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Julie Birkenmaier, Ph.D., M.S.W., LCSW

Professor; Social Work
School of Social Work

Courses Taught

Financial Capability Practice; Policy Practice for Social Justice; Community Theory and Practice

Education

Ph.D. (Political Science), University of Missouri-St. Louis
M.S.W., Saint Louis University

Practice Areas

Community Practice

Research Interests

Financial Capability; Financial Capability Education in Social Work Education; Financial Knowledge and Skills; Financial Access; Financial Credit; Assets; Community Development

Publications and Media Placements

She has co-authored numerous articles, book chapters, and books on financial capability and asset building, and social work practice. 

Recent Articles: 

  1. Birkenmaier, J. M., Shanks, H., Maynard, B., & Greer, E. (2026). Financial coaching effects on financial and health outcomes: A systematic review. Research on Social Work Practice. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315261445119
  2. Birkenmaier, J. M., Zhang, Y & Huang, J. (2026). Financial services mistreatment and subjective financial well-being. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 37(2), 264-280. https://doi.org/10.1891/JFCP-2024-0136
  3. Zhang, Y., Birkenmaier, J. M. & Huang, J. (2025). Exploratory factor analysis of financial services and product indicators: The dimensionality of financial access. Journal of Consumer Affairs. 10.1111/joca.70016
Find Julie Birkenmaier on Google Scholar.

Honors and Awards

Thomas Brooks Best Reviewer Award, Journal of Consumer Affairs, 2024

Professional Organizations and Associations

She is a member of the following organizations:

  • Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Society for Social Work Research (SSWR)
Affiliations:
  • Society for Social Work and Research Fellow
  • St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank Community Development Research Fellow
  • Faculty Director in Financial Capability Center for Social Development, Washington University in St. Louis

Community Work and Service

She is an editorial board member for the Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, and an Associate Editor for the Journal of the Society of Social Work and Research.