Fayetteville State University is preparing to introduce advanced virtual reality and artificial intelligence-assisted training into its social work curriculum starting in spring 2026. Through collaboration with the University of Utah and the Cumberland County Department of Social Services, FSU will be the first academic institution in North Carolina to implement the Virtual Social Work Trainer, developed by the University of Utah’s Social Research Institute. The platform combines the Virtual Home Simulation and the Virtual Motivational Interviewing application, allowing students to engage in high-stakes decision-making within realistic home visit and client interview scenarios.
“FSU is proud to be the first in North Carolina to pioneer the Virtual Social Work Trainer platform from the University of Utah,” said Michelle E. Bates, Ph.D., interim MSW program director and assistant professor, in a press release. “This partnership is about more than just new technology. It gives our students a competitive edge and is transforming how social work is taught across the state. By leading this effort, we ensure that FSU students and the families they serve benefit from the most advanced and hands-on preparation available. We are excited to help set a new standard for child welfare education in North Carolina.”
The partnership was established in spring 2025, following independent inquiries from FSU and Cumberland County DSS regarding the university-developed simulation technology. The three institutions subsequently formed the North Carolina Child Welfare Consortium to align academic preparation with workforce training and to improve child welfare outcomes across the state…