Fayetteville State Adds VR and AI to Social Work
Fayetteville State University has introduced virtual reality and artificial intelligence-assisted training to its Master of Social Work programme for spring 2026, becoming the first school in North Carolina to use the Virtual Social Work Trainer developed by the University of Utah’s Social Research Institute.
The platform combines the Virtual Home Simulation with the Virtual Motivational Interviewing application. Students take part in home visit scenarios and client interview situations that involve high-stakes decision-making. FSU developed the training approach through work with the University of Utah and the Cumberland County Department of Social Services.
Enrolment in the university’s hybrid Master of Social Work programme increased by 79.4% for the most recent incoming cohort. The rise followed improvements in how students learn, including an expansion of simulation-based learning.
The programme prepares students for high-need areas including child welfare and public health. Child welfare workers remain in their roles for about a year before leaving because of stress, burnout or expectations that do not match reality. FSU uses classroom simulations to expose students to real-life scenarios while permitting teachers to guide them without putting actual clients at risk.
The university’s proximity to Fort Bragg has helped it develop partnerships on post. These include student placements and a Military Behavioural Health Certificate programme that prepares students to work with active-duty service members and their families.
Social workers work in hospitals, schools, public health departments, non-profit organisations, policy and advocacy groups, private practices and veterinary clinics. Their roles include working with survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, assisting military families, shaping legislation and providing therapy and mental health services.
The School of Social Work collaborates with the Department of Public Health and organisations such as the Southern Regional Area Health Education Centre. Through programmes such as the AHEC Scholars Program, students can work in public health settings while receiving a stipend to offset travel costs and related expenses.
FSU is building an online Master of Social Work programme for students who cannot attend face-to-face classes because of geography, work or family obligations. The university offers Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programmes, as well as graduate certificate programmes.
