Course Descriptions

SW 701: Development of Theories of Social Work Practice across Systems (4 cr; required for qualifying exam)
Existing theories and models of social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, & communities, and their evolution, are examined for their underlying philosophic and value assumptions and their derivations from social science and behavioral science theory. Exploration of different theoretical perspectives on behavior, diverse target populations, categories and levels of client outcome goals, intervention techniques, and unsettled issues within various theoretical frameworks is undertaken. The purposes of the course are to promote theoretical reconciliation or modification of intervention processes pertaining to social work’s functions of prevention, treatment, restoration, and social change; to prepare students to engage theory-driven research designed to examine intervention efficacy with diverse populations and underserved/ vulnerable populations at micro and macro systems levels. Students are encouraged to shape projects and assignments to their scholarship interests in anticipation of dissertation research.

SW 703: Theory Development in the Social Sciences (3 cr; required for qualifying exam)
This course focuses on the evolution of theory, theory construction, and knowledge-building in sociology. A central purpose is to develop understanding of the ontological and epistemological assumptions underpinning sociological theories and perspectives. This goal will be accomplished through the study and critical analysis of selected classical and contemporary theories, with emphasis on assumptions regarding human nature and culture, the nature of social institutions and organizations, the relationship between diverse individuals and institutional arrangements, intersubjectivity, and the nature of social change. The course is designed also to foster students’ understanding of the application of sociological theory to the field of social work and social problems that social work addresses, such as poverty, disenfranchisement and discrimination, violence. Scientific logic and concept formation are studied as they relate to a variety of sociological perspectives and substantive areas of knowledge, which contribute to theory development for social work practice. Students are encouraged to shape projects and assignments to their scholarship interests in anticipation of dissertation research.

SW 706: Theory Development in Individual & Small Group Behavior in the Sociocultural Environment (3 cr; required for qualifying exam)
This course presents and examines different theoretical perspectives on human behavior in the context of the sociocultural and socioeconomic environment, focusing on the neuropsychological bases of behavior, developmental/ life span psychology, social psychology, and health psychology as these fields relate to diverse cultures and peoples. Historical development and substantiation of theory is included, along with criteria for critiquing and applying such theories to knowledge generation. Students learn to select and apply appropriate theories to scholarly inquiry by drawing hypotheses from existing theories related to their areas of interest. Students are encouraged to shape projects and assignments to their scholarship interests in anticipation of dissertation research.

SW 710: Advanced Research I: (3 cr; required for qualifying exam)
This course provides in-depth study of experimental methods of design, group and single system, and appropriate analytical strategies. Culturally competent research strategies are emphasized. Exemplars of social work research conducted in this tradition illustrate the history and advancement of social work knowledge of intervention effects. Students are encouraged to shape projects and assignments to their scholarship interests in anticipation of dissertation research.

SW 711: Advanced Research II: (3 cr; required for qualifying exam)
This course provides in-depth study of sample survey methods of design and appropriate analytical strategies, within a cultural competency framework. Epidemiological and descriptive methods and dilemmas are explicated. Exemplars of social work research conducted in the survey tradition illustrate the history and advancement of social work knowledge of diverse and multi-cultural populations, particularly underserved and vulnerable populations. Students are encouraged to shape projects and assignments to their scholarship interests in anticipation of dissertation research.

SW 712: Advanced Research III (3 cr; required for comprehensive exam)
This course in secondary analysis prepares students to identify, obtain, critique, and analyze existing public and privately managed databases to explore secondary questions and test secondary hypotheses, applying statistical methods learned in previous curses and adding new strategies to their repertoires. Students are encouraged to shape projects and assignments to their scholarship interests in anticipation of dissertation research.

SW 723: Social Policy Analysis (3 cr; required for qualifying exam)
This course focuses on critical analysis strategies for application in policy development and policy reform. It examines methods of policy analysis and evaluation: policy impact assessment, determination of policy effects on populations, programs, and service systems. Students are encouraged to shape projects and assignments to their scholarship interests in anticipation of dissertation research.

SW 740: Area of Specialization Seminar (3 cr; required for comprehensive exam)
This seminar educates students in the purposes and methods of integrative or “derivative” scholarship, with the final goal of producing an appropriately comprehensive, critical, and potentially publishable review of empirical research, quantitative and qualitative, in a social work area selected by the student. A central thrust of the courses emphasizes the skill of framing inquiry and formulating questions appropriate to synthesized literature review and meta-analysis strategies. Literature search and selection, qualitative literature synthesis, meta-analytic, and technical writing strategies are presented and discussed. Students are expected to produce a tightly written 15-20 page double spaced manuscript sufficiently developed for journal submission and/or submission to CSWE’s APM. The course is directly related to launching a dissertation proposal, in that it affords a structured opportunity for students to produce a large proportion of the research literature review required for the dissertation proposal.

SW 750: Social Work Education: Issues and Methods (3 cr; required for comprehensive exam)
A theoretical and practice-oriented approach to educational issues, including educational theory, accreditation, curriculum construction and teaching methodology in social work education. The development of social work education and the goals of a professional curriculum provide a context for studying and assessing differential instructional methodology in the context of culturally competent curriculum delivery. Laboratory experiences in class involving student teaching afford students opportunities in the application of principles of curriculum design and instruction.

SW 759: Special Topics in Social Work Research & Practice I (1 cr; elective)
This short, intensive course structures the student’s examination and critical analysis of the history and evolution of social policy in a selected area of interest, ideally related to subsequent dissertation study.

SW 759: Special Topics in Social Work Research & Practice II (2 cr; elective)
This short course familiarizes students with funding resources—federal, state, local, private, public—for social work research; grant seeking strategies; grant development and management. Students explore funding resources and requirements in the area of their prospective dissertation research.

SW 759: Special Topics in Social Work Research & Practice III (1 cr; elective)
This short course builds upon the immediately prior Qualitative Research Methods course and furthers students’ capacity to select and apply methods of qualitative data analysis.

SW 759: Special Topics in Social Work Research & Practice IV (1 cr; elective)
This short course familiarizes students with contemporary legal and ethical issues in social work education, teaching, research and scholarship.

SW 759: Special Topics in Social Work Research & Practice V (1 cr; elective)
This short course builds upon the previous research and practice theory courses and prepares students to apply their knowledge and skills to the process and outcome evaluation of programs and services related to their area(s) of scholarly interest.

SW 766: Instrumentation in Research. (3 cr; required for comprehensive exam)
This centerpiece of this course prepares students to develop and validate culturally appropriate scales, indexes, and other measurement instruments; it also prepares students to critically examine, evaluate and select existing social and behavioral science measurement instruments and to design data collection protocols.

SW 780: Research Practicum (6 credits total; students may register for 2 credits in 3 consecutive terms, 3 credits in two consecutive terms, or 6 credits in one term; required for candidacy)
This 500-hour practicum provides students with research mentorship and applied research experience in selected projects in local institutions, including, but not limited to Barry University.

SW 781: Teaching Practicum (3 cr; elective)
This practicum provides students with teaching mentorship and applied teaching experience in the MSW or BSW programs of Barry University.

SW 799 Continuous Matriculation (3 cr)
In order to maintain active program status, students must register for Continuous Matriculation if they are not otherwise enrolled in courses. Failure to register for at least Continuous Matriculation for two consecutive semesters, without a formally approved Leave of Absence, is grounds for program termination.

SW 800 Independent Study (3 cr; elective)
The student plans an individualized study in a selected area with a doctoral faculty member serving as instructor. The Independent Study may not substitute for a required course and should focus on an area of inquiry that is not included in the curriculum. It may be related to the student’s major area of interest but it should not be duplicative or a replication of content included in the student’s area paper, practicum or dissertation proposal. Independent study requires a written plan and the approval of the instructor, the faculty advisor/dissertation chair, and Doctoral Program Director.

HSS 703 Philosophy of Science and Theory Development (3 cr; required for qualifying exam):
A critical analysis of philosophy of science, ontology, epistemology and paradigmatic thinking as applicable to empirical research and theory development in the social and behavioral sciences.

HSS 705 Qualitative Methods of Inquiry (3 cr; required for comprehensive exam)
A critical analysis of qualitative methods of inquiry for the human sciences to facilitate the understanding of the aims, processes, and outcomes of these methods and to develop basic, culturally competent skills in implementing selective qualitative approaches.

HSS 707 Quantitative Methods of Inquiry (3 cr; required for comprehensive exam)
This course develops competencies to conceptualize, design, and execute univariate and bivariate statistical analyses, including parametric and non-parametric approaches to data. Students lean to code, organize, reduce, and analyze quantitative data, and to interpret and report results. This course balances computer-based analysis tools with applications to real world problems in social work research.

HSS 708 Advanced Quantitative Methods of Inquiry (3 cr; required for comprehensive exam)
This course builds on HSS 707 and fosters student understanding of and capacity to implement and interpret a variety of common multivariate statistical procedures, the assumptions underlying each, and the criteria for selecting them.