Educational Policies Committee

Tuesday, February 1, 2005

Members Present:

Corinne Winter (Chair), David O’Connell, Ragene Gwin, Bill Hixon, Martin Hansen, Mara Adams, Tom Hill, Barb Wiese (minutes),

Brenda Peters (Gen. Ed.), Jeremy Burke, Dan Zeimet

Kim Bennett (student), Kari Roders (student)

Guests: Paul Koch, Brenda DuBois, Michael Halstead, Michael Jerin, Pamela Long, Katherine Van Blair, Savvas Georgiades, Mark McGinn, Wayland McCulloh

1. Approval of Minutes

Motion to approve the minutes of January 25: R. Gwin; Second: B. Hixon

Minutes approved as read.

2. Master of Social Work proposal

Motion to approve: D. O’Connell; Second: B. Hixon

Discussion:

B. DuBois gave a verbal summary of the following written material she previously submitted to the committee on behalf of the MSW Department:

“From its inception the School of Social Work has implemented a continuous quality improvement process using evaluation, feedback, and other information from students, faculty, field instructors, program committees, community constituents, and other MSW programs. Program faculty members have responded to this information by making modifications in course content, learning processes, and delivery paradigms as indicated. Over the last year this information has prompted the program to undertake a more ambitious and comprehensive curriculum redesign with three identified goals in mind:

1) to increase the integration of course content with the actual practice experiences of students in field placements through a concurrent filed experience seminar

2) to keep current with contemporary issues in social work practice and service delivery

3) to keep pace with current trends in social work education with respect to field expectations and earned credit hours

Key improvements determined by program faculty to meet these goals include the development of field seminars in both the foundation and concentration year and an increase in the number of credit hours granted for the field experience in the concentration year. In addition, two other new courses will be added to meet identified gaps in curriculum. Subsequent changes in other areas of the program reflect the shifting of relevant content into newly created courses and the desire to keep the program at 60 credit hours to remain competitive in the MSW market.

Specifically, the MSW Curriculum Committee has recommended the following changes to the MSW program:

1. Add a 1 credit hour required new Field Seminar course (MSW 601 & MSW 602) each semester in the foundation curriculum (first year) with integrative policy content.

2. Add a 2 credit hour required field seminar course (MSW 603 & MSW 604) each semester in the concentration curriculum (second year) with integrative ethics and program evaluation content.

3. Increase the credit hours for MSW593 Field Instruction III and MSW594 Field Instruction IV from 3 credits to 4 credits.

4. Add a 1 credit hour required Practice Skills Lab for students admitted to the program with advanced standing.

5. Reduce the credit hours for MSW810 Social Policy I and MSW820 Social Policy II (first year, foundation year courses) from 3 credits to 2 credits.

6. Change MSW910 Ethical Issues from a required concentration year course to an elective.

7. Change MSW740 Research III from a required concentration year course to an elective.

8. Add a new 3 credit hour advanced elective course - Collaborative Practice with Clients in Difficult Situations (previously piloted as a special topics course)”

B. DuBois indicated that these changes are currently budget neutral and may eventually result in savings. Theses changes also will provide some more flexibility to students in terms of when courses are available. Courses are offered year-round.

Discussion and questions followed. Ethics will still be included in the content of the curriculum. Implementation of the proposed changes will begin summer of 2005. Research will be located in the field practicum and supported by the field seminar.

Motion approved.

3. Proposal to move Criminal Justice and Computer Security major from the Criminal Justice (CJ) Department to the Computer Information Systems Department.

Motion to approve: R. Gwinn; Second: M. Adams

When this program was developed, it seemed appropriate to place it in CJ. Based on the current instructors’ backgrounds and interests (i.e., security), it now seems better placed in the Computer Information Systems and Department. Currently 4 students are enrolled. in the program which has close ties with John Deere and local law enforcement agencies. Instructors will continue to work closely with CJ. The program is being prepared for the 5-year review. No basic changes in content are expected. A new name may be suggested at that time.

Motion approved

4. P. Koch noted that if EPC does not receive a letter from him noting his approval for a proposed change from a department within the College of Arts and Sciences, it means he has not seen the department’s request. He should be informed if this occurs.

5. P. Koch indicated that the Deans would like to have a conversation with the EPC regarding new minors. The Deans would like to see new minors go to EPC for approval. A brief review of the previous committee discussion about assessment for minors took place. P. Koch indicated that previous EPCs have approved proposals for new minors. Committee members noted that departments were not reviewing minors in their 5-year program reviews. This discussion will be continued when all of the Deans are present and on the agenda at a future meeting (date yet to be determined).

Motion to adjourn: B. Hixon; Second: Tom Hill

Adjournment: 3:50

Submitted by Barb Wiese