Get Involved

Students enrolled in the School of Social Work at UNCW can join the Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Alpha by meeting all of the following requirements:

• Completed a minimum of 9 semester hours of required social work courses
• Achieved an overall GPA at UNCW of 3.0 or better
• Achieved an overall GPA of 3.25 or better in all social work courses

History

The concept of a national social work honor society came from a group of undergraduate social work students at Michigan State University in 1960. Investigation revealed that local chapters existed at three schools. Those three schools, along with a few other schools, formed a National Honor Society Committee in November, 1960. For more than a year, this committee worked on the constitution and other administrative matters. The name Phi Alpha and the symbols of keys were adopted from the local chapter which existed at Florida State University.

The constitution and formal organization was completed in 1962, and six chapters qualified to become "charter chapters." They were Florida State University, Michigan State University, Ohio North University, Central State College, University of Dayton and the University of Tennessee. Over 450 chapters are now in existence, and the addition of new chapters is continuing.

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include more than 800 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs and their affiliated social work educators, students, and staff, as well as practitioners and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development so that social workers are empowered to play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice.

Learn more about CSWE

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

Joining the National Association of Social Workers while you are a student or new professional helps you build a strong and satisfying social work career. Students and new professionals who join NASW gain real-world knowledge of the profession and the communities social workers serve that goes beyond a textbook and degree.

Explore NASW's Student Benefits & Resources