Undergraduate Social Work Courses

SOCW 1100. Transitioning to University Studies in Social Work. 1 Credit Hour (Lecture: 1 Hour, Lab: 1 Hour).

Practical study designed to prepare the student for university life, and in the development of skills for academic success, promote personal growth and responsibility, and encourage active involvement in the learning process from an individual college perspective. Also included will be the development of skills in the learning process from a Department of Social Work perspective.

SOCW 2361. Introduction to Social Work. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This introductory course focuses on the profession of social work: historical development, values, ethics, and various aspects of practice with an emphasis on the generalist perspective and populations at risk.

SOCW 2362. Social Welfare in America. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course offers a historical and contemporary examination of legislation and resulting programs, policies, and services in the context of the social welfare system in the United States. Special attention is given to the political, economic, environmental, and social conditions that prompted the development of legislation to meet the needs of vulnerable populations. Societal responses to legislation are also considered.

SOCW 3300. Methods and Skills of Interviewing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 3 Hours).

This pre-professional course will introduce students to the generalist practice skills. Beginning social work skills introduced include the principles of conducting the helping interview, initial client contact, attending, and listening, empathetic responses, exploration and elaboration, questioning, gaining cooperation, self-disclosure, and termination issues. Issues of problem solving with diverse populations and persons from different cultural backgrounds as well as ethical issues of helping relationships are explored. Prerequisites: Social Work majors must complete or concurrently enroll in SOCW 2361 with a grade of "C" or higher, and SOCW 2362 with a grade of "C" or higher.

SOCW 3303. Social Work with Diverse Populations. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will familiarize the student with their cultural roots as well as cultural roots of other ethnic groups that make up American society, tracing the process of acculturation that characterizes their American experience.

SOCW 3306. Social Welfare Policy. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

This course helps students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively advocate for policy changes that promote social justice and to analyze policy to determine its effect on client populations and agency programs and services. Prerequisite: Completion of SOCW 2362 with a C or higher.

SOCW 3308. Case Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is designed to provide intensive studies of current trends and issues related to professional social work practice, social service delivery, and populations at risk. This course serves to introduce the concept of case management as it is used to provide human services. The cases management process is examined from the intake interview to the termination of services, with in-depth attention given to three phases of case management: assessment, planning, and implementation. The responsibilities and skills of the effective case manager are explored. Additionally, the context in which the case management process occurs is reviewed and organizational, legal, and ethical issues confronting the case manager are addressed. Historical perspectives of case management and theoretical models utilized by case managers are discussed.

SOCW 3310. Social Work with Aging Populations. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course will use a competency-based approach to preparing students to engage in social work practice with aging populations. The focus will be on the four domains of geriatric competencies adopted by the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative. The four domains are: 1) values, ethics, and theoretical perspectives; 2) assessment; 3) intervention; 4) aging services, programs, and policies. Prerequisite: Junior classification.

SOCW 3311. Social Issues. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Uses major theoretical perspectives from sociology to explore causes and consequences of contemporary social issues in American society such as alienation, family stresses, poverty, unemployment and technological change.

SOCW 3314. Methods of Social Work Research. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours). [WI]

Principles of the scientific method for building knowledge of and evaluating practice. Topics include: ethical and cultural issues in research; research design and methodology; quantitative and qualitative research strategies; evaluation of practice; critical evaluation of published research; and completion and reporting of research projects. All students must successfully complete ALE requirements to pass the course. The ALE assignment is a major percentage of the student’s overall grade. Prerequisite: Completion of SOCW 3320 with a grade of C or higher.

SOCW 3315. Statistical Methods & Analysis. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The course familiarizes the student with the quantitative and qualitative research methods, the research process, and the role of research in social work. Students develop a research proposal. Emphasis is placed on evaluation of all levels of practice. The course emphasizes the development of the quantitative and qualitative research knowledge necessary for evidence-based practice and the use of practice to inform research. Students are introduced to the concepts and skills underlying a systematic approach to social work research, including but not limited to, the roles of concepts and theory, hypothesis formulation, operationalization, research design, data collection, data processing, statistical analysis, computer skills, and research report writing. All students must successfully complete ALE requirements to pass the course. The ALE assignment is a major percentage of the student’s overall grade. Upon successful completion of the ALE requirements and the course requirements, students will receive 1 ALE in the category of Research. Prerequisites: Must have completed SOCW 3320 and SOCW 3314 with a C or higher.

SOCW 3316. Practice I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focus is on theories and methodologies needed for generalist social work practice with individuals and small groups. Critical evaluation of the value base of the social work profession and basic practice concepts for understanding a variety of intevention models in diverse settings will be explored. Prerequisites: Admission to the Social Work Program and completion of SOCW 3300 with a grade of “C” or higher, and concurrent enrollment or completion of SOCW 3329 with a grade of "C" or higher.

SOCW 3320. Service Learning. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Students identify and respond to a community/neighborhood challenge through volunteer, service learning work with a non-profit community agency and/or under direct supervision of the instructor. Projects may be based in the student’s home neighborhood or community. Students engage in supervised service activities and have the opportunity to reflect on the responses to the identified challenges. This course is an ALE course. All students must pass the ALE portion of the course to pass the course. Upon successful completion of the ALE requirements and the course requirements, students will receive 1 ALE in the category of Service Learning. Prerequisites: Completion of SOCW 2361 with a C or above and/or completion of or concurrent enrollment in SOCW 2362.

SOCW 3325. Special Population in Aging. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Special Populations in Aging provides an in-depth examination of select issues faced by specific older adult populations using a multi-systems perspective. This course covers the needs, interventions, and evaluations for specific marginalized older adults within society. Sample topics include dementia, caregiver stress, abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults, older adults in the LGBTQ community, widowhood and the older adult, and substance abuse in older adults. By bridging theory and practice, content covered reflects common situations encountered by social workers who serve older adults and their families. Student will utilize the bio-psycho-social-spiritual-sexual framework to guide processes of assessment and intervention with marginalized older adults and their families. The student will be able to demonstrate the ability to assess the impact of multiple oppressions, including cultural, economic, and environmental factors on human functioning in older adults. Prerequisite: SOCI 3310 Sociology of Aging with a C or above.

SOCW 3329. Human Behavior and Social Environment I. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Using an ecological/systems, developmental, and strengths framework, this course provides an integrated look at the bio-psycho-social spiritual factors influencing human development focusing on human functioning from conception through middle childhood. Students will be exposed to theories and knowledge for practice across all system levels (individual, family, group, community, and society) of generalist practice. Cultural factors affecting human functioning, as well as implications for social work practice are explored. Prerequisites: Completion of SOCW 2361 with a grade of “C” or higher, SOCW 2362 with a grade of “C” or higher, completion of or concurrent enrollment in SOCW 3300 with a grade of “C” or higher, and SOCI 1306.

SOCW 3330. Sexuality & Intimacy of Older Adults. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course covers and challenges many of society’s cultural understandings on sexuality and aging. Using a biopsychosocial perspective, emphasis will be placed on the social, cultural, familial, and individual attitudes, values, and behaviors as they relate to sexuality and aging. Those that are aged 65 and over have oftentimes been regarded as non-sexual leaving this area of study to be neglected. In this course, we will address some of the basic concepts and theoretical perspective in sexuality and aging. This course will investigate the issues encompassing sexuality and aging utilizing social work values and ethics to manage learning. populations. Application of theories related to aging and sexuality in assessments and interventions with clients while exploring chronic conditions common in the aging process. Students will acquire an advanced understanding of sexuality and intimacy and the dynamics of sexual and intimacy expression with older adults.

SOCW 3339. Human Behavior and Social Environment II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is a continuation of Human Behavior and the Social Environment I with an emphasis on theories and knowledge about human functioning from middle childhood through the end of life. Additionally, this course provides an integrated look at the bio-psycho-social-spiritual factors influencing human development using an ecological/systems, developmental, and strengths framework. Students will be exposed to theories and knowledge for practice across all system levels (individual, family, group, community, and society) of generalist practice. Values and ethical issues are included. Prerequisite: Completion of SOCW 3329 with a C or higher.

SOCW 3377. Alcohol and Drug Abuse. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focus on psychoactive substances of use and abuse including: alcohol, legal/illegal drugs, and their impact on individuals, families, and society. Models of addiction, society's attitudes, and services for persons and families are explored.

SOCW 4059. 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.

SOCW 4085. Social Work Seminar. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Intensive studies of current trends and issues related to professional social work practice, social service delivery, and populations at risk. May repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Junior classification or approval of the Social Work Program Director.

SOCW 4086. Problems in Social Work. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-6 Hours).

Independent reading and research on various social work-related topics. Entry into the course will be arranged by the faculty member with approval from the Department Head if needed.

SOCW 4090. Special Topics. 1-3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Intensive studies of current trends and issues related to professional social work practice, social service delivery, and populations at risk. May repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Junior Classification.

SOCW 4310. Practice with Older Adults. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focus is on theories and methodologies needed for generalist social work practice with older adults as individuals, within their families and small groups. Critical evaluation of the value base of the social work profession and basic practice concepts for understanding a variety of intervention models in diverse settings for older adults will be explored. This course will use a competency-based approach to prepare students to engage in social work practice with aging populations. The focus will be on the four domains of geriatric competencies adopted by the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative. The four domains are: 1) values, ethics, and theoretical perspectives; 2) assessment; 3) intervention; 4) aging services, programs, and policies. Prerequisite: Junior classification.

SOCW 4311. Child Welfare. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course focuses on the practice of social work in a child welfare context. This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of social work practice settings in child welfare. Past and present child welfare policies and programs will be examined. This course is a required course for students pursuing the Child Welfare concentration.

SOCW 4312. Practice II. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Focus is on integrating theoretical concepts and frameworks with the practice of social change at community, society, and global levels. Models of community organization--community development, social action, and social planning will be emphasized including methods of resource delivery and redistribution and student will apply to final macro project. Prerequisites: Student must be admitted to the Social Work Program. Student must have completed SOCW 3300 Methods and Skills of Interviewing with a C or above.

SOCW 4313. Human Rights. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Using the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights as a foundation, this course examines human rights and human rights violations using a global perspective.

SOCW 4315. Social Work Values and Ethics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The focus of this course is to encourage and assist students in the development of an ethical framework for social work practice. This framework requires students to develop a better understanding of and the ability to manage the ethical issues and dilemmas they will encounter in social work practice. The course integrates concepts related to social values and ethics, diversity, promotion of social and economic justice, and empowerment of human beings. Additionally, the course allows students to apply the NASW Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics of the Texas State Conduct of Social Work Examiners to multi-faceted ethical dilemmas.

SOCW 4318. Adoptions & Custody. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The focus of this course is on understanding the family court processes of adoption and child custody and the social worker/ mental health professional’s role in these processes. Students will obtain the assessment and writing skills to complete reports for family court.

SOCW 4324. Trauma & DeBriefing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course examines a practical approach to understanding trauma and provides empowering interventions to apply to practice with childhood and adult survivors of physical, sexual and other forms of abuse and trauma.

SOCW 4325. Mental Health Care. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course provides a generalist view of social work practice in mental health, considering the social problems that affect health care, and ethical and effective intervention strategies and service delivery systems. Students will review the tools used for assessment of mental health disorders as well as learn the differences between various types of intervention approaches used within mental health care settings at the undergraduate generalist practitioner level. To provide students with general knowledge of mental health and mental health services. Students will engage in learning about tools of assessment used within these settings as well as intervention techniques for their level of practice including important terminology when working in mental health settings.

SOCW 4342. Disaster & Response. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The purpose of this class is to prepare social workers, and other helping professionals to understand the emergency management systems and to respond with a defined skill set that offers emotional support for persons during disaster incidents. It will also train participants in how to partner with public health, emergency management, hospitals, police, fire, and EMS agencies. Students will be trained to integrate with response partners during major disaster emergencies such as mass causality/fatality incidents, natural disasters, and the outbreaks of epidemic and pandemic diseases, where there was a need for psychosocial support.

SOCW 4352. Women's Issues. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Examines the role of women from a global perspective. Focuses on specific issues that affect the everyday lives of women. Special attention is given to the differential and unequal treatment of women based on age, race, social class, and cultural differences.

SOCW 4355. Grief, Loss & Bereavement. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

This course is an introduction to concepts surrounding the nature of loss, suffering, grief, and issues of death and dying. Historical, current, cultural, spiritual, and religious perspectives will be examined with attention to ethical and moral issues. Theoretical foundations will be explored as related to death and dying, as well as other types of loss to include divorce, adoption, foster care, palliative care, transitions and symbolic loss and how it impacts children and families.

SOCW 4377. Substance Abuse Education & Training. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction and overview of substance abuse education and research. The course focuses on self-help groups, assessment procedures, and current intervention strategies aligned with an introduction to substance abuse research. Students are given an opportunity to explore special issues that are of particular interest, research that topic and draft a project to share with other students. Emphasis will also be placed on introducing students to the particulars of educating, research training with faculty mentors to cover the context of ideologies. This course will familiarize the student with training regarding practice and research regarding substance use disorders (SUDs) and behavioral health (BH) disorders. Students will expand on their current knowledge of substance use disorders and behavioral health treatment approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration methods. Prerequisite: SOCW 3377.

SOCW 4378. Substance Abuse Prevention & Intervention. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

The purpose of this course focuses on carrying out collection and analysis of community-based data of substance abuse and developing intervention methods for practice for working within agencies and populations impacted by substance use disorder and behavioral health disorders. Students are given opportunity to apply their substance abuse education and use their critical thinking skills in the development of prevention and intervention strategies. This course will allow students the opportunity to use critical thinking strategies to develop and implement an intervention and/or prevention method for substance abuse. Prerequisite: SOCW 4377.

SOCW 4398. Social Work Capstone. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).

Social Work Capstone: This course is designed for upper-level Social Work majors. Students will learn the applicability of their previous semester learning in their sequence courses of agency, group, and research. Through guidance, students will compile sequence course work into their senior project of a portfolio booklet which includes their use of research results from their sequence coursework to develop an intervention for a community-based agency. Students will have the opportunity to implement and present what they have learned in prior social work classes to their current and/or future careers. Restricted to Social Work majors who are in their senior year. Prerequisite: SOCW 3315 and SOCW 4622.

SOCW 4622. Field Placement I. 6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 16 Hours).

This course is designed to provide application and integration of academic learning and development of skills within a field setting. Agency placement is arranged by the Director of Field. A seminar is scheduled along with agency placement. Students are expected to be at the agency approximately 16 hours a week for the duration of the semester. Students must complete 225 hours of placement. Prerequisites: Must be a senior and permission of Field Director.

SOCW 4623. Field Placement II. 6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 16 Hours).

This course requires the application and integration of academic learning and development of skills within a field setting. Placement is arranged with social work field faculty. A seminar is scheduled along with agency placement. A total of 450 hours (225 each semester) is required in the field agency. Prerequisite: Completion of SOCW 4622 with a grade of "C" or higher.

SOCW 4632. Child Welfare Practicum. 12 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 27 Hours).

A practicum limited to students in the Title IV-E Child Welfare Program. Provides students with an opportunity to integrate theory and develop practice skills in a child welfare setting. Requires a minimum of 450 hours be completed in a professionally supervised State of Texas Child Protective Services setting. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the Title IV-E Child Welfare Program, completion of all required social work courses.