Social Work Degree Plan

For the most recent version of these course descriptions, please view the graduate catalog.

This is the first practice course within the foundation year of the MSW program. Practice I introduces students to values, knowledge, skills and competencies for generalist practice with individuals. Students practice key skills that include engagement, interviewing, assessment, contracting, intervention, recording, and the use of consultation and supervision in the context of social work values and ethics and affirming working relationships.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

This is the second generalist practice course within the three-course practice sequence in the foundation year. This course builds on the foundational skills gained through successful completion of Practice I. Practice II introduces competencies required for social work practice with diverse families and small groups.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 503.

Critically examines contemporary welfare policies, in a value-analytic framework, and in the context of the United States and international political economies. Emphasis is placed on values of equity, adequacy, and universality of access to basic social and economic security. Policy practice skills include identification and evaluation of policy problems, including their empirical and value dimensions, and skills in policy advocacy with legislators and with the general public. Major importance is placed on policies and programs that impact populations-at-risk.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

Provides knowledge of empirically-based theories that focus on the interactions between and among individuals, groups, societies and economic systems. Students learn and apply life span theories and knowledge. Examines social systems in which people live and their influence in maintaining or achieving health and well-being. Explores the consequences of difference on a person’s life experiences.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

This experiential course in a small group format is designed to provide a positive environment for students’ exploration of their attitudes toward human diversity. Students will increase their knowledge and awareness of the experiences of people of oppressed groups, in relation to historical prejudice and discrimination. Students will gain insight in sociohistorical and familial roots of their own biases and increase their ability to sensitively work with individuals and groups, who are subjected to oppression, based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class and other stigmatizing characteristics.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

This is the third generalist practice course within the foundation year of the MSW program. Practice III introduces students to theories and skills required for social work practice in organizational and community settings. Using organizations and communities as settings for social work practice and targets of change, and based on social work values and ethics, students learn strategies and skills for assessment and intervention. Conceptual models of macro change are examined including social planning, community organizing, social action and community/organizational development and change.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 503. COREQ: SOCWRK 504, SOCWRK 521.

Utilizes a variety of theoretical perspectives to examine the impact of social systems and institutions on human behavior. Draws on traditional and alternative/conflict theoretical perspectives and the role of systemic oppression and discrimination to examine how experiences differ across factors such as race/ethnicity, immigration status, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, ability, social and economic status, political ideology and religiosity/spirituality. Examines strategies designed to eliminate oppressive structural barriers and ensure human rights are protected.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 512.

This is the first of a two-course sequence on foundations of research and analysis. It is designed to provide students with the knowledge base and skills for using scientific method to advance social work practice, knowledge, and theory. The course covers quantitative and qualitative methods. Content includes conceptualization, operationalization, design, sampling, measurement, data collection, use of results, and ethical considerations including how research affects diverse populations.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

This is the second course in a two-course sequence on foundations of research and analysis. This course focuses on methods of analysis, and implications of quantitative and qualitative data to advance social work practice, knowledge, and theory. Students learn to use and interpret various statistical procedures for analyzing quantitative data, including univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analysis, and analysis for qualitative data. Students apply analytic techniques using computer software applications.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 530.

Opportunity for students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to an area of practice within the field of social work, which includes working within a generalist framework across micro, mezzo and macro areas of practice. In addition, students doing field work will be able to demonstrate competence that is informed by knowledge, values, skills and cognitive and affective processes that include the student’s critical thinking, affective reactions and exercise of judgment in regard to unique practice situations. (Pass/Fail.)

PREREQ: Admission to the MSW program. COREQ: SOCWRK 503 and SOCWRK 512. COREQ: SOCWRK 573.

Continuation of SOCWRK 570. (Pass/Fail.)

PREREQ: SOCWRK 570 and SOCWRK 573. COREQ: SOCWRK 504. COREQ: SOCWRK 574.

Provides a forum for students to integrate, synthesize and apply classroom content with the practical world of the field/practice setting. Fostering a generalist practice perspective, provides a supportive group setting to develop professional identity, self-awareness, self-care, empathy, and critical inquiry and awareness. Students will explore the use of social work values and ethics, examine best practices, and consider diverse experiences, along with processing and evaluation of personal behaviors within the context of field.

PREREQ: Admission to the MSW Program. COREQ: SOCWRK 570.

Continuation of SOCWRK 573.

COREQ: SOCWRK 572.

This advanced course is designed to prepare students with the knowledge and skills for management and leadership in social service programs.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 572, SOCWRK 574. COREQ: SOCWRK 513, SOCWRK 529.

Provides learning opportunities to increase knowledge to effectively work with persons from diverse backgrounds. A highly experiential course requiring overt and candid investigation of personal identity development and its impact on social work practice with persons from diverse backgrounds.

PREREQ: Admission to Advanced Standing MSW Program.

This is the second practice course in the concentration year of the MSW program. Builds and expands upon knowledge gained through successful completion of all prior courses. Designed to provide students the opportunity to enhance practice skills necessary to provide effective assessment and intervention techniques regarding the more general issues and disorders, which are frequently seen by social workers, such as child maltreatment, substance abuse and mental health.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 550. COREQ: SOCWRK 576.

Prepares students to conduct systematic and strengths-based biopsychosocial assessments across the lifespan, formulate differential diagnostic impressions in accordance with the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and recommend effective and appropriate theoretically guided interventions.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 572 and SOCWRK 574; or SOCWRK 513 and SOCWRK 529.

This is an advanced standing bridge course that enhances student skills and knowledge in foundation research concepts and procedures. Focuses on methods of data processing, analysis, and implications of quantitative and qualitative data to advance social work practice, knowledge, and theory. Use and interpret various statistical procedures for analyzing quantitative and qualitative data. Apply analytic techniques using computer software applications.

PREREQ: Admission to Advanced Standing MSW Program.

This course builds on basic understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis. Students gain knowledge and skills to use appropriate research methods for empirically based knowledge building and to enhance program and practice effectiveness. Content includes single system and group design and formative and summative approaches to practice and program evaluation.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 531 or COREQ: SOCWRK 529.

This is the first practice course in the concentration year of the MSW Program, which focuses on individuals and families. This course builds upon the generalist foundation and advances student knowledge of theoretical frameworks used in social work practice to bring about change with individuals and families. Students will examine practice implications of different theoretical frameworks with particular attention to the efficacy of those theoretical and practice models with oppressed and at-risk populations. In addition, empirically-based interventions, critical aspects of the therapeutic relationship, which promote growth and bring about change, and the application of social work values and evaluation of practice are areas of focus.

COREQ: SOCWRK 575 and SOCWRK 577.

Provides students with a supervised social work practiced experience in a social service agency under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker. Includes experiential learning in direct practice with individuals and families. (Pass/ Fail.)

PREREQ: SOCWRK 572 and SOCWRK 574; or SOCWRK 513 and SOCWRK 529. COREQ: SOCWRK 577 and SOCWRK 550.

Continuation of SOCWRK 575. (Pass/Fail.)

PREREQ: SOCWRK 575 and SOCWRK 577. COREQ: SOCWRK 578.

Integrative seminar that facilitates development of advanced direct social work practice knowledge, skills and values with individuals and families.

PREREQ: SOCWRK 572 and SOCWRK 574; or SOCWRK 513 and SOCWRK 529. COREQ: SOCWRK 575.

Continuation of SOCWRK 577.

COREQ: SOCWRK 576.

Increased depth of knowledge about what factors impact the aging process, including socioeconomic status, social support systems, and the environment, are covered. Engagement in practice with older adults from an inclusive perspective that considers sociocultural perspectives on age and aging as well as the impact of generational effects. Evidence-based theories, assessments, and interventions for practice are also addressed. May be repeated once for credit.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

To develop an in-depth understanding of school social work skills and knowledge. Emphasis on school social work from a point of view that incorporates knowledge and values from a broad range of social work theoretical approaches.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

Provides an overview of chemical dependency and process addictions including: public policy, theories of prevention and addiction, screening and assessment, evidence-based treatment, the physiology and psychology of addiction, and the effects of drugs on the individual, family, and society.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

Building on core knowledge common to all fields of practice, this course examines advanced practice skills and interventions relevant to health care settings in work with individual clients, families, groups, and interdisciplinary teams. Social work practice is explored in the context of the psychosocial consequences of illness and current health care delivery.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

Examines acute, chronic and complex trauma informed by current evidence-based assessment and intervention methods for individuals, families, groups and communities impacted by traumatic stress. Emphasis is on the history of trauma; development, anatomy and physiology of the human brain; impact of traumatic stress, exposure to traumatic events, culture; trauma-specific assessment and recovery.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.

Human sexuality is explored from a strengths-based, bio-psycho-social-cultural-spiritual perspective utilizing individual values, individual sense of morality, the Circles of Sexuality Model, and the NASW Code of Ethics and commensurate professional codes to ensure future Social Workers and other helping professionals can spread the benefits of accurate and positive sexual health education to the individuals, groups, and communities they serve.

PREREQ: Admission to MSW Program.