Courses of Instruction

Social Work (SWO)

Foundation Year Courses

SWO 5320  Human Diversity & Social Justice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Master of Social Work Program  

Provides foundational content to understand better how diversity and difference shape the human experience and are critical to forming identity. Dimensions of intersectionality are explored and examined considering privilege and marginalization. Students learn to identify structural mechanisms of oppression and strategies for interrupting systems of power to create equity and inclusion in professional and community contexts.

SWO 5351  Human Behavior Theory: Person & Environment  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the MSW Program  

This course prepares students to understand the foundational theoretical base of social work that drives and informs practice. Students gain applicable knowledge of the complex experiences of individuals, families, and informal and formal social networks and communities.

SWO 5361  Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5351  

In this course, students practice skill development by applying the steps of the generalist intervention model (engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination/transition) to create diversitysensitive care management plans for individuals and families. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.

SWO 5491  Foundation Internship I  (4)  
Pre-requisite(s): Credit of a C or better or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221 and a grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5361 or SWO 5561  

Orientation and introduction to internship, at least 240 hours of applied learning, and an integrative seminar. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.

SWO 5362  Social Work Practice with Groups  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5361 or SWO 5561  

Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with groups. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.

SWO 5363  Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of B in SWO 5361 or SWO 5561  

A minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5362. This course prepares students for ethical and effective social work practice with communities and organizations. Students will learn models and skills that relate to macro social work practice. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.

SWO 5322  Social Policy For Social Work Practice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Credit with a C or better in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221  

Introduces the historical context of social policy and services in the United States, the analysis of current developments, and how social workers influence social welfare policy and provide social services.

SWO 5381  Research for Social Work Practice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Credit with a C or better in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221  

Critical evaluation and use of research and conducting research in one's own professional practice.

SWO 5492  Foundation Internship II  (4)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5491; a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5361 or 5561; a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5362; a minimum grade of a C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5381 and SWO 5322; and a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5463 or SWO 5363  

Social Work Internship, including at least 240 hours of applied learning and an integrative seminar. This is the second part of SWO 5491 with the addition of more sophisticated social work practice opportunities and expectations. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.


Specialization Year Courses

SWO 5335  Theoretical Frameworks for Community Social Work Practice  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program, or a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492  

Guides advanced practice social workers in the evaluation and selection of frameworks for community change. Emphasizes values, professional role, and cultural influences on how change is envisioned, enacted, and evaluated.

SWO 5375  Community Social Work Practice I  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5335  

Prepares advanced-practice social workers to promote community problem-solving and development. Emphasizes community assets; leadership development; and change strategy selection, enactment, and evaluation. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.

SWO 5384  Program Evaluation for Practice Improvement  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing program; or credit in SWO 5381 and a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492  

Apply systematically derived, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed decisions for continuous quality improvement of human service systems, programs, and congregations.

SWO 5283  Evaluation of Practice II  (2)  
Pre-requisite(s): SWO 5282  

Selection and implementation of outcome-based program evaluation protocols to inform intervention decisions by advanced practice social workers.

SWO 5494  Part I Advanced Internship  (4)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337, SWO 5338, or SWO 5335; and a minimum grade of a B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5370, SWO 5379, or SWO 5375  

Introduction and first of two semesters of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization.

SWO 5338  Clinical Diagnosis in Social Work  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing program or a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492  

This course utilizes a strengths-based social work perspective to examine common diagnoses of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, associated assessment tools, and areas for professional, ethical, and cultural consideration in the diagnostic process.

SWO 5370  Clinical Social Work Practice I  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337 or SWO 5338  

Prepares students with specialized knowledge of theories and practice models and skills for advanced clinical practice within a broad array of practice contexts. Students learn to assess and intervene at the levels of individual, family, and group with some discussion of organizational and community practice. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master's degree.

SWO 5382  Clinical Evaluation for Practice Improvement  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program; or credit in SWO 5381 and a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5492  

Emphasizes the importance of systematic, consistent monitoring of client outcomes as a critical part of effective clinical social work practice. Building upon skills of thorough, accurate assessment and effective client rapport, this course focuses on the next steps of collaborating with the client system (individual, family, group) to monitor feasible clinical outcomes that inform the treatment process and the continuous improvement of practice.

SWO 5282  Evaluation of Practice I  (2)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit for 5381 and 5492  

Selection and implementation of outcome-based evaluation of practice protocols to inform intervention decisions by advanced practice social workers.

SWO 5323  Organizational Leadership & Management  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit in SWO 5322 and SWO 5363 or SWO 5463  

Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491. Prepares students to perform managerial functions in public, nonprofit, and faith-based human service organizations. Specific attention is given to the topics of leadership, human resources, fundraising, grant writing, organizational development, resource management, structure and governance, and efforts to link human service organizations in an integrated community-wide service delivery system.

SWO 5376  Health Practice & Policy  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit in SWO 5322 and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491; and credit in SWO 5363 or SWO 5463  

Prepares students for practice within health contexts. Uses social work knowledge, skills, and values to prepare students to assess and intervene at individual, family, and group levels in healthcare settings. Discusses policy, justice, and equity issues related to health and healthcare access.

SWO 5377  Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or credit in SWO 5322 and credit in SWO 5363 or SWO 5463  

Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491. Emphasizes the application of theory, models, and skills in practice contexts with children and families. Includes instruction on models and theories and the impact of crisis and trauma on the family. Exposes students to various themes in child and family practice, such as grief, levels of need, strengths, and collaborative work.

SWO 5378  Community Social Work Practice II  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5375  

Continuation of 5375. Prepares advanced practice social workers to promote community problem-solving and development. Emphasizes community assets; leadership development; and change strategy selection, enactment, and evaluation. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.

SWO 5380  Clinical Social Work Practice II  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5370  

Students learn transdiagnostic clinical treatment models and skills. Emphasis is given to students demonstrating clinical skills that address a wide range of client contexts and goals. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.

SWO 5490  Part II Advanced Internship  (4)  
Pre-requisite(s): Credit in SWO 5335, SWO 5337 or SWO 5338; a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5494; a minimum grade of a B in SWO 5375, SWO 5370 or SWO 5379; a minimum grade of a B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5380 or SWO 5378; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5323, SWO 5376 or SWO 5377  

Second of two terms of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization. This is the second part of SWO 5494.

SWO 5395  Capstone Seminar  (3)  
Pre-requisite(s): A minimum grade of a B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5490  

Integrative seminar at the end of the MSW process to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate key social work competencies at an advanced level in their area of specialization. Students develop a presentation that reflects competency in the goals and objectives of the social work program. Students create professional development plans to demonstrate readiness to enter, contribute to, and develop within the social work profession.

SWO 5298  Capstone  (2)  
Pre-requisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5490 or 5790, and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5283  

Integrative seminar to demonstrate readiness to practice social work at an advanced level in the student's area of specialization.

SWO 5V80  Advanced Special Topics  (1-3)  
Pre-requisite(s): Graduate student  

Provides advanced instruction in areas of social work knowledge, values, and/or skills that are not available in the standard social work graduate curriculum. Special topics in social work. Course may be repeated up to six times with different topic of study, not to exceed a maximum of six semester hours.