The concentration year Capstone Project provides Masters of Social Work (MSW) students with the opportunity to integrate and apply previous learning (academic and field) through the creation and implementation of a project at their practicum agency in order to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, ethics and values necessary for evidence-based advanced generalist social work practice. The Capstone Project also gives students the opportunity to contribute to the knowledge-base of the profession and to develop and enhance professional presentation skills through the creation and delivery of a poster presentation and the writing of an executive summary describing the project. Students work with their academic advisor, agency field instructor or task supervisor, field faculty, and faculty teaching the concentration year macro practice classes to design and implement the Capstone Project and to create and deliver their poster presentation.
Theses/Dissertations from 2011
Evaluation of Greater Mankato Area United Way's Annual Allocations Process from the Partner Agencies' Perspective, Erin A. Trytten
Diversity Within Bachelor of Social Work Programs: Perspectives and Interventions, Brian Warner
Improving Communication and Team Cohesion in a Long Term Care Facility, Jen Watson
The Power of Service Work: Developing a Consumer Volunteer Program for the House of Hope, Inc., Darcy Wennes
Characteristics of Patients Admitted with Alcohol Related Traumatic Injuries, Jessica Wolf
Best Practices of a Social Worker's Role in Supporting Family Caregivers Enrolled in Hospice Care, Jessie Wolf
Theses/Dissertations from 2010
Evidence-Based Programs that Address Social Emotional Learning in an Early Childhood Setting, Jihan Ali
Teacher Training for the Implementation of the Incredible Years at GFW Elementary School, Karen J. Appel
A Descriptive Analysis of Bookings in Sibley County Jail Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2009, DeAnna Aufderheide
Computer Based Training: Understanding Schizophrenia, Elli Marie Bach
Family Group Decision Making Utilization, Susan Carpenter
ESL Work Readiness Curriculum Survey, Lynda Devine
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Chronic Illness, Kelly Dulohery
Social and Family Support for Individuals with Mental Illness, Beth Filzen
Evidence Based Practices for Sensory Stimulation Seeking Impulsive Diagnosis, Sheena Gasner
Addressing the Needs of the Saint Clair Attendance Policies, Nicole Goettl
Improving Organizational Practices: Learning from Direct Care Staff and Team Leads, Abigail Helget
A Survey of Attitudes and Utilization of Counseling Services among International Students at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Anna Marie Johnson
A Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Sex Offender Residential Restrictions to Recidivism, Cheryl Kack
Program Recommendations to Fulfill Restrictive Procedures Training Requirements for School Districts, Annette M. Kleinschrodt
WhyTry? A Program Evaluation, Tammie Knick
Stigma Reduction Techniques/Campaigns for Practitioners in a Rural Community Mental Health Practice, Becky Mensing
Assessing Gaps in Services for Geriatric Patients with Mental Health Needs, Angela Nelson
Independent Living Outcomes Evaluation Project, Craig J. Padgett
Filling the Gap in Crisis Intervention: Horizon Homes, Inc. Proposal for SCCBI Crisis Services, Ricki Pribyl
Behavioral Health Self-Efficacy of Nurses in a Rural Emergency Department, Alyssa Schlager
Investigating Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Rates Among Mental Health Professionals at Sioux Trails Mental Health Center, Lora Schoewe
Expanding the SEA Program: Course Conception, Rationale and a Plan for Implementation, Michelle Schulz
Anger Management for Adults: Developing an Evidence-Based Anger Management Program, Kari Velzke
Evidence-Based Strategies and Techniques for Children with ASD, Tanya Walerius
Does Organizational Culture Affect Employee's Readiness to Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices?, Joseph Waller
A "Pawsitive" Influence of Animals in Long-Term Care Facilities: Animal-Assisted Therapy at St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, Hannah L. Winkler
Defining Exemplary Children's Mental Health Services in Minnesota's Rural Communities, Melanie Wurtzberger
Innovative Mental Health Services in Rural Minnesota: Community-based Mobile Crisis Response Services, Rebecca A. Zuehlke
Theses/Dissertations from 2009
Developing Evidenced Based Practice for Social Emotional Screenings in Schools, Kim Anderson
Best Practices for Increasing Pro-social Behavior in Adolescents with Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders, Danielle Armbrust-Malone
School Improvement Programs, Kimberly Barry
Acute Psychiatric Group Therapy for Hospitalized Individuals with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness, Lindsey Bednar
Mental Health Relapse Prevention: What Does the Research Say?, Robin Bode
In Step with Our Parents: 3-Part Educational Series, Kate Boisen-MacDonald
Social Work Involvement in Supporting Survivors of an Unexpected Death in an Emergency Department, Jennifer E. Buchanan
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Programs in the School Setting for Grades 7-12, Jennifer Crawford
Bring Mental Health Services Home: Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Adolescents and Their Families in Rural Minnesota, Laura Filzen
Minnesota State University Mankato Counseling Center: Needs Assessment Survey of College Student Parents, Katherine S. Fitzkappes
Summer Youth Housing Career Camp, Carol Goodemann
Effective Truancy Prevention Models, Nicole K. Hachfeld
Fernbrook Family Center, Inc. Need Identification and Training, Catherine R. Johanneck
Minnesota Health Care Programs: Renville County Human Servics Outreach Project, Bethany Leindecker
The Importance of Worksite Supervisors in At-Risk Youths' Lives, Laura Luna
Increasing Referrals for Services through Collaboration with Community Agencies, Benjamin Mohr
LLMHS Elderly Services Outreach Program: Lincoln, Lyon & Murray Human Services, Jamie Olson
Frequent Users of the Emergency Department: A Policy Proposal, Tina Ann Olson
Assessment of Parenting Skills of Mothers in Court Ordered Substance Abuse Treatment, Barb Pieske
Implementation and Data Tracking of School-Linked Mental Health Services at a Rural Mental Health Agency, Jim Redmond
Social Work Ethics Computer-Based Training Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Social Work, Rebecca Robinson-Wargelin
From a Consumer’s Perspective: What is Helpful for Residents of Four Bed Group Homes to Maintain Good Mental Health, Ronna R. Severson
Characteristics of Evidence-Based Parent-Training Programs, Peggy Sorensen
Best Practices for Vulnerable Adult Investigation Policies and Procedures at Blue Earth County, Anna Stindt
Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Electric Training Modules, Jennifer Stuehrenberg
Parent Training, Support and Psychoeducational Groups as Evidence Based Practice in Children's Mental Health, Dorothy Wagner
