SW 500. Social Work Licensure for Workforce Readiness. (2 Credits)

This course will act as an integrative seminar in both foundation and specialization years, allowing the students to understand the history, necessity, and structure of social work licensure at the Master’s level. This course will be structured according to the material below (particularly the assignments for each competency) (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 501. Orientation to Social Work Values, Skills and Ethics. (2 Credits)

This course is an orientation to Social Work values, skills and ethics designed to orient two-year MSW students to the profession. Students will meet online with MSW faculty members to familiarize themselves with the MSW program by utilizing curricular content, team-building exercises, and presentations by various UNA support services. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 503. Foundations of Social Work History, Policy and Philosophy. (2 Credits)

The political, philosophical and historical perspectives of social welfare policies and services. A study of basic criteria for analysis and formulation of social welfare policies and their implications for diverse populations. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 515. Human Behavior I. (2 Credits)

A study of the life span of the individual from infancy to young adulthood from a systems perspective with emphasis on interactions with families, groups, organizations and communities. Special attention is given to the biological, social, psychological, and cultural forces that affect human behavior with emphasis on values and ethical issues, and the significance of human diversity on behavior in a pluralistic society. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 516. Human Behavior II. (2 Credits)

A study of the life span of the individual from middle adulthood to later adulthood is from a systems perspective with emphasis on interactions with families, groups, organizations, and communities. Special attention is given to the biological, social, psychological, and cultural forces that affect human behavior with emphasis on values and ethical issues and the significance of human diversity on behavior in a pluralistic society. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 524. Social Justice, Human Rights, Advocacy and Sustainability. (2 Credits)

A study of the cultural differences and similarities of diverse populations with emphasis on the dynamics and consequences of discrimination, and social and economic injustice. Issues relevant to ethical social work practice will be explored. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 530. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 531. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 532. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 533. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 540. Family Violence: Social Work Strategies for Prevention and Intervention. (2 Credits)

The focus of this course is on the methods of prevention, intervention and social change used to address and end the major forms of family violence. "Family" is defined broadly to include any intimate relationship. The course will provide overviews of the risk factors and traumatic effects of family violence. There will be an emphasis placed on the special needs of oppressed groups. Most family violence organizations work on multiple levels, such as macro, mezzo, and micro levels, and they frequently come into contact with a variety of fields of service, primarily the legal, health and mental health, housing, public assistance, and child welfare systems. Therefore, models of inter-system and inter-disciplinary coordination will be presented. Illustrations of the integration of micro, mezzo, and macro practice will be given, in particular how dimensions of power, privilege, oppression, and difference influence actions, perceptions, choices and consequences across system levels. The understanding and critical evaluation of theories, policies, organizations, and interventions using scientific principles will be stressed. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 541. Grant Writing Skills for the Social Services. (2 Credits)

This course is designed to provide MSW students with the skills to develop and write grant proposals. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamentals of writing program grants while also developing the macro practice skills of needs assessment, program planning and development, coalition-building, goal and objective formulation, developing clear measurable outcomes for programs and evaluation plans. Students will also learn how to research potential grant funders, create an outreach/marketing plan, develop a post-grant sustainability plan and explore the potential of other funding sources, including social media competitions, social enterprises and crowd funding websites. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 542. Advanced Social Work Practice in Health Settings. (2 Credits)

The objective of this course is to introduce social work students to the direct practice of integrated behavioral health in primary care. Students will become knowledgeable of the roles of behavioral health providers working in primary care settings, theories and models of care, and cross-­‐cultural issues. They will develop skills in engagement, assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and practice evaluation. Because the populations served in primary care settings span the spectrum of severity in both the physical and behavioral health dimensions, students will develop competencies in engaging and supporting patients across a range of health conditions. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 543. Global Social Work: Issues and Opportunities. (2 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to expose students to a variety of global social issues related to social welfare and social development. Engaging in critical thinking and analysis of global social welfare issues, students will explore how political, economic, cultural, faith base, historical and environmental factors impact social welfare policies and the delivery of human services in different regions of the world. Students will analyze alternative models for national and international service intervention as well as review how social work practice is delivered in other countries around the world. The geographic context for this course will primarily be Asia, Africa and Latin America. Special emphasis will be given to the conceptualization of international social work practice, the analysis of theories and models attempting to explain international social welfare, and the use of a social development approach as a preferred strategy to assist developing countries around the world. The course will be useful for those who are interested in international social work and are looking for a forum in which such experiences and interests can be processed in the context of existing theoretical frameworks and models of social welfare service delivery. By examining international models of social work practice, this course is also relevant to students working with ethnic/immigrant/refugee populations in the United States. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 544. Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals: Narrative and Solution Focused Therapy. (2 Credits)

This course focuses on therapeutic interventions for individuals and families, focusing on techniques used in Narrative Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy. Case studies will be used to examine the wide variety of applications for these approaches: such as childhood trauma, suicide, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia and substance abuse to name a few. Specific techniques from these approaches and their application in real life settings (student practicum or work setting) will form the core of instruction. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 545. The Strengths Perspective in Advanced Generalist Social Work Practice. (2 Credits)

This course focuses on the development of skills and techniques for case management assessment and interventions for individuals and families. The conceptual model of the Strengths Perspective will be offered, and will serve as the framework used to inform intervention plans and the helping relationship. Case studies will be used to examine the wide variety of applications for this approach. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 546. Self-Care in Social Work. (2 Credits)

This course will focus on the care of the self, a skill outlined as being of great importance in the National Association of Social Workers’ (NASW) Code of Ethics (NASW, 2021). It will help prepare students to engage in self-care, both currently as students and in the future as Master of Social Work level practitioners. The class will guide students through a self-assessment of their current self-care practices, expose them to a variety of new practices, discuss the benefits of and barriers to self-care, and share what the current scientific literature body reveals about self-care in social work. Ultimately, students will leave the course with a realistic view of the types of stressors they may face in the workforce, a concrete and detailed plan they created for themselves of practices to best support them in the future, and a wide array of resources they can refer to in time to come. (Fall, Spring, Summer on sufficient demand)

Course Fees: $60

SW 547. Mindfulness and Creative Interventions for Complex Trauma. (2 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to complex trauma, mindfulness, and creative integrative intervention strategies. Students will develop skills toward critical thinking, analysis, and application of clinical intervention with diverse populations experiencing complex trauma. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 548. Social Work Practice and Contemporary Trauma Theory. (2 Credits)

This course emphasizes the basic tenets of trauma theory and its application in social work settings. The course will offer a historical, social, and political context for conceptualizing the developmental areas of trauma theory. Integrating current research on the physiology of trauma with attachment theory, developmental psychology, and the post-traumatic stress literature, the course will build an integrated model of trauma informed care with a focus on relational models of treatment. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 549. Community Organization. (2 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to models and concepts related to community change and broad-based community organizing for the purpose of advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice. Students will learn and practice the skills needed to effectively organize communities. The course will examine the importance of relational power as the foundation of grassroots change as well as provide the tools necessary for effective community organizing and building lasting relationships with community leaders. This course will be useful for those who are interested in advanced human rights practice with diverse populations in community settings. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 550. Advanced Social Work Practice with Substance Misuse Clients. (2 Credits)

This course focuses on therapeutic interventions for clients who have issues related to alcohol and drug misuse and will help students gain an increased knowledge of the misuse of alcohol and mind-altering substances with a particular emphasis on the impact of substance misuse on individuals, families, and communities. Social workers in virtually all areas of practice deal with individuals, families, and communities who have problems related to addiction. Advanced knowledge in practice with clients experiencing substance misuse issues can significantly enhance the efficacy of social work professionals in all service delivery systems across the continuum of care. The course will teach students how to incorporate this knowledge into their practice across the continuum of care, and best practices in the treatment of substance abuse disorders. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 551. Trauma Informed Child Welfare Practice. (2 Credits)

Introduction to Trauma Informed Child Welfare Practice will provide an overview of child welfare practices and help students understand child welfare issues and services from a professional social work perspective. The course will include the study of child welfare, its historical roots, the services provided to families and children, the problems and policy issues in the current child welfare system, and culturally competent practice. The course will focus on the etiology, rationale for service, and the current and future provision of services, with emphasis given to legislative mandates for service. Trauma theory, characteristics of trauma-responsive child welfare systems, and trauma-informed interventions are examined. Best practices are evaluated, with an emphasis on advocacy and empowering families. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 561. Foundations of Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families. (2 Credits)

The focus is on the integration of practice theory, skills and professional ethics in working with individuals and families, examining the strengths and coping mechanism utilized by client systems. A community field experience is required. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 565. Foundations of Generalist Practice with Groups. (2 Credits)

An overview of psychosocial and therapeutic groups across client populations. Students will learn co-leadership and leadership of groups, the history of group counseling, and techniques for group leadership. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 570. Foundation Research Methods. (2 Credits)

Fundamental research principles and skills as applied in social work practice. Course content includes an exploration of quantitative and qualitative research methods employed in social work research and the review of ethical standards of scientific research and technological advances. Emphasis is on the relationship between social work research and practice. A survey of research designs, sampling procedures, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation is included in the curriculum. Participation in a community research project is required. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 591. Selected Topics. (2 Credits)

This is a special topics course that will cover various topics relevant to graduate social work education. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 600. Social Work Licensure for Workforce Readiness. (2 Credits)

This course will act as an integrative seminar in both foundation and specialization years, allowing the students to understand the history, necessity, and structure of social work licensure at the Master’s level. This course will be structured according to the material below (particularly the assignments for each competency) (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 605. Advanced Social Welfare Policy Analysis: Development and Evaluation. (2 Credits)

Models of policy analysis applied to social welfare issues and problems. Addresses understanding of values and socio-political forces that define problems; populations affected; current policies and programs and their impact, along with their unintended consequences; service delivery and resource allocation; unmet needs; trends; analysis of political processes and change strategies; and the role of evaluation. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 610. Clinical Assessment and Diagnostic Psychopathology. (2 Credits)

This course explores major forms of emotional distress in adults, children, and youth, including classification trends, issues, and models. The course provides an introduction to clinical syndromes in terms of diagnostic methodology, research and social concerns and their implications for at risk groups. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 630. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. This builds upon the foundation level practicum and allows students to apply and demonstrate advanced generalist practice skills. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 631. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 632. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 633. Field Internship and Seminar for Social Work Practice. (3 Credits)

Primary focus is on the integration of classroom learning with social work practice. Students are required to do a 250-hour field internship in an assigned social service agency under joint supervision of an agency field instructor and social work faculty liaison. A two hour seminar is held weekly to evaluate the integration of the student’s classroom learning with field practice experiences. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 661. Advanced Generalist Practice with Children, Adolescents and Families. (2 Credits)

This course focuses on therapeutic interventions for children (approximately infancy to middle school age), with a particular emphasis on how their developmental needs are addressed within various system structures (e.g., family/household, school, community settings). As children generally reside in families, various family forms and risk statuses will be examined with a focus on anti-oppressive social work practice. Course content will also focus on adolescents and families. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 662. Advanced Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations. (2 Credits)

This course is a practice course based on a generalist social work perspective, this course uses a problem-solving model for work with Macro (organization and community) systems and considers implications for at-risk groups. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 665. Advanced Generalist Practice with Groups. (2 Credits)

Building on SW 565 and the foundation courses, SW 665 prepares students for advanced practice in group work. The course focuses on the application of multiple theoretical approaches in group work practice with diverse and at-risk populations with an emphasis on social and economic justice. Although the focus is on treatment groups, content will include the structure, function and techniques of intervention with all types of groups, emphasizing the conscious use of self. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 670. Social Service Program Evaluation: Practice Implications. (2 Credits)

This course will cover beginning level evaluation that builds on basic research knowledge as a method of assessing social work practice and strengthening clients, communities and their social programs as well as the systems that serve clients and communities. It addresses the evaluation of promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. Students will learn to assess and apply evaluation methods from various perspectives, including scientific, ethical, multicultural, and social justice perspectives. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 680. Non-Profit Management and Agency Administration. (2 Credits)

Core theories, dynamics, functions and ethics of human services management are analyzed with particular focus on the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to successfully lead public and private human services agencies in the environment of today and the future. Emphasis is on internal management functions such as budget and finance, human resource administration, applications of information technology and governance relationships; and on external functions such as marketing and fundraising and legislative, media and community relationships. Crosscutting topics enhance skills in leadership, mediation and conflict resolution. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 699. Independent Study. (1-4 Credits)

Open to MSW students on approval of the department head. Provides for independent study, research, or practice experiences under departmental determination, supervision, and evaluation.

Course Fees: $60

SW 700. Introduction to Doctoral Social Work Seminar. (3 Credits)

Introduction to Doctoral Social Work Seminar course serves as an entrance point to the Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program. Students will learn skills and strategies for success through socialization into doctoral education, including an integration of anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks through the incorporation of the values of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics. This course will have a strong emphasis on developing professional behavior, including through the cultivation of technical writing and advanced critical thinking and application skills. Likewise, it will serve as an introduction and foundation of trauma-informed knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive/affective processes necessary for effective advanced clinical practice and leadership. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 710. Introduction to Advanced Clinical Practice. (3 Credits)

Students will learn critical knowledge of advanced trauma-informed clinical paradigms, integrating anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks to develop advanced, trauma-informed clinical perspectives. This course is research and theory intensive for the purpose of providing an advanced foundation for doctoral-level clinical studies with a focus on engagement with individuals and their subsequent relationships and interactions with families, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will have the opportunity to critically apply course theories and concepts for the beginning development of trauma-informed expertise for diverse, vulnerable populations, and practice areas of interest. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 715. Advanced Trauma Informed Assessment. (3 Credits)

This course will prepare students for practice utilizing advanced clinical paradigms to engage in advanced clinical assessment. This course will integrate anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks to promote equity and inclusion in the assessment process with diverse, vulnerable populations. This course will explore the effects that bias, power, privilege, and differences show in the clinical assessment process and how those factors impact the client’s relationships and interactions with families, groups, organizations, and communities. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 720. Neuroscience and Trauma. (3 Credits)

In this course students will learn about types of trauma and their neurological and physiological impacts on functioning and development. This course will also include the effects of trauma on social functioning and social development and the subsequent impacts on the different levels (micro, mezzo, macro) within the person-in-environment perspective. An exploration of anti-racist, anti-oppressive frameworks related to intergenerational, historical, and collective trauma will also be discussed. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 730. Advanced Clinical Evaluation I- Quantitative Methods. (3 Credits)

In this course, students will learn advanced quantitative methodological approaches related to descriptive and inferential statistics in support of the student’s development as an advanced clinical practitioner and leader utilizing evidence-based research. This course focuses on the mastery of critical statistical methodological skills for advanced trauma, advanced clinical practice, and evaluation. Further, these skills prepare the student for advocacy with vulnerable populations who have experienced trauma. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 731. Advanced Clinical Evaluation II – Qualitative Methods. (3 Credits)

This course provides students with advanced proficiency in culturally-adaptive, advanced qualitative research methodologies in support of the student’s development as an advanced clinical practitioner and leader utilizing evidence-based research. This course focuses on the mastery of critical qualitative methodological approaches for advanced trauma, advanced clinical practice, and evaluation. Further, these skills prepare the student for advocacy with vulnerable populations who have experienced trauma. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 740. Advanced Trauma-Informed Clinical Supervision. (3 Credits)

This course trains students for advanced practice in the role of clinical supervisor. Students will learn anti-racist, anti-oppressive perspectives to engage with culturally responsive supervisory theory and practices. Students will engage in the process of ongoing critical self-reflection through the use of learning theories that will be connected to both anti-racist curriculum as well as supervisory theory. Throughout this process, students will learn skills for developing insight and clinical attunement along with skills for fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the supervisory relationship. This course will explore advanced ethical decision-making skills through balancing professional values with one’s own belief systems that show up in supervision related to cognitive affective processing. Students will learn direct knowledge and skills to mitigate and eliminate harm in the supervisory relationship. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 750. Advanced Clinical Elective. (3 Credits)

This course is designed to facilitate the development of elective course offerings that will be implemented to support the mission of the DSW program by providing specialization in advanced trauma-informed clinical practice and supervision. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 800. Pedagogy and Curriculum Development. (3 Credits)

This course prepares students for roles in social work education and training through curriculum development, implementation, evaluation, and facilitation. This course will integrate anti-racist, anti-oppressive learning theories to promote advocacy and engagement of teaching and training practices that promote human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. This course provides an integrative pedagogical framework of the knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive/affective processes (KVSC/A) necessary for effective advanced trauma-informed education and training. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 810. Executive Leadership and Organizational Development. (3 Credits)

In this course, students will learn the knowledge needed to create and evaluate complex organization systems that includes entrepreneurial, project development, and executive management skills for social work settings. Students will learn anti-racist, anti-oppressive leadership theories and skills to be applied in executive administrative roles in agencies and practice settings in order to be able to analyze, formulate, and advocate for organizational and social policies that advance human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Sample topics include the development of executive boards, c-suite leadership roles, and complex budget management. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 820. Introduction to Capstone Seminar. (3 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to initiate the Capstone Sequence. This course provides students with a comprehensive overview of the Capstone Sequence including the major writing milestones expected throughout the subsequent three course sessions. The major assignments for this course include the development of the Capstone Prospectus (a formal topic identification) and the PRISMA chart documenting the students’ comprehensive literature review. Successful completion of this course along with the Oral Exam is required for candidacy and formal admission into the remaining Capstone sequence. Prerequisite: Entrance into capstone seminar is contingent upon completion of all 1st year coursework. (Fall)

Course Fees: $60

SW 821. Capstone I - Background Development. (3 Credits)

The purpose of this course is to provide structure for the writing of the Capstone Background. This literature review includes a comprehensive survey of the literature as well as the development of a novel theoretical framework. Students will receive critical iterative feedback for their writing of these sections. Prerequisite: SW 820. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 822. Capstone II - Proposal Development. (3 Credits)

This course provides structure for the writing of the capstone proposal. The proposal identifies a novel approach to addressing the problem identified in the literature review by presenting a proposal to address this issue in the student’s area of advanced clinical practice and leadership. Prerequisite: SW 821. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 823. Capstone III - Oral Defense. (3 Credits)

In this course, students will submit their comprehensive Capstone Proposal paper (Background and Proposal sections) for final grading. Students will also present the Oral Defense presentation to their DSW committee. Students who successfully submit the final Capstone Paper along with a successful Oral Defense will earn their doctoral degree. Prerequisite: SW 822. (Spring)

Course Fees: $60