Social Work Courses

Social Work (SWK) courses

• SWK 200 Introduction to Social Work

  This course is an introduction to the values, knowledge, and skills that guide the profession of social work. Examines practice interventions at the individual, family, group, organization and community levels. The fields and settings for social work practice are discussed. A C grade or better is required for admission to the BSW program.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall, Spring

• SWK 213 Social Welfare Policy and Services

  Prerequisite: C grade or better in SWK 200 or concurrent enrollment.

  This course examines the historical development, philosophical orientation, and analysis of social welfare policy and services in the United States, as well as orienting students to the development of social work as a profession. The course focuses on the analytic and interactional strategies related to policy analysis, development, and implementation. Areas of study include domestic and global aspects of practice. A C grade or better is required for admission to the BSW program.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 219 Human Diversity

  General Education Course (Focus on Cultural Competence).

  Content and skill development pertinent to working with diverse racial, cultural, ethnic, and other populations such as persons with physical disabilities and mental illnesses. This course is designed primarily to inform and sensitize individuals for effective interventions within a heterogeneous society. A C grade or better is required for admission to the BSW program.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall, Spring

• SWK 300 Service-Learning in Social Work

  Prerequisite: 30 hours and concurrent enrollment in SWK 213.

  This service component for an existing course incorporates community service with classroom instruction to provide an integrative learning experience that addresses the practice of citizenship and promotes an awareness of and participation in public affairs. Includes 40 hours of service that benefits an external community organization or human/social service agency. Approved settings will focus on populations-at-risk, diverse populations and groups that have experienced social and economic injustice. A list of approved placements and assignments is available from the instructor and the Citizenship and Service-Learning Office. May be repeated. Graded Pass/Not Pass only.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  1	0	2	Fall, Spring

• SWK 304 Professional Development and Social Work Ethics

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program.

  A critical exploration of self for the purpose of developing and demonstrating professional and ethical behavior as a change agent. This course will provide opportunities for self-reflection and personal and professional growth. The course will examine how the use of self influences ethical social work practice.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 307 Social Work Practice with Individuals

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program.

  Basic principles, practice theories and skill for beginning generalist practice with individuals. Integrates practice theory and intervention skills within the context of the Generalist Intervention/Problem-Solving model. The class emphasizes personal awareness, professional growth, critical thinking and skills practice.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 313 Social Justice

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; and ECO 155 or ECO 165 or concurrent enrollment; and PLS 101.

  The primary subject matter of this course is social and economic inequality in United States society. Students are introduced to the patterns and processes of social and economic inequality in its major forms: class, race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual and political orientation.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 315 Social Work Practice with Groups

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program.

  Offers basic principles of group interventions with a generalist practice foundation. Contrasts groups with other forms of social work practice. Reviews skills required to conduct clinical and task groups. Emphasizes cultural diversity and ethical parameters when offering group services.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 325 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; PSY 121 and SOC 150 or concurrent enrollment in PSY 121 and SOC 150.

  An introduction to the dynamics of human behavior and the effects of the social environment on the development of individuals and families.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 326 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; and SWK 325.

  Exploration of a broad systems' approach to the generalist practice of social work. Focuses on the theories that support social work practice with groups, organizations, and communities.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 330 Social Work Practice with Addictions

  Examinations of the problems related to substance use disorders and other addiction issues. Areas of study broadly include definitions, prevalence, etiology, policies, effects on family and society, and prevention and treatment approaches.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 365 Families in Later Life

  Prerequisite: PSY 121; and CFD 155 or CFD 163 or 30 hours.

  Examination of the structure and function of families in later life. Topics of interest include demographic trends impacting the structure of the family, marriage, sibling relations, parent-adult child relations, grandparenthood, widowhood, and retirement. The application of family theories and their relevance to later life families will be discussed. Identical with CFD 365, GER 366, and PSY 366. Can only receive credit for one of the following: CFD 365, GER 366, PSY 366 or SWK 365.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 370 Child Welfare Services

  Develop beginning competence in assessing types and benefits of different child welfare services, (i.e., foster care, adoptions, institutionalization); examination of the impact of public policies and social work practice on children and families.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 375 Social Work Perspectives with Latino/a Communities

  This course focuses on providing services to Spanish-speaking communities, with historical context for understanding current social, health, economic, political, and legal issues facing the population. Strategies for serving individuals and families through culturally and linguistically appropriate services will be presented in class. A strengths perspective will be offered to identify alternative service frameworks for addressing contemporary barriers to health and social services.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 397 Special Topics

  Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

  Selected topics of contemporary interest in social work such as changing social welfare policy, specialized fields of social work, models of practice and future trends in social work. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours as topics change.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  1-3			Upon demand

• SWK 418 Methods of Social Research in Social Work Practice

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; SWK 307 and SWK 326; and one of the following statistics courses: SOC 302, PSY 200, IPE 381, AGR 330, MTH 340, QBA 237, REC 328, or concurrent enrollment.

  The application and use of the social scientific method for conducting research and applying research to social work practice including, but not limited to, single subject research design, treatment intervention evaluation, and program evaluation.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 420 Social Work Practice with Families

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; and SWK 307 and SWK 326.

  Offers basic principles of family interventions with a generalist practice foundation. Contrasts families with other forms of social work practice. Overviews skills needed to work with families. Emphasizes cultural diversity and ethical parameters when offering family services.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 430 Social Work Practice in Communities and Organizations

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; and SWK 307 and SWK 326.

  Problem assessment and practice interventions with macrosystems. Examines strategies and techniques for social work practice with organizations and communities.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 470 Community Resources for Older Adults

  Prerequisite: PSY 121.

  Covers the services, programs and institutions involved in providing services to older adults in the United States, with a focus on community-based services. Typical needs, issues, concerns and desires of older persons are identified and corresponding community-based services to address these needs are discussed. Emerging issues and developments in the field of gerontology will also be discussed as they relate to community services and resources. Site visits to agencies and organizations serving older adults will enhance students' familiarity with resources to improve the quality of life and well-being of aging members in our society. Identical with GER 470. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 470 and GER 470.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 480 Social Work Integrative Seminar

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; and SWK 418 and SWK 420 and SWK 430; and concurrent enrollment in SWK 490.

  In conjunction with SWK 490, this course satisfies the Public Affairs Capstone Experience. Examines student experiences, problems, and questions related to the practicum. Integrates theory, knowledge, social work values and skills from previous social work courses to prepare generalist social work practitioners. Failure to pass this course will result in failure to pass SWK 490. Public Affairs Capstone Experience course.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 490 Practicum in Social Work

  Prerequisite: admission to the BSW program; and SWK 418 and SWK 420 and SWK 430; and concurrent enrollment in SWK 480.

  In conjunction with SWK 480, this course satisfies the Public Affairs Capstone Experience. An educationally directed social work practice experience with individuals, groups, families, communities and organizations in a social service agency. Students are required to complete a minimum of 400 hours. Failure to pass this course will result in failure to pass SWK 480. Graded Pass/Not Pass only. Public Affairs Capstone Experience course.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  9	0	32	Spring

• SWK 496 Directed Readings in Social Work

  Prerequisite: 6 hours of social work and permission.

  Readings designed to supplement material introduced in previous social work courses. Includes a wide selection from literature in the field. May be repeated to a maximum of nine hours.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  1-3			Upon demand

• SWK 502 Rural Health

  Prerequisite: junior standing.

  This course offers a study of health care delivery in rural communities. It includes theoretical foundations, cultural considerations and specific characteristics of rural environments and people. Local and international perspectives will be explored. This course has a community experience component. Identical with NUR 502. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 502 and NUR 502. May be taught concurrently with SWK 602. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 502 and SWK 602.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall, Spring

• SWK 543 Non-Profit Management in the Health and Human Services

  The purpose of this course is to lay a leadership and management foundation for those in social work and the human services professions from the nonprofit/social or public sectors. The history and scope of the U.S. nonprofit sector, as well as contemporary theories of nonprofit enterprise, governance and leadership, ethics, marketing, advocacy techniques, decision-making models and current ideas about possible futures for the sector will be presented. Students will leave the course with a solid understanding of nonprofit /social sector organization, and develop an understanding of his or her management style and philosophy. May be taught concurrently with SWK 643. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 543 and SWK 643.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 595 Grant Writing in the Health and Human Services

  This course offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding grant writing and how health and human service professionals can collaborate for successful proposal writing. Course will focus on practical skills needed to develop proposals, budgets, and evaluation plans. Attention will be given to preparing a competitive grant proposal. This course will cover the basics of proposals - purpose statements, background and justification, aims or objectives, personnel, time line, methods, budget, and evaluation, and how to effectively manage grants once they are funded. Grant writing is related to health and human services that stress access to and availability of resources. The needs of culturally diverse groups or communities will be discussed in this course, along with the particulars of proposals that may be most effective in meeting such needs. May be taught concurrently with SWK 644. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 595 and SWK 644.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 597 Special Topics

  Prerequisite: junior standing.

  Selected topic of advanced content in social work, relevant to fields of practice or practice methodologies. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours as topics change. May be taught concurrently with SWK 699. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 597 and SWK 699.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  1-3			Upon demand

• SWK 599 Health Literacy in the Human Services

  This course offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding functional health literacy and how the public's literacy skills affect interactions with health and human services professionals. Includes an examination of the data for national and international literacy levels and populations at risk for low literacy; research on health literacy; assessment tools; and practical techniques for addressing literacy issues in spoken and written communications at the practitioner and organizational levels. Identical with BMS 599 and IPE 599; may be taught concurrently with SWK 696 or PBH 699. Can only receive credit for one of the following: BMS 599, IPE 599, SWK 599, SWK 696, or PBH 699.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 602 Rural Health

  This course offers a study of health care delivery in rural communities. It includes theoretical foundations, cultural considerations and specific characteristics of rural environments and people. Local and international perspectives will be explored. This course has a community experience component. Identical with NUR 632. Cannot receive credit for both NUR 632 and SWK 632. May be taught concurrently with SWK 502. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 502 and SWK 602.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall, Spring

• SWK 643 Non-Profit Management in the Health and Human Services

  The purpose of this course is to lay a leadership and management foundation for those in social work and the human services professions from the nonprofit/social or public sectors. The history and scope of the U.S. nonprofit sector, as well as contemporary theories of nonprofit enterprise, governance and leadership, ethics, marketing, advocacy techniques, decision-making models and current ideas about possible futures for the sector will be presented. Students will leave the course with a solid understanding of nonprofit /social sector organization, and develop an understanding of his or her management style and philosophy. May be taught concurrently with SWK 543. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 543 and SWK 643.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 644 Grant Writing in the Health and Human Services

  This course offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding grant writing and how human service professionals can collaborate for successful proposal writing. Grant writing in the Health and Human Services will focus on practical skills needed to develop proposals, budgets, and evaluation plans. Attention will be given to preparing a competitive grant proposal. Grant writing is related to human services that stress access to and availability of resources. The needs of culturally diverse groups or communities will be discussed in this course, along with the particulars of proposals that may be most effective in meeting such needs. May be taught concurrently with SWK 595. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 595 and SWK 644.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 696 Health Literacy in the Human Services

  This course offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding functional health literacy and how the public's literacy skills affect interactions with health and human services professionals. Includes an examination of the data for national and international literacy levels and populations at risk for low literacy; research on health literacy; assessment tools; and practical techniques for addressing literacy issues in spoken and written communications at the practitioner and organizational levels. Identical with PBH 699; may be taught concurrently with SWK 599 or PBH 699. Can only receive credit for one of the following: IPE 599, SWK 599, SWK 696, or PBH 699.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 699 Special Topics

  Selected topic of advanced content in social work, relevant to fields of practice or practice methodologies. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours as topics change. May be taught concurrently with SWK 597. Cannot receive credit for both SWK 597 and SWK 699.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  1-3			Upon demand

• SWK 705 Human Behavior in the Social Environment

  Prerequisite: admission to MSW program.

  Content on life span development and the influence of various systems on the individual.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 710 Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals

  Prerequisite: admission to MSW program.

  Within a generalist framework, course provides an ethically-based, theory-driven, culturally competent approach to delivering professional social work services to individuals with varied issues and practice settings.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 715 Social Welfare Policy and Services

  Prerequisite: admission to MSW program or permission.

  Covers the historical development, philosophical orientation, and analysis of social welfare policy and services in the United States. Examines social welfare policy in multiple areas.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 725 Generalist Social Work Practice with Families and Groups

  Prerequisite: admission to MSW program.

  Within a generalist framework, this course focuses on basic skills and concepts related to social work practice with groups and families. Topics include group facilitation process and tasks, contrast between non-kin groups and family sessions, and strategies for working with families.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 726 Generalist Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations

  Prerequisite: admission to MSW program.

  Uses social work methods to focus on the dynamics associated with organizational and community generalist practice. This course provides a knowledge base (i.e., theory, research, and practice wisdom), values, and practice skills for the generalist social work profession. Concentration will be on social work practice occurring with organizations and communities.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 730 Diversity and Social Justice

  Prerequisite: admission to the MSW program or permission of department.

  Using a social work strengths perspective and the ecological system theory, the course explores multiple dimensions and intersectionality of diversity, and social, economic, and environmental justice in a pluralistic and increasingly globalized society.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 742 Substance Use and Social Work Practice

  This course provides an opportunity for the students to understand the problems of alcohol and drug use and dependence, and the impact on individuals, families, and the broader community.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Upon demand

• SWK 743 Management and Program Development in Human Service

  Develop knowledge and skills for effective supervisors and administrators in human service organizations. Students will also learn grant proposal writing and develop an understanding of their management style and philosophy.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Upon demand

• SWK 750 Social Work Practice I: Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals

  Prerequisite: admission to MSW program; and Advanced Standing or completion of all foundation coursework.

  This advanced practice course provides students with theories and skills for working with individuals from an advanced generalist perspective. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate ethically based, culturally informed practice with individuals.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Summer

• SWK 754 Advanced Clinical Social Work Assessment

  Prerequisite: SWK 750; and admission to MSW program.

  Examines advanced topics related to individual and family-based assessment. Students deepen critical thinking as advanced generalist practitioners, learn when to use various clinical assessment tools (e.g., DSM), and develop skills in data collection, organization, and interpretation.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 755 Social Work Practice II: Advanced Generalist Practice with Families

  Prerequisite: SWK 750; and admission to MSW program.

  This advanced practice course provides students with theories and skills for working with families from an advanced generalist perspective. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate ethically based, culturally informed practice with families.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 756 Social Work Practice III: Advanced Generalist Practice with Groups

  Prerequisite: SWK 754 and SWK 755; and admission to MSW program.

  This advanced practice course provides students with theories and skills for working with groups from an advanced generalist perspective. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate ethically based, culturally informed practice with groups.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 757 Social Work Practice IV: Advanced Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations

  Prerequisite: SWK 755; and admission to the MSW program.

  This advanced practice course provides students with theories and skills for working with communities and organizations from an advanced generalist perspective. By the end of the course, students will demonstrate ethically based, culturally informed practice with communities and organizations.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Spring

• SWK 760 Advanced Policy and Social Justice

  Prerequisite: SWK 750; and admission to MSW program.

  Students examine policies that affect client systems, and how these policies translate into programs and delivery systems in the United States and other countries. The course expands knowledge of the interrelatedness of diversity, policy, human rights and social justice.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3	3	0	Fall

• SWK 780 Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar II

  Prerequisite: admission to MSW program; and field coordinator approval; and completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, all other specialist courses.

  Students integrate advanced generalist level competencies with supervised experiences at a community agency. Seminar class with field supervision enhances the student's application of all previous specialist coursework with seminar assignments and activities of the field experience. Students must complete 500 hours in placement; required practicum liability insurance is included in the supplemental course fee.

  Credit hours	Lecture contact hours	Lab contact hours	Typically offered
  3-10			Spring