Health and Human Services News

Missouri State University stands out

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Missouri State has been ranked one of the nation’s best schools for online degrees and certificates in the healthcare field for 2023.  

Six percent of regionally accredited colleges and universities earned a ranking position.  

The recognized programs are: 

Missouri State has excelled at producing an outstanding online program for each of these areas, landing high spots on EduMed’s already selective list.  

Top features 

EduMed researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools. The data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline.  

Primary data points include:  

  • Academic counseling services 
  • Career placement services 
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 
  • Tuition 
  • Percent of students receiving school-based financial aid 
  • Amount of school-based aid per student 

To be eligible, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject. Just 8% of U.S. postsecondary institutions earned a ranking position. 

MCHHS Dean Dr. Mark Smith said that he’s not surprised by the high program placements. 

“We always strive to create the best learning environment for students, whether they’re in person or not,” Smith said. “It’s wonderful to see that our faculty and programs are receiving the recognition they deserve.” 

Explore MSU online degrees

Faculty fan-favorites

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Dr. Ebony Nicole McCluney, assistant professor in kinesiology and Professor Wendy Jackson, clinical instructor in the School of Social Work, are two members of our stellar MCHHS faculty. 

Let’s get to know them! 

Q: Where are you from?  

McCluney: Union, South Carolina. 

Jackson: Bootheel, Kennett, Missouri. I moved to Springfield in 1997. 

Q: Where did you go to school for undergrad/graduate? 

McCluney: I attended Lander University for my B.S. in physical education. Afterwards, I went to Augusta State University for my M.S. in kinesiology, then finally to University of Georgia for my Ph.D. in kinesiology. Gooooo Dawgs! 

Jackson: I received my bachelor’s in sociology from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I received my master’s in social work from Missouri State University. Go Bears! 

Q: What brought you to Missouri State? 

McCluney: I was previously teaching at a university in Atlanta, Georgia. However, when I learned that Missouri State had a tenure-track opening in kinesiology and I would have the opportunity to be a part of the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, I applied immediately. 

Jackson: In 2011, I began teaching per course in the social work program. I was thrilled to once again be a part of a program that has afforded so many career opportunities. In 2021, I made the leap to a full-time clinical instructor. I love sharing my experiences with social work students. Their energy and excitement are contagious! 

Q: What’s your favorite part about working here? 

McCluney: It’s hard to pick just one, there’s so much I enjoy about working at Missouri State! I love the ability to be creative in my classes, as well as support I’m provided to try innovative teaching strategies. Not to mention, I absolutely love the view in the mornings when I arrive to campus and walk in as the sun rises over the football field. 

Jackson: My favorite part about working at MSU in the MCHHS is the encouragement and opportunities for interprofessional collaboration. I find that this is not only enriching my career but also the education of our students.  

Dive into the department of kinesiology 

Q: Do you have a favorite class to teach? 

McCluney: My favorite class to teach is Social Basis in Physical Activity. This class is all about sociological issues that occur in sport. The class produces a stellar podcast on recent sport trends and issues. 

Jackson: That’s an easy one: Macro Level Social Work- Communities and Organizations. This is my passion. Our department does an excellent job of matching your strengths and passions with the classes you teach.  

My favorite thing that happens in my classroom is when there is a lively debate on a topic, and I can see students open their minds to differing viewpoints.  

Explore the school of social work 

Missouri State boosts access to social work program

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Social workers are everywhere – working with individuals, families or communities in hospitals, clinics, schools and many organizations. They’re helpers who provide resources and so much more.  

To better meet the needs of these future professionals, Missouri State University now offers the first fully accredited, fully online Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in the state of Missouri.  

“This decision predates the pandemic and really spurred from discussions with students who were considering transferring from community colleges,” said Natalie Curry, clinical assistant professor of social work and BSW coordinator.  

These students were often working full-time or had other obligations, she said.  

“We would hear some of those students say, ‘If you tell me that the only way I can be a social worker is to do daytime classes on the Springfield campus, I’m not going to be able to do that.’ 

“For us, that really was an access issue. We want to open the door to social work for more students. That’s a no brainer for us.” 

Explore the social work program

At this time, the online option is open to students who reside in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma. 

First online cohort enrolled fall 2021 

In fall 2021, the first online cohort began. They enrolled 30 online students and approximately 40 seated. On average, the seated cohort usually enrolls about 50. 

“We’ve had really great feedback from the students who started the program this fall,” Curry said. “They are really enjoying the online experience.” 

Curry said the social work faculty took great care to make sure the online program was dynamic. The courses have been developed to encourage interaction and relationship building.  

That will be key to success in the social work career, too, noted Curry. 

What’s it like? 

When researching other online programs, Curry found they vary widely.  

The team considered the best options and modeled each of the online courses similarly. 

“They’re high-quality designed classes,” she said. “The classes have a similar design and format, so once the students familiarize themselves with the expectations in one, they’re going to be comfortable.” 

MSU’s online BSW program:   

  • Is asynchronous, so it’s flexible.   
  • Includes a high degree of interaction with students in the cohorts and with the faculty. 
  • Is taught by a mix of experienced, full-time faculty and some per-course instructors. 

“You are still going to get with your faculty and your peers, while still maintaining the asynchronous format to have the most flexibility possible,” Curry said. 

Apply now

What accreditation means to me 

Curry stressed the significance of the accreditation.  

“Accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education ensures that both our seated and online program options adequately prepare graduates for social work practice,” Curry said.  

“Most social work positions and graduate schools require a degree from an accredited program, and many states have a similar requirement for licensure.”  

Now more than ever before, this stands out to incoming students, noted Curry. 

“We want students to know: You are being prepared for the workforce or graduate school,” she said.  

Preparing for graduate school 

For a student that intends to move into clinical social work practice, they will need to receive a Master of Social Work, noted Curry.  

Those who already have a BSW from an accredited program will save time and money getting an MSW.  

That’s because the accredited BSW provides advanced standing status into the MSW program for eligible applicants.  

Advanced standing students are able to complete the MSW program in one year full-time or two years part-time, which is half the time it takes for students without a BSW. 

Explore the School of Social Work

New social work scholarship gives support to students working with specialized groups

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Anita Bridges Cruzan had a career worth celebrating.

Cruzan graduated from Missouri State with a bachelor’s in social work in 1978. She dedicated her life to social work among the elderly, HIV/AIDS patients and children with disabilities or special needs.

Now that she’s in retirement, Cruzan’s brother, Paul Bridges Jr., wanted to honor the compassion she showed during her career. So, he established the Anita Bridges Cruzan social work scholarship at MSU.

Helping a student with the same goals

The first recipient of the Anita Bridges Cruzan social work scholarship is Savannah Gray. Gray is a social work major graduating in spring 2021.

“The extra funding has been such a help to me, especially during COVID-19,” Gray said. “It’s a stress reliever to not have to worry about how I’m going to pay for school while I’m taking classes during this strange year. I’m honored to be the first recipient.”

MSU Annual Scholarship Application

When Bridges decided on criteria for the scholarship, she wanted the money to help a student who plans to serve the same communities she has.

“I was a State social worker for 33 years, and it’s important to me that people keep pursuing the kind of work I was doing,” she said. “It’s not easy, but it’s necessary, and it helps you put what’s important in perspective.”

Gray wants to work as a social worker in a children’s hospital, specifically with adolescents struggling with mental illness. Before she gets there, she plans to attend graduate school.

“I think Anita’s career is inspiring,” Gray said. “And knowing I have a scholarship in her name makes me proud and want to work harder as I pursue my career.”

About the scholarship

To be eligible for the scholarship, the recipient must be an undergraduate student majoring in social work, be a graduating senior and must have maintained a 3.0 minimum GPA.

Additionally, priority will be placed on applicants who have a minimum of 40 volunteer hours in the last 12 months with the elderly, HIV/AIDS patients or children with special health care needs.

If students are accepted into the Master of Social Work program, the scholarship can be renewed. Students must reapply.