Faculty Profiles
Betty J. Ruth
Clinical Associate Professor
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Director, Dual Degree Program in Social Work and Public Health
Director, Certificate in Social Work and Behavioral Medicine
Phone: 617-353-4574
bjruth@bu.edu
Education
B.A. (sociology) University of California, Santa Cruz
M.S.W. (clinical) Boston University School of Social Work
M.P.H. (health services) Boston University School of Public Health
Courses Taught
HB735 Implications of Racism
SP741 Social Work Practice Ethics
MH706 Social and Cultural Foundations of Practice (at Boston University School of Graduate Medical Sciences)
MH702 Professional Orientation and Ethics for Mental Health (at BU School of Graduate Medical Sciences)
Scholarly and Practice Interests
Public health social work training and practice; interdisciplinary training and practice for social workers in health care settings; professional ethics; cross-cultural practice in health settings; oral health promotion and social work; behavioral health and medicine links to social work
Selected Publications and
Ruth, B. J., Wyatt, J., Chiasson, E, Geron, S & Bachman, S, (2006). Social work and public health: Comparing graduates from a dual-degree program, Journal of Social Work Education, 42, (2).
Miller, J., Hyde, C., & Ruth, B.J., (2004). Teaching about race and racism in social work: The challenge for white educators, Smith College Studies in Social Work, 74(2), 409-426.
Hyde, C & Ruth,B (2002). Multicultural content and class participation: Do students self-censor? Journal of Social Work Education, 38, (2).
Selected Presentations
Ruth, B. J., Bethke, C., Piper, T. M., Sisco, S., Wyatt, J.& Cohen M. (2006). Social work interest in prevention and health promotion: A content analysis of the professional literature. American Public Health Association, Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
Ruth, B. J., Wyatt, J., & Bethke, C. (2006). Voices of public health social work: Training social reformers across disciplines. Council on Social Work Education, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Ruth, B. J., Piper, T. M., Sisco, S., Wyatt, J.& Bachman, S.(2006). Two professions, one career: How MSW/MPH graduates view the journey. Council on Social Work Education, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Ruth, B. J., Lituri K., Garcia, R.,Wyatt, J. & Geron, S.(2006). Reducing oral health disparities: A role for social work? Council on Social Work Education, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Ruth, B. J., Piper, T. M., Sisco, S., Wyatt, J.& Bachman, S (2006). The role of public health social work in strengthening research-based practice: Findings from a study on MSW/MPH graduates. Society for Social Work Research, Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX.
Ruth, B. J., Piper, T. M., Sisco, S., Wyatt, J.& Bachman, S (2005). Evidence based practice in public health social work: A powerful tool for integration and revitalization, American Public Health Association, Annual Program Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.
Consulting and Professional Activities
Board Member, Board of Registration of Social Work, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, 2005 - present
Conference Chairperson: Public Health Social Work in the 21st Century. (National conference held in May 2006 at Boston University.)
Faculty Development Institute: (invited presentation with Cheryl Hyde)
“Ethics and Multiculturalism: Making the Connection,”
Council on Social Work Education, Annual Program Meeting, New York, NY, 2005.
Awards and Honors
Outstanding Contribution to the School of Social Work Award, Boston University School of Social Work Alumni Association, 2005
Licensing and Certification
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Licensed Social Worker, (LCSW)
