An UNCOMMON School of Social Work
From in-demand mental health skills and change-inspiring macro practice, to global knowledge and impactful state child welfare services, to community-engaged research and solutions, we're preparing our students, engaging with stakeholders and empowering the workforce.
Learn more about some of our UNCOMMON initiatives.
Our concentration: Competent practitioners
Mental health initiatives
We're helping meet the need for mental health providers and other clinical social workers through innovative partnerships, clinical skills labs, a focus on serious mental illness, new academic minors and certificates, and more. Learn more
Macro initiatives
We're translating our alumni’s passion and energy for macro to developing future practitioners. With a Macro Discovery Series and Macro Fellows cohort, our macro professionals are helping students envision their future selves as agents for systemic change. Learn more
Our reach: Virginia & around the world
Child welfare initiatives
We're supporting stronger, more resilient children, youth and families in the commonwealth of Virginia through stipend-supported workforce development; education and training for students, social services staff and resource families; and continuing professional development to prepare social workers to support families working to overcome substance use disorders. Learn more
International social work
We're creating research partnerships, learning opportunities and teaching collaborations that are spanning from Richmond across the globe, furthering knowledge transfer and skills in both directions. Why? Because social work knows no borders or boundaries. Learn more
Our expertise: Community-engaged + lived experience
Evaluation Lab
We're providing holistic and comprehensive services to community partners and field agencies, including program evaluation, data analysis, survey research, grant writing and more – with a particular focus on behavioral health. Learn more
Youth homelessness
We're leveraging an evidence-informed, participatory research model that injects lived experiences into project decision-making and cultivates future leaders – what our faculty call "radical imagination." Learn more
Leading with VCU pride 🖤 💛
Two principals of national social work organizations are M.S.W. alumni from the School of Social Work.
Anthony Estreet (M.S.W.'07), Ph.D.
CEO, National Association of Social Workers
VCU is definitely top tier. I particularly loved that I went to VCU, and as you can see, my education has certainly helped me a lot in my career."
Renata Hedrington-Jones (M.S.W.'87), Ph.D.
President, National Association of Black Social Workers
I always talk about my school, my alma mater. And so one of the girls said, ‘Damn, we have to hear about you and that VCU ...?’ And I said, ‘Yes, you’re going to hear it. You’re going to hear everything I have to say about VCU.' "
Drinks & Dialogue with the Dean: Join us!
Meet with Dean Gary Cuddeback as he goes on the road around the commonwealth and Washington, D.C., in 2025-26. All events are 6-8 p.m. unless noted.
- Oct. 16, 2025 – Charlottesville, Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery » Register by Oct. 10
- Nov. 6, 2025 – Williamsburg, Precarious Beer Project » Register by Oct. 31
- Jan. 16, 2026 – Washington, City Tap House Penn Quarter (Society for Social Work & Research conference) » Register by Jan. 9
- Feb. 18, 2026 – Roanoke, Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery » Register by Feb. 11
- March 5, 2026 – Richmond, Ford's Garage Short Pump » Register by Feb. 27
- April 17, 2026 – Virginia Beach, Topgolf » Register by April 8