Quantitative & Qualitative Research Data for Bachelor of Social Work Degree at MGSC

Prepared by: PBSV 4950 Research Methods course (Spring 2015) Michael Gibbons, PhD Center for Applied Research and Education Middle Georgia State College

for: Dr. Biek, Dr. Scordato, and the Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice

AGENDA

Background and Objectives

Methodology and Sampling

Executive Summary

Detailed Findings

Recommendations

Introduction

We would like to thank Drs. Biek and Scordato, and the Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice for allowing us to help them explore the feasibility of a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) in their department. The research participants are the PBSV 4950 Public Service Research Methods students in the Spring 2015, and the work is also taking place under the umbrella of the Social Science Community Research Initiative, and this report will be archived on their web page. (http://www.mga.edu/arts-sciences/psyc-socw/sscri/default.aspx)

Background and Objectives

Methodology and Sampling

Executive Summary

Detailed Findings

Recommendations

The Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice is exploring the feasibility of a BSW

• The Department already offers an AA in Social Work, and this would

expand that offering.

• They also offer a Bachelors in Public Service, which was offered in 2002. The PBSV graduates have had good success obtaining employment at human service agencies in the Middle Georgia region.

• Informal feeling among several faculty and students within the

Department is that there is strong enough demand for a BSW to be successful

– One concern would be whether or not the BSW would complement or cannibalize the PBSV offering.

The Research Objectives for this project are

1. To understand if there is student demand, both inside and outside of the Department of Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice for a BSW degree

1. To determine if there is local agency demand for graduates of a BSW

degree 1. To best influence the strategic direction of the BSW if decided upon

Background and Objectives

Methodology and Sampling

Executive Summary

Detailed Findings

Recommendations

In order to meet these research objectives, we conducted three waves of research

We interviewed 18 students We interviewed students who were current students outside of the

department We interviewed students who were not currently MGA students but

rather were attending other middle georgia schools We interviewed 12 principals or managers at a variety of local agencies for

whom BSWs would work Most were contacted directly, with the respondent being a hiring or other

manager We conducted a quantitative survey of 113 students outside the

Department This survey closely resembled an internal survey conducted by the

Department last semester

Limitations

Please keep in mind that this research is based on convenience samples and qualitative interviews. It is not scientifically generalizable.

Background and Objectives

Methodology and Sampling

Executive Summary

Detailed Findings

Recommendations

• The student interviews, agency interviews, and qualitative waves of

research all supported creation of a BSW

• The first concern is that a BSW may cannibalize the PBSV major

• A second concern is that the general wages for new BSW hires are fairly low

• A third concern is the lack of knowledge of what Social Workers do.

• However, one way to deal with the first two concerns might be to

consider offering an MSW instead of a BSW

There is room for a BSW at MGA and in the middle Georgia region, but there are serious concerns

There may be some lack of clarity regarding which students a BSW will be marketed to

● One segment might be students that don’t get accepted into the School of Nursing, or aren’t specifically interested in health sciences

● PSCJ may want to define whether they are more interested traditional or

continuing ed college students

● An opportunity might be in MSW to capture FVSU BSW Grads – This would put MGA in competition with Mercer’s Human Services

Masters

● Agencies would prefer the graduates they hire to have more field

experience

● Many agencies prefer a Masters in Social Work

● Some agencies wished students had a deeper understanding of the legal aspects of their work

Agencies are very supportive, but need more from local graduates

A MSW may be much more lucrative

MSW allows students to choose a clinical or direct practice tracks.

MSW will absorb candidates from multiple disciplines as opposed to providing direct competition.

- Students from the School of Social Sciences - Students from FVSU & Mercer

MSW was required for licensing by the state

- More job opportunities - Higher starting pay - Advancement opportunities

Agencies have expressed a need for new hires to have more field experience

Background and Objectives

Methodology and Sampling

Executive Summary

Detailed Findings

Recommendations

Students support the creation of a BSW, but chances are, the PBSV program would be in danger

● Chances are that enrollment in the PBSV program will decline if a BSW is

offered ● The department’s internal research showed that 71% of PBSV majors

would change their major if BSW was offered.

• Some students felt that a BSW would be more “focused”, which would

be more beneficial for their career

“The PBSV degree is too general…... a BSW would allow me to be a more competitive candidate in my career field”

Students are not well aware of the current job market for Social Workers

• A large percentage of the students interviewed are unaware of the current job market.

– Those that are aware assume that it is fairly easy to find a job as a Social Worker

• Many students will remain in the local area but some would like to

relocate. – Those that would relocate would more than likely do so after

obtaining a BSW – Some felt the BSW degree would benefit them in a way that would

allow them to relocate

• Students don’t seem to be aware of the average starting pay or if there are opportunities for advancement

Students support the creation of a BSW, but many are not well informed about its possibilities

• Students’ perception of social workers are not necessarily positive

– A common misconception was that social workers “take children” – Those respondents were unclear as to what a social worker actually

does outside of “taking children”

• At least 50% of the students interviewed understand that Social Workers “help” people, but don’t have a clear understanding of what that entails

• Despite these perceptions, they are still interested in pursuing a social

work major – Several reported that they would be willing to change their majors

Agencies would prefer the graduates they hire to have more field experience

● Some agencies will not hire graduates without field experience

– A degree plus experience is a preferred skill

● One respondent suggested “liking kids” in the abstract as opposed to experience working with actual little children

● Some recognized the need for a “nurturing heart”

“Graduates need to have a sense of urgency, compassion and logic.”

Many agencies prefer a Masters in Social Work

● Some will still hire a BSW, and are willing to support a student pursuing

his or her graduate education

● A license can not be issued in Georgia until the student has an MSW ● A license is required for counseling and therapy

● Employers prefer new hires to already possess a level of experience and

knowledge acquired through those upper level and graduate classes

Some agencies wished students had a deeper understanding of the legal aspects of their work

● This includes especially the interface between federal laws and local policies

● When questioned about skills expected for new employees, agencies

reported new hires lacking in knowledge of local laws, ethics and policies.

“Social work is a constant battle between the state and the institution. One of

the hardest parts of this job is that every four years, policies and funding changes. At least a basic understanding of these policies is required in order to

be efficient at this job.”

● Idealistic employees with “unrealistic expectations” quickly fizzle out or report extreme job dissatisfaction.

Macon non-profits are operating on constrained budgets

● Agency interviews in Middle Georgia suggest that local organizations have

few funds to pay new Social Workers and new grants are difficult to come

by

● One respondent suggested that MSWs are replacing some physicians - as

this respondent is under the impression MSWs have some prescription

authority

– This is hard to verify, and the team is still looking into this

Local counties appear to be hiring, but the pay is a concern

● There is a need for more social workers, but pay has been frozen for several years

● Bibb, Twiggs, Laurens, Houston are all advertising (as of April 7)

● Where counties are hiring, advertised salaries across the Middle Georgia

Region offer between $24,000 - 65,000 per year – Entry level salaries tend to be fairly low, ranging from $24,000-

$36,000 – Higher level salaries range from $40,000-65,000. The higher level

jobs include local government agencies, school systems, hospitals, and home health care.

Survey results support student interest in a BSW

● Survey respondents ranged from ages 18-70 with the average age being 29.6

● 103 of the respondents live in the Middle Georgia area

● 88 of the respondents currently attend Middle Georgia State College

● 50% of respondents claimed they would change their major if a BSW was

offered

Almost half of all respondents are “Interested” or “Very Interested” in an accredited BSW at Middle Georgia State

Q: How interested are you in a Bachelor of Social Work being offered as an

accredited degree program at Middle Georgia State College?

Almost half of the non-PBSV respondents state they would choose a BSW as their major

Q: If Middle Georgia State College offered a BSW right now, would you choose that

as your major field of study?

Well over half of PBSV respondents state they would choose a BSW if offered

Q: If Middle Georgia State College offered a BSW right now, would you

choose that as your major field of study?

Respondents are most interested in Community, School, and Mental Health Social Work

Q: What type of Social Work interests you the most?

Respondents most wish to work with Children and Families

Q: What type of Social Work clientele interests you the most?

Other detailed findings

Wave A

Students interviewed ranged from College Sophomores to College graduates. Most students are currently pursuing (or have obtained) a degree in Public Service, Psychology and Nursing; however, students from other programs were interviewed as well.

Wave B

The majority of the interviewed students that are interested in a BSW are attracted to the idea of “helping people”. Many desire a subfield that consists of dealing with children and expect that a BSW would allow them to acquire the skills necessary to perform their job.

Other detailed findings continued

Wave A

Agencies interviewed ranged from federal government to non profit, with programs that consist of medical care, advocacy, assistance in life transitions. Clients range from children to the elderly.

Wave B Agencies feel that an employee with a BSW may be beneficial in helping

them find resources and assist with mentoring and leading clients in the “right” direction.

Background and Objectives

Methodology and Sampling

Executive Summary

Detailed Findings

Recommendations

The Department should pursue a degree in Social Work

● Based on gathered data, the department may want to consider looking into developing a MSW program vs a BSW program

● Research shows that students support the idea of BSW; however, the

findings also indicate that a BSW program could put PBSV in danger

● While a BSW is somewhat valuable, agencies desire to hire a someone with a MSW and more field experience

● With the college reaching University status, a MSW may be a better option

● This will allow for PBSV, along with other majors, pursue their interest at a graduate level without putting any current Bachelors programs in danger.

● A MSW may also absorb BSW graduates from FVSU and would be a more affordable option than Mercer

● Graduates would, more than likely, secure a job with higher starting pay

Nelson Carswell Martha Dayhoff Frank Dixon Billy Jacobs Melissa Ortiz Vanessa Raudales Jessica Salter

CARE Spring 2015 Research Team

Michael Gibbons, PhD, Director Center for Applied Research and Education Middle Georgia State College