Experiential learning in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs can be an instrumental pedagogical method of juxtaposing theoretical knowledge with tangible hands-on approaches, enhancing student experience through incorporating curriculum beyond classroom settings. This paper seeks to employ the use of educational theorist David Kolb's Theory of…

This article presents the use of simulation-based learning (SBL) for master-level school social work students at a public university in the Midwest. Findings based on the use of four school-specific case scenarios and subsequent focus group discussions suggest that live simulations can serve as a model to engage students by presenting curricula in…

Social work has seen significant federal investment through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) for Professionals grants. This research note examined differences between BHWET trainees and general MSW graduates regarding self-reported knowledge of integrated behavioral health competencies, job placement, and starting…

The focus of this study was to examine the relationship between the MSW curriculum at one university and 100 MSW students' reported preparedness to interact with the court system in regard to a client. Preparedness to appear in court and the benefit of learning court competencies are assessed using participants' social work employment history and…

Academics at Griffith university envisioned a complementary learning and supportive relationship could be developed between Bachelor of Information Technology (BAIT) students and Master of Social Work (MSW) students. Discussions between discipline specific staff highlighted that each discipline had strengths and expertise that could assist…

Substance use is a chronic social issue that has a substantial effect on social welfare topics in the United States. As one of the primary professions responsible for providing mental health services in the United States, it is imperative that social workers are prepared to meet the challenges presented by this ongoing epidemic. However, several…

This article discusses a framework for training social work students to effectively engage in practice with technology throughout their careers. A competency-driven, activity-based approach using experiential learning is proposed to educate students with varying degrees of comfort with technologies and with intention to practice across different…

Social work and other professions are endeavoring to promote student proficiency with respect to core competencies of the discipline, and the attainment of these competencies must be demonstrated objectively in some way. This article provides an illustrative guide for social work educators seeking to develop comprehensive examinations to assess…

Evaluation methods play a key role in measuring student learning outcomes. Yet traditional assessments focus on assessing student satisfaction with instructors or courses rather than their progress toward competencies. In addition, the common pretest-posttest assessment is problematic because of response-shift bias. Although multiple time point…

This exploratory study examined MSW education's organizational-level lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) competence. Data were gathered from a sample of MSW program directors, faculty members, and students (N=1385) from 34 MSW programs in the United States. Hierarchical linear modeling analyzed differences in perceptions of…

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Identify as a Professional Social Worker Subscale, which assessed the Council on Social Work Education--prescribed competency "identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly." The results of confirmatory factory analysis indicated that…

The Council on Social Work Education's Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards outline expectations for social work education to reflect human diversity in the learning environment. Exposing social work students to a diversity-enriched curriculum can help prepare them for culturally competent practice. This article presents an innovative…

The potential of ePortfolios is derived from a learner's ability to synthesize learning experiences to better understand how seemingly disparate modalities are connected (Alvarez & Moxley, 2004; Chen, 2009). This is best accomplished through a program-wide implementation of ePortfolios, including providing time for selfdirected learning…

Since 2003 MSW students at an urban university have participated in a problem-based learning maternal and child health (MCH) leadership training program sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration. This survey examined overall satisfaction with a leadership training program as well as self-reported leadership competencies in…

Social workers rarely receive education and training in the areas of grief, bereavement, and death and dying, which may lead to difficulties in compassionately and ethically addressing concerns in end-of-life or grief-related contexts. This article presents actual and potential outcomes from three challenging end-of-life case studies using…