phd social work utah

University of Utah

College of social work.

Our PhD Program balances theory-driven research based on strong methodological and analytic skills. Graduates are prepared to be productive researchers and skilled teachers in prominent schools of social work, and we offer competitive support for qualifying students. Designed for students to obtain their degree in three to five academic years, the first part of the program consists of core doctoral coursework, including epistemology, statistics, systematic reviews, and qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as substantive elective classes, followed by independent research culminating in the dissertation process. Coursework in our interdisciplinary program promotes strong critical and inter-professional thinking, and integrative, evidence-based approaches to social problems, drawing from a solid social science theory base. Pedagogical skills are developed through combined approaches of mentoring and classroom teaching, supplemented by training through the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. The graduation requirements and curriculum enhance our intensive, research-driven approaches to build and test new practice paradigms with a focus on systems change. We prepare students for exciting roles in which they will contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of social welfare and the profession of social work.

• Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
• Type: Public
• Degree Offered: PhD in Social Work
• Program Type: In-Person Program Only
• Students: Full or Part-time Enrollment
• Average Enrolled Students Yearly: 3-5 Students
• GRE Requirement: Yes
• TOEFL Requirement: Yes, with a cut-off score
• MSW Requirement: Yes, MSW or other master's degree required
• Two Years Post-MSW Experience Required: No, but preferred
• Joint MSW/PhD Program: Yes

Substantive Research Areas of Faculty

• Addiction/Substance Use
• Adolescent and Youth Development
• Aging/Gerontology
• Child Welfare
• Community Practice/Macro Practice
• Corrections/Criminal Justice/Restorative Justice
• Family Violence
• Housing/Homelessness
• Immigrants, Refugees & Displaced Persons
• International Social Work & Global Development
• LGBT Issues & Services
• Organizations, Management & Administration
• Poverty/Disadvantaged Populations
• Race and Ethnicity
• Religion/Spirituality
• Rural Social Work
• Social/Economic Justice
• Social Welfare Policy
• School Social Work

For more information visit University of Utah .

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Social Work

At the University of Utah, we offer our graduate students a phd program degree in Social Work. Join us! 

University of Utah Multiple locations Salt Lake City , Utah , United States Top 2% worldwide Studyportals University Meta Ranking 4.2 Read 10 reviews

Features 

• Our Social Work Program at University of Utah balances theory-driven research based on strong methodological and analytic skills. We prepare students for exciting roles in which they will contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of social welfare and the profession of social work. 

Programme Structure

Courses include:

• Epistemological and Theoretical Perspectives for SW Research 
• Advanced Analysis 
• Secondary Data Analysis 
• Qualitative Research Methods of Social Inquiry, Field Research 
• Knowledge for Social Work Practice:  Systematic Reviews 

Key information

• 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

• Apply before 2024-12-15 00:00:00

Disciplines

Academic requirements, english requirements, student insurance.

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

• Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
• Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
• Home contents and baggage

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Utah and/or in United States, please visit Student Insurance Portal .

Other requirements

General requirements.

• A Master of Social Work degree from an accredited school of social work. In exceptional circumstances, a student with a Master’s degree in a related field may be admitted, however, compensatory MSW level work may be required.
• At least a 3.0 GPA as evidence of superior academic achievement in undergraduate and graduate education.
• Priority will be given to students who have completed an introductory statistics course (graduate or undergraduate) in the last two years with a final grade of B or better. At a minimum, the statistics course should have covered probability, descriptive statistics, and an introduction to t-tests and the general linear model.
• A minimum of two years post-MSW social work or related practice experience is recommended, as certification for most institutions requires instructors teaching practice courses to have some practice experience. 

Tuition Fee

Living costs for salt lake city.

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Social Work.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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PhD Informational Session

Fall 2025 admission deadline: december 15, 2024 ., virtual information session dates:, monday, may 20 at 10:30 am mst, friday, may 31 at 11: am mst, wednesday, june 12 at 10 am mst, friday, june 28 at 12 pm mst, tuesday, july 9 at 10 am mst, friday, july 26 at 12 pm mst, thursday, august 8 at 10 am mst, you can also watch our recorded phd information session  here, we always welcome an opportunity to answer questions and talk with students and applicants. for any questions regarding our program requirements or admission procedures, please contact:, mirela rankovic, phd program coordinator, 801-585-5979 or [email protected], jeremiah jaggers, phd program director 801-581-7644 or [email protected].

© 2024 College of Social Work 395 South 1500 East, Room 101 Salt Lake City, UT 84112 Fax: 801-581-8469

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CYNTHIA KAY SANDERS

University of utah profiles.

• Online Program Director , College Of Social Work
• Associate Professor , College Of Social Work

Contact Information

• Research Statement
• Research Keywords
• Publications
• Professional Service
• Internal Service
• Honors & Awards
• PhD, Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis
• MSW, Social Work, University of Utah
• B.S., Economics and Political Science, University of Utah

Dr. Cynthia Sanders, PhD, MSW Cynthia Sanders is Associate Professor and Online Program Director in the University of Utah College of Social Work.  Prior to joining the College of Social Work, she was a Professor at Boise State University School of Social Work.   She is also a Faculty Associate with the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis.  

She earned her PhD in social work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University, in St. Louis, Missouri and earned bachelor’s degree in economics and political science and her master of social work from the University of Utah. 

Dr. Sanders' research interests and publishing focus on community based anti-poverty programs and policies to promote financial inclusion through asset building and financial capability initiatives.  Much of her recent research examines the role of financial factors in intimate partner violence and initiatives to promote financial capability among survivors, including financial education, Individual Development Accounts, economic advocacy and empowerment.  She has largely taught in the areas of social welfare policy, macro practice, and research/evaluation.

College of Social Work

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Social Work

University of Utah

socialwork.utah.edu

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is the only global university performance table to judge research-intensive universities across all of their core missions: teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.

Photos of university / #universityofutah

Our PhD Program balances theory-driven research based on strong methodological and analytic skills. Graduates are prepared to be productive researchers and skilled teachers in prominent schools of social work, and we offer competitive support for qualifying students. Designed for students to obtain their degree in three to five academic years, the first part of the program consists of core doctoral coursework, including epistemology, statistics, systematic reviews, and qualitative and quantitative methods, as well as substantive elective classes, followed by independent research culminating in the dissertation process. Coursework in our interdisciplinary program promotes strong critical and inter-professional thinking, and integrative, evidence-based approaches to social problems, drawing from a solid social science theory base. Pedagogical skills are developed through combined approaches of mentoring and classroom teaching, supplemented by training through the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. The graduation requirements and curriculum enhance our intensive, research-driven approaches to build and test new practice paradigms with a focus on systems change. We prepare students for exciting roles in which they will contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of social welfare and the profession of social work.

The College of Social Work has an exceptional faculty, recognized for their work in the fields of child welfare, gerontology, marriage and family supports, juvenile justice and corrections, disabilities, immigrants and refugees, women/gender roles, health, mental health, and substance abuse.

We have two curriculum delivery strategies (onsite and distance) with the same program requirements, standards of rigor, and expectations for students. Our flexible coursework options enable students to maintain their roles in the community. Both full-time and part-time students are admitted each fall semester to our regular campus program, in existence since 1972. Our summer-intensive Technology-Enhanced Doctorate (TED) began in 2000, with a new cohort admitted every four to five years.

The College of Social Work and the Center for Public Policy and Administration have established a dual degree program that offers the PhD in Social Work and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degrees. The purpose of this partnership is to prepare students in a unique interdisciplinary fashion to assume leadership roles in nonprofit organizations or institutions of government concerned with the social welfare of the public. Applicants must follow admission requirements and be accepted by both programs.

The Ph.D. degree requires a master’s degree plus a minimum of 50 credit hours beyond the master’s degree (a minimum of 30 core, 6 elective, and 14 dissertation hours). The following are also required:

• Two years of graduate study beyond the master’s degree. At least two consecutive semesters of full-time study (nine credit hours) must be taken in residence.
• The core courses provide students with knowledge and skills critical for creative problem-solving in the profession. Students are required to complete 30 credit hours in core courses. In addition, students are required to complete at least 6 hours of electives.
• Satisfactory performance on a qualifying examination. The Ph.D. Committee will establish the requirements for the qualifying examination, which may include but not be limited to a written comprehensive examination.
• Admission to Ph.D. candidacy by vote of the Ph.D. Committee upon completion of the qualifying examination and coursework.
• Completion of an approved dissertation including at least 14 hours of dissertation research.
• Successful defense of the dissertation, including a dissertation proposal presented prior to the student’s defense.
• Completion of all dissertation work within three years from the date of admission to candidacy (unless an extension is approved by the Ph.D. Committee).
• Completion of all course work toward the degree within seven years of admission to the program (unless an extension is approved by the Ph.D. Committee and The Graduate School, University of Utah).

*For specific curriculum information contact the program at 801-585-5979.

Social Work Core Courses

• SW 7111 - Quantitative Research: Theory and Design 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7122 Quantitative Research II: Secondary Data Analysis 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7120 - Scholarly Writing and the Critical Review of Academic Literature 2 - 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7130 - Epistemological and Theoretical Perspectives for SW Research 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7211 - Introduction to Analysis 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7221 - Advanced Analysis 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7512 - Qualitative Research Methods of Social Inquiry, Field Research 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7113 - Knowledge for Social Work Practice: Systematic Reviews 3 Credit(s)
• SW 7520 - Development of Biopyschosocial Intervention Models 3 Credit(s)

Social Work Specializations

Program specialization is tailored to each student’s needs and interests. A minimum of six (6) elective credit hours are required in coursework focused on a content area or issue of interest to each student. At least three of these must be taken outside the College of Social Work. In addition, students may enroll in guided readings or independent study with faculty throughout the University. Study should be focused on the development of knowledge and skill in a substantive area within the field of social welfare. Substantive areas are usually characterized by the selection of a social problem (e.g., child abuse, mental illness, delinquency) on which to focus study and develop expertise. Students are expected to develop substantive knowledge that relates to the variety of people and populations-including minorities and women-that are affected by the social problem. Study also includes a focus on a range of interventive strategies and public policies that might be used to effect social change related to the problem.

Statistics Requirement

Two statistics courses are required to complete the program. Additional statistics courses at the University are encouraged.

Dissertation Research

Students are required to present a dissertation proposal to a faculty committee after candidacy has been granted. Upon completion of dissertation research, students defend their research at a meeting open to the University community. Fourteen (14) hours of dissertation study are required.

• SW 7970 - Dissertation Research 1 - 12 Credit(s)

Applications for admission to the program must be received by the College of Social Work no later than February 1 (This date is subject to change. For information contact the program at 801-585-5979). Late applications are accepted on a space-available basis. Admission requirements include:

• A master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work.
• Evidence of superior academic achievement in undergraduate and graduate education.
• Minimum of two years of social work experience that demonstrates the applicant’s professional competence, ability to undertake advanced study, potential for leadership, and emotional maturity. (This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Social Work Ph.D. Committee)
• Satisfactory performance on the GRE, taken within five years prior to the admission year.
• For international applicants whose primary language is not English, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) must be taken.
• A personal interview, if requested by the Ph.D. Committee.
• Three letters of reference.
• A sample of writing in the form of a published article, a manuscript being submitted for publication, a report completed in connection with a research interest, or a paper prepared specifically for admission to the Ph.D. program.
• A written statement of educational and professional intent.

Transfer Credit. All transfer work must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee and conform to policy guidelines and requirements of the University and of the respective departments. The last full year of work must be taken at the University of Utah.

• Scholarships

Research and teaching assistantship opportunities are also available at the College of Social Work. Our PhD students find working in our Social Research Institute, Goodwill Initiatives on Aging, or our Utah Criminal Justice Center offers critical career and scholarship enhancement. These institutes sponsor grant-funded research and demonstration projects regarding such issues as child welfare practice and cross-system reforms, juvenile and criminal justice reforms, aging, mental health, the challenges faced by welfare families, substance involved families, and services for persons with disabilities.

• American Association of University Women International Fellowships ($15,060)
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Graduate Fellowships ($2,500 per year, renewable)

Addictions and Social Work

Walden University

Human services (clinical social work), human services (human services administration), medical social work.

Rutgers University-Camden

Social work (addictions and social work), social work (criminal justice), social work (disaster, crisis, and intervention), social work (family studies and interventions), social work (medical social work), deadline information.

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Social Work

Associate Professor | Extension Community Resource and Economic Development Specialist

Contact Information

• Curriculum Vitae

Educational Background

PhD in Social Work, University of Iowa (2018) MPH, University of Iowa (2014) MSW, University of Iowa (2011)

Cris Meier (PhD, MSW, MPH) earned her PhD in Social Work from the University of Iowa in 2018. She also completed her MSW (2011) and MPH (2014) degrees at the University of Iowa both of which have greatly influenced her practice and Extension work. Her social work practice experience includes working with children and families involved with the child welfare system and program evaluation. As an Extension Specialist she works with rural communities to improve access to resources, assists with capacity building of residents and stakeholders, implements interventions that contribute to community development, and policy, systems, and environment changes to improve healthy food access. She supports Extension county faculty by providing program evaluation on community projects. Her expertise is in mixed-methods program evaluations. Her research interests include neighborhood and community access to resources, spatial disparities in food environments, program evaluation, and health disparities especially among racial and ethnic minorities. More recently Cris has begun to conduct research on youth sexual behaviors in Utah, with particular interest in developing LGBTQIA+ inclusive measures, identifying resources that could help youth engage in healthy sexual behaviors, and interventions to prevent risk taking behaviors of youth.

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Social Work

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Master of Social Work

The final deadline to apply for FALL 2024 for our Waco Campus was MAY 1. If you have questions, please email [email protected] . The fall 2025 app will open in September. If you're interested in our online program for fall 2024, head on over to our MSW online page .

Why earn your MSW degree at Baylor?

Students in the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Baylor receive a well-rounded education focused on social justice and the ethical intersection of faith and practice. Our residential and online MSW degree programs prepare professional social workers who can assess and build on the strengths of persons, families and communities.

Our innovative academics and unique experiential learning opportunities train students to become compassionate and ethical social workers who believe social work is about service and justice, healing and restoration, and the dignity of all people.

Click here to download a free resource guide about the social work profession and career opportunities.

MSW Curriculum

The MSW at Baylor is a research-based program taught by expert faculty with hands-on experience in the profession. Our curriculum provides the best of both time-tested methodology and cutting-edge discovery.

The Garland School of Social Work offers a Master of Social work with two academic specializations (Clinical Practice and Community Practice) and partners with The Hankamer School of Business and Truett Theological Seminary to offer a joint MSW/MBA, MDiv/MSW or MTS/MSW. Our MSW program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

A 10:1 student-to-professor ratio creates an environment of active, meaningful learning; students grow academically and professionally and have opportunities to participate in research projects thanks to outstanding faculty mentorship.

Students can enroll in the Master of Social Work program at either our residential campus in Waco, Texas, or our online campus from almost anywhere.

Social Work Specializations and Concentrations

Baylor’s MSW students can choose to specialize in either Clinical Practice or Community Practice. The MSW Concentration is an option designed to develop a student’s knowledge base more comprehensively in one area of social work practice.

Social Work Practicum Education

Practicum is considered the signature pedagogy of social work education; internships provide the opportunity to apply knowledge to work with clients and the systems that impact them.

• Diana R. Garland School of Social Work

811 Washington Ave. Waco, TX 76701

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Spartan Alert

M.s.w. and ph.d. programs in social work.

The Departments of Social Work at   NCA&T  and UNC Greensboro  jointly offer two graduate programs in social work:

• Masters of Social Work (M.S.W.)  
• Doctorate in Social Work (Ph.D.)  

Students are  immersed in our rich tradition of multiculturalism, social justice, and community-engaged scholarship. This unique relationship between our two universities produces social workers, scholars, activists, and researchers.

Master of Social work

The Master in Social Work (M.S.W.) represents a unique collaboration between NC A&T and UNC Greensboro . The program curriculum prepares you for multicultural clinical practice.

This innovative program flows from a multicultural history and models collaboration between the two universities.

Doctor of Philosophy in Social work

The Ph.D. in Social Work is built on the cornerstones of diversity, multicultural responsiveness, and community engagement.

It is offered by two richly historic universities in North Carolina. One a Historically Black College, NC A&T , and the other, the historical women’s college, now UNC Greensboro .

Our students are full members of both Universities

• Take classes on both campuses.
• Are taught by faculty from both schools.
• Have library and parking privileges on both campuses.
• Study at each campus and have access to the full range of instructional and research support available at both universities.
• Are granted a degree jointly by both universities – diplomas have the seals of both schools.

Our Programs at a Glance

Quincy Dinnerson, Ph.D

kjpoole@ uncg [email protected]

Graduate Director

Digital wellness movement sees Utah as 'testing ground.' Cox declares 'Phone-Free Fridays'

By emma everett johnson, ksl.com | posted - june 16, 2024 at 7:04 p.m., half the story, a nationwide movement that helps teens navigate digital spaces safely and effectively, sees utah as a leader in the fight against big tech. (fabian sommer, getty images).

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — When it comes to teens and their screens, it sometimes feels like fear outweighs hope.

Larissa May is trying to change that with Half The Story , a movement that teaches teens how to navigate digital spaces.

"Every child in America should be protected from the harms of social media," May said, "and have the agency to protect themselves in the digital world."

Half The Story was born out of May's own struggles with social media and her mental health. She knows teens struggle, too — that's why the movement doesn't promote a narrative where teens are victims but instead empowers them to change their relationship to screens.

Social Media U

May helps teens catch the vision with Social Media U, an in-school or after-school program that teaches about digital wellness. One thing the curriculum doesn't do is hit teens over the head with lectures about screen time.

"Screen time is only half the story," May said.

Instead, the curriculum shows teens how social media companies and other apps use addictive features to keep them scrolling, playing and watching.

It also asks teens to practice "emotional granularity," or getting specific about the emotions they feel while in the digital world. If a teen — or anyone — feels angry, sad, gratified or numb while online, it's probably time to take a step back.

Plus, Social Media U shows teens how to change device and platform settings to make their media consumption mindful instead of mindless.

"We're figuring out how to take the fear out of the (digital) space," May said.

The hope isn't that Social Media U grads will ditch screens altogether. Instead, May wants them to work together to create policies that work for them and their classmates.

Teens lead the way

Half The Story puts a lot of trust in teens to choose how they'll use screens. After completing Social Media U, teens think up solutions that their school can implement.

Some kids have asked their schools to set aside a budget for social activities that are screen-free. Others want their schools to have designated spaces where they can hang out without their screens.

May turns to her teen advisory board to get a sense of what teens are most worried about or interested in when it comes to digital spaces.

Right now, she says teens are concerned about artificial intelligence and the potential it has to impersonate them. The tech has the ability to take concerns from the "old world" of social media, like cyberbullying and body image, and amplify them.

"People are now really losing control of their likeness," she said.

Even with these concerns, May doesn't think an out-and-out ban on phones in schools is really the right answer — especially if the ban doesn't involve some tech education.

"If we're merely taking phones away and handing them iPads, we're really missing this point," she said.

'Phone-Free Fridays'

"Our passion for digital wellness … really started in Utah," May said.

Half The Story is all over the U.S. and has even reached Canada and the U.K., but May says Utah is one of the most progressive places for digital wellness, largely because of pushes from Gov. Spencer Cox.

On Friday, Cox announced the latest in a string of social media initiatives: Phone-Free Fridays. He invites Utahns to ditch their smartphones on Fridays from June 14 to Aug. 15.

"We hope to bring awareness to the importance of going phone-free and setting aside time for activities not involving technology, and we encourage parents to collaborate with their children to develop proactive cellphone regulations together," Cox said in a statement on Facebook .

"Utah can really be a testing ground for the rest of the world to catch onto," May said. "Utah has more hope than most places."

In Utah, perhaps more than anywhere else, May hopes to help create communities where young people have a voice.

Utahns interested in participating in Social Media U or working with May can reach out to Half The Story and likely get funding from local investors, she said.

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Breaking news, nurse praised for how she handled someone’s unruly child on flight: ‘absolutely in the right’.

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What’s the opposite of helicopter parenting? Being a parent on an airplane, apparently.

A nurse drew kudos online when she shared how she and her husband dealt with an out-of-control little girl who was sitting in front of them during a recent flight.

Shayla Monnier and her husband, Andrew, were in the last hour of their packed flight from Atlanta to Denver when the girl in front of them turned around and started blowing raspberries – sending spit all over Monnier and her husband.

Monnier said it happened multiple times without the parents putting a stop to the repulsive behavior.

@shaylamonnier What would you do? ✈️ #fyp #trending #airplane #travel #whatwouldyoudo ♬ original sound – Shay-la ⭐️

“Is everybody seriously gentle parenting these days? Because I’m not about it. Not if you’re spitting in my face,” Monnier lamented in the first of two TikTok videos describing the ordeal.

The child – who Monnier said looked between 3 to 5 years old – had been asleep between her parents for most of the flight, but once she woke up it was clear she was going to do what she wanted, she continued.

“I was kind of shocked and the parents told her not to and then it just became a thing,” she told the camera.

“And she fought against them and turned around on the seat and spat on us again.

“This time I put my hand up, just to block the spit from me, and her parents grabbed her and made her sit down, well she fought, trying to turn around and spit on us some more, and she did,” the mom of five continued.

“The spit was going everywhere,” she recalled, noting that the girl’s parents were wearing masks and didn’t try to put one on their child.

The ongoing misbehavior caused Monnier’s husband to “lose his cool,” she explained.

“After the third time my husband very sternly said to the parents, ‘If you don’t get your kid under control, I’ll do it for you,’ and ‘why don’t you put a mask on her? You guys are both wearing masks, why doesn’t she have a mask?’” Monnier said.

“Then the mom yelled back at him and said, ‘If you had kids maybe you’d understand,’ to which my husband replied, ‘We have five children and six grandchildren and I promise you not one of them would do something like that.’”

@shaylamonnier Replying to @ranger275wife ♬ original sound – Shay-la ⭐️

A flight attendant eventually heard the hubbub and insisted the girl put on a mask, Monnier continued.

The little girl then went back to sleep for the rest of the flight, she added.

The flight attendant also gave Monnier, her husband, and the third passenger in their row some complimentary flight miles, she said.

Monnier’s story quickly lit up the comments on TikTok, with hundreds of viewers praising the 44-year-old’s response to the out-of-control youngster.

“You were showered in the spit of gentle parenting…” one TikTok user joked.

“Gentle parenting is absolute bullsh–t. Kids need clear boundaries and structure,” another wrote.

“I’m on your side…good for your husband!” a third chimed in, with another adding that they were “absolutely in the right.”

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Class of 2024 MSW Grads Honored for Achievements in Academics, Community Service and Leadership in Celebratory Ceremony

Touro university graduate school of social work hosts annual recognition program at manhattan’s 92nd street y highlights graduates' success.

The graduating class of Touro University’s Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) was honored recently at the school’s annual Academic Recognition Program, held at the 92 nd Street Y in Manhattan.

The 160 members of the Class of 2024 packed the auditorium and cheered one another on as they approached the stage – some students multiple times – to be recognized for academic achievements, community service, and leadership, among other accomplishments.

Director of Program Operations Elhanan Marvit opened the program, followed by congratulatory remarks from the dean, Dr. Nancy Gallina, who applauded the class for navigating the challenges of the past year with “empowerment, strength, support and empathy.”

“You Will Bring Light”

“There were many difficult conversations we had in our classrooms. And every time you proved to be social workers already - by adhering to civil discourse, giving yourself an opportunity to hear a different point of view, and accepting the challenge of learning how others experience the world,” the Dean said in her remarks. “This is no small feat. It takes a true professional to put aside their own internal suffering and open up with empathic curiosity to explore what the world is like for others.”

She continued, “There is much angst, suffering and darkness in our world and you graduates will bring light. Work with your clients to find the resources and empowerment needed to make the change they seek today. It is my belief social workers are not made; they are born. Listen to that calling and be the beacon of hope so many people are searching for.”

Touro University senior vice president and provost, Dr. Patricia Salkin, also congratulated and thanked the class for their hard work, determination, and passion.

“Society needs social workers today more than ever before,” said Dr. Salkin. “We live in a world that has become more tumultuous… It seems as though we have lost a sense of civility and humanity right in our own backyard. You are the ones who must now go out into this world and help people live better lives. You must lead by example and ensure that every human being is treated with dignity and respect. This is just the beginning for each one of you and the future of our communities is brighter because of what each one of you is now prepared to do.”

Numerous Recognition Awards

Over 15 award categories recognized dozens of attendees for service to the school and to the community; leadership and management; fieldwork; research; academic accomplishment; and alumni service.

Frederick Marte received awards in four categories, one of which recognized his enthusiastic participation in school efforts to advocate for social policy legislation in Albany. Dominican-born and raised in Passaic, N.J., Marte ran workshops for parents to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and led a Latino men’s group that uses the arts to engage teens.

Brooklyn native Quanisha Nelson won a Management and Leadership award for her work supervising a mental health homeless shelter on Randall’s Island that houses 224 men – many of whom are suffering from substance use disorders. A 2015 graduate of Touro’s New York School of Career and Applied Studies, at the GSSW she learned how to write a grant proposal and decided to pursue a leadership position in social work.

A “Special Recognition Research Award” went to Briana Dominguez for presentations she made at the New York Academy of Medicine and Touro University Research Day on the effectiveness of TFCBT – trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy with undocumented children.

Sarah Orgel received the Dr. Bernard and Sarah Lander Distinguished Social Work Tikkun Olam Award, which memorializes the legacies of Touro College’s founder and his wife while paying tribute to students who enhance the quality of life in the Jewish and larger community.

Orgel operates a small daycare in her community for Orthodox families in need, works as a certified life coach, and volunteers as a facilitator for free support programs offered by Family Connections, an organization established by the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder (NEABP). The support groups are for family members with loved ones who suffer from emotional dysregulation and BPD.

Other awards went to outstanding students in practicum education; the federally-funded Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program; and fellowship recipients in Aging Education, Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health, and School Social Work.

Twenty-three graduates finished with “Highest Academic Honors” awards, having achieved GPAs of 3.9 and above.