The MSW Thesis: A Rich and Scholarly Tradition at Smith College School for Social Work

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to trace the history and evolution of the Smith College MSW thesis. Ms. Helen Leland Witmer, who also founded Smith College Studies in Social Work, was instrumental in creating an assignment that provides MSW students a hands-on research project that focused on gathering and analyzing data on agency-related mental health issues. Former and current chairs of the research sequence describe how the thesis evolved during their tenure and noted the positive aspects of how the thesis enhanced the students’ education and post-MSW opportunities. The increasing technological developments of the past few decades have had an immense impact on (1) the students’ ability to research and critique the literature in-depth, (2) the ease of writing and editing the document, and (3) the use of quantitative and qualitative software platforms for data organization and analysis. However, recent and growing challenges affecting students, faculty, and administration have led to the discontinuation of the thesis as the assignment for the specialization CSWE requirement.

KEYWORDS:

• thesis
• history
• developed
• evolved
• chairs
• research sequence

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jean LaTerz

Jean LaTerz, EdD, LICSW, is an adjunct professor at Smith College School for Social Work. She currently serves as the Thesis Coordinator for the master’s thesis project, has taught the Introductory and Intermediate Research Methods, School Social Work, and Evidence-Based Practice courses and is research advisor for master’s and doctoral students. Dr. LaTerz retired from the Boston Public School system, where her last position was senior curriculum coordinator in the Office of High School Renewal. During her 35 years working in the Boston Public Schools, Dr. LaTerz taught at the elementary level, was a guidance advisor and an administrator in a substantially separate program for middle and high school adolescents, worked as a team leader for special needs students, and was a school social worker at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. She holds an MS, EdD, and CAGS in counseling education from Suffolk University. Dr. LaTerz received her EdD from Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, and her MSW from Smith College School for Social Work.