Presents a bio-psycho-social perspective on the developmental processes of human personality and behavior. It also examines human interactions within the social environment, concentrating on interactions between individuals and families, while emphasizing the ecological perspective. Fall semester only. Prerequisite: Admitted MSW students only or consent.

Students are exposed to concepts and substantive information about persons-in-environment transactions. Emphasis is placed on the structure and dynamic processes of organizations, communities and societies. Spring semester only. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only or consent.

The major purpose of this course is to prepare social work students as social work practitioners to serve as knowledgeable and committed participants in efforts to achieve social and economic justice through social policies and social programs. An important element of this course is the development of a conceptual map to focus the student's ability to critically analyze social policies and develop broad understanding of the dynamics of social policy formulation. In addition, some course content will focus on developing familiarity with the practice skills involved in policy analysis and advocacy. Throughout the course, significant consideration is placed on the actual delivery of social services and social work practice in micro, mezzo, and macro dimensions. Fall semester only. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only.

The primary purpose of this course is to prepare social work students to serve as knowledgeable and committed participants in efforts to achieve social and economic justice through advocacy in social policies and programs. A major feature of this course is the emphasis placed on developing knowledge about state legislative procedures and processes in the formulation of important social policies that impact the consumers of social work services. Students will observe the dynamic legislative process and conduct analysis of specific proposals (bills) currently before the state legislature in "real time." Beyond a mere theoretical understanding of this process, an expected outcome of this course is for the student to develop practical skills in policy analysis and social advocacy. Spring semester only. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only or consent.

Introduces students to the basic principles of quantitative social work research, including ethics, problem formulation, and quantitative research designs and methodologies. Emphasis is placed on teaching students to become critical thinkers and responsible consumers of quantitative research. In addition, students will learn how to utilize various quantitative research strategies and methodologies to evaluate social service programs and practice outcomes. Fall semester only. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only or consent.

Introduces students to the basic principles of qualitative social work research, including ethics, problem formulation, and qualitative research designs and methodologies. Emphasis is placed on teaching students to become critical thinkers and responsible consumers of qualitative research. In addition, students will learn how to utilize various qualitative research strategies and methodologies to evaluate social service programs and practice outcomes. Spring semester only. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only or consent.

This practice course focuses on the development of core social work skills at the generalist level with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, and in preparation for clinical study at the advanced level. Client concerns and case conceptualization throughout the course will be explored through the lenses of person-in-environment, social justice and human rights, trauma-informed practice, systems theory, and the strengths perspective. Students will be introduced to the history of social work and the current contexts in which social workers practice. Students will reflect on professional use of self as a necessary component of competent and ethical practice. This experiential, action-driven course provides students the opportunity to investigate the reciprocity between academic learning, skill development, and social work practice in the field education setting. MSW students are expected to take this course concurrently with SW 690 and SW 691. Fall semester only. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only. Corequisites: SW 690 and SW 691

This course introduces students to clinical social work practice in healthcare settings, including the technological, social, political, ethical, and financial factors impacting patient care. This course emphasizes the relevant theories and models for healthcare practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Prerequisite: Enrolled MSW students only.

The purpose of this course is to prepare social workers for clinical health care practice with clients with diverse backgrounds. The emphasis is on inclusive and culturally competent social work practice, to include the development of cultural awareness, humility, and knowledge about health and healthcare, as well as issues that can affect inclusive access, such as language and literacy, physical and cognitive ability, gender and sexuality, and macro, policy, and legal factors.

The purpose of this course is to provide overall theoretical information and application about how families function and communicate during the process of health and long term care decision-making. This course allows students to develop clinical skills that assist families in making these difficult end of life and healthcare decisions. This course also addresses interdisciplinary communication skills and how these skills are necessary for working with others who have different professional backgrounds in a variety of healthcare settings.

The major purpose of this course is to provide a theoretical background for social work students to explore the physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural variables associated with sexual identify, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, as well as introducing a variety of theories explaining sexual behavior, development of sexual norms, and gender fluidity. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of all aspects of human sexual behavior, and will then also learn theoretically-based clinical skills that they can apply in a wide variety of social work settings.

This course presents an overview of key concepts and theories related to oppression, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, human rights, and justice, in the context of social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will develop self-awareness of their personal biases and values in the context of cultural humility, and practice strategies for managing their influence on working with diverse clients and constituencies. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only or consent. Required of all regular standing MSW students who have not taken an introductory course to social work and social welfare at the undergraduate or graduate level.

In this mandatory one day workshop, regular standing MSW students will be oriented to generalist field education, expectations regarding professional comportment, duties/responsibilities in completing tasks, required field education program paperwork, and other aspects of the field education experience. Concurrent enrollment in SW 691 and SW 640 is required. Fall semester only. Prerequisite: Admitted MSW students only and a field education-director-approved field education placement.

Students will gain supervised generalist level social work experience in selected community agencies. A minimum of 16 hours per week (240 clock hours) will be spent in mastering the knowledge and skills for multi-level client assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation. Fall semester only. Prerequisite: Admitted MSW students only and a field education-director-approved field education placement. Concurrent enrollment in SW 690 and SW 640 is required.

This seminar, taken concurrently with SW 693, provides students with the opportunity to integrate academic course-work, including values and ethics, with their field education experiences. Spring semester only. Concurrent enrollment in SW 693 required. Prerequisite: Admitted MSW students only, SW 640, SW 690, SW 691, and a field education-director-approved field education placement.

This Generalist field education placement provides the student further opportunities to gain supervised social work experience in selected community organizations and programs for a minimum of 20 hours per week (160 clock hours). The focus is on refining generalist practice skills, and applying them to more complex social work situations, with multi-level systems. Concurrent enrollment in SW 692 is required. Spring semester only. Prerequisite: Admitted MSW students only and completion of SW 640, SW 690, and SW 691.

Presents an in-depth analysis of assessment techniques and diagnostic tools, including the DSM-IV, guided by social work values and ethics. Focus is on developing the knowledge and skills for competent, multi-cultural assessment of client functioning, within societal and environmental contexts. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only and completion of all MSW foundation coursework or consent.

Students are expected to develop an understanding of theories, and development of skills, relevant to assessment and intervention with individuals, consistent with social work values and ethics. Special consideration is given to developing cultural competency and providing services to individuals who are vulnerable and/or oppressed. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only and completion of all MSW foundation coursework.

Students are expected to develop an understanding of theories, and development of skills, relevant to assessment and intervention with families, consistent with social work values and ethics. Special consideration is given to developing cultural competency and providing services to family units who are vulnerable and/or oppressed. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only and completion of all MSW foundation coursework.

Students are expected to develop an understanding of theories and development of skills relevant to assessment and facilitation of small group interactions, consistent with social work values and ethics. Special consideration is given to developing cultural competency and providing services to vulnerable populations. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only and completion of all MSW foundation coursework.

This course is to allow students additional time to complete Capstone, Thesis or Practicum requirements. Prerequisites: Instructor Permission

This opportunity for study is designed for students wishing to complete an in-depth project in a specific area. The study must be approved by and coordinated with an individual member of the core social work faculty.

Using a (1-3) credit hour format, a variety of clinical social work electives may be offered. These are meant to introduce a specific topic or intervention skill to students. Elective courses that are currently listed under the special topics number include but are not limited to: Applied Behavior Analysis, Multisystemic Family Therapy, Adult Mental Health, Play Therapy, and Social Work Policy Practice. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only and completion of MSW foundation coursework.

In this elective clinical course within the MSW program, students are expected to develop an understanding of the historical and current social work practices relating to the educational characteristics, needs, and placement alternatives for exceptional learners. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW Students only, completion of all MSW foundation coursework, and a practicum-director-approved placement in a clinical field practicum.

Students in this content-driven course are expected to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for school social work practice or other forms of social work practice that might be influenced by the educational setting. In this course, students will gain a deeper understanding of the history, philosophy, and issues/trends of the American educational system. Students will be provided with an opportunity to critically analyze and discuss various historical, philosophical, and current trends in the education system, all the while juxtaposing social work philosophy, ethics, and practice principles against their findings. Prerequisites: Admitted MSW students only, completion of all MSW foundation coursework, and a practicum-director-approved placement in a clinical field practicum.

Students in this course are expected to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective practice of school social work. An emphasis on the impact of policies for student and family functioning is included. Concurrent placement in a school-based clinical practicum is suggested.

Students in this course are expected to develop the conceptual background needed to understand current pharmacological interventions used with clients. An emphasis is placed on the social worker's role in direct service with the client, the family, and other providers. Ethical issues involved with medications and medication compliance are stressed.

Students in this course are expected to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective clinical or systemic interventions for children, adolescents, and adults who have survived a traumatic event.

This course is designed to provide students with an overview of gerontological social work in clinical practice with an emphasis on the principles of practice, the application of research, and the formulation of policies as they relate to older adults. The course will define the role of the social worker from a gerontological perspective. It will introduce the student to special populations that are most vulnerable: aging people of color, the disabled, and gay and lesbian aged.

Students in this course are expected to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective assessment and treatment of ethnic minorities, women, and other disenfranchised groups. The psychological and sociological implications of discrimination are examined from a local, national and international framework, as well as the development of specific skills, including advocacy and empowerment, in working with disadvantaged groups.

This course is designed to provide clinical social work students with an overview of international aspects of social work and its global context. This course covers working with migration, refugees, natural disasters, terrorism, and human rights issues. It will look at the role of humanitarian groups worldwide. This course will challenge students to explore the various ways that different cultures perceive the role of social work and social workers. Students will learn to analyze social development and policy issues. The course will define the role of the social worker from a global perspective, and introduce the student to special populations worldwide with an emphasis on the most vulnerable.

In this mandatory one day workshop, MSW students will be oriented to clinical field education, expectations regarding professional comportment, duties/responsibilities in completing tasks, required field education program paperwork, and other aspects of the field education experience. Fall semester only. Concurrent enrollment in SW 791 and SW 792 is required. Prerequisite: Admitted MSW students only; completion of all MSW foundation coursework, and a field education-director-approved field education placement.

This first semester of Clinical Field Education is taken concurrently with SW 792 Clinical Seminar. In this semester, students begin their professional development in community agencies. Small case load and close supervision is expected. Concurrent enrollment in SW 790 and SW 792 is required. Fall semester only. Prerequisite: Admitted MSW students only; completion of all MSW foundation coursework, and a field education-director-approved field education placement.

In this seminar, taken concurrently with the Clinical Practicum I, students are expected to integrate academic course work, including values and ethics, with the practice of clinical social work, and to analyze and evaluate their effectiveness with clients. Concurrent enrollment in SW 790 and SW 791 is required. Fall semester only.

This field experience is a continuation of Clinical Field Education I. Students are expected to further develop their clinical skills for assessment and intervention with individuals, families, and groups. Spring semester only. Prerequisite: SW 791.

Clinical Seminar II must be taken concurrently with Clinical Practicum II. This online seminar/online course provides students with further opportunity to integrate academic course work, including values and ethics, with the actual practice of clinical social work, and to think critically about their clinical work with clients. The seminar/online course allows students to continue with peer clinical case consultation format. In addition, the seminar/online course permits students to focus on creating a portfolio that will be reviewed by peers and the instructor at the end of the semester. Spring semester only.

This course uses an international lens to provide MSW students the opportunity to learn about social work practice, including the effects of historical, social, psychological, physical, and environmental conditions on well-being at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The course will emphasize ways that culture and diversity intersect with social work practice. A portion of this course includes international travel.