Maria Beam LMSW, Ph.D.

Title:  Director of the Social Work Program
 Office: 516 Varner
E-mail: [email protected]

Maria Beam is faculty and Director of Social Work at Oakland University. She holds a BA in Psychology, a MSW from Michigan State University, and a Ph.D in Educational Leadership. She is also a licensed clinical and macro social worker in the State of Michigan.

In her current role as program director, Dr. Beam is responsible for the management, accreditation, and oversight of the Social Work Program. Dr. Beam areas of research and practice includes food insecurity, child welfare and program evaluation. Dr. Beam teaches courses in organizational and community social work, interpersonal practice, intro to social work and program evaluation. She held professional consultation, administration, supervision, and clinical practice positions in youth services, and in higher education settings.

Prior to joining Oakland University, Maria worked for the United Way where she managed outcome measurement training, agency capacity building, program evaluation and agency funding. Maria spent four years as the assistant director for an at-risk youth program in Lansing Michigan.

She has experience in curriculum development, most recently, with the Master of Social Work Program, development of a Child Welfare Minor, Concentration in Gerontology, and has assisted in the development of a Concentration in Addiction Studies and Global Health Study Abroad Program.

Maria’s interests include social work education; macro practice; asset-based community development; administration; program development, implementation, and evaluation; grant writing; student support services, technology and social work practice.

Teaching Areas
Social Work Internship
Social Work Seminar
Multicultural Social Work Practice
Social Welfare Policy
Fundamentals to Social Work Practice
Introduction to Social Work
Macro Social Work Practice