two students walking outside a building on campus

Social Work Department

Programs

Please see the Graduate catalog for additional information regarding the department's graduate programs:

Course Offerings

SW 100  Introduction to Social Work & Social Welfare  (3)  

The purpose of the course is to introduce interested students to the basic mission, values and ethics, knowledge base, methods, and services of the social work profession. An overview of the United States’ historical response to human needs and the current status of public social welfare policy will be explored. Prerequisite: None.

SW 250  Diversity and Social Justice in Social Work  (3)  

This course presents an overview of concepts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and social justice, in the context of social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will practice self-awareness of their personal biases and values, and strategies for managing their influence on working with diverse clients and constituencies.

SW 325  Person In Environment I: Individuals & Families  (3)  

The purpose of this course is to develop knowledge about human behavioral interactions, using a person-in-environment perspective. Bio-psycho-social aspects of individual and family interactions will be emphasized. This course will provide the foundation for developing direct social work practice skills. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 326  Person In Environment II: Groups, Organizations, & Communities  (3)  

The purpose of this course is to develop knowledge about human interactions relevant to groups, organizations, communities, cultures, societies, and other, larger systems. The emphasis will be to build upon the person-in-environment perspective, and to expand this model to encompass the effects of larger systems on individual functioning. This course will provide the foundation for developing social work macro-level practice skills. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 350  Social Policy and Programs  (3)  

The major purpose of this course is to develop the conceptual knowledge of policy formulation, and the content, values, and process elements necessary for conducting social policy analysis. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 352  Micro Social Work Practice  (3)  

The major purpose of this course is to prepare social work students for their field practicum work. The emphasis is on the development of working knowledge of the generalist practice model, interactional theories, and methods of facilitating change. In addition, there will be an emphasis placed on developing skills for providing social work services. For social work majors only. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 353  Macro Social Work Practice  (3)  

This second practice course will emphasize more advanced theoretical material, and the application of the generalist practice model to more complex systems. Skill development will be emphasized for assessment of client systems, and delivery of social work services. For social work majors only. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 354  Seminar & Field Education I  (6)  

This course integrates the Field education component and the Practice Seminar. Students will spend 16 hours per week in their field education placements, with direct supervision by a licensed professional social worker. Opportunities for engaging in generalist social work practice at micro, mezzo and macro levels will be provided. In addition, students will attend a three-hour seminar each week. The seminar will emphasize the integration of their field experiences with the generalist practice model, and theories of change. Students must make application for the field in their junior year by the posted deadlines. Concurrent enrollment in SW 425 BSW Field Education Workshop is required. The culmination of the BSW program is the Field Education Placement. Two consecutive field education/seminar courses are required and constitute this culminating educational experience. Prerequisites: SW 100, SW 250, SW 325, SW 326, SW 352, SW 353, and a 2.5 cumulative grade point average; admission to the BSW program; and a field education-director-approved field education placement.

SW 355  Seminar & Field Education II  (6)  

This is the second semester of the field education experience and seminar required for social work majors. The culmination of the BSW program is the field education placement. This field education placement requires summative reflection, serving as a culminating experience for Bachelor's degree students. Two consecutive field education/seminar courses are required and constitute this culminating educational experience. Prerequisites: SW 100, SW 250, SW 325, SW 326, SW 352, SW 353, SW 354; admission to the BSW program; and a field education director- approved placement in a field education agency.

SW 356  Social Work Practice in Healthcare  (3)  

This course introduces students to generalist 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: None.

SW 357  Inclusive and Competent Social Work Practice in Healthcare  (3)  

The purpose of this course is to prepare social workers for generalist healthcare 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. Prerequisite: None.

SW 358  Family Decisions in Healthcare  (3)  

The purpose of this course is to provide overall theoretical information about how families function and communicate during the process of health and long-term care decision-making. This course will provide overall generalist social work application skills and addresses interdisciplinary communication skills critical for working in a variety of healthcare settings. Prerequisite: None.

SW 359  Human Sexuality and Social Work Practice  (3)  

The major purpose of this course is to prepare social work students to explore the physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural variables associated with sexual identify, sexual orientation, sexual behavior, as well as to introduce 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. Prerequisite: None.

SW 360  Geriatric Social Work Practice  (3)  

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of gerontological social work in generalist 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 and will introduce considerations for special populations that are most vulnerable: aging people of color, the disabled, and gay and lesbian aged. Prerequisite: None.

SW 361  Independent Study  (1-3)  

Social Work majors may pursue an independent research project approved by the BSW Program Director in consultation with the Department Chair. Independent Study may not be used in place of any courses required of the social work major. Independent Study courses must meet equivalencies to Federal definition of a credit hour. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 362  Generalist Quantitative Research  (3)  

Introduces students to the basic principles of generalist quantitative social work research, including ethics, problem formulation, and quantitative research designs and methodologies. Emphasis is placed on becoming a responsible consumer of quantitative research as well as exploring quantitative evaluation of programs and outcomes of practice. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 363  Generalist Qualitative Research  (3)  

Introduces students to the basic principles of generalist qualitative social work research, including ethics, problem formulation, and qualitative research designs and methodologies. Emphasis is placed on becoming a responsible consumer of qualitative research as well as exploring qualitative evaluation of programs and outcomes of practice. Prerequisites: SW 100 and SW 250.

SW 372  Social Work Practice in Child Welfare  (3)  

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of child welfare services from a historical, theoretical, and social work practice perspective. This course will examine specific types of child endangerment through the lens of social and racial justice, including the etiology of the maltreatment, provision of services, how the consumer views the services, as well as the influence of bias, power, and personal values on client outcomes.

SW 373  Case Management in Social Work Practice  (3)  

This course provides students with an overview of generalist case management, including the contexts in which services are delivered, with clients from diverse backgrounds. An emphasis is placed on social work knowledge and skills regarding assessment, goal setting and monitoring, and coordination of services; knowledge of person-in- environment and other culturally responsive frameworks; and cultural humility and respect for client self- determination.

SW 374  Social Work Practice with Survivors  (3)  

This course introduces social work practice with children and adults who have experienced sexual assault/abuse, interpersonal/family violence, human trafficking, or violent crime. An emphasis is placed on: person-in-environment and empowerment theories; social work assessment, intervention, and advocacy practices; related policies and laws and their connection with social work practice; intersections with the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics; managing affective reactions, vicarious traumatization, and self-care; and intersections with anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Prerequisites: SWK major or minor only.

SW 390  Contemporary Issues in Social Work  (3)  

A series of courses are designed to supplement the core curriculum. Each of these four required elective courses will focus on a contemporary issue, and will emphasize the integration of core social work values and ethics, the generalist practice model, and theories of human interactions and change. Specific courses taught under this course number include, among other courses: Child Welfare, Social Work and the Law, Multicultural Social Work, Case Management, and Social Work Policy Practice.

SW 395  Social Work International Service  (3)  

This course uses an international lens to provide BSW 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.

SW 425  BSW Field Education Workshop  (0)  

In this mandatory one-day workshop, BSW students will be oriented to the field education program, 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 354 Seminar and Field Education I is required. Prerequisites: SW 100, SW 250, SW 325, SW 326, SW 352, SW 353, and a 2.5 grade point average overall; admission to the BSW program; and a field education-director-approved placement in a field education agency.