Curriculum

SWK Elective (3)

SWK 722: Organization Context for Professional Practice (3)

This course provides an understanding of psychopathology from a social work perspective. Concepts of mental health and mental illness are viewed from a historical and holistic perspective incorporating the impact of socio-economic, gender, racial, ethnic and cultural factors. The course discusses classification of mental illness, for example anxiety states, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, dementia and schizophrenia, as set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th edition). Emphasis is placed on the explanatory power of theories to inform practice on behalf of people with mental illness.

Prerequisites: SWK 511, SWK 521

SWK 502: Professional Development (0)

The Professional Development Seminar is designed to support students in the Online MSW Program. This non-credit course meets online (synchronously and asynchronously) until students start field and will be facilitated by the program director. Social Work faculty and administrators will be invited to present at the seminars on specific topics related to social work. This seminar is expected to guide students through the field placement application process and the transition from the classroom to a practice setting. Invited speakers will focus on advanced practice related topics that will help students make the connections between theory and practice.

The professional development seminar will include topics such as technology tools, networking, writing a literature review, understanding individual learning styles, adult learning and professional education (roles, behaviors, personal attributes), professional and personal values, professional goals and developing professional identity.

SWK 710: Social Work Assessment and Diagnosis (3)

This course provides an understanding of psychopathology from a social work perspective. Concepts of mental health and mental illness are viewed from a historical and holistic perspective incorporating the impact of socio-economic, gender, racial, ethnic and cultural factors. The course discusses classification of mental illness, for example anxiety states, mood disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, dementia and schizophrenia, as set forth in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (4th edition). Emphasis is placed on the explanatory power of theories to inform practice on behalf of people with mental illness.

Prerequisites: SWK 511, SWK 521

SWK 780: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals in Family Contexts (3)

Building on the foundation year, this course focuses on development of the knowledge and skills needed for advanced clinical social work practice with individual clients. Relying on ecological systems theory, the course will present various models for advanced practice, as well as the integration of these models. Teaching of all models will rely on the strengths perspective and be case-based.

Prerequisite: SWK 521

SWK 790: Field Instruction III (4 credits, 21 hours per week)

SWK 790, SWK 791, and SWK 792 comprise a three semester, 900-hour field instruction internship for students in the OYR program. Students are assigned to a field agency or complete a work/study field placement under the auspices of their human service employment during which they engage in supervised advanced direct practice with individuals, couples, families and small groups. Students are responsible for completing 21 hours per week of In-Field Placement.

Prerequisite: SWK 521

SWK 758: Social Work Research II (3)

This course focuses on using and evaluating the knowledge base of social work practice. It applies concepts learned in Research I to the empirical evaluation of one’s own practice, the analysis and evaluation of empirical-based knowledge and its use in social work practice. The course stresses issues related to the conduct of research in a practice profession, including the relationship between research and practice, the application of principles of critical thinking to both research and practice and the ethical considerations crucial in research development.

Prerequisites: SWK 521, SWK 557

SWK 782: Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups (3)

Students examine group work practice in depth with application to social work within an agency context. The course creates a link with the foundation practices courses taught in the first year, as well as content taught in the foundation human behavior and social environment courses. Emphasis will be on addressing conceptual understanding, analytical process and interactional skills necessary for group work practice.

Prerequisite: SWK 521

SWK 791: Field Instruction IV (4 credits, 21 hours per week)

SWK 790, SWK 791, and SWK 792 comprise a three semester, 900-hour field instruction internship for students in the OYR program. Students are assigned to a field agency or complete a work/study field placement under the auspices of their human service employment during which they engage in supervised advanced direct practice with individuals, couples, families and small groups. Students are responsible for completing 21 hours per week of In-Field Placement.

Prerequisite: SWK 780

SWK Elective (3)

SWK Elective (3)

SWK 689: Field placement (**15 hours/week students only)

Coming Soon

SWK 788 – Immigrants and Refugees: Issues and Interventions (3)

This course is designed to prepare students for practice with immigrants and refugees. One in five clients of social workers is likely to be foreign-born or have a foreign-born parent. This is a result of growing trends of relocation and increasing numbers of immigrants, refugees and asylees relocating for political, economic, familial and personal reasons. Social workers are required to be knowledgeable about and capable of developing strategies to address immigration-related issues. Building on knowledge acquired in the foundation-level courses, this course focuses on the application of this knowledge. The theoretical underpinnings of the course are stress, acculturation and trauma theories, the ecological approach and the strength perspective. The nature of immigration is discussed from a global and national perspective, deepening and expanding content on immigration taught in the undergraduate level course on the culture of ethnic and immigrant groups.

SWK 717 – Evidence-Based Practice with Serious Mental Illness: Paths to Recovery (3)

This course is aimed at developing the knowledge and skills necessary for working with individuals with a diagnosis of serious mental illness, using recovery-oriented, evidence-based practices. It is designed for MSW students and MSW mental health practitioners. Students will become familiar with evidence-based practices within a recovery-oriented paradigm as a general approach to practice. They also will learn about specific evidence-based interventions to use for individuals with a diagnosis of serious mental illness. Though it is assumed that students will have a basic knowledge of serious mental illness as a prerequisite or corequisite, a review will be provided. Students will learn to examine research literature to determine the various levels of support for specific interventions and essential principles for translating research into practice. Additionally, they will identify the appropriate treatment outcomes that reflect effective, quality mental health practice. Each evidence-based practice presented will also be examined for its utility with diverse groups. Providing assessment and treatment to a diverse group of individuals with a diagnosis of serious mental illness is the focus of this course and will be discussed in detail. The prerequisite for this course is completion of the foundation year in the MSW program or equivalent, along with completion of SWK 710, Social Work Assessment and Diagnosis.

SWK 706 – Social Work Practice in Health Care (3)

This course examines critical issues in social work practice in health care. Building on core knowledge common to all fields of practice, the course explores advanced practice skills and strategies for work with individuals, families, groups, interdisciplinary teams and service providers in a variety of health care settings. Social work practice is examined in the context of psychosocial consequences of illness, current health care delivery systems and technological advances, as well as changing regulatory approaches and organizational structures.

SWK 721 – Practice in End of Life Care (3)

This course investigates the social, psychological and emotional issues of separation and loss and subsequent grieving. It examines the impact that cultural diversity and one’s own values, attitudes and fears have on the grieving process. Legal, political, medical and ethical issues will be analyzed to heighten students’ ability to empower their clients.

SWK 729 – Selected Issues in Social Work Practice with Older Adults (3)

This course examines critical issues related to social work practice with older people and their families. It encompasses individual counseling and therapy, support group, psycho-education, research models, service delivery systems and relevant policies. Topics include biological, psychological, sociological, economic and spiritual perspectives with emphasis on contemporary problems.

SWK 736 – Contemporary Social Work: An Integrative Approach (3)

This course is designed to integrate all aspects of the curriculum in order to prepare students to address practice concerns that are linked to social problems and policies. Students will be able to address these issues in a knowledgeable, professional and rational manner. They will learn to analyze and synthesize theory and research concerning a social problem experienced by their clients. They will be able to utilize both domestic and international information to develop relevant, informed solutions and interventions. This comprehensive process provides a template for students to address any social concern in the same manner, moving from “Case to Cause,” reflecting social work’s most salient mission.

SWK 752 – Stress, Crisis, Trauma and Coping (3)

This course focuses on understanding stress, crisis, trauma and coping as well as their short- and long-term consequences along the life cycle in diverse socio-cultural contexts. Students develop evidence-based knowledge and skills for best practices when working with affected individuals, families and communities.

SWK 759 – Social Work Practice with People Living with Dementia (3)

This course prepares students for effective practice with diverse individuals living with neurocognitive disorder, or dementia, and their families from across practice settings. Students will apply and integrate the competencies necessary for effective clinical social work practice with this population.