Abstract
This study used a qualitative analysis of survey data collected from public child welfare employees (n = 168) as they completed master's of social work courses in a weekend/hybrid program, to examine their perceptions of ability to apply classroom learning to practice. The program, which combined a focus on direct practice and management, was developed in partnership with the state's public child welfare agency, during a period of systemic change and case practice reform. Findings indicate that students readily transferred knowledge and skills to the workplace, albeit with some challenges. In particular, management courses appeared to provide an important framework in understanding the organizational context of practice.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Data collection concerned students whose MSW education was supported by a grant from the Department of Children and Families, the State of New Jersey, from 2006 to 2010.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Ericka Deglau
Ericka Deglau, PhD, is Director of the Intensive Weekend Program, formerly the Public Child Welfare Intensive Weekend Program, in the School of Social Work at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ.
Anasuya Ray
Anasuya Ray, MSW, is a Doctoral Research Assistant and PhD Candidate in the School of Social Work at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ.
Richard L. Edwards
Richard L. Edwards, PhD, is Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and Chancellor at Rutgers–New Brunswick in New Brunswick, NJ. He was formerly Dean of the School of Social Work.
Nancy Carre-Lee
Nancy Carre-Lee, MSW, is Assistant Director of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency at the State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families in Trenton, NJ.
Talisah Harrison
Talisah Harrison, MSW, Class of 2013, was formerly a Graduate Assistant in the School of Social Work at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ, and contributed to the research for this article.
Katelyn Cunningham
Katelyn Cunningham, MSW, Class of 2012, was formerly a Graduate Assistant in the School of Social Work at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick, NJ, and contributed to the research for this article.