Social Work

  • Courses

    Course Descriptions

  • Policy I
    Course Description:     This introductory policy class provides information about the development of social work as a profession; historical and contemporary social welfare policies, services and institutions; and examines how economic, political, and organizational systems influence how services are created and provided. These themes are discussed within a context of social issues and connect social welfare policy and social work practice. Students will gain historical and contemporary knowledge of the various forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and their relationship to social and economic justice for society in general and at-risk/special populations.

    Policy II
    Course Description:     This course is the second class in the policy sequence. Students explore the modern welfare state from local, state, federal and national perspectives and learn about those factors which contribute to the existence of social problems. Students are introduced to a framework for policy analysis and related concepts such as the basis of social allocations, and the nature of social provisions. The course also provides students with develop a deeper understanding of the social work profession’s role in advocacy and social action for policy change. Information about government benefits and programs including those that address income support, family and child welfare, disability, aging, substance abuse, and health care are also provided.

    Practice I
    Course Description:     The first of four practice courses this course provides a foundation for social work practice on micro and mezzo levels with diverse populations in a variety of settings. It provides an overview of the values, ethics and knowledge base upon which social work practice is based. The course provides a generalist problem solving approach to the understanding of social work practice with individuals and groups. Building upon the generalist model this course demonstrates the linkages between a generalist perspective and an integrated theoretical perspective for advanced practice with individuals and groups. The course includes historical content, person in-environment and systems perspectives, communication and relationship-building exercises, a walk-through of a clinical interview and the stages of treatment, an integrated clinical approach to individual and group practice and an application of generalist and advanced practice skills with groups in specific settings.

    Practice II
    Course Description:     The second of four courses in the Practice Sequence, this course focuses on working with families and the individuals within the family through the life span. Developing an understanding of the interplay between the developmental issues of the individual and the life stages of the family as a unit, through the life span, will be a primary focus of the course. Another primary focus of the course is an exploration of the work of various family theorists and their varied methods of intervention. Special emphasis will be placed on psychodynamic systems and cognitive/behavioral theories and techniques of intervention.

    HBSE I
    Course Description: This course, the first of two in this sequence, provides the theoretical and empirical support for several social work values and ethical standards. These values and standards include respect for the dignity and uniqueness of the individual, respect of a persons’ right to self-determination, and respect for spirituality and the religious beliefs of others. In addition to biological, psychological, and social development, the course covers moral development and the acquisition of skills necessary to lead a civil, moral, and fulfilling life.


    HBSE II
    Course Description:: The second in the sequence of two HBSE courses, this course continues to provide theoretical and empirical support for social work values and ethics while providing the generalist practitioner with the knowledge necessary to work with individuals, groups, communities, and systems of all sizes. With the focus on early, middle, and late adulthood, the social work values that are emphasized in the course embrace larger systems such as family relationships, communities, organizations, and socio-economic policies.

    Field Instruction I & II
    Course Description: This is the first course in a four semester Field Instruction sequence in the Masters in Social Work program. The first two semesters of Field Instruction provide the Foundation and the second two semesters provide the Specialization. The Foundation prepares students 1) to function at a beginning level of competence in a social service delivery system 2) to develop generalist problem-solving and relationship-building skills, 3) and to integrate and apply knowledge from Practice, Policy, HBSE and Research to work with clients.


    Research I
    Course Description: This course places significant emphasis on the adherence to social work values and ethnical standards in research and in practice evaluation. It requires the students to ask themselves “Why be ethical?” in an effort to help the student realize that a personal moral code is the best defense against unacceptable and unethical conduct. The student is encouraged to ponder the question of ethics with guidance from social work values and guiding principles, and the NASW Code of Ethics. Students are presented with practical examples of ethical dilemmas and required to address the situation using critical thinking skills, technical training, and social work values.
    This course aims to improve students understanding of the place research plays and has played in social work practice. Using the Code of Ethics as a foundation for all research ventures, students will be taught the basic concepts of research question formation, psychometrics and use of measurement instruments. The course will introduce key components of research including research design, data collection, appropriate communication of research findings, and its relevance to the evaluation of practice, programs, and policies.

    Research II
    Course Description: Social work values and ethics continue to guide the student’s development of technical skills for generating social work knowledge and the evaluation of social work practice. With a greater emphasis on the sensitive development and use of technology with populations-at-risk, social work values and ethics continue to be the primary components in the content of this course. Accessing secondary data and the judicious and ethical use of the data coupled with cultural sensitivity will be woven into the fabric of the course and frequently discussed and practiced.
    This course aims to develop students’ ability to apply qualitative and quantitative research design to their area of concentration. By offering students an opportunity to design appropriate measurement instruments, identify appropriate sampling method and differences between group research design and case research design, students will gain knowledge needed to evaluate research and apply its’ tenets to social work. Moreover, this course gives students an opportunity to practice implementing research by familiarizing students with various data collection methods, encouraging their use of secondary data, and teaching them basic psychometric and data analysis processes


    Field Instruction III & IV
    Course Description:: This is the third course in a four semester Field Instruction sequence in the Masters in Social Work program. The first two semesters of Field Instruction provide the Foundation and the second two semesters provide the Specialization. The Specialization year prepares students 1) to gain expertise in gerontology, not-for-profit management or substance and alcohol abuse 2) to function at an advanced level of competence in a social service delivery system 2) to continue to practice problem-solving and relationship-building skills, 3) and to continue to integrate and apply knowledge from Practice, Policy, HBSE and Research to work with client systems.

    Advanced Courses


    Psychopathology
    Course Description:: This course provides a bio-psycho-social perspective to a range of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Ed. (DSM-IV) classified maladaptive behaviors that are exhibited by many social work clients. It provides an in-depth study of the etiology, course, prognosis, and resolution of major psychological and psychiatric conditions. The DSM-IV multiaxiaxial system will serve as a backdrop and context in which these conditions will be presented and studied. The Competency Based- Assessment Model, which follows a “process of reviewing and understanding an individual’s past in order to distinguish and interpret present concerns,” (Zide & Grey 12001) is the theoretical and philosophical framework through which the course’s information will flow. Student will become familiar with DSM-IV diagnostic criteria and the empirical and epidemiological data that supports each diagnosis. The course will also look at the behaviors that are evaluated in the process of arriving at a differential diagnosis. The cultural context will play a major role in understanding these conditions.


    Administrative Behavior
    Course Description: This course provides students with a conceptual framework for understanding human service organizations with a special emphasis on the social work field. It explores the role and function of the agency-based social work practitioner and manager through the study of organizational behavior and structural theory. Students also consider the function of human service organizations within the context of economic, political, social and technological factors and the ways in which they influence administration and service delivery. The course provides an overview of the responsibilities necessary to support effective and efficient quality services to clients including how to manage information, finances and people.