Course descriptions for Social Work

Provides students with an introduction to the history, mission, values and ethics, practice settings, and knowledge base of the social work profession. Emphasizes social work practice skills with diverse individuals, families, and populations at risk. (Offered every semester.)

This required undergraduate course presents an ecological, strength-based perspective to the problem-solving process. It emphasizes the need for cultural sensitivity as an approach underlying all fields of practice in social work. The models, theories, and process learned in this course serve as the foundation for generalist social work practice. The course teaches interviewing skills and promotes critical thinking about the professional relationship including client engagement, assessment, goal-setting, contracting, intervention, evaluation, and termination with individuals, families and groups. Formerly known as SW 410. (Offered every semester.)

This undergraduate elective is an overview of early childhood disorders, child maltreatment, and the public child welfare system, especially case management, treatment planning, and case monitoring. It will also cover family systems and supports, and common settings for social workers specializing in practice with children, youth, and families. It emphasizes the skills of engagement, assessment, and intervention using a strengths perspective.

Introduces undergraduate students to social policy development in the United States and to policy analysis. It is specifically designed to strengthen students' recognition of social, political, and economic forces that shape social welfare policy, how policy affects people's lives, and ways to influence it. The course covers basic concepts, theories, and critiques social welfare policies relevant to generalist social work practice.

Explores a particular topic in social work. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered every semester) (Credit/ No Credit Available)

This course will explore the historical context of diversity and oppression, models and process of group and intergroup relations, and cultural variables significant to ethnic, racial, and minority populations. It will also explore the role of social workers as border-crosser, cultural learner, and change agent. There will be opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, critical reflection and skills development. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

SW 510 addresses the history, mission, values and ethics, service delivery system of the social work profession. Course content will provide a framework for generalist practice that emphasizes strengths and person-in-the-environment perspectives, an empowerment approach, and the application of the NASW Code of Ethics to marginalized and oppressed individuals and groups. The course will also explore various fields of practice in the social work profession, emphasizing essential knowledge and skills for effective practice and the development of professional identity. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course. (Credit/No Credit Available)

This graduate foundation course prepares students for direct practice with individuals, families, and small groups through strength-based assessments and evidence-informed interventions using a cross-cultural perspective. Interviewing skills, assessment tools, case planning, and case management will be covered. Students will gain knowledge of group process including group formation, facilitation, and evaluation. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid, or online course.

This graduate foundation course covers social work practice in agencies and organizations with a focus on organizational analysis, inter- and intra-agency collaboration, and effective problem-solving. The course will also address agency and community engagement, institutionalized oppression, and advocacy to promote social and economic justice. Students will be able to implement a community project and complete an IRB application. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This graduate foundation course emphasizes the development, resilience, behavioral assessment, and functioning of children, youth and families from a cross-cultural perspective utilizing eco-systems theory. Special topics of family acculturation, immigration, generational conflicts, poverty, and human sexuality will be explored. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This graduate foundation course emphasizes the development, resilience, behavior, and functioning of emerging, middle, and older adults using a cross-cultural perspective and anti-oppressive framework to examine human behavior across the lifespan. Topics relating to family acculturation, immigration, generational conflicts, gender, ability and human sexuality will be explored. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This graduate course is an introduction to social work research, emphasizing the importance of using critical thinking skills in the research process. It will cover all of the steps, including planning, selecting a research design, reviewing the literature, and techniques for collecting, organizing, and interpreting data. Computer applications will be utilized to illustrate how to analyze data. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online.

Course content will cover techniques of quantitative data analysis; interpreting and using statistics to improve social work practice; probability theory and hypothesis testing, descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Diversity-sensitive research and ethical issues will be presented and discussed in relation to social work research. (Credit/ No Credit Available)

This graduate foundation research course utilizes scientific inquiry methods to conduct a community assessment. This course emphasizes the importance of cultural and diversity awareness in community collaboration. Community assessment tools include archival records searching, use of existing databases, Geographic Information Systems, focus groups, and survey methods. Service/program development and evaluation plans will be developed. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This graduate foundation course reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the social policy analytical models and frameworks, particularly in light of population diversity. Selected social welfare policy areas are examined to illustrate the policy formation process, the legislative process, the challenges of policy implementation, directions for new policies/programs, and advocacy/action plans. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

Studies a particular topic in the major. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (Offered only as interest warrants.)

This graduate foundation field course emphasizes the development of professional identity and conduct, professional values and ethics, and the skills of client engagement. In addition to classroom sessions, students will participate in an internship at an agency site approved by the MSW program. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This graduate foundation field course emphasizes cultural competence, advocacy, and practice evaluation skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

Part 1 of the research project guides students thru the process of designing and conducting an independent study that responds to a social work practice or policy problem. Students will identify a research question, select a research strategy, develop their recruitment and research tools with accompanying protocols. The final assignment will be the submission of a human subjects application by the end of the term.

Part 2 of the research project will focus on study implementation, data collection and analysis. Students will be expected to prepare monthly reports demonstrating their use of fidelity measures and protocols and data analysis techniques. Findings will be presented thru a presentation and final report with a plan to disseminate the results to community partners.

This advanced course introduces content about client populations, social policy, and practice in the area of Behavioral Health. This course will emphasize the policies, programs, and services related to behavioral health as well as evidence-informed interventions and skills for effective practice. Special topics include the etiology of mental illness, dual diagnosis clients, consumer participation, and culturally relevant services. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid, or online.

This advanced course introduces content about client populations, social policy, and practice in the area of Child Welfare. This course will emphasize the policies, programs, and services related to child welfare as well as evidence-informed interventions and skills for effective practice. Special topics include child development, parenting practices, legal and ethical responsibilities of mandated reporters, and culturally relevant services. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid, or online.

This advanced practice course in the Behavioral Health concentration focuses on culturally sensitive clinical assessment and diagnosis; case planning with the goals of wellness, recovery, and motivational engagement; working with diverse non-voluntary clients; and providing community education. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This advanced practice course in the Children, Youth, and Families concentration focuses on risk assessment, crisis intervention, motivational engagement, working with non-voluntary clients, relatives and foster parents, and intervention with family systems and diversity involved in the child welfare system. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This advanced practice course builds on the theory and techniques of SW 620A with emphases on application and effective intervention strategies in behavioral health settings. Case scenarios will be used intensively. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This advanced practice course builds on the theory and techniques of SW 620B with emphases on application and effective intervention strategies in child welfare settings. Case scenarios will be used intensively. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This graduate course focuses on the skills of conflict resolution, negotiation, mediation, and advocacy in interpersonal and inter-organizational settings. These skills are needed to provide collaborative leadership in promoting changes in the service delivery system and to improve quality of service. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This graduate course covers the theories and models of administration, cross-system collaboration, ethical leadership as they apply to supervisory and management roles in human services. It explores the role of community stakeholders as advocates of social policy initiatives and collaborative policy activities. Students assume advocacy and leadership roles with community stakeholders. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This advanced field seminar introduces students to social work practice with selected populations. It facilitates the integration of cross-cultural knowledge and skills in a selected area of practice. The seminar emphasizes prevention and intervention strategies to enhance client capacities as well as advancing skills in crisis intervention. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.

This advanced field seminar continues to facilitate the integration of cross-cultural knowledge and practice in a specialized area. The seminar emphasizes continued skill building in intervention and intervention strategies to enhance client capacities as well as advancing skills in crisis intervention. May be offered as classroom based, hybrid or online course.