Research Expertise

• Case Method Teaching

• Faith-based social services

Background

Professor Terry Wolfer joined the faculty of the College of Social Work in 1996. He previously served as coordinator of the Ph.D. program, and in April 2020, was named interim associate dean for curriculum. In 2016, Wolfer received a Garnet Apple Award for Teaching Innovation from the University of South Carolina, Office of the Provost. The award recognizes exceptional faculty who demonstrate a commitment to best teaching practices and develop innovative strategies to enhance student learning. Prior to joining USC, Wolfer was a visiting instructor at the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a lecturer at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.

Wolfer was recently contracted to provide interdisciplinary curriculum development and training for police, attorneys and victim advocates regarding sexual assault. Funded by the State of Texas Office of the Governor, the project provided workshop for instructing trainers for city, state and professional organizations throughout Texas.         

Wolfer’s publications focus on case method teaching, health promotion and faith-based social services. He has co-authored book chapters and scientific journal articles on topics including, health promotion and risk reduction in congregations, incorporating evidence-based practices into faith-based organizations’ service programs, and assessing spiritualty in social work practice. His publications have been featured in scholarly journals, including Social Work, Families in Society, Religions, Social Work & Christianity and the Journal of Community Psychology.  

Previously, Wolfer was the college’s interim associate dean for academic and student affairs. In that capacity, he served as chair of Clinical Faculty Annual Review Committee (CFARC) and an Academic Program Liaison (APL) for the USC Office of the Provost. In the greater Columbia area, he is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity and previously served as chair of the governance committee.

Wolfer earned his Master of Social Work at the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University and his Ph.D. from the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago.