SWRG 5433 Social Justice and Diversity in Professional Practice    3 Credits

Students will examine issues in professional practice with individuals, couples and families from diverse ethnic, cultural, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students increase their self-awareness of their own social identity, values and biases, and impacts on their clinical (other professional) work. Collaboration and interdisciplinary contextual factors will be considered. The course addresses the role of power, privilege, and oppression in the lives of individuals, families, and the society. The course addresses the issues of gender role stereotyping and changing sex roles, and integrates professional contributions from the professional literature. Crosslisted with MFTH 5433. Previously SK 0433.

SWRG 5447 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II    3 Credits

This course explores the processes of individual and family development from childhood through old age. Presenting theoretical perspectives for studying child, adolescent, adult, and family development, the course examines the modification of family structures over time and psychosocial development within family systems and cultural contexts. Crosslisted with COUN 5447, MFTH 5447. Previously SK 0447.

SWRG 5533 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I    3 Credits

This course is designed to introduce social work students to various theoretical models that explain how human behavior is shaped by groups, organizations, and communities. The ecological and strength perspectives are employed for understanding human behavior within the context of these systems. Attention is also placed on the influence of social class and ethnicity on human behavior. This course will look at the different worldviews of diverse populations in order to help students develop and achieve cultural competencies. Previously SK 0533.

SWRG 5551 Generalist Social Work Practice I    3 Credits

Social work practice is based on a foundation of generalist social work. This course begins with an overview of the profession through its history and conceptual development and an examination of fundamental social work knowledge, values, and skills. The content focuses on social work interventions appropriate at the macro environment, mezzo and micro levels of practice. All aspects of practice will be presented in the context of cultural competence and social justice. Previously SK 0550.

SWRG 5553 Social Policy and Practice    3 Credits

This course surveys the history of social welfare policy, services, and the social work profession. It explores current social welfare issues in the context of their history and the underlying rationale and values that support different approaches. Emphasis is placed on major fields of social work service such as: income maintenance, health care, mental health, child welfare, corrections, and services to the elderly. Analytic frameworks with regard to social welfare policies and services are presented. These frameworks identify strengths and weaknesses in the current social welfare system with respect to multiculturalism and diversity; social justice and social change; behavioral and social science theory and research; and social work relevant promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs and services. Previously SK 0552.

SWRG 5554 Introduction to Substance Abuse Treatment    3 Credits

This course is an introduction to the field of substance abuse and addiction. Systemic, post-modern, and linear perspectives will be presented. A variety of models to assist in understanding the complexity of substance use and process addiction will be explored. Attention is also paid to gender, socio-economic, and cultural factors that impact substance abuse and recovery. Assessment techniques, intervention strategies, and relapse prevention issues will be review from systemic, post-modern, and linear models. Throughout the course the participants will be asked to consider their own beliefs about substance use and process addictions and how those beliefs might impact their effectiveness as clinicians. The course will be heavily affective and require a great deal of personal involvement in understanding addictions.

SWRG 5561 Social Work Fieldwork I    3 Credits

This course offers field practice and immersion into social work process under direct supervision of a licensed Clinical Social Worker. The field placement engages the student in social work practice, integrates policy formulation into a coherent professional position, and builds an understanding of social justice as integral to the profession. The field placement (and accompanying integrative seminar) is designed to support students in developing and integrating skills and knowledge learned in coursework into their professional social work practice. Fieldwork I and II require a student to spend a minimum of 450 hours in a supervised field setting. Each student is expected to assess her/his social work learning needs, and to plan and complete, with the assistance of the agency-based field instructor, activities that support achievement of structured learning goals. Student progress is monitored throughout the placement using a competency development model. Two formal student evaluations are completed: at mid-placement and at the end of the field placement. All social work fieldwork requires participation in integrative practice seminars throughout the semester. Students must complete 450 hours in generalist social work practice field placement prior to enrollment in this course. Previously SK 0559.

SWRG 5566 Research Methods in Social Work I    3 Credits

This required course is part of the research sequence in the generalist practice curriculum. The purpose of this course is to develop students' understanding and skills in the approaches, techniques, and challenges of conducting social work research and to enable students to be competent and discerning consumers of social science literature. Previously SK 0566.

SWRG 5598 Tevera Site Placement Process    0 Credits

This zero-credit course is designed for students as a mechanism for payment of SWRG Technology Fee associated with the Tevera site placement platform used for the clinical training process.

SWRG 6450 Narrative and Solution-Focused Therapy    3 Credits

This course will provide an overview of two postmodern and strengths-based therapeutic theories, concepts and applications. Students will become acquainted with the theories and concepts developed by White, Epston, Anderson, Freedman, Combs, de Shazer, Berg, and others. Attention will be focused on distinguishing between the postmodern approaches in terms of assessment, conceptualization, treatment, and theoretical foundations. Previously SK 0450.

SWRG 6552 Generalist Social Work Practice II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: SWRG 5551.

Social work practice is based on a foundation of generalist social work. This course begins with an overview of the profession through its history and conceptual development and an examination of fundamental social work knowledge, values, and skills. The content focuses on social work interventions appropriate at the macro environment, mezzo and micro levels of practice. All aspects of practice will be presented in the context of cultural competence and social justice. Previously SK 0551.

SWRG 6562 Social Work Fieldwork II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: SWRG 5561.

This course offers field practice and immersion into social work process under direct supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The field placement engages the student in social work practice, integrates policy formulation into a coherent professional position, and builds an understanding of social justice as integral to the profession. The field placement (and accompanying integrative seminar) is designed to support students in developing and integrating skills and knowledge learned in coursework into their professional social work practice. Fieldwork I and II require a student to spend a minimum of 450 hours in a supervised field setting. Each student is expected to assess their social work learning needs, and to plan and complete, with the assistance of the agency-based field instructor, activities that support achievement of structured learning goals. Student progress is monitored throughout the placement using a competency development model. Two formal student evaluations are completed, at mid-placement and at the end of the field placement. All social work fieldwork requires participation in integrative practice seminars throughout the semester. Previously SK 0560.

SWRG 6562P Social Work Fieldwork II    6 Credits

See SWRG 6562.

SWRG 6563 Advanced Clinical Skills and Practice I    3 Credits

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is "a collaborative conversation style for strengthening a person's own motivation and commitment to change" (Miller and Rollnick, 2012). The definition has intentionally evolved throughout the "lifespan" of this counseling posture (since its inception in the 1980s) to reflect its applicability and effectiveness not only across clinical populations, but also indeed among non-clinical populations. This first required course (of a two course sequence in MI) offers both theoretical foundations and critical skill acquisition for "beginner" competency. Methods of instruction will include didactic modules, written exercises, small-group exercises, video analyses, and many opportunities to practice key skills. Previously SK 0562.

SWRG 6564 Advanced Clinical Skills and Practice II    3 Credits

This is a clinical skills and practice course, taken during students’ final semester in the MSW program. The course is designed to introduce students to a range of therapeutic modalities, including: psychodynamic therapy, cognitive therapy, and family therapy. Students will hone skills in case formulation from multiple theoretical perspectives and application of theory to practice, using above modalities. The final capstone presentation will give students the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge attained throughout the program (across core competencies – ethics, social justice, policy, process of clinical practice) in the format of a case presentation. Students will also share a professional identity statement. 3 credits

SWRG 6568 Advanced Social Work Research and Program Evaluation    3 Credits

Students will develop knowledge of evidence-based practice, including skills needed to identify, acquire, and assess appropriate interventions for practice and basic skills required to evaluate their own social work clinical practice. Previously SK 0568.

SWRG 6569 Assessment Techniques and Psychopathology    3 Credits

This advanced social work course addresses clinical diagnosis and assessment in the treatment process. Diagnosis and assessment represent the integration of information from multiple sources to provide a perspective of current individual, partner, and family functioning for the purpose of decision-making, treatment planning, evaluation, and interdisciplinary and larger system communication. This course will highlight an awareness of gender and diversity issues in diagnosis and the ethical use of formal and informal assessments. It will provide an introduction to the nomenclature and decision-making procedures of the DSM-5, and an overview of standardized assessment instruments and self-report inventories available for use with individuals, couples, and families. Previously SK 0569.

SWRG 6570 Assessment Techniques and Psychopathology II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: SWRG 6569.

This course provides an integrative framework for assessment and diagnosis in clinical practice with adults. The process of assessment is situated in the context of clinical practice, including: collaborative treatment planning, interventions, evaluation, and interdisciplinary and larger system communication. This course will highlight an awareness of anti-oppressive practice in diagnosis and the ethical use of formal and informal assessments. It will provide an introduction to the nomenclature and decision-making procedures of the DMS 5, and an overview of standardized assessment instruments and self-report inventories available for use with adults.

SWRG 6577 Advanced Social Justice, Diversity, and Ethical Professional Practice in Clinical Social Work    3 Credits

Prerequisites: SWRG 5433, SWRG 5447, SWRG 5533, SWRG 5553, SWRG 5566, SWRG 6552, SWRG 6562.

This course will focus on the key theories that explain the impact of the environment on human experience to be followed by an examination of how dimensions of culture, power, oppression, and cultural contexts can shape individual values, beliefs, worldviews, and identities and therefore play a role in the helping process. The course will build on Social Justice and Diversity in Professional Practice and will continue to explore areas of universality and difference in the context of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic status, as well as the realities and influence of multiple forms of oppression. Empathic and skillful clinical interventions with individuals, groups, and communities require self-understanding as well as understanding of others. This course provides an opportunity for increased self-awareness. The goal of the course is to enable students to develop a culturally competent framework for analyzing human behavior in order to create empathic, empowering relationships with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The course will also explore ethical decision-making theories and processes. Ethical decision-making is informed by knowledge of legal statutes and the NASW Code of Ethics. Exploration of interdisciplinary collegiality, ethical codes, and professional identity will also be discussed. Previously SK 0577.

SWRG 6581 Advanced Clinical Specialist Field Work I    3 Credits

In Advanced Clinical Field Work, students are placed in clinical settings where they provide therapy to individuals, couples, families and groups. Students will apply clinical models and interventions in their work with clients across the lifespan. All social work fieldwork requires participation in integrative practice seminars throughout the semester. Previously SK 0580.

SWRG 6582 Advanced Clinical Specialist Field Work II    3 Credits

Prerequisite: SWRG 6581.

This course is a continuation of SWRG 6581. Previously SK 0581.

SWRG 6900 Special Topics    1-3 Credits

This course explores topics in the field of social work. Topics may vary each semester and are determined by the Social Work faculty as a reflection of pertinent themes of interest in the field.