Graduating DSW spotlight: Rebecca Beeler
Rebecca Beeler successfully completed her oral exams and proposal defense for her final capstone project in April, officially moving on as a Doctor of Social Work candidate with the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.
Beeler, who is the director of social services at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, has a soft spot for her DSW cohort. She said their time together in the program is something she will always cherish. Beeler and the 2025 cohort will be the first to graduate from the DSW program.
Learn more about Beeler below.
What made you choose social work in the first place?
Beeler: “I think it kind of chose me, and I think a lot of people say that. So, I started out thinking I was going to pursue a psychology path, and then a very kind boss suggested social work, and so I ended up going to KU to pursue my master's, and I chose the administrative track, and I have been very pleased with that choice.”
What are some things about the DSW program that stood out to you?
Beeler: “Since we're the first cohort, this has been a really interesting go, but I can't say enough about the professors. They've been super supportive, they're very encouraging. They want us to succeed. I feel like I have learned a ton in this program, and I adore my cohort, and I feel like I could not have gotten better classmates.
“I think the first couple of weeks, we were all totally shell-shocked to be at this level, and just how demanding we were realizing that this program is going to be. And then during class, (fellow DSW cohort member Sharilyn Ray) was the one who started the group chat. And once that group chat started, we have never looked back. I feel like I've known them all forever at this point, and I hope that they'll be lifelong friends. We've really created a bond.”
What do your social work aspirations look like?
Beeler: “Everybody asks me that, and I really don't know. I've been in health care for 17 years, and I really don't see myself not being in health care. And so when I started the program, my whole plan was to develop my position here at the hospital and my department, and I still intend on doing that. … It definitely has already helped me, and I think it will help me in the future to be able to do things more efficiently and better, and then have places at the tables that maybe I didn't have before.”
What kinds of opportunities has the DSW program and School of Social Welfare opened up for you?
Beeler: “Oh my gosh. I really think that you could do just about anything. The one thing I like about the DSW is that it is a practice doctorate. So, we're not as focused on this original research, but we're solving problems of practice. And when we learn the term scholarly practitioner, that really resonated with me. Because that is something that you can take and do so much. We still could work in research, but we can teach, we can lead, and we can do all sorts of things in the community. So, I think that's super exciting.”
What advice do you have for anyone considering getting a DSW?
Beeler: “I would say, make sure that you have time. Because, you know, that has been one of the big challenges of this program, is that we're all full-time employees somewhere. I know there are several of us who have clinical practices, and they're independent. You have to have time for a ton of reading, a ton of writing, a ton of research. … It's not just a weekend thing, it's an every extra minute that you have thing.”
Do you have a favorite class from the program?
Beeler: “The leadership course. It was our very first class of this program, and it was the hardest class I've ever taken in my life, but I have used that class probably more than any other class. It was just very demanding. It was our first class and a new program and a doctorate level, and it was so hard, but I've learned so much from that, and I just feel like I've used it so much.”