Courses

SCWK 2133. 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 3013. 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 3163. 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 3193. 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 3233. 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 3633. 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 399VH. 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 4013. 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 3013. (Typically offered: Spring)

SCWK 4023. 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 3013 and SCWK 4013. (Typically offered: Summer)

SCWK 405V. 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 4073. 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: STAT 2303, SOCI 3303 and SOCI 3301L, PSYC 2013, or ESRM 2403. Prerequisite: SCWK 4093 and SCWK 4153. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4093. 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: COMM 1313, PSYC 2003, SOCI 2013, SCWK 2133, and SCWK 3193 and (BIOL 1543 and BIOL 1541L, or ANTH 1013 and ANTH 1011L). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4103. 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 4093 and SCWK 4153. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4143. 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 4153. 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: COMM 1313, PLSC 2003, SCWK 2133, and SCWK 3193. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4163. 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 4163.

SCWK 4173. 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 4173.

SCWK 4183. Social Work With Elders. 3 Hours.

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

SCWK 4213. 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 4243. 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 4253. 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 3193 or instructor consent. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4333. 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 4103. Prerequisite: SCWK 4093 and SCWK 4153. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4343. 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 4103 and SCWK 4333. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4412. 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 4434 and social work majors only. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 4422. 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 4444. Prerequisite: Social Work majors only. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 4434. 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 4412. Prerequisite: Social work major, SCWK 4073, SCWK 4103, and SCWK 4333. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 4444. 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 4422. Prerequisite: SCWK majors only, SCWK 4343, SCWK 4733 and SCWK 4434. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 4523. 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 4643. 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 4733. 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 4103 and SCWK 4343. Prerequisite: SCWK 4333. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 4753. 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 496V. 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.

SCWK 5003. Foundations of Culturally Competent Social Work Practice. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is the acquisition and demonstration of beginning graduate-level social work values and ethics, knowledge, and skills necessary for cultural competence in work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and global contexts. A multi-systems life-course conceptual framework is used. Prerequisite: Admission to the two-year or part-time MSW program. (Typically offered: Fall)

SCWK 5013. Bridge Course: Evidenced Based Social Work. 3 Hours.

This course prepares MSW students to transition from the foundation course to the advanced concentration courses. Students will become familiar with the mission and conceptual framework underlying the advanced concentration and develop beginning knowledge of traditional and alternative approaches to client system assessment. Prerequisite: Admission into the advanced standing MSW program or completion of foundation courses. (Typically offered: Summer)

SCWK 505V. Special Topics in Social Work. 1-6 Hour.

Comprehensive study of various topics of importance in contemporary social welfare and social work practice. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 405V and SCWK 505V. (Typically offered: Irregular) May be repeated for degree credit.

SCWK 5073. Social Work Research and Technology II. 3 Hours.

This course is intended to build the advanced research skills necessary to develop a research proposal and complete a thesis or capstone project. Students will plan the project, collect and analyze data and write a research report of their findings. Projects will focus on systematic evaluation of service delivery and personal professional practice. Prerequisite: Completion of year one for two-year students or summer semester for advanced standing students. (Typically offered: Fall)

SCWK 5083. Social Work With Elders. 3 Hours.

Survey of theories of gerontology, service programs and unmet needs of the aging citizen. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 4183 and SCWK 5083. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 5093. 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. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 4093 and SCWK 5093. Prerequisite: COMM 1313, PSYC 2003, SOCI 2013, SCWK 2133, and SCWK 3193 and (BIOL 1543 and BIOL 1541L, or ANTH 1013 and ANTH 1011L). (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5103. 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. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 4103 and SCWK 5103. Prerequisite: SCWK 4093 or SCWK 5093 and SCWK 4153 or SCWK 5353. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5163. Social Work Management, Administration and Supervision. 3 Hours.

This course develops advanced skills in management, administration, and supervision in social work organizations. Emphasis is placed on developing leadership skills in ethics, budgeting, finance, resource development, information management, evaluation, staff hiring, supervision and development, and the use of technology in organizational leadership, development, and maintenance. Prerequisite: Graduate standing. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 5173. Advanced Practice with Families and Couples. 3 Hours.

The purpose of this course is to provide advanced understanding of the knowledge, skills and values needed to assess and intervene effectively with traditional and non-traditional families and couples. The course will examine social systems and life-course strengths approaches to understand how families and couples function. Students will design interventions. Prerequisite: Graduate status. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 5183. Advanced Practice with Individuals. 3 Hours.

This course develops advanced skills in social work practice on a micro level. Students learn to analyze and compare practice models. They gain skills in selecting a practice model and integrating multiple models based on client needs. Prerequisite: Graduate status. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 5213. Advanced Practice in Behavioral and Mental Health. 3 Hours.

This advanced course prepares students to identify mental disorders, plan intervention strategies with clients from a strengths perspective, and understand mental health programs through which services are delivered. Differential diagnosis and the impact of socioeconomic status, gender, race, and sexual orientation on diagnosis and treatment decisions are addressed. Prerequisite: Graduate status. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 5243. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders. 3 Hours.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders course will explore 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 5253. 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: Graduate status. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5263. Impact of Policy on Addiction. 3 Hours.

The Drug Policy course will explore the history of drug policy within the United States, focusing on the relationship between people, drugs, and the criminalization of certain substances. This course will also examine how the War on Drugs has led to the collateral consequences of mass incarceration, racial discrimination in policy development and sentencing laws, and a treatment system that exists almost exclusively within the criminal justice system. Finally, this course will explore how other countries have developed and utilized harm reduction and decriminalization approaches and policies in order to shift treatment and financial resources from supply and enforcement to demand and treatment. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 5273. 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. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 4073 and SCWK 5273. Prerequisite: SCWK 4093 or SCWK 5093 and SCWK 4153 or SCWK 5353. Pre- or Corequisite: One of the following: STAT 2303, SOCI 3303 and SOCI 3301L, PSYC 2013, or ESRM 2403. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5333. 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. Prerequisite: SCWK 4093 or SCWK 5093 and SCWK 4153 or SCWK 5353. Pre- or Corequisite: SCWK 4103 or SCWK 5103. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5343. Advanced Practice with Groups. 3 Hours.

This course provides advanced knowledge, skills, and values needed to assess and intervene effectively with populations seen in the social work practice of group therapy. This course examines group dynamics, life-course and strengths perspectives, and client-centered assessment of needs and their application in agency settings. Prerequisite: Graduate status. (Typically offered: Irregular)

SCWK 5353. 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. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 4153 and SCWK 5353. Prerequisite: COMM 1313, PLSC 2003, SCWK 2133, and SCWK 3193. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5412. Foundation Field Seminar. 2 Hours.

A required course for MSW students without an accredited undergraduate degree in social work. The purpose of the seminar is to allow students to integrate classroom content with experiences in the field, to learn peer supervision and consultation, and to learn from the experiences of other students in the field. Corequisite: SCWK 5434. (Typically offered: Spring and Summer)

SCWK 5434. Foundation Field Internship. 4 Hours.

This course is required of all graduate students entering the MSW program without an accredited undergraduate degree in social work. Minimum of 330 clock hours of agency-based professional social work practicum experience, supervised by a licensed MSW, is required. Corequisite: SCWK 5412. Prerequisite: SCWK 5003, SCWK 5333 (formerly SCWK 4333), SCWK 5273 (formerly SCWK 4073), SCWK 5093 (formerly SCWK 4093), and SCWK 5353 (formerly SCWK 4153). (Typically offered: Spring and Summer)

SCWK 5523. Ethics and Aging. 3 Hours.

Explores the complexities of aging and ethical decision making with older adult clients. Identifies ethical dilemmas and develops structured ethical decision making skills. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 5543. 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. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 4343 and SCWK 5543. Prerequisite: SCWK 4333 or SCWK 5333. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5643. Child Advocacy Studies IV: Global Issues in Child Welfare. 3 Hours.

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

SCWK 5733. 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. Graduate degree credit will not be given for both SCWK 4733 and SCWK 5733. Prerequisite: SCWK 4333 or SCWK 5333. Pre- or Corequisite: SCWK 4103 or SCWK 5103 and SCWK 4343 or SCWK 5543. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 5753. Grant Writing. 3 Hours.

Develops skills to plan and design programs and write grant proposals. Emphasis on program planning, understanding program performance and accountability, identifying funders, responding to requests for proposals and persuasively writing a grant to secure needed financial resources. (Typically offered: Fall, Spring and Summer)

SCWK 596V. Independent Study. 1-6 Hour.

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

SCWK 6000L. Thesis Laboratory. 0 Hours.

This laboratory is required for completion of the thesis, which is developed through components of the graduate Research & Technology sequence. Other courses in the graduate curriculum provide support for the conceptualization and development of the thesis. (Typically offered: Fall and Spring)

SCWK 6003. Advanced Social Work Practice Using the MSLC Perspective. 3 Hours.

Advanced Social Work Practice Using the Multi-Systems Life Course (MSLC) perspective teaches advanced practice behaviors with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. This course focuses on integrating the arenas of advanced theory, research, policy practice, direct practice, required competencies and advanced practice behaviors using the MSLC perspective. Prerequisite: Admission into the advanced standing MSW program or completion of foundation courses. (Typically offered: Fall)

SCWK 6233. Advanced Social Work Practice With Children And Youth Using the MSLC Perspective. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the development, revision, and impact of practice with children and youth from a Multi-Systems Life Course (MSLC) perspective. Historical trends as well as current practices will be examined with a focus on learning and improving social work practice skills. Prerequisite: SCWK 6003. (Typically offered: Spring)

SCWK 6243. Advanced Social Work Practice With Adults Using the MSLC Perspective. 3 Hours.

This course focuses on the development, revision, and impact of practice with adults from a Multi-Systems Life Course (MSLC) perspective. Historical trends as well as current practices will be examined with a focus on learning and improving social work practice skills. Prerequisite: SCWK 6003. (Typically offered: Spring)

SCWK 6442. Advanced Field Seminar I. 2 Hours.

The first of two advanced field seminars required of all students in the MSW program. The purpose of the seminar is to allow students to integrate classroom content with experiences in the field, to practice peer supervision and consultation, and to learn from the experiences of other students in the field. Corequisite: SCWK 6444. Prerequisite: SCWK 5412 or SCWK 5442. (Typically offered: Fall)

SCWK 6444. Advanced Field Internship I. 4 Hours.

This is the first of two advanced field internships required of all graduate students in the MSW program. A minimum of 330 clock hours of agency-based professional social work practicum experience, supervised by a licensed MSW, is required. Corequisite: SCWK 6442. Prerequisite: SCWK 5434 or SCWK 5444. (Typically offered: Fall)

SCWK 6452. Advanced Field Seminar II. 2 Hours.

This is the second of two advanced field seminars required of all students in the MSW program. The purpose of the seminar is to allow students to integrate classroom content with experiences in the field, to demonstrate peer supervision and consultation, and to learn from the experiences of other students in the field. Corequisite: SCWK 6454. Prerequisite: SCWK 6442. (Typically offered: Spring)

SCWK 6454. Advanced Field Internship II. 4 Hours.

This is the second of two advanced Field Internship courses required of all graduate students in the MSW program. A minimum of 330 clock hours of agency-based professional social work practicum experience supervised by a licensed MSW is required. Corequisite: SCWK 6452. Prerequisite: SCWK 6442. (Typically offered: Spring)