Title
Gerontological Competencies among MSW Students: Evaluation of a Gerontology Specialization Program
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to conduct a preliminary evaluation of a gerontology specialization program (GSP) within a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited master of social work (MSW) program. This study utilized a pretest/posttest design with a three-group comparison: group 1-GSP students; group 2-students from the group 1 program but not in GSP; and group 3-students at two external MSW programs with no GSPs. The overall sample comprised 220 advanced year students. A CSWE Gero-Ed Center/Hartford Partnership empirical measure was used to assess overall, gero social work practice competency. Within-group analyses revealed a significant increase in gero competency scores from pretest to posttest among all groups, with GSP students showing the largest increase. Between-group analysis at pretest revealed that the GSP group showed lower gero competency scores than both non-GSP groups. At posttest, these results overturned: GSP students scored significantly higher gero competency scores than both non-GSP groups. These preliminary findings suggest that the GSP offers an impactful, positive role in development of practice skills for the next generation of gero social work practitioners and scholars. A follow-up study with additional years of data will increase longitudinal rigor and confidence in the long-range efficacy of this GSP.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Journal of gerontological social work
First Page
606
Last Page
618
Recommended Citation
Wilks, S. E., Cain, D. S., Reed-Ashcraft, K. B., & Geiger, J. (2017). Gerontological Competencies among MSW Students: Evaluation of a Gerontology Specialization Program. Journal of gerontological social work, 60 (8), 606-618. https://doi.org/10.1080/01634372.2017.1325811
