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Dr. Dara Bourassa 

Dr. Dara Bourassa

Professor & Director of  Gerontology 

Office: 325 Shippen Hall

Phone: (717) 477-1969

Emaildpbourassa@ship.edu 

 

 
Education 
   
BSW-University of Pittsburgh (1998)    
MSW-University of Pittsburgh (1999)    
PhD-Social Work, University of Maryland (2007)    
Courses
   

Undergraduate 

 
SWK 102 Social Work and Social Welfare
SWK 150 Human Relations Lab
SWK 250 Assessing Individuals in the Social Environment
SWK 327 Social Work Practice with Families
SWK 351 Special Fields: Aging
SWK 357 Special Fields: Health Care
SWK 360 Research Techniques for Social Workers

GRN 100 Introduction to Gerontology
GRN 301 Gerontology Internship I
GRN 303 Gerontology Internship II
GRN 480 Diversity in Later Life

Graduate

SWK 530/531 Field Practicum I/II 

SWK 520 Micro/Mezzo SWK Practice 
SWK 525 Graduate Research Methods
SWK 604 Health Care
SWK 630/631 Advanced Field Practicum I/II
SWK 640 Diversity in Later Life
SWK 650 Applied Projects and Research in Aging

   

Publications 

   

Forlenza, S.T., Bourassa, D.B., Lyman, M.J. & Coughlin, M.* (2019). "Ageism, Priming, and Working with Older Adults among Undergraduate Exercise Science Students". Physical & Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics, 37(1), 50-66.

Forlenza, S. T. & Bourassa, D.B. (2017). "Mind Blown" - Including Exercise Science Students as Research Assistants to Reduce Ageist Perceptions. Journal of Teaching, Research, and Media Kinesiology, 2, 1-23. 

Galarza, J., Bourassa, D.B., Shoop, M., & Lane, C. (2017). Serving Our (In)Visible Elders: The Impact of a LGBT Aging Presentation on Rural College Campus. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 29(1), 25-40.

Bourassa, D.B. (2012). Examining Self-Protection Measures Guarding Adult Protective Services Social Workers against Compassion Fatigue. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(9), 1699-1715.

Bourassa, D.B. & Clements, J.A. (2010). Supporting Ourselves: Groupwork Interventions for Compassion Fatigue: A Review of the Literature. Groupwork, 20(3), 7-23.

Bourassa, D.P. (2009). Adult protective services social workers' susceptibility to compassion fatigue: A literature review. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 52(3), 215-229.

Bourassa, D.P. (2009). "Becoming a social worker: Real students, real clients, real growth" and "Becoming a social worker with older adults: Real students, real clients, real growth" DVD review. The New Social Worker, 16(4), p. 35.

Bourassa, D.P. (2009). Strengthening intergenerational relationships among grandparents and grandchildren. Psikologji.

Bourassa, D.P. (2007). A Fast-Paced Environment: Hospital Social Work. In L.M. Grobman and D.P. Bourassa (Eds.), Days in the Lives of Gerontological Social Workers, (pp. 79-83). Harrisburg, PA: White Hat Communications.

Grobman, L.M. & Bourassa, D.B. (Eds.). (2007). Days in the Lives of Gerontological Social Workers. Harrisburg, PA: White Hat Communications.

Bergel, D.P. (2006). Baccalaureate social work education and aging courses: The disconnect. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work 12(1), 105-118.

Bourassa, D.P. (2007, Fall). A minor in gerontology- a wise choice for your advisee's future. Advising News. (A publication published by the Advisor Development and Resource Team, Shippensburg University).