Non-Degree Students: In order to register for the courses listed below, non-degree graduate students must receive permission from the School of Social Work. A signed course permission slip must be submitted with registration materials. Course permission slips may be downloaded.

SWK 601 Foundation Field Practicum I (3 credits). The first part of a two-semester, 400-clock-hour, supervised internship in a social service agency. Facilitates the acquisition of practice skills and experience appropriate for generalist social work practice and prepares students for entry into the second year.

SWK 602 Foundation Field Practicum II (3 credits). Second of the two-semester sequence described for SWK 601.

SWK 603 Advanced Field Practicum III (3 credits). The first part of a two-semester, 500-clock-hour, supervised internship in a social service agency, based on the student’s area of concentration. Designed to provide learning experiences to apply and test content from the professional foundation and the micro- or macro-practice concentrations.

SWK 604 Advanced Field Practicum IV (3 credits). Second of the two-semester sequence described for SWK 603.

SWK 605 Social Work Practice with Small Systems (3-0-3). Students develop a professional social work world view and conceptualize problems and human interaction from such a perspective.

SWK 606 Social Work Practice with Large Systems (3-0-3). Assists first-year graduate students in developing the knowledge base necessary for an understanding of the contemporary American community, its structure, politics, factors contributing to its growth and/or decline, and the roles and functions of various human service agencies and/or organizations within the community.

SWK 607 Advanced Practice with Small Systems I (3-0-3). Focuses on the individual, families, and small groups. Students are challenged to integrate theory with therapeutic change strategies and practice principles.

SWK 608 Advanced Practice with Small Systems II (3-0-3). A continuation of the sequence of courses related to social work practice with small systems. Emphasis is on work with therapeutic and task groups. The primary focus is on therapeutic techniques and helping the student develop a conceptual framework for clinical intervention.

SWK 611 Dynamics of Racism and Discrimination (3-0-3). Examines historical issues, social conditions, and social theory as a means to conceptualize racism and discrimination. Students identify the underlying social policy issues, as well as implications for direct social work practice.

SWK 622 Fundamentals of Social Work Research I (3-0-3). Introduces students to the logic of scientific inquiry, the research process, and the relationship between research and social work practice. Provides students with the knowledge to critically evaluate research; to contribute to the development of research; to understand the principles and processes of evaluating practice; and to consider research issues regarding values and ethics.

SWK 623 Fundamentals of Social Work Research II (3-0-3). Increases the student’s knowledge of, and mastery of, skills for practice-related research and evaluation. Enhances the student’s understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in social work research and practice. Students gain computer skills in text and data processing, and in accessing electronic resources and electronic communication.

SWK 631 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Small Systems (3-0-3). A critical perspective is utilized to examine social and behavioral science theories for explaining and assessing personal and environmental transactions in the context of small systems, and for informing practice responses to enhance these relationships, drawing upon content from, but not limited to, life-cycle, lifestyle, and culturally diverse perspectives.

SWK 632 Human Behavior and Social Environment: Large Systems (3-0-3). Focuses on the human behavior of people as members of larger social systems, including small groups, communities, organizations, and institutions, and how institutional racism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation, and other forms of oppression, influence these social systems.

SWK 646 Social Welfare Policy I (3-0-3). Examines the historical role of social policy in the United States in relation to diversity issues and values and ethics in the profession. Attention also is given to the role of policy in achieving maximum social, economic, and emotional and physical well-being.

SWK 647 Social Welfare Policy II (3-0-3). Provides students with the opportunity to continue the development of their conceptual and analytical skills for analyzing social policies and programs. Students develop the necessary knowledge and skills for becoming social-change agents, especially in defining their role(s) within the political process.

SWK 650 Advanced Standing (6-0-6). Designed for those students holding a bachelor’s degree in social work. It covers and integrates content from the foundation year. After successfully completing this course, students may enroll in the second-year concentration.

SWK 663 Psychopathology and Social Work (3-0-3). Provides an examination of the symptoms, theories, and psychosocial aspects of mental disorders and the role of social work in the assessment process.

SWK 664 Direct Practice Research (3-0-3). Provides students with a knowledge base to evaluate processes and outcomes in direct social work practice with individuals, couples, families, and groups.

SWK 665 Supervision and Staff Development (3-0-3). Prerequisite: Second-year graduate standing or permission of instructor. An examination of the purpose, functions, and theories of supervision and staff development that facilitate professional use of self.

SWK 671 Social Work Administration (3-0-3). Provides students with core knowledge, skills, and values to assume leadership roles in nonprofit and public human-service agencies. Introduces students to strategic planning, organizational decision-making, supervision, fundraising, and fund management. Special attention is given to delivering quality services to vulnerable populations.

SWK 672 Community Organization and Planning (3 0-3). Provides an overview of the concepts and philosophy of community organizing and planning in a multicultural society. Enhances an overall understanding of the social, political, and economic environments that shape and structure communities and organizations affecting people.

SWK 673 Strategies of Community Organization (3-0-3). Prepares students with knowledge and skills in intervention strategies and tactics of organizing communities; utilizes strategies for citizen involvement, empowering community advocacy.

SWK 674 Community, Economic Systems, and Political Analysis (3-0 3). Examines the enactment of social policies, the translation of policies into social programs, with political and economical considerations. Includes social, political, and economic subsystems of the client community.

SWK 675 Program Evaluation (3-0-3). Provides students with an understanding of the principles of program evaluation and acquisition of techniques necessary to evaluate human service programs. Introduces students to the application of research methodology to assess human service needs and the effectiveness of service programs and to examine roles of program evaluators as advocates for empowerment of oppressed groups.

SWK 680 Aging and Social Work Practice (3-0-3). Examines the well-being and service needs of older Americans. Acquaints students with the benefits, resources, and services available to meet the needs of the elderly in multiple settings as determined by policies, programs, service agencies, and intervention strategies in the field of aging.

SWK 685 Social Work Practice with Families and Children (3-0-3). An introduction to social work practice with families and children (and youth) from a competency-based perspective, drawing from solution-amplifying and restoring (narrative) practice models. Home-based and managed mental health care have accelerated the expansion of a style of social work practice that is not only time-sensitive, but also responsive to helping clients set and achieve observable goals.

SWK 690 Advanced Practice and Policy in Substance Abuse (3-0-3). Prerequisite: Second-year graduate standing or permission of instructor. This course provides students with the knowledge and skill base necessary for practice with people involved in substance abuse, including evaluating programs and preventive work.

SWK 692 Group Work Practice (3-0-3). Examines the fundamental knowledge and skills required for social work practice with groups across multiple client systems. Knowledge of social work values and ethics is applied as it relates to all aspects of group work. Dynamics of working with special populations will be emphasized (e.g., the effect of the addictive processes on group therapy, age-appropriate communication with children).

SWK 693 Special Topics in Social Work (3-0-3). Prerequisite: Permission of department. Special offering, varying with faculty expertise and student interest. Course title and content may change from term to term. May be taken for credit more than once, but no single topic may be repeated.

SWK 694 Theories and Procedures in Addiction Studies (3-0-3). Explores historical perspective of substance abuse in society, models and theories that describes addiction and the effects of addiction on individuals and families; effects of addition in individuals; techniques and practices that have positive outcomes in treatment and prevention fields; and professional issues facing the addiction field.

SWK 695 Health Care Practice, Planning, & Policy Issues (3-0-3). Provides a comprehensive overview of social work practice in the range of health care settings. Addresses the historical background of social work in health care, theoretical perspectives, organizational considerations, interdisciplinary teamwork, client problems, social worker skill and knowledge requirements, values, ethics and diversity considerations, recent developments in the field, and a vision of the future of social work in the health field. Specific attention is given to recent changes in the organization and financing of health care, providing an understanding of how health policy impacts health practice.

For more information click here.