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 provides a review of community organization theory and practice at both the macro and micro levels. Basic models of community organization theory and practice are highlighted, including locality development, social planning, and social action as well as major policy issues that relate to communities. Special attention is given to the historical base of community organization in America, citizen/consumer participation, volunteerism, assessment of community needs, impact of racism, and community work and intervention techniques. Students will examine the range of social work roles and functioning in community organization practice from the personal individual participant perspective to the social worker/ professional organizer perspective, and as a policy-maker.

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).

Theory for social work practice is studied, using an integrated social systems and biopsychosocial-spiritual model. The student is introduced to the profession through its history, its conceptual development and through an examination of the values, knowledge and skills which characterize it. The course content focuses on the worker/client relationship and development of assessment, intervention and evaluation skills used in interventions with individual clients, families, and small groups. Appropriate worker intervention in individualized treatment planning and implementation and the dynamics of small group process are also examined.

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

Foundation course on social policy, policy practice and practice in communities and organizations. Surveys historical evolution of social welfare policy and contemporary provision of social welfare services, including the role of values in policy formulation and principles of social and economic justice. Introduces the social work role as change agent in legislative, community and organizational arenas.

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 that promote social justice 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. Content will focus on social, distributive, political, and economic justice.

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

This course provides students a foundation in social work practice, including social work roles, functions, and tasks that social workers perform across settings. The course will also introduce social work values and ethics, theories, the generalist intervention model (GIM), diversity and inclusion, and licensing issues.

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

This course the first foundation 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 spring semester. 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 foundation field course is 200 hours, completed over 15 weeks of field setting placement. The total number of hours for the graduate foundation 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 course the second foundation 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 spring semester. 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 foundation field course is 200 hours, completed over 15 weeks of field setting placement. The total number of hours for the graduate foundation field placement required by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) is 400 hours; this second course covers the final 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 foundation content in research design and methodology that can be used by social work practitioners to evaluate their individual practice, evaluate social programs, and advance practice knowledge. The major goals of the course are to enable students to develop a scientific perspective, to acquire an understanding of different research viewpoints that can be used to evaluate practice, and to incorporate that perspective and understanding into a broader conceptual base for social work practice. The course aids students in thinking critically about the methods and limitations of various systems of inquiry, and about society, people, and their problems.

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

This course examines the life cycle of the individual from in utero through old age and death from a biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective via multiple theoretical frameworks. Individual growth and development is studied in the context of culture, race, ethnicity, social class, gender, families and other social systems. Attention is also given to the impact of trauma, loss, and environmental stressors on the individual and the family.

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

This course will introduce students to the importance of operating from a lens of equity by familiarizing students with culture and diversity within and between groups. Students will learn and apply an integral framework of equity using generalist practice skills at the micro, mezzo, and macro level to address social justice and disparity issues in society. Various diverse areas of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, spirituality, physical and mental ability are explored with specific attention to the historical aspects of oppression and discrimination of each area. Students will also engage in critical self-exploration and self-awareness as it relates to each of the diverse areas taught in this course to advance his/her own self-identity.

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 and the relationship to social justice 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 diverse community groups toward a solution that encompasses the voices of relevant stakeholders. The course proposes that working toward social and economic justice means addressing root causes of social issues, such as poverty, and working to end oppression, rather than creating mechanisms that institutionalize marginalization. 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, particularly those involving populations at risk and diverse clients, including behaviors, strengths, needs and values. 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 diverse 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 with culturally diverse groups and situations. 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.