May 8 - School of Social Work Pinning (Graduating Students)
May 10 - May Commencement
May 12 - Winter 2026 semester grades due by 5:00pm
Summer 2026
May:
May 11 - Summer Semester begins
May 17-30 - Advanced Emphasis Intensive Courses (course meeting dates and times vary)
August:
August 20 - School of Social Work Pinning (Graduating Students)
August 21 - Summer Commencement/End of Summer Semester
August 23 - MSW Orientation
August 25 - Summer 2026 semester grades due by 5:00pm
May 11 - Summer Semester begins
May 17-30 - Advanced Emphasis Intensive Courses (course meeting dates and times vary)
August:
August 20 - School of Social Work Pinning (Graduating Students)
August 21 - Summer Commencement/End of Summer Semester
August 23 - MSW Orientation
August 25 - Summer 2026 semester grades due by 5:00pm
Fall 2026
August:
August 23 - MSW Orientation
August 24 - Fall 2026 Classes Begin
September:
September 1 - Fee goes into effect for adding/dropping classes (16-week classes); “W” in place for dropped courses on transcript (16-week classes)
September 7 - Last day to add a class (16-week classes)
September 25 - Graduation applications due for graduating Graduate students for December
October:
October 15-18 - Mid-semester break
October 29 - Last day to drop a class (16-week classes)
November:
November 1 - Incomplete grades due for August seniors/graduating students; Petition and transient forms submissions due for graduating students
November 2 - Online registration for W27 opens for current graduate students, 9:00pm
November 16 - Online registration for W26 opens for new/transfer students
November 16 - Last day to order regalia for December graduation
November 23-29 - Thanksgiving break
December:
December 7 - All incomplete grades for W26/S26 due
December 14-17 - Semester exams
December 17 - December Commencement
December 18-January 10 - Winter break
December 21 - Fall 2026 semester grades due by 5:00pm
August 23 - MSW Orientation
August 24 - Fall 2026 Classes Begin
September:
September 1 - Fee goes into effect for adding/dropping classes (16-week classes); “W” in place for dropped courses on transcript (16-week classes)
September 7 - Last day to add a class (16-week classes)
September 25 - Graduation applications due for graduating Graduate students for December
October:
October 15-18 - Mid-semester break
October 29 - Last day to drop a class (16-week classes)
November:
November 1 - Incomplete grades due for August seniors/graduating students; Petition and transient forms submissions due for graduating students
November 2 - Online registration for W27 opens for current graduate students, 9:00pm
November 16 - Online registration for W26 opens for new/transfer students
November 16 - Last day to order regalia for December graduation
November 23-29 - Thanksgiving break
December:
December 7 - All incomplete grades for W26/S26 due
December 14-17 - Semester exams
December 17 - December Commencement
December 18-January 10 - Winter break
December 21 - Fall 2026 semester grades due by 5:00pm
Course Plans
Select the corresponding starting course plan
Field Education
Field education is social work’s signature pedagogy, preparing ethical practitioners to think, perform, and act with integrity.
Helpful Resources
Faculty and Staff
Kristie Wilder, JD, LMSW
Dean, School of Social Work
423.236.2206
kwilder@southern.edu
Stephanie Guster, LCSW, MSW
Associate Professor, MSW Program Director
423.236.2020
sguster@southern.edu
Lisye Fernandez
MSW Program Manager
423.236.2629
lisyef@southern.edu
Candy Dolcy, MSW
Assistant Professor, Director of Field Education
423.236.2630
candydolcy@southern.edu
Laura Racovita, PhD, MSW
Professor
423.236.2638
racovita@southern.edu
Evie Nogales Baker, DSW, MSSW, LCSW
Associate Professor
423.236.2640
evien@southern.edu
Nina Nelson, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor
423.236.2635
nnelson@southern.edu
Katelynn Webster
Office Manager
423.236.2775
katelynnwebster@southern.edu