Sarah Naylor is the associate dean for student affairs and has been with the UNC School of Social Work since 2000. She oversees the implicit curriculum for MSW students, including supports, resources, and professional development.
Naylor received the School of Social Work’s “Excellence in MSW Student Advising” award in 2019.
Degrees and Licenses
Ph.D., UNC-Greensboro School of Education in Greensboro, NC
MTS, Boston University School of Theology
BA, Gettysburg College
Primary Program
MSW Education, Academic and Student Affairs
Research and Professional Interests
Academic Advising
Implicit Curriculum for MSW Students
Higher Education
Qualitative Research
Recent Publications
Zerden, L.D., Naylor, S.M., Thomas, S.H., Brigham, R.B., Bailey, T. (2019). Defining the Minimum Expectation of MSW Students: Implementation and Application of Technical Standards. Journal of Social Work Education. DOI: 10.1080/10437797.2019.1671269
Grady, M.D., Glass, V.R., Lechner, E., & Naylor, S.M. (2019). What Do MSW Students Say Matters in MSW Programs? Results from a Qualitative Study of the Implicit Curriculum. Journal of Social Work Education. DOI: 10.1080/10437797.2019.1656585
Grady, M.D., Powers, J., Naylor, S.M., & Despard, M. (2011). Measuring the implicit program: Initial development and results of a MSW survey. Journal of Social Work Education. DOI: 10.5175/JSWE.2011.200900119
Presentations, Workshops and Media
Brigham, R.B, Naylor, S.M., Zerden, L.D., Thomas, S.H. (2019, October). Utilizing Technical Standards as a New Tool for Gatekeeping in Field Education. Council on Social Work Education, 65th Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.
Grady, M.D., Naylor, S.M. (2012, October). Measuring the Implicit Curriculum: Survey Development, Pilot Results, and Psychometric Properties. Council on Social Work Education, 58th Annual Program Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Naylor, S.M., Powers, J.D., and Richman, J.M. (2012, October). Online Versus Traditional MSW Programming: Student Perspectives Regarding Online Education. Council on Social Work Education, 58th Annual Program Meeting, Washington, D.C.
Grady, M.D., Powers, J.D., Despard, M.D., & Naylor, S.M. (2010, October). The Implicit Factors Survey: Measuring the Implicit Curriculum in Social Work Education. Poster, Council on Social Work Education 56th Annual Program Meeting, Portland, OR.
Naylor, S.M. (2008, October). Understanding Research in Academic Advising: Advisors and Administrators Speak Out. NACADA National Conference, Chicago, Ill.
