501 Social Welfare Policies and Services I: (3)
This is the first of a two-course sequence in Social Policy that introduces students to the history of social policy, policy development, and the social welfare system in the United States. Examined both historically and currently is the crucial role of government, the political role of social workers, and the impact of social movements to influence policy change, and the changing nature and needs of our society. Particular attention is devoted to the problems of inequality, oppression, powerlessness, and poverty as condition that significantly affect the functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Additionally, there is content on policy formulation and implementation as well as the models and methods used in policy analysis and change.

521 Social Work Practice I: (3)
The first of two courses in Foundation Practice introduces the skills of helping individuals, families and groups within a community context. Grounded in the values and ethics of the profession, students learn the application and evaluation of skills used in the initial phase of helping. Emphasis is on the relation of the attributes of client systems, agency and community contexts and worker roles in practice. The effects of oppression, the role of diversity, recognition of strengths and promotion of resilience in client systems are considered. SW 591 Field Education I must be taken concurrently with this course.

524 Social Work Practice II: (3)
The second practice course in the foundation year focuses on the development of professional skills unique to the middle/ongoing and ending termination phases of work. The strengths perspective integral to the interactional and life model provides the framework for this course. Students will examine current knowledge, professional values, and skills relevant to work with a range of problems as they present themselves among diverse populations. Critical to understanding the helping relationship and requisite skills is the student’s ability to respond to the ways in which individuals and groups are systematically oppressed and denied access to social, political, and economic resources. This course also includes knowledge and skill related to intervening in organization environments. Field education must be taken concurrently with this course. Prerequisite: SW 521 Social Work Practice I. SW 592 Field Education II must be taken concurrently with this course.

572 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I: (3)
This is the first of a two-course sequence. This sequence examines human growth and development from conception to very old age and death through the lens of psychosocial developmental theory and Resiliency theory. The influence of race, culture, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, physical and mental capacity, social and economic injustice and sexual orientation continue to be seen as variables which play a central role in influencing the transactions between the person and the environment. The impact of social systems on the developmental process is highlighted.

573 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II: (3)
This is the second of a two-course sequence providing content on theories and knowledge of human bio-psychosocial development and the interaction between the range of social systems (society, communities, organizations, families and groups) which comprise the social environments of most human beings. Systems theory, ecological theory and social constructivism provide a basis for an examination of the systems which comprise the social environment and for understanding human behavior as influenced by the reciprocal interaction of social, cultural ad political factors. The impact of social and economic injustices upon individuals, families, groups and society is explored. Prerequisite: SW 570

581 Social Work Research : (3)
This course introduces social work values and ethical principals; qualitative and quantitative design, methods, data analysis and reporting, as applicable to social work practice and the social problems addressed in the field. Evaluation of one’s practice with individuals, groups, and families, and community needs assessments are addressed.

591 Field Education I: (3)
A supervised educational experience with specified educational objectives in an agency setting, completing the required hours for the duration of the field placement semester. Field education I and II require a minimum of 480 total hours. Co-requisite: SW 521

592 Field Education II: (4)
A supervised educational experience with specified educational objectives in an agency setting, completing the required hours for the duration of the field placement semester. Field education I and II require a minimum of 480 total hours. Co-requisite: SW 524. Prerequisite: SW 591

Concentration Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Social Work Prefix: SW

621 Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Individuals: (3)
This concentration course affords students an opportunity for an in-depth study of the individual as the basic unit of intervention aimed at promoting well-being through the use of Resiliency Theory as a framework for practice. This framework guides assessment, intervention and evaluation with the client system across a range of practice settings and services. Students develop knowledge, skills and values for several models of practice with individuals. The use of individual strategies and skills to mitigate the effects of oppression and social and economic injustices; to serve diverse clients with diverse resources and needs; to enhance client strength and resourcefulness; to respond in professional, social and political contexts; and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions are drawn from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation Curriculum. SW 691 Field Education III or SW 692 Field Education IV must be taken concurrently with this course.

SW 622 Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Families
This concentration year course affords students an opportunity for in-depth study of the family as the basic unit of interventions aimed at promoting well-being through the use of Resiliency Theory as a framework for practice. Students develop knowledge, values and skills of various family-centered approaches used in contemporary social work practice. The use of family-centered strategies and skills to mitigate the effects of oppression and social and economic injustices; to serve diverse clients with diverse resources and needs; to enhance client strength and resourcefulness; to respond in professional, social and political contexts; and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions are drawn from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation Curriculum. SW 691 Field Education III or SW 692 Field Education IV must be taken concurrently with this course.

SW 623 Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice with Groups
This concentration year course affords students an opportunity for in-depth study of the group as the basic unit of intervention aimed at promoting well-being through the use of Resiliency Theory as a framework for practice. Students develop knowledge, skills and values for several models of group practice. Emphasis is on differential practice to address client need in a wide range of practice settings. The use of group work strategies and skills to mitigate the effects of oppression and social and economic injustices; to serve diverse clients with diverse resources and needs; to enhance client strength and resourcefulness; to respond in profession in professional, social, and political contexts; and to evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions are drawn from a variety of theoretical perspectives. Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation Curriculum. SW 691 Field Education III or SW 692 Field Education IV must be taken concurrently with this course.

625 Seminar in Professional Practice: (3)
This course provides essential knowledge, methods, and skills for working in complex human service organizations and communities to improve services for those served, to improve the efficacy of services to clients, to stimulate change in agencies/organizations and communities that will promote social and economic justice. Prerequisites: Completion of Foundation Curriculum. Co-requisites: SW 621, 622 or 623 and 691 or 692

640 Advanced Social Welfare Policies and Analysis: (3)
This course advances knowledge and skills in the analysis of social welfare policies and services within the conceptual framework of policy intent, implementation, and experience. Examined are current national and global issues of social and economic injustice affecting vulnerable individuals, families, groups, and communities. Course work includes the examination of the political, cultural, social, and economic structure of the United States, its impact on the arrangement of social service delivery systems and implications for social work practice. Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation Curriculum.

651 Psychopathology: (3)
This survey course explores different explanations of mental health and metal illness in the context of biological, developmental, intrapsychic, familial and social perspectives. Various systems of classifying behavior are examined and their uses for professional Social Work Practice are discussed. Emphasis is given to identifying and understanding etiologies and symptomatology of the major groups of emotional and mental disorders as described in DSM IV. Pre- or co-requisites: SW 570

682 Advanced Research: (3)
Application of qualitative and quantitative methods are used to evaluate one’ practice in preparation for autonomous practice. Focus on deepening the use of descriptive and inferential statistics, data analysis through verification, and program evaluation are applied to concentration focus areas of health, mental health, and family and children. Prerequisite: Completion of Foundation Curriculum.

691 Field Education III: (4)
A supervised educational experience at an advanced level in an agency setting with specified educational objectives for the required hours for the duration of the field placement semester. Field education III and IV require a minimum of 480 total hours. Co-requisite: 2 of the following: SW 621, 622, 623, 625

692 Field Education IV: (4)
A supervised educational experience at an advanced level in an agency setting with specified educational objectives for the required hours for the duration of the field placement semester. Field education III and IV require a minimum of 480 total hours. Co-requisite: 2 of the following: SW 621, 622, 623, 625. Pre-requisite: SW 691

Elective Courses

509 Social Work Intervention with Stress, Illness, and Health Problems: (3)
This elective course emphasizes advanced social work practice knowledge, skills, and values as applied to individuals, families, and groups coping with chronic, terminal, disabling, and catastrophic illness in health care settings. Attention is given to the differential impact of and responses to illness as experienced by diverse vulnerable population groups.

525 Community Organization: (3)
This course emphasizes definitions and utilizations of power as it relates to the history, philosophy, and practice of community organization. Students learn to charter an organization; to locate and utilize local bases of power; plan and run meetings, using Robert’s Rules of Order; and plan and utilize strategies for bringing about change.

527 Social Work with Substance Abusers: (3)
This elective presents a bio-psycho-social model for assessment and treatment of persons with substance abuse problems. Attention is given to differential diagnosis and treatment modalities as well as risk factors pertinent to diverse vulnerable population groups.

543 Social Work and Spirituality: (3)
This elective examines religion and spirituality as it relates to the history of social work as a profession and contemporary approaches to social work practice. Explored are the multidimensional relationships between social work practice, religion, and the spirituality of clients, workers, and their surrounding social systems. The course is guided by the profession’s commitment to link religion and spirituality with social work in a manner that supports cultural competent practice.

556 Social Work Practice with Aging Individuals & Families: (3)
This elective focuses on direct social work practice with older persons and their families and with intervention in their environment in their behalf. Older persons are understood in the context of the social, political, and economic realities of their lives.

558 Social Work with Women: (3)
This elective introduces students to the psychological and social development of women. Special problems faced by women (e.g., divorce, battering, depression, eating disorders) are discussed, and feminist interventions described.

575 Social Work Practice with Refugees and Immigrants: (3)
This course is designed help students develop social work knowledge and skills specifically related to working with refugees and immigrants. Examined are the multiple factors affecting refugees and immigrants at the micro, meso, and macro levels. Students will be introduced to the relevant social work practice approaches specific to these vulnerable populations within the current social, political and economic context.

615 Social Work Practice with Domestic Violence: (3)
This elective examines the effects of oppression and violence on individuals, groups, and our society. The course focuses on helping practitioners recognize, assess, and intervene with persons affected by violence.

617 Social Work Practice with Adolescents: (3)
This elective teaches the skills and strategies used in work with adolescents. Emphasis is placed on helping adolescents with health issues, mental health issues, juvenile delinquency, and school-related problems using several social work modalities. The impact of gender and culture on teenagers and their families is stressed.

642 Social Work Practice with Children: (3)
This course builds on students’ knowledge of theory of child development. It emphasizes the skills for assessing and treating children and their parents using psychodynamic, cognitive, and systems theory.

643 Crisis Intervention: (3)
Focusing on the unique meaning of the crisis event for the individual or family group, the course explores differential methods of practice, setting treatment goals, and identifying the focus of therapeutic interventions.

645 Human Sexuality: (3)
This elective examines theories and etiology of human sexuality, sexual development, and sexual role expectations. Specific emphasis is placed on the exploration of sexual attitudes, values, and behavior. The biological, psychological, cultural, and social implications of sexuality are discussed.

646 HIV/AIDS Related Social Work Practice: (3)
This elective focuses on the complexity of biopsychosocial, ethical, and political dilemmas involved in working with people with HIV/AIDS. Emphasis is placed upon knowledge and practice skills which are employed to address the urgent needs of individuals, significant others, families, small groups, and the community around issues related to HIV/AIDS.

652 The Family: (3)
This course examines the differences between various family systems; e.g., the single parent, nuclear families, divorced, and remarried families. The course views the family from a life cycle perspective and explores how family function changes, depending on the capabilities of its members. This course helps form a theoretical base for the treatment of marriage and family problems.

654 Gay/Lesbian Issues for Social Work Practice: (3)
This elective is designed to provide a better understanding of people’s sexual orientation, of homophobia, and of differential intervention in working with gay and lesbian individuals, couples, and family units. Normative developmental tasks and crises for gay and lesbian individuals, as an oppressed vulnerable population group, are addressed within the overall context of normal physical, social, and emotional growth and development.

655 Ethnic Sensitive Social Work Practice: (3)
This course helps students develop a culturally sensitive perspective for work with members of diverse groups. It emphasizes the identification and utilization of different theoretical models of practice that can be effective in interventions with diverse individuals, families, groups, and communities.

672 Social Work Intervention with Major Mental Illnesses: (3)
This course reviews current knowledge and research regarding the clinical disorder and psychosocial problem of schizophrenia. Included are historical perspectives, etiological theories, biological bases, culture/family issues, diagnosis/assessment, and treatment. Emphasis is placed upon direct exposure to this population via video interviews and classroom experience with clients and their families.