MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew LaPlant
561-297-3022, alaplant@fau.edu

FAU's School of Social Work Logs 75,000 Hours in the Community

BOCA RATON, FL (June 22, 2004) - According to the National Association of Social Workers, the social work profession helps people overcome some of life's most difficult challenges. At Florida Atlantic University, where over the past year 400 bachelor's and master's students have logged in more than 75,000 hours to over 100 community-based agencies, this type of assistance occurs on a daily basis.

FAU students are working at such places as the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Salvation Army, Women in Distress and many other hospitals and centers that stretch from Indian River to Miami-Dade County.

"We not only admit younger students, but also working professionals who want to have a more fulfilling career," said Dr. Michelle Hawkins, director of the School of Social Work. "With the minimum going rate of $15 an hour for a social work professional, we are helping these agencies complete work they would otherwise not be able to afford, as well as giving our students the work experience they need to obtain a job after earning a degree."

The FAU School of Social Work has been accredited since 1983. The master's program was started four years ago and has seen a 600-percent increase in students, growing from 20 to 140 students. The students are required to earn 400 internship hours within two semesters and are considered volunteers of the agency.

For more information on the School of Social Work, please call Michelle Hawkins at 561-297-3234.

-FAU-