Western Carolina University
Department of Social Work: Graduate & Undergraduate Program
College of Health & Human Sciences
Annual Assessment Report for 2007-2008
Primary Contact Name/Info:
Marie Huff, Department Head; G02 McKee; 828-227-3842; mhuff@email.wcu.edu
(John Hodges is incoming social work department head)
Student Learning
Outcome(s) Assessed in
2007-08
Students will practice without
discrimination and with
respect, knowledge and skills
related to clients’ age, class,
color, culture, disability,
ethnicity, family structure,
gender, marital status, national
origin, race, religion, and
sexual orientation.
Students will demonstrate
mastery of social work
knowledge in field practicum
agencies during their last
semester
A majority of student
comments will be positive on
the Senior Student Opinion
Survey and/or the MSW
graduating students survey
Method(s) of Assessment
Exams, presentations, projects,
group activities, role plays,
course grades, field practicum
evaluations, and other graded
learning activities
Evaluations of students by field
instructors and/or field director
or liaison
MSW students were surveyed by
Department Head and specific
questions were added to WCU
alumni survey.
Results of Assessment
A discussion of curriculum changes and
what content is covered in each class was
discussed in several faculty meetings. While
faculty are dedicated to enhancing cultural
competency, faculty agreed that a more
systematic way to evaluate students’
progress in this area is needed in both the
graduate and undergraduate programs.
Dept. head reviewed student evaluations &
examined overall scores in each area;
Advisory committee also gave specific
feedback about what skills they see lacking
in students in field placements.
MSW students regarded their learning
experience as positive overall. Both
graduate and undergraduate students
expressed some concerns about the cross
listed courses and the importance of
meeting the needs of both groups.
Implementation Plan
An instrument designed to measure students’
ability to work effectively with diverse
populations will be selected within one year
and given to both graduate and undergraduate
students at the beginning and end of their
social work educational program to measure
student’s progress in this area.
In response to the dire need for qualified
substance abuse counselors in the community,
the department will offer a substance abuse
studies certificate program beginning next
year. MSW students who complete the
certificate program will be well qualified to
work in the field of substance abuse and can
obtain their licensure to practice as a
substance abuse counselor one year after
graduating. Additional resources will be
needed to hire part-time faculty to cover the
expanding curriculum.
Syllabi will be examined by the department
head each semester to ensure that the
assignments and learning expectations are
significantly different for graduate and
undergraduate students.
NOTE: Department is working on extensive plan for assessment of the new MSW Program to be completed by August 1 st