Courses of Instruction
Social Work (SWO)
Foundation Year Courses
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Critical evaluation and use of research and conducting research in one's own professional practice.
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
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.
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.
Apply systematically derived, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed decisions for continuous quality improvement of human service systems, programs, and congregations.
Selection and implementation of outcome-based program evaluation protocols to inform intervention decisions by advanced practice social workers.
Introduction and first of two semesters of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization.
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.
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.
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.
Selection and implementation of outcome-based evaluation of practice protocols to inform intervention decisions by advanced practice social workers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Second of two terms of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization. This is the second part of SWO 5494.
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.
Integrative seminar to demonstrate readiness to practice social work at an advanced level in the student's area of specialization.
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.