Social Work (SCWK)
521. Older Adults: Policy and Services (3). This course provides a review of the development of social welfare policy and services affecting older adults in the United States in order to provide a context for practice. Some of the current programs will be described along with populations being served. Prerequisite(s): If undergraduate, SCWK 395 (May be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor; if graduate, social work graduate students only. Note: Offered in spring and summer.
522. Health/Mental Health: Policies and Services (3). This course provides review of the development of health care and mental health policy in the United States in order to provide a context for practice. Some of the current programs will be described along with populations being served. Prerequisite(s): If undergraduate, SCWK 395 (May be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor; if graduate, social work graduate students only. Note: Offered in spring and summer.
523. Families and Children: Policy and Services (3). This course provides an overview of the history of child welfare policies and services in the United States, a critical assessment of how values influence the development of policies and the provision of services to children, and provides a framework for evaluating child welfare policies and practices within the NASW Code of Ethics framework. Prerequisite(s): If undergraduate, SCWK 395 (May be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor; if graduate, social work graduate students only. Note: Offered in spring and summer.
531. Older Adults: Practice & Trends (3). This course provides a review of the development of older adult practice and trends in the United States in order to provide a context for practice. Some of the current programs will be described along with populations being served. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate, SCWK 395 (May be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor; if graduate, social work graduate students only. Note: Offered in fall.
532. Health/Mental Health: Practice and Trends (3). This course will focus on issues of health and mental health from an ecological perspective with a focus on addiction. It will encompass organizing factors: childhood development and resulting adaptive behavior and pathology in adulthood. The main purpose of this course is to help students develop an understanding of the dynamics of addiction and the impact that it has on health and mental health of the individual and their family members. Note: Offered in fall.
533. Families & Children: Practice & Trends (3). This course builds on the foundation content of the program and provides an overview of current social work practice research and practice trends in child welfare. A framework for evaluating child welfare practices within the NASW Code of Ethics will be used to identify child welfare practices that are likely to produce practice outcomes that are socially just and effective. Prerequisite(s): Undergraduate, SCWK 395 (May be taken concurrently), or permission of instructor; if graduate, social work graduate students only. Note: Offered in fall.
541. Substance Abuse Interventions (3). This course will focus on issues of addiction from an ecological perspective. Students will study the various theories of addiction and the implications of those theories for both individual and family impact as well as for social work intervention. Strong emphasis will be placed on the interaction fo cultural, environmental, interpersonal and intra-personal factors on the causes and social work intervention of addiction for individuals and within a family context. Prerequisite: Junior or higher status.
550A. Special Topics in Social Work (1). Special topics of timely interest will be given on a one time basis. Notes: May be repeated for credit under different topic.
550B. Special Topics in Social Work (2). Special topics of timely interest will be given on a one time basis. Notes: May be repeated for credit under different topic.
550C. Special Topics in Social Work (3). Special topics of timely interest will be given on a one time basis. Notes: May be repeated for credit under different topic.
601. Human Behavior in the Social Environment (3). Using an ecological framework, the course uses a strengths perspective to understand human behavior within the context of social work values and ethics. Differences among racial and ethnic minorities, cultural diversity, age, sexual orientation, disabilities and gender are examined. The course builds on the liberal arts perspective and provides the foundation for advanced MSW practice courses. Prerequisite(s): Social Work Majors only. Note: Offered in fall.
602. Social Welfare Policy I (3). This course uses a strengths perspective within an ecological framework to examine the attitudes, policies and practices within US society that result in current social policy. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in fall.
603. Social Work Research (3). The course combines quantitative and qualitative research methods and research designs for evaluation of practice in various system levels from an ecological perspective. Understanding ethical issues, implication of research with vulnerable populations and social and economic justice is central. Data analysis is an intrinsic part of the course. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in fall and summer.
604. Generalist Social Work Practice I (3). This course provides a basic understanding of the history, purpose, scope and focus of the social work profession. From a generalist perspective, the course introduces the values and processes of social work practice with individuals, families and groups emphasizing practice principles that promote social justice and the well-being of individuals and that change environmental conditions that adversely affect people. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in fall and spring.
605. Interpersonal Helping Skills (3). A communication skills and strategies lab that emphasizes development and practice of effective interpersonal helping skills in Social Work practice. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in fall and spring.
606. Social Work Foundation Review (3). This course provides incoming advanced standing students a review of the social work foundation content related to human behavior in the social environment, social welfare policy, social work research, generalist social work practice and interpersonal helping skills. Prerequisite(s): Social Work Majors only, BSW undergraduate degree. Note: May be repeated for additional credit.
610. Generalist Social Work Practice II (3). The course requires study and application of major models of social work practice with emphasis on the linkage between theoretical models of social work practice, assessment, intervention and outcome in work with individuals, families and groups. Students develop skills in beginning, middle and ending phases of intervention, practice evaluation, advocacy and case management. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only, SCWK 601, SCWK 602, SCWK 603, SCWK 604, SCWK 605. Note: Offered in fall and spring.
611. Generalist Social Work Practice III (3). The course requires study and application of major models of social work practice with emphasis on the linkage between theoretical models of social work practice, assessment, intervention, and outcome in work with organizations and communities. Students develop skills in beginning, middle and ending phases of intervention, practice evaluation and advocacy. Prerequisite(s): Social work majors only, SCWK 601, SCWK 602, SCWK 603, SCWK 604, SCWK 605. Note: Offered in fall and spring.
612. Field Instruction I (3). The field experience provides an opportunity for students to apply the skills, knowledge and values of generalist social work practice in a social service setting with diverse clients. Students work a minimum of 240 hours under MSW social work supervision in a social service agency. Prerequisite(s): SCWK 601, SCWK 602, SCWK 604, SCWK 605. Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in spring and summer. Lab fee: $40.
614. Social Welfare Policy II (3). Building on the basis provided in SCWK 602 Social Welfare Policy, this course examines the dynamics of policy development and implementation. The course examines in detail the administrative, legislative and judicial factors in policy making as well as the role of the social worker and impacts on major social work concerns. Both policy analysis and social work policy practice are covered. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in spring.
615. Empowerment Practice Concepts (3). This course examines the concepts that together form a coherent framework for empowerment-based social work practice across systems (individuals and families; small groups; and communities and organizations) and with diverse, oppressed populations. Impacts of privilege and structural oppression in our own lives are examined in order to better understand ethically sound use of self as a critical component of social work practice. Processes and outcomes of empowerment strategies are discussed, as are the simultaneous personal, collective, and structural bases of empowerment practice. Attention is given to the empowerment tradition in social work, as well as to the critical analysis of contemporary issues of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation from an empowerment perspective. The course aim is to prepare students for entering the advanced year of study in social work empowerment practice. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only.
620. Advanced Practice: Micro Systems (3). This course focuses on advanced social work theories and methods that are consistent with empowerment-based practice with micro systems. The emphasis will be on evidence-based theories and methods that are relevant across contemporary practice settings and service delivery systems. The application of advanced social work practice skills will be addressed within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people. Prerequisite(s): Social work majors only. Notes: Offered in fall.
621. Leadership and Empowerment Practice (3:3:0). This course will focus on leadership and supervision in practice settings. Models of leadership and supervision will be addressed with a focus on those models that are consistent with principles of empowerment-based practice. The nature of power in leadership and supervision will be discussed, including roles, tasks, and techniques for facilitating effective organizational practices and outcomes. Also included will be topics such as navigating organizational culture, position development, objective setting, delegation, service delivery, evaluating staff performance, and incorporating cultural competency in leadership and supervisory roles. Course content will also address leadership and supervision relative to social work values and the NASW Code of Ethics. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Notes: Offered in fall.
622. Field Instruction II (6). This is the second of a three course/three semester Field Instruction sequence that provides students with practicum experience under the supervision of an MSW social worker in an agency where the student can apply advanced intervention skills and knowledge. Students work a minimum of 360 hours under professional social work supervision in a social service agency. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in fall, spring and summer.
623. Psychopathology and Empowerment Practice (3). This course will focus on psychopathology and social work practice. Major mental illnesses across the life cycle will be explored, along with their impact across client populations and systems. Social work assessment and intervention approaches for social work practice with people who have mental illness will be addressed. The course will emphasize an empowerment-based perspective that affirms client strengths and coping capacities within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people relative to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic class. Prerequisite(s): Graduate status; graduate non-degree status; or permission of instructor.
624. Psychodiagnostics and Social Work Practice (3:3:0). This course will focus on psychodiagnostics and social work practice. The utility of DSM- related assessment, diagnosis and differential diagnosis as applied in advanced social work practice with people who have mental illness will be addressed. The course will emphasize an empowerment-based perspective that affirms client strengths and coping capacities within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of the human rights of diverse groups of people relative to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic class. Prerequisite(s): Graduate status; graduate non-degree status; or, permission of instructor. Note: Offered periodically.
631. Advanced Practice: Macro Systems (3:3:0). This course focuses on advanced social work knowledge and skills that are consistent with empowerment-based practice in communities and organizations. The course will emphasize contemporary theories and methods that are relevant in social work practice with larger systems. The application of advanced social work practice with communities and organizations will be addressed within a context of professional social work values and ethics and universal human rights. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Notes: Offered in spring.
632. Field Instruction III (6). This is the third of a three course/three semester Field Instruction sequence that provides students with a practicum experience under the supervision of an MSW social worker in an agency where the student can apply advanced intervention skills and knowledge in one of the following tracks: social work practice with older adults, social work practice with families and children, or social work practice with clients in health/mental health settings. Students work a minimum of 360 hours under professional supervision in a social setting. Prerequisite(s): Social Work majors only. Note: Offered in fall, spring and summer. Lab fee: $60.
633. Advanced Social Work Research (3:3:3). Provides an advanced understanding of social work research by integrating knowledge gained in practice courses with experience in field placements. Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, the course advances critical thinking skills to determine selection, development and employment of knowledge regarding best practice approaches. Prerequisite(s): Social Work Majors only. Notes: Offered in spring.
640. Advanced Practice: Capstone (3). This advanced social work practice course serves as the capstone seminar experience in the MSW curriculum. Its purpose is for students to refine and explicate their knowledge of advanced social work practice theories and methodologies relative to the Social Work Program concentration in empowerment practice. A primary focus of the seminar will be on students developing a comprehensive written paper examining policy to practice considerations and an accompanying professional presentation of selected theories and practice methods that comprise their philosophical orientation to advanced social work practice that is grounded in the NASW Code of Ethics. Prerequisite(s): Social work majors only. Notes: Offered in spring.
641. Advanced Practice with Older Adults (3). This is an advanced practice course that emphasizes the critical examination of best practice strategies that promote client resilience and sense of coherence for older adult clients within the context of the NASW Code of Ethics. This examination involves the development and implementation of culturally appropriate interventions that are based on best practice research findings and the critical evaluation of one’s own social work practice with older adults. Prerequisite(s): SCWK 621, SCWK 622, SCWK 623. Social work majors only. Note: Offered in spring and summer.
642. Advanced Practice in Health/Mental Health (3:3:0). This course focuses on advanced social work practice in health and mental health arenas. Concepts of advanced social work assessment and intervention relative to current evidence-based practice modalities are addressed. An emphasis is placed on the continuum of knowledge and skill development needed for effective practice within health and mental health systems. This course is based on an empowerment-based perspective that affirms client strengths and coping capacities within a context of professional social work values and ethics, social justice, and affirmation of human rights of diverse groups of people relative to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, and socioeconomic class. Prerequisite(s): SCWK 621, SCWK 622, SCWK 623. Social work majors only. Note: Offered in spring and summer.
643. Advanced Practice with Families and Children (3). This is an advanced intervention course that emphasizes the critical examination within the context of the NASW Code of Ethics of best practice strategies that promote resilience and sense of coherence for work with families and children. This examination involves the development and implementation of cultrally appropriate interventions that are based on best practice research findings and the critical evaluation of one's own social work practice with families and children. Prerequisite(s): SCWK 621, SCWK 622, SCWK 623. Social Work Majors onlly. Note: Offered in spring and summer.