COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BASW AND MSW GRADUATES
Nell Zion
B.A., University of California, Irvine, 2005
PROJECT
Submitted in partial satisfaction of
the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK
at
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
FALL
2009
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BASW AND MSW GRADUATES
A Project
by
Nell Zion
Approved by:
__________________________________, Committee Chair
Ronald Boltz
____________________________
Date
ii
Student: Nell Zion
I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University
format manual, and that this project is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to
be awarded for the Project.
_____________________________, Graduate Coordinator
Teiahsha Bankhead, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Division of Social Work
iii
________________
Date
Abstract
of
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BASW AND MSW GRADUATES
by
Nell Zion
This project attempts to uncover any differences that may exist between the bachelor’slevel and master’s-level social work graduates of California State University,
Sacramento. Data was collected from graduates of 2006 and 2007 via surveys mailed by
the Division of Social Work. Data was then analyzed, leading to the conclusion that no
significant differences existed in the areas of overall satisfaction with the program,
overall educational experience, and overall field experience. There were some significant
demographic differences between the groups. There was also a significant difference in
the overall preparation students felt they had been given by the program, with the
master’s-level students giving much higher ratings than the bachelor’s-level students in
this category.
_______________________, Committee Chair
Ronald Boltz
_______________________
Date
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
List of Tables…..………………………………………………………………………...vii
Chapter
1. THE PROBLEM....…………………………………………………….……………...1
Introduction……………………………………………………………………….....1
Background of the Problem…………………………………………………………2
Statement of the Research Problem…………………………………………………6
Purpose of the Study………………………………………………………………...6
Theoretical Framework……………………………………………………………...6
Major Questions………………………………...………………………………….10
Assumptions………………………………………………………………………..10
Justification……………………………………………………………………...…11
Delimitations……………………………………………………………………….12
2. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE……………………………………………….....13
Introduction…………………………………………………………………...……13
Mental Illness………………………………………………………………………13
Substance Abuse………………………………………………………………..….15
Comorbidity………………………………………………………………………..16
Treatment…………………………………………………………………………..18
Implications for Social Work………………………………………………………25
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………..…..33
v
3. METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………..……35
Design……………………………………………………………………………...35
Variables…………………………………………………………………………...35
Participants…………………………………………………………………………36
Instrumentation………………………………………………………………….…37
Data Gathering Procedures……………………………………………………..….38
Protection of Human Subjects……………………………………………………..39
4. ANALYSIS OF DATA…………………………………………………..………….40
Descriptive Findings……………………………………………………………….40
Specific Findings…………………………………………………………………..42
Additional Findings………………………………………………………………..46
5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS..………………………………....49
Conclusions...……………………………………………………………………....49
Recommendations………………………………………………………………….52
Appendix A. Questionnaire………………………………………………………...…..54
Appendix B.
Frequency Tables………………….……………………………………..58
References……………….………………………...........................................................109
vi
LIST OF TABLES
Page
1.
Table 1 Gender…………………………………………………………………..…58
2.
Table 2 Age Grouped………...………….…………………………........................58
3.
Table 3 Marital Status into 3 Groups…....……………………………....................59
4.
Table 4 Ethnic/Racial Origin…………………………………………....................59
5.
Table 5 Year Graduated…………………………………………………………....59
6.
Table 6 Would Enroll in the Program Again………………………………………60
7.
Table 7 Present Job Status…………………………………………………………61
8.
Table 8 Job is in Social Work……………………………………………………...62
9.
Table 9 Employment Auspices…………………………………………………….62
10.
Table 10 Monthly Salary Grouped………………………………………………...63
11.
Table 11 Years at Current Job Grouped…………………………………………...63
12.
Table 12 Level of Current Job……………………………………………………..64
13.
Table 13 Field of Practice in Current Job………………………………………….65
14.
Table 14 Administration…………………………………………………………...66
15.
Table 15 Advocacy………………………………………………………………...66
16.
Table 16 Case Management………………………………………………………..67
17.
Table 17 Community Organizing………………………………………………….67
18.
Table 18 Crisis Intervention………………………………………………………..68
19.
Table 19 Fundraising………………………………………………………………68
20.
Table 20 Grant/Proposal Writing…………………………………………………..69
21.
Table 21 Information and Referral………………………………………………...69
22.
Table 22 Policy Analysis…………………………………………………………..70
vii
23.
Table 23 Social Work with Families………………………………………………70
24.
Table 24 Social Work with Groups………………………………………………..71
25.
Table 25 Social Work with Individuals……………………………………………71
26.
Table 26 Supervision………………………………………………………………72
27.
Table 27 Teaching/Training………………………………………………………..72
28.
Table 28 Other Job Activities……………………………………………………...73
29.
Table 29 Grade Point Average Grouped…………………………………………...73
30.
Table 30 Use of Social Work Values………………………………………………74
31.
Table 31 Ethical Practice…………………………………………………………..74
32.
Table 32 Use Research Methods…………………………………………………...75
33.
Table 33 Use Computer Technology………………………………………………76
34.
Table 34 Be Culturally Sensitive…………………………………………………..77
35.
Table 35 Advocate for Social Change……………………………………………..77
36.
Table 36 Use a Strength Perspective………………………………………………78
37.
Table 37 Use an Ecological Perspective…………………………………………...78
38.
Table 38 Work with Oppressed Persons…………………………………………...79
39.
Table 39 Know History of Social Work…………………………………………...79
40.
Table 40 Impact of Policies on Clients…………………………………………….80
41.
Table 41 Responsible for Own Learning…………………………………………..80
42.
Table 41 Satisfaction w/Practice Classes…………………………………………..81
43.
Table 43 Satisfaction w/Multicultural Class……………………………………….82
44.
Table 44 Satisfaction w/Policy Class………………………………………………83
45.
Table 45 Satisfaction w/HBSE Classes……………………………………………84
viii
46.
Table 46 Satisfaction w/Research Class…………………………………………...85
47.
Table 47 Satisfaction w/Electives………………………………………………….86
48.
Table 48 Overall Coursework Satisfaction………………………………………...87
49.
Table 49 Advising Satisfaction…………………………………………………….88
50.
Table 50 Administration Satisfaction……………………………………………...89
51.
Table 51 Office Staff Satisfaction………………………………………………….90
52.
Table 52 Field Practicum Satisfaction……………………………………………..91
53.
Table 53 Overall Program Satisfaction…………………………………………….92
54.
Table 54 Rewarding………………………………………………………………..93
55.
Table 55 Professional………………………………………………………………93
56.
Table 56 Stimulating……………………………………………………………….94
57.
Table 57 Valuable………………………………………………………………….94
58.
Table 58 Challenging………………………………………………………………95
59.
Table 59 Fair……………………………………………………………………….95
60.
Table 60 Organized………………………………………………………………...96
61.
Table 61 Flexible…………………………………………………………………..97
62.
Table 62 Supportive………………………………………………………………..98
63.
Table 63 Quality of Field Placement 1 variable…………………………………...98
64.
Table 64 FW Contributed to Development as SW………………………………...99
65.
Table 65 FW Prepared Me for Current Job………………………………………..99
66.
Table 66 FW Prepared Me for Transcultural Practice……………………………100
67.
Table 67 FW Gave Me Varied Practice Experiences…………………………….100
68.
Table 68 Overall Field Work Score (Scale 1-5) all 5 variables…………………..101
ix
69.
Table 69 Overall Field Work Score (Scale 1-5) last 4 variables…………………102
70.
Table 70 Advocacy for Oppressed Groups……………………………………….103
71.
Table 71 Political Activity………………………………………………………..103
72.
Table 72 Member of NASW……………………………………………………...103
73.
Table 73 Active in NASW………………………………………………………..104
74.
Table 74 Leadership in NASW…………………………………………………...104
75.
Table 75 Active in Other Organizations………………………………………….104
76.
Table 76 Leadership in Other Organizations……………………………………..105
77.
Table 77 Member of Advisory Board…………………………………………….105
78.
Table 78 Member of Board of Directors………………………………………….105
79.
Table 79 Provide Consultation Services………………………………………….106
80.
Table 80 Been a Field Instructor………………………………………………….106
81.
Table 81 Taught a College Level Course…………………………………….......106
82.
Table 82 Overall Preparation for Practice Score Grouped……………………….107
83.
Table 83 Overall Satisfaction Score Grouped……………………………………107
84.
Table 84 Overall Education Experience Score Grouped…………………………108
x