Social Work Courses (SWK)
SWK 6601 - Introduction to Social Policy Development and the Effects Community and Organizations (3)
This course is designed to assist students in developing a working understanding of American social policy, and the system, its response to human need and its relation to the organized profession of social work. Emphasis is placed on identifying and examining social, political, economic, legal and cultural concepts that influence policy formation, program development and service delivery. This course also explores the effects of social policy at the community level, including organizations, formulating coalitions, engaging in participatory planning and economic development.
SWK 6604 - Human Behavior In The Social Environment I (3)
The overall purpose and primary focus of this course is the exposure to and acquisition of knowledge about the development of human behavior within the social systems of individuals, families, groups, communities, institutions, and organizations. This course will provide through a series of lectures, participatory discussions and in-class activities, a framework with which to gain a professional understanding of human behavior from an ecological systems perspective.
SWK 6605 - Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3)
The overall purpose and primary focus of this course is the exposure to and acquisition of knowledge about the development of human behavior within the social systems of individuals, families, groups, communities, institutions, and organizations as this relates to the adult to elderly aspects of the life span. This course will provide through a series of lectures, participatory discussions and in-class activities, a framework with which to gain a professional understanding of human behavior from an ecological systems perspective.
SWK 6606 - Direct Practice Methods with Individuals and Families (3)
This course focuses on direct social work practice with individuals and families based on an ecological multi-level systems framework and a strengths perspective. Knowledge, skills and values essential to the professional relationships (including mutuality, collaboration and respect for the client system) are developed. Knowledge, skills and values essential to implementation of a variety of social work roles are acquired through examination and analysis of appropriate practice models through experiential classroom activities and critiques of case studies.
SWK 6608 - Theory and Practice with Groups (3)
This course is an introduction to theory and practice with diverse groups to assist students in developing a contextual understanding of group dynamics over the course of the group process. Viewed through the lens of race, culture, and gender, this course will emphasize group functioning within a strengths-based, resiliency framework.
SWK 6612 - Foundation Pre-Practicum and Seminar (3)
This course is designed to prepare the Foundation student to enter into Foundation Practicum. Students will draw upon all previous foundation coursework to successfully apply and secure an approved Foundation Practicum placement. In this course, students will be required to submit the necessary documentation to be approved to take the block (3) of Foundation Practicum and Seminar classes. Prerequisites: Must have approval of academic advisor.
SWK 6614 - Cultural Diversity (3)
The purpose of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to examine and integrate current trends, issues, and dynamics as they relate to professional social work practice with diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities. The effects of race, class, ethnicity, age, disability, and sexual orientation are examined as related to interpersonal, inter-group, inter-group, and inter-system power struggles and differences.
SWK 6620 - Social Work Practice with Women (3)
This course is designed to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of diversity among women utilizing multiple practice perspectives (including feminist theories). In addition, it is designed to foster a critical understanding of the dynamics and consequences of social and economic injustices, inclusive of but not limited to discrimination and oppression in formulating our assessment and treatment plans with women and the critically assessment and challenge of policies that negatively impact women.
SWK 6622 - Crisis Intervention (3)
Direct Practice techniques for dealing with crisis. Crisis theory, stress management and time-limited intervention will be examined.
SWK 6645 - Principles of Non-Profit Organizations (3)
This course provides students with introductory knowledge about nonprofit organizations, including their historical and contemporary roles in human services, and their unique structure and governance, as well as their social, political and economic impacts in society.
SWK 6691 - Foundation Research Methods (3)
Basic principles of developing, testing, refining, and using scientific knowledge for direct social work practice are presented. Consideration is given to the development of theory, formulation of testable problem statements, the design of appropriate strategies for obtaining and analyzing relevant information, drawing conclusions and applications for use in professional practice, and communication of findings to others.
SWK 6696 - Foundation Practicum and Seminar I (2)
The Foundation Field Practicum and Seminar engages the student in an assigned human service agency. In addition to providing an orientation to the practicum experience, this course directs the student's study of the practicum client population and agency, promotes the student's self-assessment and learning goals for professional social work development. This course is the first 134 contact hours at an agency; a second course (SWK 6697, 134 contact hours); and a third course (SWK 6698, 134 contact hours) will complete a total of 402 contact hours at the same agency. Prerequisites: Approved by Director of Field Education.
SWK 6697 - Foundation Practicum and Seminar II (2)
The Foundation Field Practicum and Seminar engages the student in an assigned human service agency. In addition to providing an orientation to the practicum experience, this course directs the student's study of the practicum client population and agency, promotes the student's self-assessment and learning goals for professional social work development. This course is the second 134 contact hours at the same agency. There will be a third course (SWK 6698, 134 contact hours) completing the Foundation Practicum requirements of 402 contact hours. Prerequisites: Approved by Director of Field Education.
SWK 6698 - Foundation Practicum and Seminar III (2)
The Foundation Field Practicum and Seminar engages the student in an assigned human service agency. In addition to providing an orientation to the practicum experience, this course directs the student's study of the practicum client population and agency, promotes the student's self-assessment and learning goals for professional social work development. This course is the third and final 134 contact hours at the same agency, completing the Foundation Practicum requirements of 402 contact hours. Prerequisites: Approved by Director of Field Education.
SWK 7701 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families (3)
Advanced practice with individuals within family systems and community environments are addressed. The course builds from the knowledge acquired in SWK 6606, SWK 6604, and SWK 6605 by expanding the conceptual dynamics of the ecological perspective related to individuals. Topics will include assessing individuals within a family and community context using multiple theoretical orientations.
SWK 7703 - Direct Practice Evaluation (3)
This course is the second research course in the graduate social work curriculum. Building upon the principles of social science research methods acquired in SWK 6691, the content of this course focuses upon the linkages between individual and family centered social work practice and evidenced based social work research.
SWK 7705 - Assessment and Psychopathology (3)
This course provides an overview of social work assessment methods applicable to family-centered clinical practice. Topics include the basic principles of social work assessment (including reliability and validity) and a review of common methods of empirically supported assessment methods.
SWK 7707 - Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (3)
This advanced clinical practice course teaches group practice skills development for use as a primary treatment modality in clinical social work practice. Theoretical and practice principles of group work are emphasized to enhance understanding and use of “group” as a complex system of roles and interrelationships in a highly experimental format.
SWK 7720 - Special Topics (Social Work with Abusing and Neglecting Families) (3)
This course is a critical examination of current knowledge about the causality and interventions to prevent or remedy child abuse and neglect (more recently referred to as child maltreatment). Attention is given to ethical and cultural issues in defining and intervening with abusive and neglectful families. Legal aspects and implications for social policy and social work practice for prevention and remediation with families are emphasized. The course provides specialized content for graduate students interested in social work practice with families and children. It builds upon foundation content in social policy, social work theory and practice, and research provided during the first year of the graduate study in social work.
SWK 7722 - Social Work in Health Care Settings (3)
This course enables students to explore and evaluate the issues involved in offering effective psychosocial interventions in a health care setting, understand managed care, compete within this environment, and influence the quality of health care. Emphasis on a holistic approach to health care will examine the biological, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual components of the client within the health care system. The importance of these components as they interact with the individual's gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation will also be explored. The complex but necessary interaction of the individual's experiences with family, social, political, and legal systems will also be examined. Finally, and with equal importance, the student's attitudes and feelings regarding the practice of social work in health care will be explored.
SWK 7724 - Topics in Grant Writing and Program Development (3)
This course serves as an introduction to the process of grant writing in human service organizations as an orientation to the broader funding landscape. Stu-dents will develop skills related to effective grant writing including assessing and conveying need, developing programmatic responses to need, the creation and use of logic models, and project/program evaluation.
SWK 7726 - Social Work with Military Families (3)
The course is designed as an elective for graduate students in the School of Social Work who wish to increase knowledge and skills for practice with military personnel, Veterans, and their families. Students will learn about the role of social work within the military and the Department of Veterans Affairs in meeting the needs of active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, Veterans and their families. Students will develop a working understanding of the history of military social work, aspects of the military culture that they will need to know in order to be able to develop a strong therapeutic alliance, social and mental health needs and issues facing this ethnically and culturally diverse population, military social work policies and services, and needed advocacy efforts in that regard, evidence-based and other mental health interventions with emerging empirical support for this population, and other ethnic and cultural diversity issues in military social work.
SWK 7730 - ORGM Evaluation (3)
This course provides both the theoretical basis and practical application of evaluation processes and skills for use across human service organizations. Students will be provided with a variety of approaches for evaluation efforts at the project, program, organizational, and community levels. Additionally, students will explore the importance of the evaluative context to include organizational capacity, cultural considerations, stakeholder involvement, and ultimately, communicating the evaluation findings.
SWK 7732 - Program Design and Development (3)
This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement projects and programs within human service organizations. To do so, students will utilize data driven approaches to determine the need for, and the design of, programs as well learn how to develop and carry out strategic planning efforts to implement and carry out these programs.
SWK 7734 - Advanced Policy Analysis (3)
This course builds upon previous policy coursework in an effort to further the students understanding of the policy landscape and identify opportunities within that landscape to influence the policy making process. Students will be provided with opportunities to apply this knowledge and build practice skills through advocacy efforts, practical policy analysis and political involvement, to politically empower and serve individuals, groups, and communities, at the local, state, and national levels.
SWK 7736 - Organizational Leadership and Management (3)
This course is designed to equip students for supervisory and managerial roles within human service organizations. Topics covered include organizational theory, administrative roles and responsibilities, personnel management, resource development and stewardship, and organizational capacity building. Prerequisites: Foundation Courses completed
SWK 7738 - Organizational Leadership and Management Senior Seminar (3)
This course is conceptualized as a mechanism for students to draw upon all previous courses in the MSW program and integrate and apply all that they have learned. The course is taken prior to and in preparation for field placement. Students will be pre-pared to demonstrate mastery of the current issues, theories, policies, and methods in the development and management of organizations as applied in the field setting.
SWK 7740 - Social Work Practice with Children and Adolescents (3)
The overall purpose and primary focus of this course is to address Social Work practice methods when working with children and adolescents as well as identify the diverse issues and concerns impacting them. Unique aspects of working with children an adolescent that will also be discussed in this course include impacts at home and at school, ethical and legal consideration as well as best practice methods when working with parents, guardians and educators.
SWK 7742 - Social Work in School Settings (3)
This course presents advanced knowledge and skills essential to providing effective school social work interventions. Students will learn to identify, select an apply evidence-based prevention and intervention methods for use with individuals, groups, families, school personnel, and communities to enhance student learning, development, and school success. Students will acquire the skills needed to effectively practice as a school social worker to enhance student learnings and achievement.
SWK 7769 - Advanced Direct Practice Senior Seminar (3)
This course is conceptualized as a mechanism for students to draw upon all previous courses in the MSW Program and integrate and apply all that they have learned. The course is taken concurrently with the final block field placement. Students demonstrate mastery of the theoretical and empirically-based knowledge from all components of the curriculum, and the ability to apply this knowledge in advanced social work practice with children, youth, and families.
SWK 7796 - Specialization Practicum I (3)
Placement in a social service agency which provides the opportunity to practice and develop professional social work skills under the joint supervision of a faculty and an agency supervisor. Includes a weekly seminar plus a minimum of 170 contact hours in a specialization agency setting. This is the first of three required practicum courses. Prerequisites: Completion of all Foundation Courses. Must have approval of Director of Field Education.
SWK 7797 - Specialization Practicum II (3)
Placement in a social service agency which provides the opportunity to practice and develop professional social work skills under the joint supervision of a faculty and an agency supervisor. Includes a weekly seminar plus a minimum of 170 contact hours in a specialization agency setting. This is the second of three required practicum courses. Prerequisites: Completion of all Foundation Courses. Must have approval of Director of Field Education.
SWK 7797 - Specialization Practicum III (3)
Placement in a social service agency which provides the opportunity to practice and develop professional social work skills under the joint supervision of a faculty and an agency supervisor. Includes a weekly seminar plus a minimum of 170 contact hours in a specialization agency setting. This is the third of three required practicum courses. Prerequisites: Completion of all Foundation Courses. Must have approval of Director of Field Education.