Social Work Graduate Course Listing

SOCW 421-3 Social Welfare Policy. In-depth examination of current social welfare policy and program issues in the context of social welfare history in the United States. Utilizes a systematic analytical framework for critical study of multiple causal factors (socio-economic, cultural, governmental structure). Prerequisite: Economics 113; Social Work 275, 291 and 383.

SOCW 478-1 to 6 International Social Work: Generalist Policy and Practice. Provides an international perspective for the study of social work groups, organizations and communities. Focuses on the examination of assessment and problem solving interventions and cross-cultural comparisons of policy and practice in foreign countries.

SOCW 496-1 to 3 Independent Research in Social Work. Provides opportunity for students to conduct independent research with the guidance of a faculty member. Topics of research are identified by the student and faculty member. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

SOCW 500-3 Human Behavior in the Social Environment. Life span development. Students acquire a foundation knowledge in human development in the social environment over the life span. Normal development stages and impacts of social systems on the growth of individuals in diverse populations of rural areas is emphasized. Prerequisite: admission to the program.

SOCW 501-3 Generalist Practice. This course emphasizes the development of advanced intervention skills related to generalist practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities in multiple-service, community-based agencies characteristic of rural areas. Includes mandatory interviewing skills weekend. Prereq-uisite: admission to the program.

SOCW 502-3 Perspectives on Human Behavior and the Social Environment. Selective examination of the theoretical basis of development and inter-relational aspects of individuals and families throughout the life span. Normal development stages and impacts of social systems on the growth of individuals in diverse populations of rural areas is emphasized. Prerequisite: eligibility for advanced standing. Must be taken concurrently with 512 and 522. Grade of B or better required for admission to the advanced standing program.

SOCW 504-2 Ethnic Diversity and Social Work Practice. Examination of issues involved in delivering social services to various ethnic and cultural groups. Sensitizes students to personal, familial, or community problems of ethnic or cultural origin. Implications for understanding social services to populations who have experienced discrimination are discussed. Prerequisite: admission to the program.

SOCW 505-2 Foundations of Social Work and Services. Examination of both historical and philosophical developments of the social welfare system as an institution and social work as a profession in the United States. Future trends in social work education and practice are predicted based on social and political mentality prevailing at present time. Prerequisite: admission to program.

SOCW 510-3 Families, Groups and Organizational Systems. Examination of systems and advanced generalist practice theories within the context of rural, integrated, and multiple-service social services delivery systems. Specific practice examples will be used to facilitate understanding of how theory guides practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Prerequisite: admission to the program.

SOCW 511-3 Social Work Research. This course emphasizes the importance of scientific inquiry within social work practice and covers the application of basic concepts of research methodology to social work including problem formulation, research design, sampling, measurement and data analysis. Includes single-system methodology as it applies to social work practice in rural areas. Prepares students to conduct an individualized single-system project based on practice intervention with clients or systems in their practicum setting in the final semester of their studies. Prerequisites: Admission to the program and introduction to statistics course.

SOCW 512-3 Research Design/Theory Building. Selective examination of inductive and deductive methods in social work knowledge building. Includes research methodologies and group designs as applied to social work practice in rural areas. Prepares students to conduct an individualized single-system project based on practice intervention with clients or systems in their practicum setting in the final semester of their studies. Prerequisites: eligibility for Advanced Standing. Taken concurrently with SOCW 502 & 522. Grade of B or better required for admission to the Advanced Standing program.

SOCW 520-3 Social Work Practice II. Foundation practice focusing on process, methods, and skills for work with groups, communities, and organizations. Prerequisite: 510.

SOCW 521-3 Social Welfare Policy. Examines the historical development of social welfare and professional social work in Europe and the United States. The course introduces a systematic framework for policy analysis with particular attention paid to policies affecting diverse rural populations, women, and minorities. Prerequisites: Admission to the program.

SOCW 522-3 Social Welfare Policy Development and Analysis. Selective examination of the historical development of social welfare and professional social work in Europe and the United States. Uses a systematic framework for policy analysis with particular attention paid to policies affecting women, low income, oppressed, and diverse rural populations. Prerequisites: eligibility for Advanced Standing. Taken concurrently with SOCW 502, 512. Grade of B or better required for admission to the Advanced Standing program.

SOCW 530-3 Substance Abuse & Social Work Practice. In-depth knowledge of social work assessment of both individuals and families involved in substance abuse. Students are provided with advanced knowledge and skills in various social work intervention models applicable to the area of substance abuse. Prerequisite: Completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 531-3 Psychopathology. This course provides a basic knowledge of psychopathology and how it impacts individual functioning and family dynamics. Students become familiar with the theoretical basis and the basic structure of DSM-IV and models of interdisciplinary clinical practice in mental health. Prerequisites: Admission to the program or consent of the School.

SOCW 532-3 Evaluation Research. This course focuses on the application of research methods especially in evaluating programs or program components in the area of concentration and to the practicum experience. Includes content on self-evaluation in practice. Prerequisites: SOCW 543 and introduction to statistics course.

SOCW 533-2 Social Work Practice in the Schools. In-depth examination of the history and practice of social work in primary and secondary schools. Roles of school social workers and practice approaches are emphasized. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses and admission to the School of Social Work certification program.

SOCW 535-3 Legal Aspects of Social Work Practice. Examination of law and legal procedures that relate directly to social work practice in general. Legal perspectives of a specific concentration field of practice are discussed in depth. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 541-4 Foundation Practicum/Seminar I. Structured and supervised on-site field practice in selected agency with concurrent seminar. Practicum is equivalent to twelve hours per week for 15 weeks (180 hours) and seminar meets once per week for two hours. Graded S/U. The seminar emphasizes the relationship between practice, policy, HBSE, and research curricula. Prerequisite: admission to the program.

SOCW 542-4 Foundation Practicum/Seminar II. Second on-site field practice with concurrent seminar. Continuation of SOCW 541. Graded S/U. Prerequisites: SOCW 541.

SOCW 543-1 to 6 Advanced Practicum/Seminar I. On-site concentration specific field practice in an approved agency with appropriate supervision. Practicum is equivalent to 20 hours per week for 15 weeks with a concurrent seminar. Credit based on time spent in the agency. Six credit hours of practicum will be equivalent to 304 on-site hours. Field practicum requirement (12 credit hours) is met through two consecutive semesters. The practicum and practicum seminar focuses on the application of advanced generalist theory, knowledge and skills covered in the curriculum. Prerequisites: completion of foundation courses or advanced standing and SOCW 502, 512 & 522. Graded S/U.

SOCW 544-1 to 6 Advanced Practicum/Seminar II. Continuation of SOCW 543. Prerequisites: SOCW 543. Graded S/U.

SOCW 546-2 to 4 Selected Topics in Advanced Social Work Practice. Advanced knowledge and skills particularly useful for management and supervision in social services with application to case materials. Theories, models and techniques of modern human service management, especially suitable to multiple-service agencies in rural settings. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 550-2 Social Work Practice in Health and Mental Health Settings. Examination of social and emotional impacts of illness and death on individuals. Implications of physical and mental disorders to social work practice are discussed with particular emphasis on cultural, racial, religious, gender and other psychosocial aspects of illness. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or school consent.

SOCW 551-3 Health & Mental Health Practice I. This is the first part of a two-part course that emphasizes health and mental health delivery within systems theory and an advanced generalist practice skills framework. Includes case studies and exercises aimed at practice with diverse populations in rural areas. Provides instruction on diagnosis using psychopathology and DSM-IV. Prerequisites: completion of foundation courses or advanced standing and SOCW 502, 512, & 522.

SOCW 552-3 Health & Mental Health Practice II. The second part of the practice course on advanced skills in health and mental health. Application of treatment modalities. Continuation of SOCW 551. Prerequisites: SOCW 543.

SOCW 555-3 Advanced Policy Analysis: Health & Mental Health. This course applies a systematic analytical framework for a critical and in-depth analysis of federal, state and local policies that shape programs affecting health and mental health in rural settings. Examines how policy impacts practice with diverse populations. Prerequisites: completion of foundation courses or advanced standing and SOCW 502, 512, & 522.

SOCW 557-3 Community Mental Health and the African-American Community. Introduction to the clinical techniques useful for facilitating community functions and changes within the context of the African-American experience. An exploration of the culture of the African- American community builds the basis for community mental health service strategies. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 558-3 Women and Community Mental Health. Examination of mental health problems of American women and exploration of effective interventive strategies. Emphasis on rural mental health services for low-income women. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 559-3 Aging and Mental Health. Examination of the nature and etiology of mental health problems facing older Americans. Review of research reports to build a theoretical basis for mental disorders. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 560-2 Social Work Practice with Children and Youth. Advanced level of knowledge and skills that are relevant to the prevention and amelioration of problems related to maladaptive parent-child interaction, parental inability to provide child care, parents’ unrealistic expectations of a physically and mentally limited child. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or school consent.

SOCW 561-3 Children, Youth & Families Practice I. This is the first part of a two-part course that emphasizes family-centered practice (family preservation, integrated services) within systems theory and an advanced generalist practice skills framework. Includes case studies and exercises aimed at practice with diverse populations in rural areas. Provides instruction on diagnosis using psychopathology and DSM-IV. Prerequisites: completion of foundation courses or advanced standing and SOCW 502, 512, & 522.

SOCW 562-3 Children, Youth & Families Practice II. The second part of the practice course on advanced skills. Application of treatment modalities. Continuation of SOCW 561. Prerequisites: SOCW 543.

SOCW 565-3 Advanced Policy Analysis: Children, Youth & Families. This course applies a systematic analytical framework for a critical and in-depth analysis of federal, state and local policies that shape programs affecting children, youth and families in rural settings. Examines how policy impacts practice with diverse populations. Prerequisites: completion of foundation courses or advanced standing and SOCW 502, 512, & 522.

SOCW 567-2 Seminar in School Social Work. Exploration of policies, programs, practice and legislative trends affecting public service in school social work. Prerequisite: 533.

SOCW 570-3 Gerontology and Social Work. Examines the major psycho-social and ecological theories of human aging within the framework of social work practice. Extrapolations of those theories and application of them to social work practice and research are emphasized. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 575-3 Policies and Program Issues of Aging. Examination of public policies that impact on the quality of life of the elderly. Major programs are identified and analyzed. Future policy issues are discussed. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 576-1 to 6 Selected Topics in Aging Practice Issues. Examination of selected knowledge and skills useful for gerontological social work practice. In-depth study on specific topics will be conducted. Prerequisite: SOCW 570.

SOCW 577-1 to 4 Selected Topics in Research. Individualized advanced research projects related to student interest. Graded S/U. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 578-3 International Social Work. Critical examination of nature and scope of social welfare programs in other nations, including: personal social services, income maintenance, health care, and social development programs. Emphasis on policies in Third World countries. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses or consent of School.

SOCW 598-1 to 4 Social Work Research Paper. Preparation of a final research paper as partial requirement for the M.S.W. degree. Graded S/U only. Prerequisite: completion of foundation or transition courses and approval of the school.

SOCW 599-3 Thesis in Social Work. A partial and optional requirement for the M.S.W. degree. A written report of the student’s research project in the area of concentration. Prerequisite: completion of all foundation or transition courses or school consent. Graded S/U only.

SOCW 601-1 per semester Continuing Enrollment. For those graduate students who have not finished their degree programs and who are in the process of working on their dissertation, thesis, or research paper. The student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of dissertation research, or the minimum thesis, or research hours before being eligible to register for this course. Concurrent enrollment in any other course is not permitted. Graded S/U or DEF only.

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