The Erikson Difference: Cohort Model Builds Trusting Relationships that Enhance Student Skills

Alec Ross, LCSW, joined Erikson as a full-time instructor this year after decades as an adjunct instructor at Erikson and other graduate schools of social work in Chicago. Ross, who has also had a long career as a therapist and manager of therapeutic programs, says there is one thing that sets Erikson apart.

“The smaller cohort model where you start with a core group, and you stay with them. There is something about it that feels very comforting,” he says. “I have a lot of students tell me, ‘I love this group. I don’t think I could ever personally share if I didn’t have trust in this group.’”

Cohorts Build Trust for Challenging Conversations

Trust between students and faculty is a key element of the developmentally-informed, reflective approach that distinguishes Erikson’s Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

Social work is a challenging profession. The ability to pause and productively reflect on one’s own role and reactions in a helping relationship creates a stronger practitioner. The small cohorts in Erikson’s MSW program provide safe spaces for students to practice reflective skills by building trusting relationships with their fellow students and faculty.

Like Ross, Professor Linda Gilkerson, who joined Erikson in 1986, cites relationships as a distinguishing factor of the institution’s MSW program.

“That’s what creates safety. You can be responsibly vulnerable; our students learn that right away. It is all about the relationship approach.” Gilkerson says many Erikson students thrive during the program and after graduation because of the focus on interpersonal skills. “They learn these interpersonal skills interpersonally with each other and with the faculty. They are always working on building relationships.”

Ross, who teaches classes on social justice, says the topics often lead to students sharing personal stories and experiences. “These courses and topics can be challenging. We have put a good amount of effort into building and creating a kind of environment where that kind of authentic learning can take place,” Ross says. “Erikson is rigorous academically, but it really can get digested into the more personal experience.”

Diverse Perspectives Add to Learning

Because no individual or family exists in a vacuum, Erikson students learn about societal issues and social justice approaches. Ross believes the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest of recent years has brought new elements and areas of focus into social work.

“We now look beyond what I would call the medicalization of mental health.” Ross says. “We then explore how you bring that into the clinical space with children and families. We are able to have not only those conversations, but we are able to actually role play examples from the student’s internships.”

“It’s a more a holistic view of healing,” Gilkerson says.