Brad Lundahl
  • Associate Professor, College Of Social Work
  • Research Affiliate with the Social Research Institute, College Of Social Work

Current Courses

Spring 2025

  • SW 6002-001
    Practice II
    Location: SW 251 (SW 251)
  • SW 6622-004
    Variable Topics
    Location: SW 301 (SW 301)

Fall 2024

Professional Organizations

  • Society for Social Work Research. 01/08/2008 - present. Position : Member.
  • CSWE. 01/03/2005 - present. Position : Member.

Practice History

  • Working with Technology Venture Capitalization group to develop copyrighted training program for Motivational Interviewing and foundational counseling skills. Project is still underway. ... 2019: project launched and was accepted by TVC. www.esympro.com. 12/12/2019 - present .
    https://esympro.com/

Teaching Philosophy

Teaching in social work is critical to student development and promoting the profession. Through teaching I expect students to understand and appreciate the subject matter, develop relevant skills, and learn to think critically about the topics addressed. Moreover, I aspire to motivate students to be curious, critical thinkers, and life-long learners. 

To accomplish these objectives, I strive to structure learning experiences that are relevant and rigorous. For example, in my research methodology courses I have required students to participate in an actual research project (see Lundahl, 2008). In my first year of teaching, students helped complete a research project on volunteerism in homeless shelters that was accepted for publication in a reputable journal (Lundahl & Wicks, in press). In my second year, students worked on a research project involving narrative assessments related to child socialization (Lundahl, Bettmann, & Goldsmith, 2008). In my third year and beyond I have had students conduct actual needs assessments within their practicum agency as well as single subject designs for those seeing clients. As most students have never executed a formal research project these assignments are both challenging and valuable. 

I also rely on experiential learning techniques in my direct practice courses. For example, in my motivational interviewing class students audio-tape, transcribe, and evaluate their interviewing skills in mock interviews. In my direct practice classes, students and I do role plays and analyze the components of social work practice. We also watch and critique video of direct practice activities. In addition to experiential activities to teach my practice courses, I try to integrate current literature and readings that will challenge students to think critically. 

      My teaching is also informed by the research I have conducted, my clinical work, and my service. Specifically, I attempt to use examples, positive and negative, to enrich class discussions and to highlight the complexities of social work practice. I hold high expectations for students and require that they work. I also strive to provide a supportive and safe environment for students to challenge themselves and each other. I welcome students’ insights and encourage openness to diverse perspectives and experiences.  

Teaching Projects

  • Department of Workforce Services. Project Lead: Mary Beth Vogel Fergusen. Contract thru SRI 01/01/2016 - 07/27/2017.