The Millie M. Charles School of Social Work BSW Program
Since its founding in 1959, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), a state-supported and historically Black institution, has been dedicated to providing quality education and expanding economic opportunities for all segments of the community. SUNO, a proud member of the Southern University System, maintains a predominantly African American enrollment, striving to foster educational and economic equity for its students.
The journey of SUNO’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program began in 1965 as a minor within the Sociology Department. By 1972, the need for specialized education in social welfare led to the establishment of a dedicated social welfare department to administer the newly formed BSW program, which earned its initial accreditation in 1974. The program's strong reputation and commitment to excellence in social work education later played a significant role in the decision to establish SUNO’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
In 1974, the U.S. government, represented by the attorney general, filed a lawsuit against Louisiana, among other southern states, for perpetuating a racially segregated higher education system, violating the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In response, a Consent Decree was signed in 1981, mandating Southern University at New Orleans, as part of the Southern University System, to develop a Master of Social Work program to promote greater racial diversity on Louisiana’s public university campuses.
In July 1982, the Southern University Board of Supervisors formally established the School of Social Work, naming Millie M. Charles as its founding Dean. The MSW program welcomed its first cohort of 24 students in the fall of 1983, with an intentional focus on building a racially diverse student body, in alignment with the Consent Decree’s objectives.
Today, SUNO’s graduate social work program addresses the critical need for skilled social service professionals in the public sector, preparing BSW generalists and MSW specialists for roles in fields such as child and family services, health/mental health, and mid-level management. With the growing responsibility for social services transitioning from the federal to state and local levels, SUNO graduates are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully within Louisiana’s state and municipal systems, empowering communities and leading the charge for social justice and equity.