Graduate Social Work Courses

SOCW 5059. International Social Work. 3-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3-6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Provides students with an understanding of social work practice and social welfare policies from an international perspective. The implications of globalization and its impact on social welfare policies and social work practice will be examined. Strategies for inter-cultural social work practice and methods of combating discrimination also will be examined. Students may have the opportunity to travel outside the U.S. in order to become familiar with social welfare policies and programs from an international perspective. Course is repeatable if focus of course or travel is different.

SOCW 5086. Problems in Social Work. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Independent reading and research on various social work-related topics. Entry into the course will be arranged by Social Work Program Director.

SOCW 5305. Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to introduce theories, concepts, and build up on the developing skills of social work practice at community, society, and global levels with small groups, organizations and communities. The process of change is examined from the perspective of the social work practitioner acting in the role of change agent in organizational and community development, social planning and building healthy communities.

SOCW 5306. Advanced Integrative Capstone Seminar. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The capstone is an integrative seminar at the end of the MSW program that will provide students the opportunity to demonstrate social work competencies at an advanced level in their area of concentration. Building on their application of advanced social work values, knowledge, and skills from coursework and internships, students will develop a professional paper that will reflect competency in the major themes, goals, and objectives of the social work program. Prerequisite: Completion of SOCW 5362 with a "B" or higher.

SOCW 5310. Generalist Direct Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This professional course introduces students to the Generalist Intervention Model (GIM) where students examine and apply beginning social work practice skills and theoretical frameworks. This course explores the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, theories, and frameworks used in social work practice. Students are introduced to the profession through its history, its conceptual development and through an examination of the values, knowledge and skills that characterize it. The course content focuses on a holistic approach within the worker/client relationship and the development of generalist intervention assessment, intervention and evaluation skills used in interventions with individual clients, families, and small groups in various settings.

SOCW 5315. Generalist Social Work Policy and Policy Analysis. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course includes historical components of social work policies and programs directed at the most vulnerable population in society. This course helps students gain the knowledge and policy practice skills necessary to effectively advocate for policy changes and to analyze policy to determine its effect on client populations and agency programs and services.

SOCW 5316. Advanced Social Policy: Advocacy, Analysis & Practice. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides students with the theoretical and practical knowledge base and skills to analyze, formulate, and advocate for social policies and facilitate social change at multiple levels, including mezzo and macro. Students will gain an understanding of policy practice, theories, and skills as they relate to social, economic, political, and organizational systems and will apply this knowledge to facilitate change at the agency, community, and societal level.

SOCW 5321. Generalist Foundations of Social Work. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An overview of the history and development of social work as a profession. The course is designed to foster a philosophical theoretical, historical, and critical understanding of the social work profession including social work values, the NASW Code of Ethics, the Texas Code of Conduct and areas of practice utilized under a Generalist Social Work Model. This course also focuses on identifying and maintaining professional development skills and community partnerships through service.

SOCW 5322. Generalist Field Placement I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

This is the first of a two-semester seminar designed to facilitate student integration of generalist social work practice and theory while strengthening partnerships in the community. Course content will revolve around specific agency-based practice situations and curriculum field themes in keeping with the University's mission of working with both private and public, local, and state agencies. The total number of hours performed by the end of the semester for this generalist field course is 200 hours, completed over the first semester. The total number of hours for the generalist field placement required by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is 400 hours; this first course covers the first 200 of those required hours.

SOCW 5323. Generalist Field Placement II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

This is the second of a two-semester seminar designed to facilitate student integration of generalist social work practice and theory while strengthening partnerships in the community. Course content will revolve around specific agency-based practice situations and curriculum field themes in keeping with the University's mission of working with both private and public, local, and state agencies. The total number of hours performed by the end of the semester for this generalist field course is 200 hours, completed over the second semester. The total number of hours for the generalist field placement required by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is 400 hours; this second course covers the second 200 of those required hours. Prerequisite: SOCW 5322.

SOCW 5325. Generalist Research Methods. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course focuses on principles of the scientific method for building knowledge of and evaluating practice. Topics include: ethical and cultural issues in research; research viewpoints, design and methodology; quantitative and qualitative research strategies; evaluation of practice; critical evaluation of published research; and completion and reporting of research projects. Students are introduced to the concepts of univariate analyses (frequencies), bivariate analyses (correlations and cross tabulations) and an introduction to tests of significance using statistical software to expand their quantitative and qualitative statistical knowledge.

SOCW 5330. Generalist Human Behavior in the Social Environment. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Using an ecological/systems, developmental, and strengths theoretical frameworks, this course provides an integrated look at the bio-psycho-social spiritual and cultural factors influencing human development from conception through end of life.

SOCW 5340. Generalist Social Justice and Disparities. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines systematic issues that influence various groups through the lens of differential impact and power dynamics. Students develop an understanding of a sense of self in relation to personal background, cultural influence, and anti-oppressive practices.

SOCW 5341. Perspectives on Loss & Grief. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Perspectives on Loss and Grief acquaints students with the issues surrounding loss and grief. Theoretical foundations will be explored as related to death and dying, but also other types of loss including divorce, adoption and foster care, symbolic loss, etc. Students will explore various counseling techniques, and will learn about developmental issues that impact grief reactions.

SOCW 5342. Environmental Justice, Sustainability and Social Work Practice. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course focuses on environmental justice and sustainability within the context of social work practice. The course incorporates multiple environmental issues such as clean energy, single-use plastics, consumption and environmental issues with a focus on becoming more globally and environmentally competent.

SOCW 5360. Advanced Administrative and Leadership Practice: Skills and Methods. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course teaches theories and strategies for effective leadership in organizations and communities. The course examines strategies to combat marginalization and institutional oppression, as well as those that promote social and economic justice in organizations and community environments. Students will develop leadership skills in a variety of settings in both formal and informal capacities. Prerequisite: SOCW 5371.

SOCW 5362. Advanced Field Placement I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

This course is the first advanced field course designed to provide application and integration of academic learning and development of skills within a field setting. Placement is arranged with the MSW Field Director prior to the beginning of the academic year. A weekly integrative seminar is scheduled along with an agency placement. The total number of hours performed by the end of the semester for this advanced field course is 250 hours, completed over 15 weeks of field setting placement. The total number of hours for the graduate advanced field placement required by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is 500 hours; this first course covers the first 250 of those required hours.

SOCW 5363. Advanced Field Placement II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

This course is the second advanced field course designed to provide application and integration of academic learning and development of skills within a field setting. Placement should be continued from the first field practicum course. A weekly integrative seminar is scheduled along with students completing hours in an agency placement. The total number of hours performed by the end of the semester for this advanced field course is 250 hours, completed over 15 weeks of field setting placement. The total number of hours for the graduate advanced field placement required by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is 500 hours; this first course covers the second 250 of those required hours. Prerequisite: Completion of SOCW 5362 with a "B" or higher.

SOCW 5365. Community Organizing & Engagement. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines the challenges and benefits of constructively engaging various community groups toward a solution that encompasses the voices of relevant stakeholders. Students learn how to build communities by enhancing their capacity to solve problems and implement solutions through strategic partnerships that engage stakeholders in meaningful partnerships, mutual learning, shared responsibility, and collective action.

SOCW 5370. Community & Evaluation Research. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course focuses on the ability to use research to address community and organizational problems. Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be taught and students will learn to develop community plans, develop programs, and submit grants based on research findings. The course includes content in advanced research design, implementation, methodology, and data analysis. The course will also explore time studies and policy research. Student will prepare a research proposal to be implemented in the Research Practicum.

SOCW 5371. Advanced Integrative Social Work Practice: Theory and Ethics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines the theoretical approaches to advanced integrative social work practice at all levels of intervention. This course focuses on evidence-based theories and emphasizes that no single theory captures the totality of the human experience: thus, practitioners must utilize an integrative approach for ethical and effective practice.

SOCW 5372. Advanced Direct Practice: Skills and Methods. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course emphasizes the application of practice models in complex situations involving various populations. Specific advanced intervention models will be introduced with emphasis on theoretical knowledge as well as implications within each student’s field of practice. Content focuses on building competency in intervention strategies and evaluation techniques that promote optimal functioning relevant to current social work practice with populations in varied contexts. This course provides simulated opportunities for students to engage in critical thinking and practice that will prepare them for competent practice as they enter the workforce. Prerequisite: SOCW 5371.

SOCW 5373. DSM for Social Workers. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course introduces students to various diagnostic codes of emotional and mental disorders categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 or the latest version) often experienced by individuals and families to help build students’ knowledge about mental illness and its role in advanced social work practice. Through the use of various assessment tools, students will learn how to utilize assessments as part of the process for interventions with children and families. The pathology of persons suffering from the most common disorders is also explored with specific emphasis on documentation skills of assessment, interviewing, and treatment planning of clinical social workers.

SOCW 5374. Practice and Program Evaluation. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Practice and Program Evaluation is an in-depth research course highlighting the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of practice. Primary areas of focus include integrating research skills related to single subject research design, data collection, data analysis, measurement, and reporting. Practice informed research and research informed practice application is emphasized along with assessing student’s critical consciousness and scholarly application of standardized and self-constructed measurement instruments as it relates to various modes of practice.

SOCW 5375. Grant Writing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in program development, proposal writing and grant development.

SOCW 5376. Program Development. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides advanced social work students with the knowledge and skills to design and develop programs for the human service delivery system that emphasize approaches that empower marginalized populations, build human capacity, and create sustainable change. Students will become knowledgeable in assessment techniques related to the justification of program development.

SOCW 5385. Research Practicum. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is the second part of SOCW 5370 Community & Evaluation Research. Students will use the proposal developed in that course to implement their research plan, analyze results, and develop recommendations and program/ grant ideas based on the research findings. This course focuses on the ability to use research to address community and organizational problems and the research will be conducted in the community and a professional presentation of results is expected in a community venue. Students will learn to write up results using scientific language. Students will also be encouraged to consider writing for publication and/ or presenting findings at professional conferences. Prerequisite: Entry into the course will be arranged by Social Work Program Director.

SOCW 5386. Group Work. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course builds on the foundational courses of practice skills and relates those skills to group work, group development, and group types (psychoeducational, support, task-oriented, therapeutic). Students will learn and apply the facilitation of groups in various agency and community based settings. The course will also provide additional knowledge about assessment of group dynamics to assist students in determining appropriate intervention skills within groups.

SOCW 5387. Interventions with Children and Families. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will focus on treatment principles and techniques of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with children and families. Students will develop essential skills to deliver effective evidence-based therapeutic services to children and families impacted by significant events that negatively affect their well-being.

SOCW 5390. Special Topics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

An examination of different topics each semester with a focus on contemporary issues in Social Work. This course may be repeated for credit as the topic changes.