Social Work (SCWK)

Yvette Murphy-Erby, Director of the School of Social Work
Sara Collie, Graduate Program Director
Carly Franklin, Undergraduate Program Director
Ananda Rosa, Field Education Program Director

106 SCSW
479-575-5039
School of Social Work Website

The School of Social Work offers an undergraduate major leading to a Bachelor of Social Work degree. The principal objective of the undergraduate social work program is to prepare students for beginning generalist social work practice.

Social work is the professional activity of helping individuals, groups, or communities enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and creating societal conditions favorable to this goal. Social work is a gratifying career for people who care about others, want to relieve human suffering, like a challenge, and want their work to make a difference in the world. The profession is dedicated to assisting individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities in reaching their full potential.

Social work is particularly concerned with achieving social and economic justice for vulnerable populations and respecting and valuing human diversity. The School of Social Work at the University of Arkansas reflects the profession's fundamental concerns in its educational goals and objectives. In order to achieve its basic purposes, the school faculty, students, staff, and agency field instructors are involved in a variety of teaching, research, and outreach activities.

Accreditation

The social work program is fully accredited at the baccalaureate and graduate level by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Courses

SCWK 21303. Introduction to Social Work. 3 Hours.

Introduction to social work as a profession and to social welfare institutions from the perspective of the generalist, entry level social worker. Emphasis on empowerment function of social work. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 30103. Child Advocacy I: Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy. 3 Hours.

Introductory course in child advocacy studies training. Covers the history, comparative perspectives, legal framework, responses to child maltreatment, skills necessary to do the work, other pertinent issues pertaining to child maltreatment and child advocacy. (Typically offered: Fall)

SCWK 31603. On Death and Dying. 3 Hours.

Reviews the theory and humanistic importance of the concepts of death and dying in society. An experimental option and interdisciplinary faculty presenters will be part of the format. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 31903. Human Diversity and Social Work. 3 Hours.

An introduction to information basic concepts related to human diversity and social work. Provides content on differences and similarities in the experiences, needs, and beliefs of people distinguished by race, ethnicity, culture, class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental ability, age or national origin. Prerequisite: On-campus sections for Social Work major, minor, or Pre-SCWK students only; Online sections are open to all majors. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 32303. Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice. 3 Hours.

This course is designed as a discussion of contemporary issues in juvenile justice. The focus is on the child and family system, including various theories related to underlying causes for involvement in the juvenile courts. This course will also describe the current workings of the juvenile court system and implications for the future. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 36303. Child Welfare: 21st Century Perspectives. 3 Hours.

Study of the needs of deprived children with some attention to methods and standards of care. Cultural competence and family-centered practice are emphasized. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 399HV. Honors Course. 1-18 Hour.

Honors course. Prerequisite: Junior standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 12 hours of degree credit.

SCWK 40103. Child Advocacy II: Professional and System Responses to Child Maltreatment. 3 Hours.

Continuation of Child Advocacy Studies I. Focuses on the responses of professionals to allegations of child maltreatment. Covers competency-based skills training including forensic interviewing and documentation. Prerequisite: SCWK 30103. (Typically offered: Spring)

SCWK 40203. Child Advocacy III: Responding to the Survivor of Child Abuse. 3 Hours.

Continuation of Child Advocacy Studies II. Provides training to recognize the effects of child maltreatment and to develop intervention strategies for children and their families. Outside experiential activities for this course involve court room observations. Prerequisite: SCWK 30103 and SCWK 40103. (Typically offered: Summer)

SCWK 4050V. Special Topics in Social Work. 1-6 Hour.

Comprehensive study of various topics of importance in contemporary social welfare and social work practice. Prerequisite: Junior standing. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.

SCWK 40703. Social Work Research and Technology I. 3 Hours.

An overview of forms and sources of social work research including existing social data, techniques for collecting original social data, and techniques of organization, interpretation, and presentation of data. Students will also become proficient in the use of current technology for social work research and practice. Pre- or Corequisite: One of the following: MATH 21003, SOCI 33003 and SOCI 33001, PSYC 20103, or ESRM 24003. Prerequisite: SCWK 40903 and SCWK 41503. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 40903. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I. 3 Hours.

Provides a conceptual framework for knowledge of human behavior and the social environment with a focus on individuals. Social systems, life-course, assets, and resiliency-based approaches are presented. Special attention is given to the impact of discrimination and oppression on the ability to reach or maintain optimal health and well-being. Prerequisite: SPCH 10003, PSYC 20003, SOCI 10103, SCWK 21303, and SCWK 31903 and (BIOL 10103 and BIOL 10101, or ANTH 10143 and ANTH 10141). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 41003. Human Behavior and the Social Environment II. 3 Hours.

This course applies the basic framework for creating and organizing knowledge of human behavior and the social environment acquired in HBSE I to the understanding of family, group, organizational, community, and global systems. Attention is given to discrimination, oppression, the impact of technology, and poverty at each system level. Prerequisite: SCWK 40903 and SCWK 41503. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 41403. Addiction and the Family. 3 Hours.

Introduction to the biophysical basis of chemical and behavior compulsions with special focus on family impacts. Childhood development within addictive families is also examined. Social work intervention with substance abusing families is highlighted. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 41503. Social Welfare Policy. 3 Hours.

Describes and analyzes the policies and services rendered by local, state, regional, national, and international agencies as well as the policy implications for social work practice. Students prepare to advocate social policy changes designed to improve social conditions, promote social and economic justice, and to empower at-risk populations. Prerequisite: SPCH 10003, PLSC 20003, SCWK 21303, and SCWK 31903. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 41603. African American Perspectives of Trauma, Loss, and Recovery. 3 Hours.

Explores dimensions of trauma, loss, and recovery within the lived experiences of African American individuals, families, and communities in the United States. Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor consent. (Typically offered: Fall)
This course is cross-listed with AAST 41603.

SCWK 41703. Social Work with African American Families. 3 Hours.

An overview of historical and contemporary issues of African American families using culturally competent and strengths based frameworks. Focuses on the Black family as a social institution. Covers current trends affecting Black families, historical influences, evaluation of social policies, and programs of today. Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor consent. (Typically offered: Irregular)
This course is cross-listed with AAST 41703.

SCWK 41803. Social Work With Elders. 3 Hours.

Survey of theories of gerontology, service programs and unmet needs of the aging citizen. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 42103. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. 3 Hours.

Explores the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol with an emphasis on evidence-based treatment approaches to help engage and treat chemically dependent clients. Best practices to be reviewed will include Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), harm reduction approaches, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 42403. Impact of Policy on Addiction. 3 Hours.

Explores the history of drug policy in the United States, focusing on the relationship between people, drugs, and the criminalization of certain substances. Examines how other countries have developed and utilized harm reduction and decriminalization approaches and policies. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 42503. Spirituality and Social Work Practice. 3 Hours.

This course prepares students to respond competently and ethically to diverse spiritual and religious perspectives. Utilizing social work ethics and values as a guide, students will develop a comparative, critically reflective approach to practice. Prerequisite: SCWK 31903 or instructor consent. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 43303. Social Work Practice I. 3 Hours.

This is the first in the sequence of practice courses introducing students to the generalist approach to micro social work. This course focuses on developing a solid foundation for practice with individuals, including learning basic communication and helping skills, values, principles, and the connection of theory to practice. Pre- or Corequisite: SCWK 41003. Prerequisite: SCWK 40903 and SCWK 41503. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 43403. Social Work Practice II. 3 Hours.

This is the second course in the social work practice sequence, emphasizing theories, models, and techniques related to generalist practice with families and groups. The course elaborates on system theory as it impacts groups and families, and use of experiential teaching methods. Prerequisite: SCWK 41003 and SCWK 43303. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 44102. Field Seminar I. 2 Hours.

An integrative seminar to assist students in comparing their practice experiences, integrating knowledge acquired in the classroom, and expanding knowledge beyond the scope of the practicum setting. Corequisite: SCWK 44304 and social work majors only. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 44202. Field Seminar II. 2 Hours.

An integrative seminar to assist students in comparing their practice experiences, integrating knowledge acquired in the classroom, and expanding knowledge beyond the scope of the practicum setting. Corequisite: SCWK 44404. Prerequisite: Social Work majors only. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 44304. Social Work Internship I. 4 Hours.

Arranged in connection with social service agencies. Credit is based on completion of all course objectives, including a minimum of 220 hours of field work under the supervision of a licensed social worker. Corequisite: SCWK 44102. Prerequisite: Social work major, SCWK 40703, SCWK 41003, and SCWK 43303. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 44404. Social Work Internship II. 4 Hours.

Arranged in connection with social service agencies. Credit is based on completion of all course objectives, including a minimum of 220 hours of field work under the supervision of a licensed social worker. Corequisite: SCWK 44202. Prerequisite: SCWK majors only, SCWK 43403, SCWK 47303 and SCWK 44304. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 45203. Ethics and Aging. 3 Hours.

Explores the complexities of aging and ethical decision making with older adult clients. Students learn to identify ethical dilemmas and to appreciate structured ethical decision making, generalizing the information learned across all populations served. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 46403. Child Advocacy IV: Global Issues in Child Welfare. 3 Hours.

Prepares students to identify, assess, and respond to the various historical and contemporary factors impacting the welfare of children around the world and focuses on factors such as health, maltreatment, culture, policy, education, and social advocacy. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 47303. Social Work Practice III. 3 Hours.

Students acquire and practice the skills, knowledge, and values necessary for culturally competent generalist social work practice with organizations and communities. Special attention is given to the implications of discrimination and oppression for attaining social and economic justice. Pre- or Corequisite: SCWK 41003 and SCWK 43403. Prerequisite: SCWK 43303. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 47503. Grantwriting. 3 Hours.

Provides advanced theoretical and practical approaches to program planning and development in order to write grant applications. Emphasis is placed on the importance of developing the practice skills of program planning, understanding program performance, identifying funders, responding to requests for proposals and writing successful grant proposals. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 4960V. Independent Study. 1-6 Hour.

Independent Study designed to meet the particular needs of individual students. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for up to 6 hours of degree credit.