Course Listings

Introduction to the Social Work Profession

SOWK 200 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Introduces the social work profession and provides an overview of fields of social welfare services. Explores the various professional roles social workers play in working in each field. Examines the social welfare system as a society's responses to human need and structure for delivery of social services. Thirty hours of volunteer service (or alternative assignment) in a social agency required.

Human Behavior in the Social Environment

SOWK 300 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 200 or permission of instructor. Examines human development in the social environment using the bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual perspective. Explores developmental theories to help inform social work assessment at the micro and mezzo levels of practice. Examines both the developmental and problematic aspects of the stages of the life cycle. Discusses the social systems of individual, family, group, community, and society. Develops foundation assessment skills.

Human Behavior in the Social Environment II

SOWK 302 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 200, 300 or permission of instructor. Examines communities, groups, and organizations as social systems and environmental contexts. Reflects social work's values and principles in the macro social environment, and the integration of theories drawn from sociology, psychology, biology, anthropology, and economics to understand and critically analyze the multiple influences on human behavior as affected by race, class, gender, age, and sexual orientation. Develops macro assessment skills within the framework of empowerment.

Social Welfare Policy

SOWK 305 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Historical and analytical overview of social welfare policy in the United States. Selective examination of contemporary programs and services; analysis of policies; issues and problems; evaluation of programs and services for effectiveness. Prerequisite: SOWK 200 or permission of instructor.

Social Welfare History and Contemporary Issue

SOWK 306 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 200 or permission of instructor. Provides an introduction to the field of social welfare, primarily in the United States, and major social movements. Examines the history of the social welfare system and social work profession, in the context of societal factors with particular attention to the intersectionality of race, class, and gender. Explores the impact of values and beliefs on the development of the modern U.S. social welfare system. Investigates the dynamics of privilege and oppression as part of the political, economic, and social factors that influence the policies and services provided by social work practitioners.

Privilege and Oppression

SOWK 309 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 200, Sophomore standing or permission of instructor. Introduces and sensitizes students to the major concepts of cultural diversity, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, class, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities, pluralism and conflicts caused by ethnocentrism, discrimination and prejudice. Explores the relationship and intersection between these major concepts and social work practices and policies. Emphasizes the examination of major ethnic groups as well as other social groupings based on such factors as gender, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities and other differences in human populations. Evaluates the common elements of oppressions and prejudicial and discriminatory practices from both micro and macro theoretical frames of reference. Explores the application of the ecological perspective, generalist, and problem-solving process.

Basic Interviewing Skills and Techniques

SOWK 310 | 2 Credits

Course Desc: Develops basic interviewing skills for assessing, goal setting and intervention for use in home service and social work settings. Emphasizes skill application with diverse populations. Prerequisite: SOWK 200, SOWK 300 and Junior standing.

Social Work Practice I

SOWK 320 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: Admission social work program. Prepares students for a generalist approach to social work practice with individuals. Emphasizes knowledge, values, ethics and skills needed to develop effective helping relationships. Includes basic theories for intervention with focus on micro level problem solving and basic interview skills.

Social Work Policy Practice: Analyst and Advocate

SOWK 330 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 200 and 306. Builds upon the foundation content of the SOWK 306 Social Welfare History and Contemporary Issues course, providing understandings of social welfare policy analysis with micro, mezzo, and macro social work policy practice knowledge skills. Prepares students to participate in the policy making process, integrating both policy analytical and formulation skills, as well as understanding the methods and strategies for advocating for policy change and new policies.

Social Work Practice II: Practice with Groups and Families

SOWK 400 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: Admission to social work program and SOWK 320. Prepares students for a generalist approach to social work practice involving families and groups. Expands basic knowledge, values, ethics and skills, with an emphasis on mezzo level problem solving. Includes theories and techniques for planning, assessment, direct intervention, and advocacy with small groups and families.

Social Work Practice III

SOWK 410 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: Admission to social work program, SOWK 320, 400, 416, and 420. Prepares students for a generalist approach to social work with large systems. Applies the planned change process within macro practice, specifically with organizations and communities. Expands basic knowledge, values, ethics, and skills with emphasis on macro level problem solving.

Social Work Research I

SOWK 416 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: Admission to social work program. The first of two courses in social work and evaluation research. Emphasizes the development and use of scientific knowledge and the application of that knowledge to evaluate social work interventions and program evaluation. Explores applied research methodologies to enhance the student¿s use of evidence based social work knowledge and skills. May be repeated only once with permission of the department.

Social Work Research II

SOWK 417 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: Admission to social work program, and SOWK 416. The second of two courses focused on the basic concepts and methods of scientific inquiry used to build knowledge and evaluate practice. Builds and expands upon material covered in Social Work Research I. Includes focus on program evaluation, single-subject designs, data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics, presentation of data, report writing and application of findings to practice. Explores applied research methodologies that will enhance the student's use of evidence-based interventions. May be repeated only once with permission of the department.4

Field Instruction in Social Work I

SOWK 420 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Supervised experience in a social welfare agency with emphasis on methods and techniques of generalist social work practice. Opportunity to apply theory and develop skills in delivery of social services. Successful completion of the two-course sequence requires a student to fulfill a minimum of 440 hours of field instruction within the same social welfare agency accumulated across the fall and spring semesters. Prerequisites: SOWK 302, 320, admission to the professional program. Corequisites: SOWK 400, 416. Two working days per week.

Field Instruction in Social Work II

SOWK 421 | 4 Credits

Course Desc: Supervised experience in a social welfare agency with emphasis on methods and techniques of generalist social work practice. Opportunity to apply theory and develop skills in delivery of social services. Successful completion of the two-course sequence requires a student to fulfill a minimum of 440 hours of field instruction within the same social welfare agency accumulated across the fall and spring semesters. Prerequisites: SOWK 400, 416, 420. Corequisites: SOWK 410 417. Two working days per week.

Social Work with Families and Children

SOWK 450 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Survey of child welfare services and examination of current policies in social work for children and their families. Consideration of practice issues in protective services, in-home services to families and substitute care including adoption and foster care. Prerequisite: SOWK 200 or permission of instructor. Three hours per week.

Substance Abuse: Issues and Services

SOWK 455 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Study of alcohol and drug abuse. Topics include theoretical perspectives on abuse, pharmacological characteristics of commonly abused substances, and stages of dependence and addiction. Overview of societal response to substance abuse including law enforcement, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention.

Social Work with LGBTQ Persons

SOWK 486 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: WRTG 101/101S. Provides the foundation knowledge needed for generalist practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) persons. Explore the lived experiences of LGBTQ persons in the U.S. across the lifespan and address some of the key social problems faced by this population. Explore the heterogeneity of LGBTQ lives across cultural, class, age, race, ethnic, religious, and political cohorts and communities. Assume a strengths-based affirmative model of social work practice with sexual minorities.

Ethical Foundation of Social Work

SOWK 602 | 2 Credits

Course Desc: Focuses on ethical issues in social work practice including a theoretical framework and ethical problem-solving model to systematically evaluate values and resolve ethical dilemmas found in social work practice. Provides tools and methodologies for reflection and analysis. Prerequisite:Specialization status or permission from the School of Social Work.

Treatment of Trauma

SOWK 604 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Examine a complete approach to the treatment of trauma and trauma-related disorders from a strengths-based perspective. Learn about trauma theory, including developmental trauma and complex trauma. Understand various treatment models for acute and complex trauma, and further develop the skills of assessment, treatment planning and intervention with clients who have been traumatized. Practice intervention skills, including psychoeducation and affect regulation. Explore the intergenerational, socio-cultural and societal impact of trauma. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program or permission of the School of Social Work.

Social Welfare Policy: Foundations and Structure

SOWK 605 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Emphasis on social welfare as an institution, social work as a profession, and both history and philosophy of social welfare as they have evolved and introduces the student to policy analysis. Prerequisite: For graduate study only.

Social Welfare Policy Practice: Analyst and Advocate

SOWK 607 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Provides understanding of social welfare policy analysis with micro, mezzo, and macro social work policy practice knowledge skills. Prepares students to participate in the policy making process, integrating both policy analytical and formulation skills, as well as understanding the methods and strategies for advocating for policy change and new policies. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.S.W. Program or permission of the School of Social Work.

Theoretical Analysis of Behavior: Diversity, Human Development and Inequities Across the Life Course

SOWK 610 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prepares students to use knowledge of human development in the environment in ethical, diversity-affirming, justice-promoting and reflective ways in advocacy and counseling practice with diverse communities. Learn a bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual perspective on life course development, a set of developmental theories to inform social work assessment at all levels of practice, and a critical ¿privilege and oppression¿ framework for identifying the relationship between diversity and difference and inequities in health, well-being and developmental outcomes. Learn from interactive lectures, role-plays, discussion with reflection activities and assigned readings. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.S.W. Program or permission of the School of Social Work.

Foundations of Research-Based Social Work Practice

SOWK 616 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Research is the basis of evidence-based practice. Understanding the scientific method is an ethical obligation in social work practice. In order to ensure that social workers are practicing ethically, they need to be continually informed about the practices being used and that they are based in the research. It is incumbent upon social workers to be able to stay current and monitor trends in research that directly apply to all levels of practice. Develop the skills to locate, analyze, and critically examine social science research. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.S.W. Program or permission of the School of Social Work.

Application of Research-Informed Social Work Research II

SOWK 617 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: A key ethical consideration for social workers is the ability to evaluate their practice. Understand the social work and research connection by exploring the steps of evidence-based practice. Drawing upon current research literature and social work practice knowledge, practice client assessment, formulate intervention plans and develop measures to assess treatment outcomes. Learn how to analyze, interpret, and present quantitative and qualitative findings to help inform practice decisions. Prerequisite: SOWK 616 or permission of the School of Social Work.

Social Work Practice I: Engagement, Assessment and Planning

SOWK 620 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Social work students need training in a wide array of foundational skills to effectively address obstacles faced by individuals, families and groups. Develop assessment, engagement and planning skills in order to establish effective helping relationships. Understand the use of evidence-based tools and theoretical approaches, from a culturally responsive and ethical lens, to prepare for generalist practice with individuals, families and groups. Prerequisite: Admission to the M.S.W. Program or permission of the School of Social Work.

Social Work Practice II: Intervention, Evaluation and Termination

SOWK 622 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Effective generalist social work practice requires practitioners to be proficient in problem solving and direct intervention to respond to the needs of individuals, families and groups. Expand foundational practice knowledge by developing intervention, evaluation and termination skills. Emphasizes the practical application of evidence-based tools and theoretical approaches, emphasizing cultural humility and advocacy in practice with individuals, families and groups. Prerequisite: SOWK 620 or permission of the School of Social Work.

Social Work Practice III

SOWK 623 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: SOWK 620 & 622 or permission of the School of Social Work. Third of three practice courses preparing students for a generalist approach to social work. Expands basic knowledge, values, ethics, and skills, with emphasis on macro-level problem solving. Includes theories and techniques needed for practice within an organization and/or community context.

Theoretical Analysis II: Structural Oppression, Collective Trauma and Marginalized Populations

SOWK 630 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Learn how to use knowledge of mezzo and macro level systems (large groups, networks, organizations, communities, social movements, economic and political institutions, and societies) in ethical, diversity-affirming, justice-promoting and reflective ways in advocacy and counseling practice with at-risk, marginalized and vulnerable populations. Learn to use a justice perspective analyzing the systemic and oppressive influence of disparities in power and privilege on these populations and their members and the resulting negative impacts on health, well-being and life course trajectories. Develop mezzo-macro assessment skills from a critical, justice and empowerment perspective. Learn from interactive lectures, role-plays, discussion with reflection activities and assigned readings. Prerequisite: SOWK 610 or permission of the School of Social Work

Field Instruction I

SOWK 640 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: The first of a two-term (semester: fall/spring) sequence of supervised experience in the delivery of social services where students are required to participate in an agency-based field practicum for two days per week under the supervision of an agency based field instructor with an M.S.W. Successful completion of the two-course sequence requires a student to fulfill a minimum of 440 hours of field instruction within the same social welfare agency accumulated across the two terms (semesters: fall and spring). A seminar with small group discussions on field experiences with related written assignments and activities will be conducted concurrently. Prerequisite: SOWK 620 or permission of the School of Social Work.

Field Instruction II

SOWK 645 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: The second of a two-term (semester) sequence of supervised experience in the delivery of social services, in the same agency students entered in SOWK 640, where students are required to continue an agency-based field practicum for two days per week under the supervision of an agency-based MSW field instructor. Successful completion of the two-course sequence (SOWK 640 and SOWK 645) requires a student to fulfill a minimum of 440 hours of field instruction accumulated across the two terms (semesters: fall and spring). A seminar with small group discussions on field experiences with related written assignments and activities will be conducted concurrently. Prerequisite: SOWK 616, SOWK 640. Pre or corequisites SOWK 617, SOWK 622, SOWK 623, or permission from the School of Social Work.

Clinical Assessment in Social Work

SOWK 652 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: Specialization status, and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization. Builds knowledge and skills for evidence-based assessment emphasizing a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework with individuals, couples, families and groups. Attention is given to the importance of strengths perspective and a trauma informed, integrative assessment framework that is culturally and developmentally appropriate for diverse client groups. Focus on ongoing self-awareness and the impact of personal experiences and affective responses when performing assessments.

Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention

SOWK 653 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Provides a comprehensive introduction to the recognition, assessment, and intervention with persons who abuse substances. Models of chemical dependency, the dually diagnosed client, and selected models of intervention are explored. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program or permission of the School of Social Work.

Psychopathology

SOWK 654 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Gain extensive knowledge of the major forms of mental disorders and their assessment. Develop competence in the diagnostic assessment process by mastering the currently accepted diagnostic code. Be able to gather and analyze relevant assessment data to formulate a diagnostic impression. Develop knowledge of various mental disorders and their development and course, risk and prognostic factors, culture- and gender-related diagnostic issues, differential diagnoses, and comorbidity. Be prepared for assessment activities appropriate to a variety of clinical settings. Prerequisites: Specialization status and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization.

Evaluation of Social Work Practice

SOWK 655 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 616, SOWK 617, Specialization status, and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization. It is incumbent upon ethical social workers to demonstrate that their programs are implemented as intended and that they are run both effectively and efficiently. There is an element of evaluation built into all social work agencies and practices, whether clinically or community focused. Learn introductory program evaluation techniques that build upon the research principles learned in previous research classes. Review different approaches to program evaluation, develop skills for applying research principles and techniques to monitor and evaluate programs with diverse populations and settings, and identify approaches to reporting findings back to stakeholder groups.

Clinical Practice with Individuals and Couples

SOWK 656 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: Specialization status and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization. This specialization-level course expands knowledge and practice of a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework with individuals and couples. Apply theory, evidence-based practice and intervention skills to work with individuals. Focus on the effective use of self, strengths-perspective, trauma-informed and multicultural practices.

Clinical Practice with Family and Groups

SOWK 658 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 652, Specialization status, and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization. This specialization-level course expands knowledge and practice of a trauma-informed biopsychosocial-spiritual framework with families and groups. Applies theory, evidence-informed practice and intervention skills to work with families and groups. Focuses on the effective and ethical use of self in multicultural family and group practice, while promoting resiliency as a foundation to personal and family well-being.

Supervision and Administration

SOWK 663 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 652, Specialization status, and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization. This specialization-level course introduces students to clinical supervision and administration in the human services field. Utilizing evidence-based practices, explore and integrate ethical and professional behaviors in the application of the core assumptions of social work supervision as individuals and within an agency structure. Understand and integrate clinical and non-clinical supervisory and administrative practices as both supervisee and supervisor to better utilize supervision as a forum for ongoing professional growth and development and understanding and enhancement of agency practices, and provision of services to the targeted population and community.

Clinical Practice Field Placement I

SOWK 668 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 645 and Specialization status, and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization. Field education is the signature pedagogy of social work education. The first of a two-semester/term sequence of supervised advanced field practicum in the delivery of clinical social services. Work 24 hours/week for a minimum of 328 hours at the same social welfare agency under a field supervisor with an M.S.W. Participate in discussions, written assignments and activities concurrently to integrate and apply skills, theory and interventions to practice experiences. Successful completion of the two-course sequence requires a student to fulfill a minimum of 672 hours of field instruction within the same social welfare agency accumulated across the fall and spring semesters.

Clinical Practice Field Placement II

SOWK 669 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisites: SOWK 668 and Specialization status, and enrollment in the Clinical Social Work Specialization. Field education is the signature pedagogy of social work education. The second of a two-semester/term sequence of supervised advanced field practicum in the delivery of clinical social services. Work 24 hours/week for a minimum of 344 hours at the same social welfare agency under a field supervisor with an M.S.W. Participate in discussions, written assignments and activities concurrently to integrate and apply skills, theory and interventions to practice experiences. Successful completion of the two-course sequence requires a student to fulfill a minimum of 672 hours of field instruction within the same social welfare agency accumulated across the fall and spring semesters.

Child Welfare

SOWK 677 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: This course is designed to prepare advanced-level students to be child welfare practitioners able to move beyond the protective focus to practice applications of prevention and change. The curriculum includes knowledge about human services for children, the values and philosophy of family preservation, trends in social welfare policy impacting children and their families, and the effects of gender, race, and ethnicity on social work practice with children. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program or permission of the School of Social Work.

Individual Directed Study

SOWK 690 | 1 - 3 Credits

Course Desc: Enables students to pursue topics of their own choosing with the guidance and supervision of the faculty. Should not duplicate any course already offered by the department. Prerequisite: Graduate status. One to three hours per week.

Anti-Racist Social Work Practice in Action

SOWK 691 | 3 Credits

Course Desc: Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Program. Critically evaluate attitudes, values and beliefs regarding diversity and identity formation while utilizing theoretical frameworks for understanding oppression and privilege. Using anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks, critique the social work profession, including the NASW Code of Ethics. Scrutinize service delivery and the relationships among power, privilege and oppression that occur on micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice, particularly social and organizational policies and the implementation of those policies. Shift power toward inclusiveness, accessibility, equity and social justice. Create and implement strategies for combating social injustice, including abolitionist and anti-racist social work practice.