Lessons Learned

Ann Curry-Stevens,Sarah Bradley,Lisa Hawash

doi:10.18060/22642

Lessons Learned

Ann Curry-Stevens, Sarah Bradley + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.18060/22642

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Abstract

Over the last 10 years, the MSW program at Portland State University has gone from graduating 15% of its students in the macro concentration, to 32%, while the national average remains under 9%. This article traces that experience through a historically-grounded narrative line, and extracts learnings that are potentially relevant for the profession. Curricular practices include reviewing the content for horizontal and vertical integration, introducing macro content early in the first year of the program with sufficient time to inform students’ choice of concentrations, and providing students influence to shape content in the advanced year. Faculty specializations and community reputation are important, as is ensuring that macro faculty have security in status, and that they become known to first year students. The article also includes tensions that emerged during the development process, with potential to derail the effort.

Highlights

Over the last 10 years, the MSW program at Portland State University has gone from graduating 15% of its students in the macro concentration to 32%, while the national average is at 13.2%, among students who have declared specializations
The Special Commission to Advance Macro Practice in Social Work has called for “20% by 2020” (ACOSA, 2017), meaning they aim for schools of social work in the US to graduate, on average, 20% of students with a macro specialization
We argue that local priorities of racial equity, poverty and homelessness, and the campaign of “Disarm Portland State University (PSU)” need to be integrated in the curriculum

Summary

Introduction

Over the last 10 years, the MSW program at Portland State University has gone from graduating 15% of its students in the macro concentration to 32%, while the national average is at 13.2%, among students who have declared specializations.

Results

Conclusion