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 2014
College Student Perceptions of Mental Health Counseling at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Holly Barkeim
Sibley County Children’s Collaborative – Supporting Child Welfare through Collaboration, Jade Blekestad-Kral
Implementation of the READY! for Kindergarten Program, Sharon Bonnett
Training and Burnout Among Paraprofessionals Who Work with Children with EBD, Daniel Boston
Best Practices for Implementing The Green House® Model at the Tomah Veterans Administration, Jesana Denter-Eckelberg
Developing Trauma-Informed Practice in a Community Mental Health Clinic: In the Child Welfare Context, Kelly Froehle
A Feasibility Study on a Men’s Cancer Support Group at the Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato Andreas Cancer Center, Nicole Giersdorf
Usage of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) With Hospital Inpatients, Jeni Kolstad
The Changes in Major Diagnoses from DSM IV-TR to DSM 5: How to Talk to Clients About Changes in Their Diagnosis, Abigail Malterer
Toolkit for Mental Health Professionals, Social Workers, and Guidance Counselors Working with Immigrant and Refugee Students, Rojina Maya McCarthy
Mental Health Services Among Children Involved in Child Welfare: Identifying Parental Views and Barriers to Accessing Services, Katrina Ohmann-Thai
Civil Commitment and Sex Offenders, Ashley Pederson
School Social Work as an Intervention in a Rural Setting IV Classroom Serving Students with Behavioral Needs, Melissa Pletcher
Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Minnesota: Implications for Rural Substance Treatment Centers, Ann Przybilla
Training and Burnout Among Paraprofessionals Who Work with Children with Emotional Behavioral Disorders, Jenna Robinson
CPT vs PE for PTSD? Literature Review on Efficacy of CPT and PE Based on Gender, Chronicity, and Race/Ethnicity, Christelle C. Sackey
Responding to a Community Need: Mobile Crisis Program Training Manuals, Kelsey Tollefson
An In-Depth Look at Filial Play Therapy, Sam Tumberg
Implementing PBIS in a Rural Junior High School: Reducing Negative Behaviors and Gaining Future Teacher Buy-In, Kelly T. Vourlos
DSM-IV-TR/DSM-5, An Evidence-Based Comparative Analysis with Focus on the Cultural Context of Mental Health Illness of: Bipolar Disorders, Depression, Autism Disorders, Anxiety and ADHD., Claudia Zendejas-Finley
Theses/Dissertations from 2013
Evidence-based Marketing Strategies to Increase Student Membership in a Professional Association, Laura Aldrich
Evidence-Based Protocols for Assessment and Treatment of Adolescent Suicide Risk in an Emergency Department, Rebecca Bentele
Evidence-Based Treatment for Anxiety Disorders and Marijuana Use Across the Lifespan, Tanya Borchert
The Working Alliance: A Survey of an Outpatient Mental Health Center, Jennifer Bramstedt
Respectful Workplace and Violence Prevention a Fidelity Checklist for MnDot D7, AnneMarie Burgess
Development of a Social Understanding Group Resource Manual, Tristann Carter
Truancy Intervention and Prevention Programs for the Marshall Middle School, Gayle Chandler
Incredible Years Parenting Program: Developing and Evidenced-based Implementation Protocol, Brooklynn Fredericksen
Family Counts: Education for Family Systems Impacted by Addiction, Tanya Friese
Best Practices in the Provision of Group Therapy for Adult Male Clients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia at Fernbrook Family Center, Nathaniel S. Gendron
The Development and Implementation of Trauma-Informed Care Within a Clinical Setting, Molly Hildebrandt
Factors Affecting Timeliness of Permanency for Children in Out-of-Home Placement, Michelle C. Holt
School Social Work: A Vital Link in Schools: A report on School Work Services for the Mankato Area Public School District, Rachel Johnston
Social Worker’s Guide to Engaging Families in Family Group Conference, Tiffany Kacir
Strategies for Success in a Residential Program, Madison Kaye
Evidence Based Practices in Providing Treatment Foster Care to Delinquent Youth, Jay S. Kimball
Best Practice Resource Manual for New Social Workers at District 77, Shelby Lenzen
A Guide to Understanding, Building and Sustaining an Effective Therapeutic Community, Sara Loose
An Analysis of the Re-Education Philosophy and the Applicability to Individual and Group Therapy, Psychoeducation and Skills, Sarah Manthei
Evaluation Guide: Mower County Health and Human Services Child Welfare Preventative Programs, Tina Meyer
Best Practices for Implementing Trauma-Informed Care with Youth who are Homeless or At- Risk of Being Homeless, Ellen Morrow
A Community Based System of Integrated Clinical Care: Primary Care, Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment, Terri Reuvers
Evaluation of Family Skills Group at Fernbrook Family Center, Jessica Robertson
Identification of Effective Play Techniques for Use with Children in a Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, Jan Schwarzrock
Paraphilias: Relevant Factors for Treatment Providers of Sexual Offenders, Darren Tungsvik
Recruitment of American Indian Foster Parents, Donna Vig
Best Practices for Designing and Implementing a Food Pantry in St. Peter Middle and High School, Kira Wellner
Theses/Dissertations from 2012
The Effectiveness of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 Across Cultures, Caylin Cedergren
Real Jobs, Real Community, Real Wages: A Guide to Customized Employment, Kelsey Christy
An Overview of Avoidant Personality Disorder, Kristin Dehrkoop
"First Impression": Creating an Intake Procedure that is Welcoming to Clients and Useful to Clinicians, Brandi Embacher
SEA Program Process Evaluation: Improving Existing Evaluation Methods, Rachel Faust
Headway Emotional Health Services: A Parent Satisfaction Survey and Needs Assessment, Eowyn T. Gatlin
40 Developmental Assets: A Research Analysis: Healthy Youth Committee & Fairmont's Youth Surveys, Tiffany Gullord
Stroke Rehabilitation, Length-of-Stay, and Re-Admission Rates: A Literature Review, Morgen Hagedorn
Parent Involvement Plan for Lincoln Elementary, Michelle Kaune
Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Opioid Substance Abuse Treatment, Elizabeth V. Keck
Student Facilitated Anti-Bully Program, Ashley Kiefer
Evidence-Based Behavior Interventions for Children with ADHD: A Systematic Review, Jennifer Kimpton
School Social Workers and Multiple Supervisees, Michelle Krueger
TEAM Academy Student Attendance Policy, Jenna Lageson
Student Perceptions of Minnesota State University, Mankato's Alcohol and Drug Policy, Renee Lips-Bush
Needs Assessment of Emergency Department Social Workers in Southwestern Minnesota in Relation to Emergency Department Expansion, Gina Marie Njugunah
Study Skills, Organizational Skills, Self-Awareness and Understanding Self Skills: A Development of Skills Curriculum for Middle School Students, Aliina Vivant Peterson
Policies in Hospital Social Work, Jolene L. Reisdorfer
Comparison of Minnesota's Community-Based Jail Reentry Programs, Lori A. Sanborn
A Review of Developmentally Appropriate Evidence-Based Effective Parenting and Resources for Parents, Kari Schwecke
Needs Assessment to Explore Support for Spouses Affected by Military Life, Erika Sletten
Interning as an Outpatient Therapist: Developing a Comprehensive Training Manual Grounded in the Professional Knowledge Base, Katie Stadheim
Bridging Tactics: Parental Support Systems: A Proposal for a Psycho-Educational Parent Group, Emily F. Thompson
Mental Health Inpatient Hospitalization and Smoking Cessation, Susan Warring
Evaluation of the BEST Program, Rana Wehner
Survey of Emergency Department Patients' Perceived Barriers to Accessing Services and Community Resource Utilization, Kelsey Ann Wilke
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Group Curriculum, Julie M. Wood
Theses/Dissertations from 2011
Effective Trauma Assessment Tools for Women with Severe Mental Illness, Heather A. Bangu
Best Practices for Working with Undocumented Latino Youth, Elizabeth J. Braun
Evaluation of School Social Workers' Time Spent in Direct and Indirect Practices, Kris Brummund
Best Practices for Treating Co-Occuring Disorders in a Chemical Dependency Treatment Setting, Michelle Dick
Best Practice in Working with the Somali Population, Ilhan Duale
Evidence-based Strategies for Working with Veterans, Bethany Fopma
Assessing the Needs of Students Identified with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Jenny A. Goff
Incredible Years Dina Dinosaur Program Evaluation, Amanda Holzapfel
Factors that Contribute to Patient Length of Stay at St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, Brenda Karch
Effectiveness of the WhyTry Curriculum with Adults Participating in a Vocational Training Program, Erika Kern
Needs Assessment for A Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Outpatient Services, Mary Beth Patterson
Factors Assocated with Employee Satisfaction in Minnesota Community Action Agencies, Kelsie Peters
Understanding the Role of Attachments and Schemas: A Model for Working with Sex Offenders, Carol J. Ries
A Social and Emotional Learning Curriculm Recommendation for Nicollet Public School District, Christina R. Rosamond
Computer-Based Training: Understanding Mental Health Civil Commitment, Tiffany Sandbo
Recommendations for the Provision of Patient Activities, Jean Schlichting
Shelter Program for Homeless Males with Substance Use and Mental Illness: A Strength and Effectiveness Based Approach, Kotatee Tamba
Housing with Support Marketing Study Tool, Gary M. Travis
