School of Social Work graduates first-ever students in dual degree program with Austin Seminary

June 2, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas - The first two students have graduated from a University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work collaborative program with Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The two students, Karolina Wright and Ken Fries, received the Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) degrees in separate ceremonies on May 23 and 24.

The dual degree program was begun in 2006 as a response to the growing demand for social workers, ministers, and the communities they serve to work in partnerships to respond to personal and social problems and needs, and to promote greater well-being of individuals and groups in increasingly diverse contexts. The partnership between the School of Social Work and Austin Seminary provides students with resources that extend each institution's individual offerings. The program is appropriate for students with interests in congregational or institutional ministries, but also for students with interests in non-traditional ministries, including agency-based social service, advocacy, policy-oriented work, and clinical counseling.

Allan Hugh Cole Jr., Austin Seminary's Nancy Taylor Williamson Associate Professor of Pastoral Care, took leadership in establishing this program; and he now chairs the committee comprised of members of both schools that oversees the dual degree program.

Cole says, "We envisioned this program as a way to help students think broadly about human strengths, needs, and ways to foster people's flourishing, whether when working in pastoral ministry, social work, or a related vocation. I am delighted to celebrate our first two dual-degree graduates and their significant accomplishments, and I look forward to continuing our partnership with the UT School of Social Work, which is an extraordinary school."

Jane Kretzschmar, director of the MSSW program said, "I join Allan Cole in congratulating our two graduates. They are truly an example of how we can work together to teach a new generation how to serve those in need. Our partnership is made stronger by the commitment and common purposes of our two programs."

About the Dual Degree Program The dual degree program is designed to be completed in four years of full-time study. More information about the dual degree program can be found online at the School of Social Work. The information can also be found on the Academic Programs section of Austin Seminary's Web site or send an email to admissions@austinseminary.edu

For more information, contact:
Andrea Montgomery
Director of Admissions, School of Social Work
512-471-7482
almontgomery@mail.utexas.edu