Social Work Commons^™

Defining Success: Reconsidering A Successful Transition Into Adulthood For Ethnic Minority Former Foster Youth, Benjamin T. Bencomo

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

The following banded dissertation is comprised of three separate products that together provide a complete exploration of the dominant markers of success for former foster youth as they transition into adulthood. This banded dissertation reveals how those markers may not be adequate when applied to ethnically diverse members of this vulnerable population. The first product is a conceptual manuscript that provides an overall theoretical and contextual orientation from which to examine these concerns, namely a sociocultural and situational framework. The second product details findings from a thematic analysis of eight semi-structured individual interviews with youth who had recently emancipated from …

An Innovative Approach To Helping Students Overcome Bottlenecks In Social Work Education Using Self-Study, Jeanne Goins Dulworth

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation focuses on a new teaching method called Decoding the Disciplines Model and how it can be used to help students move past difficult concepts. The conceptual framework through which this model will be applied also includes a comprehensive self-study and the use of reflection in the classroom. When using this model and framework, educators can improve student learning as well as become more informed educators. The banded dissertation contains three products.

The first product is a manuscript which makes the case for the Decoding the Disciplines Model to help students become unstuck on concepts, theories, or ideas …

Exploring The Flipped Classroom Model: In Social Work Education, Debbie Gonzalez

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This dissertation explores the use of a flipped classroom pedagogy in social work education. Flipped classroom pedagogy, a methodology which inverts the common instructional paradigm, has potential to offer an engaging framework for social work educators to implement in the classroom. The flipped pedagogical design provides a method in which to organize course content and promote innovative methods of student collaboration. In addition, the flipped classroom promotes an interactive learning process, in contrast to the passive learning environment of the traditional classroom. Currently, there is a lack of literature in social work regarding the implementation of this pedagogy into the …

Expanding The View: A Look At Online Social Work Education Through A Liberatory Lens, Rachael A. Richter

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This Banded Dissertation explores the use of an alternative paradigm known as liberatory pedagogy in online social work education. Liberatory pedagogy has the potential to enhance the quality of online education because of its strong alignment with social work professional values, ethics, and required educational competencies. This compilation of research includes educator and student perspectives.

The first product of this Banded Dissertation is a Scholarly Personal Narrative that delves into the author’s development as an educator and her understanding of liberatory pedagogical concepts including body, mind, spirit, and voice. The author reflects on pivotal teaching and learning experiences and shares …

Towards A Strengths Orientation In Child Welfare: Theory, Pedagogy And Practice, Mary M. Kirk

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Underpinning social work education and social work practice are approaches that embrace strengths and resilience perspectives. Social work education aimed at students preparing for work in child welfare is no exception. This banded dissertation consists of three products that address linkages between strengths and resilience perspectives to social work education and practice with families involved in child welfare. The first paper is a conceptual article that discusses engaged pedagogy, transformative learning and reflective teaching pedagogies specific to child welfare-focused social work education. The paper explores the cogency of these pedagogies as powerful approaches for educating and preparing social work students …

Reconsidering The Social Work Education Continuum: Social Work Education At Community Colleges In The United States, Rex J. Rempel

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) will soon revise the social work education continuum by welcoming practice doctoral programs into membership, leaving community colleges as the only excluded level of higher education in social work. The three connected products in this banded dissertation use critical pedagogy and post-positivist perspectives to explore how and why social work education evolved independently at community colleges, one of the largest, most diverse, and most affordable educational systems in the United States.

Product One employs qualitative historical research to identify the forces which led community colleges and CSWE down separate paths between 1950 and …

Self-Determined Service-Learning Framework: Enhancing Graduate Students’ Perceptions Of Competence, Jamie Langlois

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Decades of research have demonstrated that service-learning is an effective pedagogy. However, service-learning practices in higher education were primarily designed for undergraduate students. Leading scholars in community-engaged research have begun to acknowledge that distinct practices are needed for graduate-level service-learning. This banded dissertation begins to fill this gap by infusing Self-Determination Theory (SDT) with service-learning pedagogy to meet graduate students’ needs and enhance their self-efficacy. The first product is a conceptual manuscript that explores the potential relationship between SDT and curricular service-learning on the graduate level. Initial findings suggest that infusing SDT allows students the freedom to follow their interests …

Advancing Social Work Education For Practice In Healthcare: Transforming Education And Bridging The Classroom To Practice Gap, Katrinna M. Matthews

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation explores medical social work education as it relates to teaching social work students the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective in a healthcare setting. In addition, this banded dissertation identifies deficits in current curricula related to medical social work education and barriers to effective medical social work practice. This banded dissertation consists of three separate but closely related scholarly products. Bronstein’s Model of Interdisciplinary Collaboration, the Biopsychosocial-spiritual model, and the authors lived experiences serve as the conceptual framework that supports the findings of this research.

The first scholarly product is a conceptual article that examines the …

Harnessing Social Media For Good: How Human Service Nonprofit Organizations Use Social Media To Connect To Stakeholders And Clients, Angela C. Volpe

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation examines how human service nonprofit organizations use social media to connect to stakeholders and clients and makes suggestions for how nonprofits can best utilize this powerful medium in their practice.

The first scholarly product was a qualitative systematic review that examined the existing literature regarding how human service nonprofit organizations use social media to enhance their provision of services for clients. Themes discovered included types of social media being used, levels of human service nonprofit organizations (HSO) social media engagement and reasons for use, and barriers to social media use.

The second scholarly product was a case …

Trauma-Informed Approaches And Ecological Theory: Intervening With Families Experiencing Domestic Violence, Jeannette Baca

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This Banded Dissertation consists of three products connected through a focus on trauma-informed approaches directed at families impacted by domestic violence. In this dissertation a trauma-informed perspective is integrated with ecological theory as a framework to further understand trauma experiences while attending to the uniqueness of individual survivors and their children. This framework generates a foundation for application of supportive interventions for domestic violence survivors and their children, while at the same time maintaining awareness of the survivors as individuals, as families, and as members of their community.

Product One is a conceptual analysis examining the integration of trauma-informed practices …

Simulation As Pedagogy: An Experiential Teaching Strategy For Social Work Education, C. Jean Roberson

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation is an examination of simulation as a pedagogy for social work education. While the Council of Social Work Education recognizes simulation as an accepted pedagogy, there remains little research on its use in social work education. To effectively utilize and structure simulation within the curriculum, more needs to be understood about its influences on social work student development and its fit within the social work educational context.

The first product of this dissertation, a conceptual paper, presents a framework for the use of simulation in social work education. The framework consists of three elements: holistic competency as …

Neurodiversity And Autism Spectrum Disorders: Grounding For Social Work Education And Praxis, Katie Terry

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation includes three products that use neurodiversity as a theoretical framework to explore how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been treated in the social work academy. Neurodiversity is a social movement amongst some individuals with ASD who see the diagnosis as a difference, primarily manifested neurologically, in how their brains, senses, emotions and beings are different than typical people, which itself represents a type of diversity.

The first product is a paper that explores the emergence of the neurodiversity movement in the early 2000’s and the cogent factors that inspired this movement. The connection to social work’s strength-based …

The Case For Trauma-Informed Corrections, C. J. Van Wright

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation focuses on the beneficial impact of trauma-informed practices with women in correctional facilities—a vital issue given that there has been a 700% increase in women’s incarceration rates since 1980. The conceptual paper argues that a trauma-informed correctional system benefits both incarcerated women and correctional staff. The qualitative case study presents findings from semi-structured interviews with correctional staff, officers, and administrators about their experiences implementing trauma-informed practice in a women’s correctional facility. The third product in this banded dissertation is a presentation of the case study findings at a peer-reviewed regional conference in the field of criminal justice …

Strengths-Based Theory In Direct Service For Immigrants And Forced Migrants, Dawn Brubaker

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Global migration patterns are increasing due to human and environmental causes of displacement. Immigrants or migrants are people who chose to migrate to a new country and forced migrants are those who arrived into a nation but were forced to leave their home. Migration into the U.S. is positive because it offsets low population growth and supports economic engines. It is important to make support available due to the trauma of displacement for these groups.

The first product is a conceptual framework concept called intercultural service coordination, and trauma-informed care with service coordination. This conceptual framework for immigrants and forced …

Natural Connections: Social Work’S Role In Mending Human And Environmental Relationships, Leah L. Prussia

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Just as seasons shift and migration patterns modify in response to human impact, so too must social work. Along with the human contingency silenced by oppression, climate change disproportionately burdens the voiceless: the rooted, Nibi – water, Aki – Earth, winged, fourlegged, swimmers, and crawlers. Though the natural world has become part of social work’s discourse in recent decades, it is time to move beyond contemplative words and take action. This banded dissertation consists of three scholarly products that explore the past and present state of social work’s relationship with the natural environment through the frames of Indigenous knowledge and …

A Historical Look At The Role Of Social Work In Ending Youth Homelessness: Moving Forward, Cheryl Pooler

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation is composed of three products that identify common experiences of and contributing factors to youth homelessness in the Progressive and McKinney-Vento Eras. The first product is a conceptual paper that uses a historical lens to examine the administration of services for homeless youth during the two eras. Focusing on best practices implemented during these periods and their merits and shortcomings, this dissertation approached the eras using a Social-Ecological model, which helped to inform the proposed Nested Model for Ending Youth Homelessness. The second product is a Narrative Review using a qualitative (content analysis) approach to analyze research …

The U.S. Globalization Of Social Work Education: The Impact And Implications On Practice In A Developing Country, Gabriel Donovan Carrillo

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

The focus of this banded dissertation, is the examination of the impact of a U.S. Social Work Education Curriculum on the practice of social work globally. Globalization of social work education is explored through the lens of cultural hegemony; the author then uses the principles of critical pedagogy to address the imbalances uncovered and to promote educational liberation especially in developing countries. The Banded Dissertation is comprised of three products, two of which will be research papers and the third, an overview of a peer-reviewed conference presentation.

The preparations or lack thereof, for international students who come to study social …

Social Work’S Dynamic Role In Oncology: Providing Leadership For Environmental Responsiveness, J. Sky Niesen

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Social work has a long standing relationship with healthcare. Beginning in the settlement house movement, social workers have provided a dynamic micro, mezzo, and macro role in medical settings. Social work’s ecological systems perspective allows for the inclusion of environmental and social justice factors in healthcare delivery. Ecological theory, epistemologically rooted in social work, is used as a conceptual framework throughout the three products, as the contextual environment is viewed as integral in understanding cancer patient experiences.

The first product of this Banded Dissertation is a conceptual article detailing the need for culturally responsive practice methods in oncology care with …

Geriatric Social Work Education From Early Beginnings To Future Prospects, Angela M. Goins

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation is comprised of three single, but interrelated scholarly products, and explores the inclusion of geriatric content in social work education over the years. System theory and the ecological perspective are the conceptual frameworks used throughout the dissertation. As each product is presented, implications for both social work education and research will be examined.

The first product of the banded dissertation is a historical analysis that identifies and examines the beginnings of geriatric social work education in the history of the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). Using archive material from the 1940’s and 1950’s, this scholarly work, …

Benevolent Sexism: Manifestation In American Social Systems, Amanda D. Greubel

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation focused on the manifestation of benevolent sexism in American social systems, past and present. Benevolent sexism takes a subjectively-positive view of women in traditional roles, revering them as gentle, nurturing, and in need of protection by men or other more powerful members of society. These beliefs fall into three categories: protective paternalism, complementary gender differentiation, and heterosexual intimacy.

The first product was a historical textual analysis of documents from the Council on Social Work Education Task Force on Women. In 1973, the task force surveyed programs about their curricular content on women. Four themes were identified in …

Perception Of Bullying Among Faculty Members: Implications For African American Males, Denetria D. Brooks-James

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This dissertation examines the various perceptions of bullying and the need for a theory that is culturally sensitive and provides the victims with a voice. Bullying adds additional stressors to the lives of its victim, due to lack of research on bullying and its impact on African American males in secondary education, this dissertation primary focus is this population. Implications for a unified definition of bullying, training that is applicable across the cultural spectrum, and the need for continued research are emphasized.

The dissertation is composed of three phenomenological products that together examined the many diverse aspects of bullying. Using …

Faith, Spirituality, And Social Work Education: An Exploration Into The Quest For Integration, Shannon Cassidy Cousineau

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the integration of faith and spirituality in higher education, more specifically for social work students. Faith and spirituality are important aspects of many people’s lives, and it is important for social work students to understand and comfortably discuss issues and strengths around religion and spirituality. Due to its proposition that people are spiritual beings, who believe in something beyond themselves, Transpersonal Theory is used as a guide for this banded dissertation. At its core, Transpersonal Theory provides a foundation for the journey many people take to find a belief in something outside themselves, either physical, emotional, …

Development Of Professional Identity In Social Work Education, Janet Holter

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

The development of social work professional identity is characterized by internalization of the knowledge, skills, values, and mission of social work, and begins with and is shaped by the content, and interactions, as well as student experiences within the context of the social work education curricula. This Banded Dissertation comprising three products centers on the development of professional identity within undergraduate social work education. The first product is a qualitative study in which the author examined student perceptions of professional identity, student definitions and perceptions of how social work education shapes students’ professional identity. Findings showed that intentional development of …

Implications For Youth Identified On A Criminal Justice-Based List, Lisa Borneman

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the implications of being identified on a list based on criminal justice involvement. The list of interest was the Downtown 100 (DT100), a list of youth and adults with significant involvement in the criminal justice system in an upper Midwest urban center. The main identified commonality for those identified on the DT100 is homelessness, while he commonality not readily identified is that most people on the DT100 are people of color. Issues common to youth identified on this criminal justice-based list include a potential for criminal identity, increased risk, and stigma. The …

Self-Care: A Model Of Prevention & Sustainability In Social Work Practice, Mindy Eaves

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation focuses on self-care as an imperative in social work practice. In the context of this banded dissertation self-care is defined as “the balancing activities in which social workers can engage to preserve personal longevity and happiness, their relationships, and their careers.” (Smullens, 2015, p. 6). According to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Delegate Assembly passed a policy statement placing self-care in the forefront of social work practice (2008). The NASW noted that self-care required deeper examination in the social work profession. This banded dissertation research centers on self-care as a model of prevention & sustainability …

Using An Exploratory Approach To Describe Issues That Affect African American Males In The Field Of Social Work, Quincy Dinnerson

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation examined some of the issues of black men in the field of social work. Some of the issues to explored included social acceptance, oppression, and emotional and moral support, to name a few. The researcher goal was to gain more insight into the African American male social work experiences. The researcher used Afrocentric theory in this banded dissertation. Afrocentric theory considers the worldviews of African Americans with the understanding that historically African Americans are an oppressed population.

The first product of this banded dissertation is a conceptual paper that focuses on whether social work implicit curricular support …

Examining Influencing Factors On Bsw Students’ Intent To Persist, Teresa L. Beadlescomb

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Students of color remain underrepresented in social work education programs. According to the Council on Social Work Education (2016), only 37.4% of the 19,596 BSW degrees awarded during the 2014-2015 academic year, were awarded to students from historically underrepresented groups (CSWE, 2016). The first product of this banded dissertation presents a conceptual framework, through the lens of empowerment theory, for understanding the varied and nuanced influencing factors contributing to BSW students’ intent to persist. This paper explored ways in which social work programs are and are not providing opportunities for students to demonstrate that they are motivated and competent learners …

Social Work Ethics And Organizational Culture: A Gap In Social Work Education And Social Work Field Education, Stephanie A. Bradford

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Social work education and the signature pedagogy of social work, field education, allow students to learn social work ethics. Within the agency setting of field placement, social work students experience organizational culture and organizational climate. The purpose of this banded dissertation is to understand the relationship between ethics learned within the classroom and field education, specific to organizational culture and organizational climate. Ecological and general systems theory provides the conceptual framework to understand the relationship.

Social work ethics and organizational culture are experienced in field education. Product One, a conceptual paper, asserts the need for understanding organizational culture and its …

Advancing Social Welfare Policy Through Critical Social Work Education And Practice, Rebecca Hoffman

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

Practitioners in the critical tradition seek to identify the shortcomings of systems and beliefs that contribute to an ineffective social welfare system (Forte, 2007). This dissertation examines the intersectional systems of macro social work education practice. It explores the early history of macro social work education and practice and provides a contemporary practice application for shaping agency-level policies that address the subjugation of marginalized populations.

The first product is a critical analysis of Council on Social Work Education’s Community Organizing Curriculum Development Project (COCDP). It illustrates the focalization of macro social work education during a transitional period in which social …

Tribal Sovereign Status: Conceptualizing Its Integration Into The Social Work Curriculum, Amy Fischer Williams

Doctor of Social Work Banded Dissertations

This banded dissertation contains three related products: a conceptual article, a research article, and the development of an original social work course. Together the products conceptualize, research, and envision how accredited social work programs can integrate tribal sovereign status relevant theories and concepts into curriculum to prepare social workers to collaborate and work with Indigenous peoples and communities. The primary conceptual framework that informs the dissertation is decolonization theory. Decolonization entails a broad theoretical spectrum that includes both philosophical-oriented and action-effort approaches to combat the generational effects that colonization has inflected on Indigenous peoples (Gray, M., Coates, J., Yellow Bird, …