Wayne State University School of Social Work Teaches New Guidelines

Wayne State University School of Social Work
Image: socialwork.wayne.edu

The president of Health Mate, Inc., Sandra Schiff offers coaching and development in relation to businesses. Sandra Schiff is also a part-time professor at Wayne State University’s School of Social Work.

Recently Wayne State University made the news for its commitment to working with President Obama towards defeating the epidemic of controlled substance abuse. The University signed a pledge to improve its curriculum regarding addiction and prescribing practices and will implement new guidelines that educate health care professionals in targeted techniques for fighting this epidemic.

In this effort, the School of Social Work collaborates with other departments including the School of Medicine and the College of Nursing by taking steps to educate them on issues that might be overwhelming to healthcare professionals. These include showing professionals when to accept their limitations and ask for help in difficult cases, and explaining how to best implement state prescription drug monitoring programs. It also seeks to allow providers, including new ones, to see how their own biases may limit or affect their abilities to help clients.

The PhD Dual-Title in Social Work at Gerontology at WSU

Wayne State University School of Social Work
Image: socialwork.wayne.edu

A coaching professional with expertise in executive leadership, Sandra Schiff, PhD, divides her time between Health Mate, Inc., and Wayne State University (WSU). At the former, Dr. Sandra Schiff oversees training and consulting services as president. She is a School of Social Work adjunct faculty member at WSU.

With a history dating back to 1917, WSU’s School of Social Work received approval in 2013 to launch its dual-title program in social work and gerontology to all doctoral students. Eligible PhD students must be enrolled in a social work program and submit an application with an essay that outlines their reasons for pursuing a PhD dual-title in gerontology.

The dual-title program addresses the need for more social work professionals and researchers that focus on the field of geriatrics. Students admitted into the program must complete a traditional PhD curriculum as well as learn about gerontology. In total, successful completion of nine credits in gerontology as well as a submission of a dissertation and passing of a substantive exam, related to the field of study, is mandatory.

Studying at the Wayne State University School of Social Work

Wayne State University School of Social Work
Image: socialwork.wayne.edu

The president of Health Mate, Inc., since 1999, Dr. Sandra Schiff oversees content and program development. Dr. Sandra Schiff also serves as a part-time adjunct faculty member at the Wayne State University School of Social Work.

With roots dating back to 1917, the School of Social Work was formally organized in 1935 as the School of Public Affairs and Social Work. Today, the school offers programs for every level of collegiate and doctoral education, with additional programs for continuing education students with experience in the field. Located in Detroit, Michigan, the School of Social Work operates as a practice school, where research and career preparation are emphasized.

As a way to prepare graduates for their work with individuals, families, and communities, the School of Social Work requires time in its field education program. Created to enable students to conduct research in an urban setting, it also provides practice, policy, and human behavior experience. On a weekly basis, bachelor’s degree students engage directly with individuals or small groups to understand the drivers of human behavior. Master’s degree students may choose between two focus areas: interpersonal practice or innovation in community, policy, and leadership. Both focus areas offer hands-on experience two or three days a week, depending on the length of the program.