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faculty's strengths
At Iowa, students have opportunities to work with faculty interested in health, mental health, substance abuse prevention and treatment, child and adolescent development, resiliency, and youth interventions, especially from a family- and community- centered approach. The School offers the only approved program of preparation for School Social Work endorsement in Iowa. Since social workers provide 8 percent of mental health services in the US (cite specific stats here), courses and practicum in preparation for the Licensed Master Social Work credential and certification in substance abuse are an important focus of the program.
The university is home to the UI Hospitals and Clinics which offers practicum and research opportunities for students. Professor Jim Hall, jointly appointed in the Department of Pediatrics (College of Medicine) and in the School of Social Work, and his staff work with BA social work, MSW and PhD students, and students from other departments and colleges to participate in interdisciplinary learning opportunities. Professor Hall’s research has lead to the establishment of the Institute for Strengthening Communities (ISC) which includes a team of faculty, staff and students who develop and conduct research in the area of substance use and abuse, and provide consultation to area organizations and schools regarding substance use and program evaluation. Students also participate in the the Adolescent Health and Resource Center, which provides comprehensive assessments for adolescents and their families, conducts follow-up evaluations and houses a variety of health and social services for teenagers and their families.
Other faculty interested in adolescent issues are:
- Jeanne Saunders, who focuses on teen parenting and interventions with teen parents, school completion, and mental health issues among adolescents.
- Ed Saunders, whose professional training includes a Masters of Public Health degree, with a focus on maternal and child health. His research interests have included substance abuse and prescription use among pregnant women and mothers and preventative services for early adolescent females. He is also the statewide evaluator for pregnancy prevention programs and abstinence-only sexuality education programs in Iowa.
The School has been involved for several years in SCRIPT (Supporting Changes in Interprofessional Preservice Training), a program implemented in several states nationwide to raise awareness and enhance service delivery for families. Faculty who have been involved include Kelley, E.Saunders, Murty, and Noel. This project has served to, first enhance emphasis in courses to reinforce family-centered practice principles in working families with children who have disabilities and, to increase opportunities for service learning. Service learning is increasingly valued in higher education and the School of Social Work is at the forefront due to the efforts of many faculty interested in applied learning and health promotion of a variety of populations.
- Diversity, Inequality, and Social Justice
- Life Course Development and Aging
- Family and Child Welfare, Family Violence, and Family Centered Practice
- Organizations, Communities, and Rural Perspectives
- Health and Mental Health Promotion and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
why iowa?
My experience as a PhD student in the University of Iowa’s School of Social Work has been fantastic. I interviewed and selected Iowa because of my ability to work with an experienced mentor in substance abuse research, and am I ever glad that I did. Since coming here, I have been offered a leadership role in a randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of two adolescent substance abuse treatment models. I’ve gained valuable post-master’s clinical experience in the context of this research study, which I consider excellent preparation for teaching clinical practice and continuing my research upon graduation. In addition to this excellent hands-on learning opportunity, I’ve enjoyed specialized social work classes in teaching methods, policy, and practice that have provided a firm foundation for a successful career in social work education. My experience has been beyond my expectations."
- Doug Smith, PhD 2006