3/11/2021

Director of the Social Work program Martha Haley-Bowling stands with Madison Brown ’21 outside Beckham Hall.

Ferrum College senior and Franklin County native Madison Brown ’21 has become the first Ferrum student to enroll in the University of Pikeville’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program as a result of a partnership forged in July 2020 between Ferrum and UPIKE.  

“I learned about this opportunity by reading Ferrum’s website,” said Brown. “I’d never actually heard of UPIKE before but the information on Ferrum’s site encouraged me to apply. I found out I was accepted on February 12.”  

The agreement between the two institutions states that UPIKE will reserve one seat in its MSW program each academic year for a Ferrum student who meets all early admissions requirements. UPIKE’s offer of admission is open to Ferrum students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), as well as those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any other field, provided that those students have 21 credit hours in liberal studies.

After her graduation from Ferrum College this upcoming May, Brown will enroll in UPIKE’s 30-hour advanced standing online MSW program for students who hold a BSW. UPIKE also offers a 60-hour program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work. Brown has also accepted a position as a family services specialist with the local Franklin County Social Services Department and will begin her new job on May 12.

Brown’s academic advisor at Ferrum, Assistant Professor and Director of the Social Work program Martha Haley-Bowling, is proud of Brown’s acceptance. “Maddie is a diligent student with a strong work ethic that will help her excel in graduate school,” said Haley-Bowling.

“I love the social work program at Ferrum,” said Brown. “I knew I wanted to help other people. Ferrum has given me a wide variety of experiences that really made me feel prepared for my future.”

Learn more about Ferrum College’s BSW program here.

Learn more about the agreement between Ferrum and UPIKE here.

UPIKE President Burton Webb, UPIKE Provost Lori Werth, Ferrum College Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato, and Ferrum College President David Johns.

In July 2020, Ferrum College and the University of Pikeville (UPIKE) entered into an agreement to provide access to a Master of Social Work degree to Ferrum students. 

“Those who make social work a career are special individuals, and knowing that our partnership will play a part in helping those students further their education with a graduate degree is very fulfilling,” said Ferrum College President David Johns.

This agreement is the second in Ferrum and UPIKE’s history together. The two institutions began their initial partnership in September 2019, when UPIKE pledged to reserve one seat each academic year in its Doctor of Optometry program for a Ferrum College student who meets all early admissions criteria.

For UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program, the university has again agreed to reserve one seat each academic year for a Ferrum College student who meets all early admissions requirements. UPIKE’s offer of admission is open to Ferrum students who have earned a Bachelor of Social Work, as well as those who have earned a bachelor’s degree in any other field of study, provided that those students have 21 credit hours in liberal studies. 

“We are fortunate to have such great partners at the University of Pikeville,” Johns continued, “and we are pleased to collaborate with them again to provide new opportunities for our students. This pandemic has highlighted the important role social workers play in holding together the fabric of our society. I am grateful we will be working together to prepare our students for this critical career.”

“Ferrum College and the University of Pikeville are committed to finding additional ways to grow our partnership,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Aimé Sposato. “Our memorandum of understanding regarding the Master of Social Work program at UPIKE will build yet another pathway for Ferrum College students to excel in their purpose.”

UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program is delivered online with courses offered year-round so that students may continue to work while obtaining their degree. The masters program offers a 30-hour advanced standing option for students who hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, and a 60-hour program for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, or who completed a social work degree in a non-accredited program. All accepted students are required to have at least a 3.0 GPA. 

“Our agreement with the University of Pikeville will help Ferrum College graduates press forward in their education to live out our College’s motto, Not Self, But Others,” said Dean of Health Professions and Social Sciences Angie Dahl. “There is a great need for social workers across our region, so we are thrilled to continue building our strong partnership with UPIKE to make these opportunities available to our students.”

“We are very excited by this opportunity to formally connect with UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program,” said Associate Professor of Social Work Martha Haley-Bowling. “Students will have the opportunity to attend a top notch MSW program to further their educational and career goals.”

Learn more about Ferrum College’s social work program here.

Learn more about UPIKE’s Master of Social Work program here.

Ferrum College’s Dean Angie Dahl, Provost Aimé Sposato, and President David Johns signed a memorandum of agreement with University of Pikeville’s President Burton Webb and Provost Lori Werth. Pre-professional health sciences students stand behind with Associate Professor of Biology Katie Goff (center). Not pictured: Michael Bacigalupi, dean of Kentucky College of Optometry.

On Monday, September 9, 2019, Ferrum College and University of Pikeville officials entered into an agreement to work together to provide access to a Doctor of Optometry degree for Ferrum College students. The agreement was signed on the College’s campus by Ferrum College President David Johns and Provost Aimé Sposato, and University of Pikeville President Burton Webb and Provost Lori Werth. Ferrum College Dean of the School of Health Professions and Social Sciences, Angie Dahl, and Kentucky College of Optometry Dean, Michael Bacigalupi, also signed the agreement.

The memorandum of agreement states that the University of Pikeville will reserve one seat each academic year in its Doctor of Optometry Program for a Ferrum College student who meets all criteria for the early admissions program. To be considered, students will need to ensure they are taking the courses required for admittance into the O.D. program; maintain at least a 3.25 GPA while at Ferrum College, earn a “C” or higher in required courses for admission to the University of Pikeville, score at least a 300 on the Optometry Admissions Test, and successfully complete all steps of the application process.

“Ferrum College is delighted to partner with the University of Pikeville to provide this outstanding opportunity for our students,” Johns said. “Both our institutions are committed to the health and vitality of Appalachia and to providing students pathways to innovative and meaningful work.”

“Ferrum College and UPIKE share many similarities and collaborate within the Appalachian College Association,” said Sposato. “With the changing landscape in higher education, institutions are seeking ways to be creative and innovative and recognizing that there are great benefits from establishing partnerships. We are honored to partner with UPIKE and to provide our students with this outstanding opportunity.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students, not only to be provided a rich education in both the liberal arts and pre-professional health sciences at Ferrum College, but also be able to be selected for a seat in a Doctor of Optometry program that is competitive and provides excellent preparation for a career in optometry,” said Dahl.

Learn more about Ferrum College’s pre-professional health sciences program here.

Learn more about University of Pikeville’s Kentucky College of Optometry here.