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 course presents an ecological, strength-based perspective to the problem-solving process. It emphasizes the need for cultural sensitivity 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 including client engagement, assessment, goal-setting, contracting, intervention, evaluation, and termination with individuals, families and groups.

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.

Overview of the impact of aging, using the biopsychosocial-spiritual, ecological, and strengths perspectives. Federal, state, and local programs, services, and social policies are reviewed. Generalist practice models are introduced for working with older adults and their families, with a focus on empowerment. The roles of bachelor-level social workers and career opportunities are examined.

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)

Addresses the history, mission, values and service delivery system of the social work profession. It will provide a framework for generalist practice that emphasizes strengths and person-in-the-environment perspectives, an empowerment approach, and the NASW Code of Ethics. The course will also explore various fields of practice in the social work profession, emphasizing knowledge and skills for effective practice and the development of professional identity. (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.

Provides an introduction to the process of securing grant funding for public and nonprofit organizations. Students will develop knowledge and skill in the areas of: qualifying prospective grantors and evaluation requests for proposals, developing letters of intent, and preparing key components of a successful funding application. Topics will also include fundraising as relationship building, using logic models, and creating program sustainability. (Credit/No Credit Available)

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 elective graduate course provides students with social work practice skills related to the area of substance abuse such as use, abuse, and dependency issues and their impacts on the individual, family and community systems. Students will learn effective engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation strategies for addressing the consequences of substance abuse.

The elective graduate course provides a comprehensive Latino practice model and reviews promising practices for working with Latino families across generational cultural values, psychosocial and health challenges. It emphasizes effective engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation for this diverse ethnic group.

This elective graduate course reviews family therapy models and contemporary issues in the family therapy field. Students integrate and apply therapy approaches to diverse populations who are experiencing a range of social problems. Students are expected to develop their own model of family-centered social work practice through seminar-style interactions and individualized and group application assignments.

The elective graduate course covers theoretical and practical approaches to trauma for use in treatment of PTSD. It will advance student's knowledge of culturally competence practices and current evidence-based models on PTSD. Resiliency in survivors is presented as basis for interventions.

This elective graduate course surveys a range of treatment models supportive in behavioral health settings. Students explore and contrast treatment models and methods, examine assumptions in different theories, and strategies for managing resistances. Various approaches such as psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and solution-oriented therapies will be covered. Client empowerment across the lifespan is highlighted.

This elective graduate course focuses on an interdisciplinary approach to resolving school-related problems, and on social workers as facilitators and advocates in aiding students, families, schools, and communities to achieve educational goals. It focuses on the history, policies, theories and skills needed to provide services within the environment of the local educational agency. School is viewed as a social institution and connects to a broader societal context.

This elective graduate course is designed to provide students with an overview of gerontological social work with emphasis on principle of practice, application of research, and the formulation of policies as they relate to older adults. The course will define the role of the social worker from a gerontological perspective. Students will be introduced to special populations that are most vulnerable as they age, which include women and people of color, the disabled, and sexual minorities.

This elective graduate course surveys the many facets of working with veterans and military families including Military Culture and Language, Title 38, the structure and history of the Department of Veteran Affairs, VeteranÀs Health and Mental Health Issues, generational differences among veterans, VA Benefits and Eligibility, etc. Students will gain basic knowledge and skills essential for working with veterans and their families.

Building on the foundation content of SW 570, this advanced course focuses on policy practice and advocacy. The effects of social policies on marginalized and vulnerable populations will be analyzed via goal versus policy outcomes. Students will learn the nature of the legislative policy-making process, coalition and interest groups, politics, lobbying, and advocacy skills and strategies. Participation in NASW Lobby Day is required. 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.