The OSU COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK

William (Bill) Meezan Dean and Professor Presentation to the Council of Deans March 25, 2008

Increasing Demand for Social Workers

The demand for professional social work practitioners is great – The majority of mental health, child welfare, and family services in the US are provided by social workers – Social workers are an integral component of interdisciplinary teams in education, health care, and gerontology – One finds trained social workers in the fields of substance abuse, corrections, juvenile justice, economic security, and employee assistance – Substantial numbers of social workers provide counseling and psychotherapy through private practices Data from national studies indicate that the demand for masters-level prepared social workers will increase significantly in the coming years – The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 18 to 26 percent increase in the demand for new social workers by the year 2014 – The Wall Street Journal named social work a “best career” for the future

Barriers to Meeting Demand/ Recruitment to the Profession

Salaries, both starting and ongoing – For early career social workers BSSW median salaries -- $32,115 MSW median salaries -- $43,241 Debt load of students Need for better match between providers with those who utilize service – Issues of minority recruitment and diversity Difficulty of work – Nature of presenting problems and available, proven, evidence-based interventions – Nature of the work environment leading to high turnover – Lack of commitment to the welfare state and institutional supports

Barriers to Meeting Demand/ Recruitment to the Profession

Graying of professionals Despite number of educational programs, educational pipeline is insufficient to meet demand – Large number of small programs – 12% of faculty positions go unfilled; small programs still hiring MSWs Social Work is a female-dominated profession – Significant salary gap between men and women (>$7000 controlling for other vars.) – Differential working patterns of women (child rearing; work patterns in later years) Image (welfare; child protective services, etc.) – Social Work Image Campaign currently under way – Social Work Reinvestment Act just introduced into Congress – Patterning our efforts on the successful transition of nursing

Context of Social Work Education

Nationally – 482 Bachelors Programs – 212 Masters Programs – 81 Doctoral Program In Ohio – 25 Bachelors Programs – 8 Masters Programs – 2 Doctoral Programs Few “national” programs

Bifurcation of Professional Education

Education at the bachelors and masters levels is focused on training practitioners Education at the doctoral level is (usually) focused on training for knowledge development Bachelors and masters programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; no doctoral program accreditation Doctoral programs in social work vary tremendously one from another – Most require students who have been trained for professional practice to make a number of transitions to become scholars who will have the dual roles of advancing social work knowledge and training professional practitioners.

The OSU College of Social Work

First accredited in 1929, The College of Social Work at OSU is the nation's oldest continuingly accredited social work program in a public university. USNWR ranked 15 th among publics; 24 th among all programs Rankings are reputational; not part of the NRC; Professional organization of deans is attempting to benchmark schools based on objective criteria since NRC refused our request to be included – Ranked only every four years; next rankings are due out shortly – Rankings are supposedly of MSW programs, but in reality are not; dominated by large programs; oldest programs in private universities; and “free standing” schools/colleges – Mix in rankings between “research” schools and “practice” schools – In last 12 years, few changes in reputational rankings among top 15 programs – Small changes in reputational scores make for large gains/losses in rankings

Vision/Mission

VISION

Embrace Difference. Seek Justice. Be the Change.

MISSION (pending final approval)

The College of Social Work, through excellence in teaching, research, and service, prepares leaders who enhance individual and community well-being, celebrate difference, and promote social and economic justice for vulnerable populations. The College fosters social change through collaboration with individuals, families, communities, and other change agents to build strengths and resolve complex individual and social problems. As an internationally recognized College, we build and apply knowledge that positively impacts Ohio, the nation, and the world.

CORE VALUES Dignity and worth of the person.

Importance of human relationships.

Building knowledge through open inquiry.

Competence.

Integrity.

Social Justice.

Service.

(Derived from the NASW Code of Ethics)

COLLEGE IS MODERATE SIZE FOR SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM BUT A SMALL UNIT FOR CAMPUS 250 Undergraduates – 100 freshmen and sophomores (pre-social work majors); 150 majors – 27% non-white; 87% women 450 Masters’ students -- full-, part-time, and advanced standing program – 23% non-white; 85% women 45 Doctoral students – 35% non-white; 80% women 29 Tenure Line Faculty – 24% non-white; 69% women 5 Field Faculty (Soon move to clinical) – 20% non-white; 100% women

Four Strategic Areas

Renew the College’s educational programs Enhance the research infrastructure of the college and the research productivity of the faculty Review and enhance the administrative infrastructure at the college Enhance the diversity of students, faculty, and staff at the college

Educational Programs: The BSSW

Offers a generalist curriculum that prepares graduates to work in any social welfare agencies or institution.

The Career Acceleration Plan (CAP) permits a limited number of students to complete the BSSW in one year (four quarters) Newly revitalized Honors Program Future Plans – Revitalization of the curriculum in preparation for CSWE accreditation in 2010 – Increase pre-social work program to 150; increase undergraduate majors to 200 on Columbus Campus – Potentially bring undergraduate major to three regional campuses (Mansfield, Lima, Marion) – Develop and offer minors Addictions Studies Social Justice – Offer additional undergraduate courses available to all undergraduates

Educational Programs The MSW

Offers specializations in direct social work practice and social administration. Has significant course offerings in the fields of health, mental health, behavioral health, child welfare, developmental disabilities, aging, and corrections Offers MSW program at three regional campuses (Mansfield, Newark and Lima Offers two additional off campus programs (FCCS and Wright State) – Potential program with ADAMH Board and its agencies Offers dual degrees with Public Policy and Management; City and Regional Planning; Public Health

The MSW Other Significant Program Features

One of two programs in the state that trains and certifies school social workers Participates the interdisciplinary graduate programs in aging, women’s studies, disability studies, sexuality studies, interprofessional practice Allows minor in African American studies Offers certificate in AIDS care – Additional certificates under consideration: Non-profit management; The addictions; Jewish Communal Services Emerging Commitment to Internationalization – New course in Comparative Social Welfare (2008) – Study abroad programs for students in Poland and India (current) – Plans for study abroad programs to Ghana (2009), and Mexico (2010).

MSW – Plans for Future

Revitalization/renewal of the curriculum in preparation for CSWE accreditation in 2010 Determine multiple measures for assessment of student competencies and program performance.

Develop benchmarks for student and program performance.

Establish protocol for using data to review and enhance curriculum Initiate annual performance reports to the college community.

BSSW and MSW Field Education

The College, through its office of field education, places over 600 students per year in over 500 social service agencies.

Total number of volunteer hours provided to social service agencies through internships is approximately 251,200 hours.

Directions – Define and implement “best practices” in field education – Certify students on standardized field competencies – Certify field instructors beyond basic requirements – Assess possibility for international field placements – Assess possibility of alternative (including block) field placements

The Ph.D. Program

Only Ph.D. program in a public university in the state Interdisciplinary in nature Currently provides full- and part-time options Very selectively admits students to the combined MSW-Ph.D. Admits a very select group of students without the MSW Future – Total curriculum renewal to prepare students to be placed in the best of the social work programs – Continued conversion of GAA to GRA positions; Increased number of College funded GRA positions – Develop paid research internships in community – Provide additional mechanisms for Ph.D. student publications – Potential partnership with Ohio University

Build Research Agenda and Productivity

Concentrate in three broad areas – Families and children – Health and behavioral health – Aging To date: – Appointed an Associate Dean for Research and Faculty Development – Provided support staff to research office – Reduced teaching load – Established Research Advisory Committee – Instituted “seed grant” competition for faculty – Submitted capital budget proposal, which is now being costed, for funds to (among other things) remodel the second floor of old Stillman Hall to create a Research Center.

Build Research Agenda and Productivity

To Date – Instituted a monthly research brown bag series. – Instituted “statistics/technical assistance” brown bags.

– Four College-supported GAAs, have redeployed for faculty use as GRAs – Contracted for statistical consultation for faculty – Contracted for ongoing consultation from an outside experts to help with issues regarding research infrastructure development, proposal review, and federal grant submissions.

– Increased formal interaction with leading scholars dealing with cutting edge issues such as translational research and the development, implementation, and evaluation of evidence based interventions The Future – Greater exploration/achievement of interdisciplinary work – Partnerships with more established units on campus

Research Accomplishments

Current research portfolio is @$2 million; >100% increase in three years; most from state and other social service agencies More funded research projects this year than in any previous years 50% of faculty now have funded research; goal is 75% More IDC recovery now than in past; not “steady” and therefore not included in budgeting PBA Many more submissions in response to Federal RFA/RFPs than ever before in the College’s history.

Staffing

Currently undergoing HR position audit Must meet demands for staffing in: – Alumni Affairs – Communications – Recruitment – IT Helpdesk – Grants coordination

Enhancing Diversity

While one of the most diverse units on campus, there is a need to continue to improve in this area given the field and those it serves.

– Students Increase student recruitment efforts Move toward offering evening/weekend courses Development of articulation agreements with junior/technical colleges Develop mentoring network at the college Establish “immersion” course dealing with minority groups and perspectives – Faculty Appointed racial minority faculty member to lead searches for faculty Establish “pipeline” to minority students in high quality PhD programs

QUESTIONS?