Debra Lukens

Dr. Debra Lukens earned her bachelor's degree from Purdue University in clinical psychology and human development, followed by a master's degree in social work from Indiana University. She has worked as a clinical social worker in a variety of community agencies, on national research projects, in private practice, and with employees and students at Purdue University. She then earned her Ph.D. from Purdue in both educational and school psychology. After working in the area of educational program evaluation, she had the opportunity to take the helm at a small private school, working diligently to change the focus of that school to become an innovative charter school for at-risk 7th through 12th grade students. After ten years in this endeavor, she moved and taught underprepared college students content courses in human development and psychology while at the same time teaching these students college-level reading, writing, note-taking and executive functioning skills. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Indiana, a licensed school social worker in New Hampshire, and a licensed school psychologist in both states. At Walden University, Dr. Lukens teaches in the Master of Social Work program in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Courses Taught

SOCW 6090 - Psychopathology & Diagnosis for Social Work Practice

Education

BA, Purdue University

MSW, Indiana University

PhD, Purdue University

Presentations

Lukens, D. (2014). Beacon Academy--Innovation in Education. Temple Israel