Saint Louis University School of Social Work Timeline
The Saint Louis University School of Social Work was formed in 1930. It has been continually accredited since 1933 and is currently accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Built upon an unwavering commitment to social justice, the school is a leader in integrating
social work practice and education with faculty members who have made substantial
contributions to the profession.
Interactive teaching methods integrate community-based practice with classroom activities
and discussions. Small class sizes facilitate an atmosphere of intellectual dialogue
that fosters relationships between students and faculty.
1930
Social work education at Saint Louis University is founded with Joseph C. Husslein, S.J., as dean in 1930 in the wake of the nation's stock market crash. It emerges as one of the first social work programs in the region.
1933
The social work program is accredited in 1933 by the American Association of Schools of Social Work and converts its social work program to a master's level degree. The social work program offers late afternoon and early evening classes not available in other schools at the time. As a result, the program draws men and women from throughout the nation to pursue social work degrees.
1939
The social work program becomes the first department at Saint Louis University to admit an African American student.
1940
Aloysius H. Scheller, S.J., succeeds Father Husslein and directs the school for the next 23 years.
1952
The social work program is admitted as an accredited charter member of the Council on Social Work Education.
1963
Bernard Coughlin, S.J., becomes director of the social work program, a position he holds for the next 11 years.
1964
The social work program separates from SLU's Graduate School to become an autonomous School of Social Work with its own dean.
1971
The School of Social Work moves into its current home, Tegeler Hall, named after Jerome F. Tegeler, a 1929 SLU graduate and member of the Board of Trustees whose generous donation made the new structure a reality.
Tegeler's son, Timothy Tegeler, continues the family's commitment to the school. His financial contributions have been significant in assuring that Tegeler Hall is maintained as a modern, well-equipped, state-of-the art building.
1974
The School of Social Work adds a bachelor's of science in social work.
1996
Father William Hutchison (dean, 1984 to 1995) collaborates with Dr. Susan Tebb (dean, 1995 to 2007) to create the Doerr Center for Social Justice Education and Research. The center was initially funded by a generous gift from Emmett J. and Mary Martha Doerr and hosts a wide range of activities to support social justice.
2005
The School of Social Work joins the College of Education and Public Service as one of five professional programs.
2007
The School of Social Work adds an evening undergraduate program. Donald Linhorst, Ph.D., becomes director of the school.
2009
The School of Social Work adds a continuing education program.
2010
The School of Social Work adds the first off-campus master's of social work program.
2011
The School of Social Work adds programs in applied behavior analysis.
2013
SLU's schools of public health and social work combined to form the College for Public Health and Social Justice. The School of Social Work also adds a criminology and criminal justice program.
2022
The School of Social Work becomes an independent academic unit with Noelle E. Fearn, Ph.D., as its dean.