Dr. Karen Woodcock

Associate Dean, Associate Professor of Social Work
Arts and Sciences
Social Work, Community and Public Health

Dr. Karen Woodcock is an Associate Professor and Director of the BASW Program. She received her Ph.D, MSW, and B. S. degree at the University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Woodcockbegan her career as a residential counselor in community mental health.Additionally, she worked as an intensive case manager,resource coordinator, and group home supervisor for residential community mental health clients. Her dissertation was conducted at a community agency that provided services and shelter to victims of domestic violence. For this research, she obtained community and University funding and personally interviewed woman at the agency. The mixed-method study of the mental health help seeking behaviors of victims of intimate partner violence supported a relationship between PTSD and difficulties in victim’s establishing and maintaining positive mental health treatment experiences.

Dr. Woodcock’s academic experience includes teaching at the bachelors and masters level in social work prior to UMass Global and serving as a faculty member and director of the BASW program at University of Massachusetts Global. She was instrumental in the development of the BASW program from its inception and in obtaining professional accreditation for the program from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Dr. Woodcock was awarded Faculty of the Year for 2016-2017 in recognition of her service to the University. At UMass Global, she has taught blended courses at the Santa Clarita, CA campus and online social work courses.

Education History

2007 - Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Dissertation: “Mental Health Help Seeking Behaviors of Intimate Partner Violence Victims”

1998 - MSW in Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Community Organization and Social Administration

1983 - B.S. Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

 

Scholarly Activities

2017

  • Social Work Disciplinary Community Chair
  • Social Work Curriculum Team Chair
  • Social Work Student Association Advisor

Professional Experience

2011-PRESENT: BASW Program Director, University of Massachusetts Global, Irvine, CA

  • Oversight of BASW program: policies, faculty meetings, student support, adjunct support, adjunct course assignments, campus support, professional accreditation; course development and teaching responsibilities.

2010-2011: Faculty, BSW Program, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

  • Taught BSW Courses: Introduction to Social Work, Diversity, Groups, HBSE; committee responsibilities.

2005-2010: Adjunct Faculty, Field Liaison, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School

  • Taught MSW Courses: Research Program Evaluation, HBSE, Models of Intervention and Mental Health Policy; Assisted students in course registration; Conducted field practicum site visits. Developed field sites.
 

Education History

2007 - Ph.D. in Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Dissertation: “Mental Health Help Seeking Behaviors of Intimate Partner Violence Victims”

1998 - MSW in Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

  • Community Organization and Social Administration

1983 - B.S. Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

 

Scholarly Activities

2017

  • Social Work Disciplinary Community Chair
  • Social Work Curriculum Team Chair
  • Social Work Student Association Advisor

Professional Experience

2011-PRESENT: BASW Program Director, University of Massachusetts Global, Irvine, CA

  • Oversight of BASW program: policies, faculty meetings, student support, adjunct support, adjunct course assignments, campus support, professional accreditation; course development and teaching responsibilities.

2010-2011: Faculty, BSW Program, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA

  • Taught BSW Courses: Introduction to Social Work, Diversity, Groups, HBSE; committee responsibilities.

2005-2010: Adjunct Faculty, Field Liaison, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School

  • Taught MSW Courses: Research Program Evaluation, HBSE, Models of Intervention and Mental Health Policy; Assisted students in course registration; Conducted field practicum site visits. Developed field sites.
 

Related Programs

Counselor talking to a group of people
Social Work

Social Work, BA

Earn real-world experience and prepare for a professional social work career in a variety of settings, including clinical research, community outreach, and nonprofit or government organizations.
Jun 23, 2025