About the School

Education Building, Room 347
615 E. 52nd Street
(816) 235-2260 Dean's Office
(816) 235-2234 Student Services
Fax: (816) 235-5270
seswps@umkc.edu
Website: School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences

Mailing Address
University of Missouri-Kansas City
School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences
5100 Rockhill Road
Kansas City, MO 64110-2499

Dean:
Sara Helfrich

Associate Deans:
Carolyn Barber
Jacob Marszalek

Director of Student Services:
Brad Martens

Accreditation

The initial teacher preparation programs in the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences are nationally accredited at the bachelor's level (Early Childhood and Elementary Education B.A. degrees) and master's level (Master of Arts in Teaching, M.A. in Special Education) by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (2018-2025). 

The School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education.

The Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology has been continuously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation (CoA) of the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1985. The Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology has been continuously accredited by the APA CoA since 2004.

The Master's program in Counseling is accredited by the Master's in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (June 2024-August 2032).

The Master of Social Work program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education since 1999.

Programs for the preparation of teachers and other school personnel are approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Centers and Projects

Berkley Child and Family Development Center

The Berkley Child and Family Development Center provides quality care and education for young children and serves as a research training site for UMKC students. The center is administered through the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences and is part of the academic unit. It is accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children and licensed by the state of Missouri. Enrollment is open to the University population and the community for children ages 3 months to 6 years old. The center is accessible to children with special needs. To inquire about enrollment or a tour of the facility call (816) 235-2600.

Community Counseling and Assessment Services (CCAS)

UMKC Community Counseling and Assessment Services (CCAS) is committed to providing a variety of affordable counseling and assessment services to the Greater Kansas City Community. Staff are comprised of graduate student counselors and assessment specialists who are supervised by faculty members licensed as professional counselors or psychologists. Our counselors combine education, research, and a sincere passion for their work to help clients meet their goals and potential. CCAS's service fees are determined using a sliding scale fee structure based on income and the number of dependents. For information or appointments call (816) 235-2725 or email umkcccasservices@umkc.edu

Kansas City Regional Professional Development Center (KCRPDC)

The Kansas City Regional Professional Development Center (KCPDC) is one of nine regional professional development centers in Missouri, partially funded by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and serving schools, districts and educators in the Kansas City region. The mission of the KCPDC is to build the capacity of educators to maximize student performance through high quality professional development. Programs sponsored by the KCRPDC include, but are not limited to:

• Migrant Education and English Language Learning (MELL). The Missouri Migrant Education and English Language Learning program (MELL) is designed to use existing resources to better serve all English Language Learning (ELL) and migrant students in the state of Missouri. The MELL program works to prevent duplicate services and allows most funds to swiftly reach any and all Missouri school districts with children of need.

• Missouri School-Wide Positive Behavior Support. Missouri School-wide Positive Behavior Support is a partnership among the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), The University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) Center for School-wide Positive Behavior Support and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, University of Oregon and Connecticut. The program facilitates teachers and administrators in implementing a behavior culture and climate to increase learning.

• Special Education Consultants. The KCRPDC provides technical assistance and instructional support to special education teachers and administrators. Services include supporting effective practices, compliance, post-secondary transition planning, and MAP-A.

• Professional Learning Communities. The Missouri Professional Learning Communities Project (PLC) evolved from the Missouri Accelerated Schools Project which had served as a school reform initiative for many years. PLC consultants work with building leadership teams during a multi-year process to implement school-wide reform.

• Curriculum, Instructional and Assessment Support. Consultants at the KCPDC are available to assist teachers and administrators in reviewing, designing and implementing effective curriculum, instructional strategies and assessments.

​Urban Education Research Center

The Urban Education Research Center (UERC) is the research arm of the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences. Its mission is to create reliable, usable knowledge about education in urban areas with the goal of promoting excellent schooling and improving the lives, opportunities, and communities of urban residents in the Greater Kansas City community and the nation. The center accomplishes this mission through collaborative, data rich approaches including technical assistance and consultation, and rigorous research using a range of methodological tools. The UERC works collaboratively within the School of Education, Social Work and Psychological Sciences across the university, and in conjunction with local partners and communities. Collaborators and partners include education leaders, educators, researchers, community leaders, advocacy groups, and service organizations throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Institute for Urban Education (IUE)

Title II Notice

Title II of the Higher Education Act requires that every institution of higher education provide public information regarding the pass rate of the institution's graduates on the teacher certification or licensure assessment of the state in which the institution is located. Additionally, Title II requires that a comparison of each program's pass rate be made with the average pass rate in the state. Annual reporting on educator preparation program licensure assessments and other measures can be found at the Title II Higher Education Act website.

School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences Scholarship Information

Three types of scholarships are available to students: Automatic (considered when applying to UMKC); Additional scholarships to apply for through the UMKC Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, and School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences scholarships. The scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students in our programs.

Applicants

• Must be admitted to the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences
• Submit application by the official date will be posted on the School website, typically February or March
• Must complete a new application each year
• Previous recipients may reapply
• Number and dollar amount of awards vary from year to year
• Awards are not automatically renewable
• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester during the new academic year to receive a scholarship
• Graduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours each semester during the new academic year to receive a scholarship

Procedures

The procedure for applying for a scholarship will be found on the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences website.

Selection Process/Timeline

Note that due dates are subject to change; check the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences website for exact dates in a given cycle

• December: Scholarship application opens
• February or March: Applications are due and committee begins review
• April: All applicants are notified if selected
• Fall: All scholarship recipients will be honored at the unit's scholarship event

For more information about Scholarships go to the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences Affordability website. 

Special Services

Public School Placements

The School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences assists in making placements to enable teachers and other school personnel to complete their various practicum experiences. All field placements require students to have a current background clearance check.

Career Services at UMKC

The Career Services Office offers a variety of career and job-related services to students and alumni. Through Career Services, students can receive resume, interview and job search assistance. Teacher Education and School Counseling students in their last year of coursework can interview with representatives of area school districts through a Career Day sponsored by Career Services.

Students or graduates seeking a teaching or administrative position are urged to register and keep their records current in the Career Services Office, Atterbury Student Success Center, 5000 Holmes (2nd Floor), phone (816) 235-1636.

Education Lab

Computer labs are located in the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences Learning Commons in room 129 in the Education Building. Lab resources include Windows Pro workstations, printers and scanners. For more information including hours of availability, contact Student Services, room 129 Education, phone (816) 235-2716, email umkceducation@umkc.edu.

Student Organizations

The School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences Student Government strives to expand the students' academic concerns and abilities, promote students' involvement in the School and the University, act on all matters concerning students' welfare, aid faculty and students in cooperative work and promote a professional attitude and feeling of responsibility. Community service is also a regular part of the activity of its activity. The organization meets on a regular basis and welcomes all students' attendance and participation.

Mira An; assistant professor of psychology and counseling; B.A., B.E., M.A. (Sogang University); Ph.D. (University of Maryland, College Park).

Carolyn Barber^2,3; associate dean, school of education, social work, and psychological sciences; and professor of educational psychology; B.A. (Johns Hopkins University); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Maryland-College Park).

Kymberly K. Bennett^2,3; chair, department of psychology and counseling and professor of psychology; B.A. (University of Redlands); Ph.D. (University of Nevada, Reno).

LaVerne A. Berkel^2,3; professor of education; B.S. (Oakwood College); M.A. (New York University), Ph.D. (The Pennsylvania State University).

Rosalyn M. Bertram^2,3; professor of social work; B.A. (San Francisco State University); M.S.W. (San Francisco University); Ph.D. (University of South Florida).

Kathryn Brewer²; associate clinical professor of counseling psychology; B.A. (Park University); M.A. (Webster University); Ph.D. (Northcentral University).

Gina L. Bumgarner; assistant teaching professor of psychology and counseling; B.A., M.S.Ed. (Northwest Missouri State University).

Eric Camburn^2,3​; Sherman Family Foundation Endowed Chair and professor of education; B.A. (Illinois Benedictine College); M.A. and Ph.D. (University of Chicago).

​Karin Chang; associate research professor of education; M.A. (Stanford University); Ph.D. (University of Kansas).

Donna M. Davis^2,3; professor of education; B.A. (San Jose State University); M.S., Ph.D. (University of Kansas).

Teresa Dilley; associate teaching professor of education; B.A., M.A. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Hyeyoung Ghim^2,3; assistant professor of education; B.Des. (Kyungpook National University); M.A., Ed.D. (Teachers College, Columbia University).

Hubert Gordon; associate professor of professional practice of education; B.A. (State University of New York—Stony Brook); M.A. (St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary); M.A. (City University of New York—Lehman College); M.Ed. (Bank Street College).

Ile Haggins²; teaching professor of social work and director of field education; B.A. (Otterbein University); M.S.W. (University of Kansas).

Sara Helfrich^2,3; dean, school of education, social work, and psychological sciences; and professor of education; B.A., M.Ed. (Boston College); Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh).

Jeesoo Jeon; assistant professor of social work; B.A., M.S.W. (Yonsei University); M.S. (Michigan State University); Ph.D. (Case Western Reserve University).

Jenee Johnson^2,3; assistant professor of education; B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D. (University of Kansas).

Cassandra Kinder^2,3; assistant professor of education; B.S., M.A.T. (Missouri State University), Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Columbia).

Jeoung Min Lee^2,3; assistant professor of social work; B.A. (CheongJu University); M.S.W. (SoongSil University); M.S. (Michigan State University); Ph.D. (Wayne State University).

Jennifer Lundgren^2,3; provost and professor of psychology; B.S. (Oklahoma State University); Ph.D. (State University of New York at Albany).

Michelle Maher^2,3; professor of higher education administration, B.A. (Iowa State University), M.A., Ph.D. (George Mason University).

Daniel Maitland^2,3; associate professor of clinical psychology, B.A. (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee); M.A., Ph.D. (Western Michigan University).

Jacob Marszalek^2,3; associate dean, school of education, social work, and psychological sciences; and professor of psychology, B.A. (Illinois State University), M.S. (Emporia State University), Ph.D. (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).

Ricardo Marte²; associate teaching professor of psychology; B.A. (State University of New York at Binghamton); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Nevada, Reno).

S. Marie McCarther^2,3; chair, department of educational leadership, policy and foundations and associate professor of education; B.A. (Wilkes University); M.A., Ed.S. (University of Missouri-Kansas City); Ed.D. (University of Cincinnati).

Cynthia McDonald; assistant teaching professor of psychology and counseling; B.G.S. (University of Kansas); M.P.A., Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Elizabeth Neilson^2,3; assistant professor of psychology and counseling; B.A., M.P.H., M.S.W (University of Michigan); Ph.D. (University of Washington).

Johanna Nilsson^2,3; professor of psychology; B.A. (Roger Williams University); M.A., Ed.S. (State University of West Georgia); Ph.D. (Western Michigan University).

Arthur (Louis) Odom^2,3; chair, department of teacher education and curriculum studies and professor of education, B.S., B.A., M.Ed. (University of Arkansas); Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Columbia).

Steven Onken^2,3; chair, department of social work and associate professor of social work, B.A. (University of Iowa); MSSW, Ph.D. (University of Texas at Austin).

Gina Paese²; director of teacher education and assistant teaching professor of education; B.A. (City University of New York-Hunter College), M.S.Ed., Ph.D. (St. John's University).

Nora Peterman^2,3; associate professor of language and literacy; B.A. (Columbia University, Barnard College); M.S.Ed., Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania).

Alexis Petri; associate research professor of education; B.A. (University of Missouri-Kansas City; University of Massachusetts, Boston); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Valeria A. Pfeifer; assistant professor of psychology and counseling; B.A., M.A. (Bielefeld University); Ph.D. (University of Arizona).

Bradley Poos¹; Sprint Foundation Endowed Professor and associate professor of professional practice of education; B.A. (University of Kansas); M.Ed. (Rockhurst University); M.A. and Ph.D. (University of Missouri, Kansas City).

Tamilia Reed; assistant teaching professor of psychology and counseling; B.A. (University of Chicago); M.S., Ph.D. (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).

Tiffani Riggers-Piehl^2,3; associate professor of higher education administration, B.S. (Northern Arizona University); M.S.Ed. (Baylor University); M.A. and Ph.D. (University of California-Los Angeles).

Candace Schlein^2,3; professor of education; B.A., B.Ed. (McGill University); M.Ed., Ph.D. (University of Toronto).

Amy Simmons²; teaching professor of social work and MSW Program Director; B.S.W. (University of Central Missouri); M.S.W. (University of Missouri-Kansas City). 

Michele Smith²; associate professor of education; B.A. (Creighton University); M.Ed., Ph.D. (Ohio University).

Ekaterina Strekalova-Hughes^2,3; associate professor of education; M.A. (Volgograd State Pedagogical University); Ph.D. (State University of New York at Buffalo).

Michael Ternes^2,3; assistant professor of counseling psychology; B.A. (Kansas State University); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Kansas).

Nancy Twillman²; assistant teaching professor of social work; B.A., M.S. (University of Chicago), M.S.W. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Omiunota Ukpokodu^2,3; professor of education; B.S., M.A., M.S., Ph.D. (University of Kansas).

Jennifer Waddell^2,3; Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation-Missouri Endowed Chair, professor of education; B.A. (University of Montana); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Laurel Watson^2,3; professor of counseling psychology; B.A. (University of Georgia); M.S., Ph.D. (Georgia State University).

Youfu (Michael) Wei^2,3; professor of teaching English to speakers of other languages; B.A. (Yunnan University of the Nationalities in China); M.A. (Naresuan University in Thailand); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Maryland-College Park).

Cassandra Whitney; assistant teaching professor of psychology and counseling; B.A., M.A. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Huang Wu^2,3; assistant professor of education; B.A. (Hunan University of Science and Technology); M.A. (East China Normal University); Ph.D. (Western Michigan University)

Westley Youngren; assistant professor of psychology; B.A. (University of Tulsa), M.A., Ph.D. (University of Kansas).

Professor Emeriti

Susan A. Adler; professor emeritus of education; B.A. (State University of New York-Buffalo); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Wisconsin).

Rita Barger^2,3; associate professor emeritus of education; B.S, M.A., Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Columbia); B.S. (Drury University).

Chrisanthia Brown^2,3; professor emeritus of education; B.S. (University of California-Los Angeles); M.S. (California State University at Long Beach); Ph.D. (University of Missouri- Kansas City).

Bonita Butner; associate professor emeritus of education; B.S. (Central Missouri State University); M.A., Ed.S. (University of Missouri-Kansas City); Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Columbia).

Jim Collins; associate professor emeritus of psychology.

Linda Edwards; dean emeritus and professor emeritus of education; B.A. (University of Missouri-Kansas City); M.S. Ed., Ed.D. (University of Kansas).

William B. Ghiselli; associate professor emeritus of psychology.

Cheryl Grossman; associate professor emeritus of education; B.A. (Long Island University); M.A. (New York University); Ph.D. (University of Iowa).

Jay Hewitt; associate professor emeritus of psychology.

Shirley Hill; curators' professor emeritus of education and mathematics; B.A. (University of Missouri-Columbia); M.A. (University of Missouri-Kansas City); Ph.D. (Stanford University).

Etta Hollins; professor emeritus of education; B.S.Ed. (Pittsburg State University); M.S.Ed. (University of Washington); Ph.D. (University of Texas-Austin).

​Ellen Lavelle​; associate research professor emeritus of education; B.A., M.S.Ed., Ph.D. (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale).

Robert E. Leibert; professor emeritus of education; B.S. (State University of New York-New Paltz); M.S. (University of Pennsylvania); Ed.D. (Syracuse University).

Daniel Urey Levine; professor emeritus of education; B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (University of Chicago).

Kathryn E. Loncar; associate professor emeritus of education; B.M.Ed. (Saint Mary College); M.A., Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Nancy L. Murdock; professor emeritus of education; B.S., M.S., Ph.D. (Virginia Commonwealth University).

Tamera B. Murdock; professor emeritus of psychology; B.A., M.S. (University of Pennsylvania); Ph.D. (University of Delaware).

Elizabeth Noble; assistant professor emeritus of education; B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Linda O’Donnell, associate professor emeritus of education; B.S. (Illinois State University); M.S., Ph.D. (University of Illinois).

Richard Palm; clinical assistant professor emeritus of education.

​Cynthia Pemberton; professor emeritus of education; B.S. (Missouri State University); M.S. (Kansas State University); Ph.D. (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).

Dennis Schemmel; associate professor emeritus of education; B.A. (Loras College); M.Ed. (Marquette University); Ph.D. (Ohio University).

Charles L. Sheridan; professor emeritus of psychology.

John K. Sherk, Jr.; professor emeritus of education; B.S. (Pennsylvania State University); M.S. (Temple University); Ph.D. (Syracuse University).

Dianne Smith; professor emeritus of education; B.S., M.Ed. (Winthrop College); Ph.D. (Miami University).

William C. Smith; professor emeritus of education; A.B. (St. Benedict's College); M.S. (Kansas State University); Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Valerie Tucker; teaching professor emeritus; B.A., M.A., Ph.D. (University of Missouri-Kansas City).

Sue Vartuli; associate professor emeritus of education; B.S. (State University of New York-Oneonta); M.S., Ph.D. (Ohio State University).

Gary Widmar; former vice chancellor of student affairs and professor emeritus of education; B.S. (Illinois State University); M.Ed. (University of Illinois); Ph.D. (University of Florida).

​Debra Woodard; ​associate teaching professor emeritus of education; B.A. (Ottawa University); M.S. (Emporia State University).

¹

Members of UMKC Adjunct Graduate Faculty

²

Members of UMKC Graduate Faculty

³

Members of UMKC Doctoral Faculty