At the Forefront of Social Work Education: The Quinnipiac University Master of Social Work Program

Donna Leigh Bliss, PhD

Present my vision for the Quinnipiac University Master of Social Work Program

Discuss how I will continue with my scholarship while serving as Director of MSW program

Propose a blueprint for developing and implementing the MSW program

Objectives

www.BlissPortfolio.com

Vision for the Quinnipiac University Master of Social

Work ProgramGlobal Leadership in Healthcare Practice, Policy, Research, and Advocacy

Regional Map of Current MSW Programs

Build on strengths of Quinnipiac University◦ Student-centered focus◦ Emphasis on healthcare◦ Interdisciplinary collaboration◦ Good fit with many undergraduate majors

Focus on trends in social work education◦ Be a leader rather than a follower in social work education◦ Students as “citizens of the world”

Incorporate my vision for social work◦ Taking a leadership role in addressing pressing social

problems in the world in areas of practice, policy, research, and advocacy

Three Critical Factors

Build on Strengths of Quinnipiac University Provide a stimulating

environment that promotes intellectual and personal development of students

Focus on leadership in healthcare with Schools of Health Sciences, Medicine, and Nursing

Pathway to graduate degree for many undergraduate majors◦ Psychology, sociology,

criminal justice, gerontology, health and sciences study, social services

Smaller class sizes and personalized attention and devotion of professors who embrace teaching and mentoring students

Focus on Trends in Social Work Education Competency-based

education in practice, research, policy, and advocacy domains

Seamless transition along micro-macro continuum

Students as “citizens of the world” by taking leadership position on global as well as local and national perspectives

Explore ways to utilize digital and social media in the service of promoting social work values

Target needs of non-traditional students◦ Hybrid learning options

Focus on healthcare◦ Gerontology, addiction,

mental health, etc.

Incorporate My Vision for Social Work

Veterans Dept. Will Increase Mental Health Staffing

Return to social work roots◦ Take a primary leadership

role in confronting social problems

Abandon the false dichotomy between micro and macro◦ Focus on the global social

work leadership Option to specialize through

certificate programs Flexible curriculum responds

to contemporary issues

Embrace advocacy◦ Use 21st century digital

and social media tools to advocate on local, state, national, and global levels

◦ Give voice to social work values by promoting social and economic justice for vulnerable and marginalized populations Students want to learn

how to do this

Global Leadership is an innovative multidimensional and dynamic curriculum model ◦ Global refers not just to a geographic perspective, but also to a

holistic perspective on responding to social problems in the areas of practice, research, policy, and advocacy by seamlessly transitioning along various domains

◦ Leadership refers to taking an explicit and robust position on addressing pressing social problems in the world Help students become “citizens of the world” Social workers are thought leaders

Builds on Quinnipiac University focus on healthcare◦ Emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration within University and with

community partners Strong emphasis on role of faculty in mentoring and

teaching students to strive for and achieve excellence

Global Leadership in Healthcare Practice, Policy, Research, and Advocacy

Macro

Micro

Practice Policy Research Advocacy

My Plan for Continued

ScholarshipTeaching, research, service, and advocacy

My Scholarship Agenda Writing

◦ Write a book on 21st century social work education

Research◦ Examine ways to improve

treatment outcomes for persons with substance abuse disorders

◦ Continue publishing empirical research and practice models

◦ Seek external funding Teaching

◦ Continue teaching courses in clinical practice with addictive disorders and macro-level social work practice

Service◦ Continue to develop

service-learning projects with community agencies and students

◦ Recovery.org websites Advocacy

◦ Continue to explore how to teach students how to use digital and social media

◦ Leadership development

My Two Signature Initiatives Center for Holistic

Addiction Research and Treatment◦ Submit SEAT proposal to

NIAAA◦ Emphasis on

interdisciplinary collaborative partnerships

◦ Practice, research, policy, and advocacy focus

◦ Student involvement via field placements, service-learning, and class work

Maternal and Child Health Post-Graduate Leadership Academy◦ Collaborate with University

of Maryland School of Social Work

◦ Expand geographic footprint for post-graduate social workers

◦ Include component for students who want to focus on maternal and child health

Blueprint for Developing and Implementing MSW

ProgramFrom vision to reality

Phase 1: Preplanning◦ Candidacy timeframe, resource allocation, broad

marketing strategy, identify broad curriculum themes Phase 2: Planning

◦ Begin candidacy process, shared vision, curriculum development, market analysis, hire faculty

Phase 3: Development◦ Attain candidacy, develop policies and procedures,

hire faculty, market program, begin admissions Phase 4: Implementation

◦ Formal launch, begin classes

Four Phases

Explore broad themes for MSW program◦ Based on preliminary market analysis

Assess candidacy process ◦ Critical tasks and timeframes

Determine feasible launch date for program◦ Fall 2014 versus Fall 2013

Identify resource requirements◦ Develop budget

Develop broad strokes for marketing strategy Green light MSW program development

process

Phase 1: Preplanning

Begin process for attaining CSWE candidacy◦ Create candidacy timeline

Conduct formal market research◦ Demographic profiles of internal and markets

Develop shared vision through consulting with internal and external constituencies◦ Create buy-in

Create formal marketing strategy◦ Target internal and external markets

Hire faculty Curriculum development

◦ Key factor in candidacy process (Benchmark 1)

Phase 2: Planning

Attain candidacy◦ Stay on top of process to ensure timely success

Hire faculty◦ Teambuilding and collaborative relationships

Develop policies and procedures Implement marketing strategy

◦ Create buzz and build momentum Start admissions process

◦ Provide concierge-level service to applicants◦ Create brand identity

Phase 3: Development

Formally launch program◦ Capitalize on accomplishment to showcase

leadership stature of Quinnipiac University Begin classes

◦ MSW Program is now a reality Continue marketing program Continue with accreditation process Begin strategic plan development process

to guide future growth of MSW program

Phase 4: Implementation

Thank you