Educating BSW Social Workers through an Asynchronous Online

Degree Completion Program

Briar Cliff UniversityHeather Craig-Oldsen, Professor of Social Work

Sister Shirley Fineran, Director of Field EducationLiz Rembold, Program Director

This session will…

•Describe six essential elements of effective and ethical online degree completion program development• Identify common pitfalls in degree completion

program development and ways to address the pitfalls•Apply effective strategies to their own online program

development

Successful Program Launch in Fall 2014• Replace this with a screen shot of online web page

Briar Cliff’s Six Essential Elements

1. curriculum design that assures the development of the relational skills and integrative knowledge essential in BSW generalist social work practice

2. consideration and effective utilization of the university’s learning management system capabilities

Briar Cliff’s Six Essential Elements (cont.)

3. development of effective and ethical outreach to geographically isolated and other individuals who are interested in the BSW degree

4. securing broad university and administrative support of the online program’s gatekeeping responsibilities

Briar Cliff’s Six Essential Elements (cont.)

5. coordination with the Council on Social Work Education to assure that educational standards are achieved

6. active involvement of students and alumni advisors in the development of the online program

curriculum design

• 77 credits required for acceptance• All required SWRK courses, three electives, one theology course• Faculty collaboration is essential• Think engagement – what works online?

curriculum design – thinking engagement • SWRK 230 (intro) – ecosystem videos• SWRK 230 (intro) – oral exams over principles, values and standards• SWRK 320 (HBSE) – ePortfolio projects• SWRK 370 (Practice I and Lab) – social worker interview videos• SWRK 370 (Practice I and Lab) – weekly Skype consultations• SWRK 370 (Practice I and Lab) – two community mentors

curriculum design – thinking engagement (cont.)

• SWRK 360 (policy) – ePortfolio legislative project• SWRK 360 (policy) – video advocacy project• SWRK 375 (practice II) – video recorded group leadership• SWRK 381 (practice III) – • SWRK 382 (practice III) – • SWRK 448(seminar) – • SWRK 449(seminar) –

utilization of the university’s learning management system capabilities

• Angel to Brightspace (D2L)• Supportive IT staff• Expectations of technical requirements

effective and ethical outreach to geographically isolated and other individuals

• CSWE website• State-specific regulations and limitations• Management of Google search function (responsive webmaster)• Regional public radio• Articulation agreements• Word of mouth

effective and ethical outreach to geographically isolated and other individuals – word of mouth

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/5eyzu68x49922uk/20150331_103807.mp4?dl=0

effective and ethical outreach to geographically isolated and other individuals – social media and word of mouth

• following was sent to us from a campus student looking for an MSW program and happened upon the following…

effective and ethical outreach to geographically isolated and other individuals – word of mouth

securing broad university and administrative support of the online program’s gatekeeping responsibilities

• Requires persistent and consistent education of administration

• Big question – if the program is successful, will administration provide necessary support?

coordination with the CSWE

• Remember to complete the “Change of Program” forms required for any significant change to the program

• Talk with your accreditation specialist often (BCU communicated during the five years of research and planning)

Lessons learned…

• Rapid growth is impossible to predict• Change management is essential• Remain flexible and responsive• Spell out the details and requirements of your rigorous academic

program (e.g., each three-hour course requires 8 – 10 hours of weekly study)• Remember that directions get lost! – Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Final comments from Alexis – one of the first students• https://vimeo.com/120600508

Questions?