SW 199. Volunteer Service and Community Engagement. (3 Credits)

This course is designed to introduce students to Service Learning through the integration of academic learning about local, national, and global issues with service work addressing those concerns. Approval of supervising department required. (Offered upon sufficient demand.)

Course Fees: $60

SW 230. Introduction to Social Work. (3 Credits)

A comprehensive study of the field of social work including current social problems and related national/state/local issues with emphasis on the historical development of social services, the profession of social work, professional values and ethics, economic and social issues relevant to diverse populations, and employment opportunities in the field. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 300. Social Work Practice Skills Lab. (3 Credits)

This course emphasizes the acquisition and development of practice skills for social work practice. These skills include self-awareness; development of professional identity as a Social Worker, appropriate social presentation with peers and instructor, and an introduction to social work ethics, values, skills, and knowledge. Prerequisite: SW 230. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 305. Social Services, Programs, and Policies. (3 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. Prerequisite: SW 230. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 315. Human Behavior and Social Environment I : Infancy to Young Adulthood. (3 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. A community field experience is required. Prerequisite: SW 230. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 316. Human Behavior and Social Environment II: Young Adulthood to Later Life. (3 Credits)

A study of the life span of the individual from middle adulthood to later 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. Prerequisites: SW 300, 305 and 315. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 324. Diversity and Cultural Competence. (3 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. Prerequisites: SW 300, 305 and 315. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 350. Statistics for Social Services. (3 Credits)

Students in this course will develop the knowledge, skills and values essential for becoming critical consumers of social statistics. The course will cover probability as well as descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on non-parametric tests suitable for use in applied settings in social work, counseling, and other helping professions. The course will combine lecture with hands-on application in a computer lab using SPSS - Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Prerequisites: MA 110 or MA 112, SW 305, SW 315. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 360W. Social Work Knowledge, Skills, and Values. (3 Credits)

Basic knowledge, values, and skills that conceptualize the core of social work practice. Emphasis is on the generalist approach to practice, including philosophical foundation and professional ethics, the professional relationship, and theoretical and practice approaches to problem solving. Prerequisites: Majors only and SW 300, 305 and 315. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 361. Social Work with Individuals and Families. (3 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 mechanisms utilized by client systems. A community field experience is required. Prerequisites: SW majors only and SW 316, SW 324, SW 350, SW 360W. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 362. Social Work with Groups, Organizations, and Communities. (3 Credits)

A study of practice theory and skills with small groups, communities, organizations, planning and development, and administration. Approaches and interventions recognizing the ethical responsibility to promote social and economic justice will be emphasized. A community field experience is required. Prerequisites: SW majors only and SW 316, SW 324, SW 350, SW 360W. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 370. Research for Social Work Practice. (3 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. Prerequisites: SW 316, SW 324, SW 360W, and MA 147 or SW 350. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 403. Gerontology. (3 Credits)

The primary focus is on the biological, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging with an emphasis on community services available to the aging population. Also listed as SO 403 but creditable only in field for which registered. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 410. Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, and Social Work Practice: What Works?. (3 Credits)

Students in this course will develop the knowledge, skills and practice behaviors needed to engage in social work practice with individuals and families impacted by mental illness and substance use/abuse/dependence. This course focuses strongly on core social work competencies and hands-on techniques for successful practice with these populations from a strengths-based perspective.

Course Fees: $60

SW 415. Ethical Decision-Making. (3 Credits)

The primary focus is on the complexity of the ethical decision-making process in social work practice. This course explores ethical dilemmas relative to social work values, a variety of social issues, and populations- at-risk. (Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 420. Services to Families and Children. (3 Credits)

A study of the development and implementation of social service programs pertaining to child welfare and family systems. (Summer)

Course Fees: $60

SW 425. Child Welfare Practices and Policies. (3 Credits)

This course examines issues in child welfare specifically related to child abuse and neglect, with an emphasis on advocacy and empowering families. Areas explored include understanding the dynamics of child maltreatment from the perspective of both the child/adolescent and the parent/other adult perpetrator, effective practice interventions to ensure family preservation and promote family reunification, and legal statutes (federal and state) which are the basis for family and child welfare policies.

Course Fees: $60

SW 430. Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings. (3 Credits)

This course applies the generalist Social Work model to the specialized field of practice of health care/medical care. The course introduces students to the social worker’s role in a variety of health care settings. These include: acute care, public health services, and long term care with a mix of inpatient, outpatient, clinic and home services. Students will gain knowledge about the policies, programs and service delivery systems relevant to the health care practice field. Social work’s relationship to other professionals and systems is explored in the various health care settings.

Course Fees: $60

SW 432. Field Internship in Social Work I. (6 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. Must be taken concurrently with SW 433. Student professional liability insurance is available for student members of the National Association of Social Workers and is a requirement for Field Instruction. Prerequisite: completion of all coursework. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 433. Field Internship in Social Work II. (6 Credits)

Continuation of Social Work 432 involving an additional 250 hours of field instruction in a human service agency. Weekly seminar. Prerequisite: completion of all coursework. (Fall, Spring)

Course Fees: $60

SW 491. Selected Topics. (3 Credits)

Topic selection according to student interest and need. Designed to provide concentrated study in specific and emerging trends, policies, and social issues as they affect the human experience. (Offered on sufficient demand)

Course Fees: $60

SW 499. Independent Study. (1-3 Credits)

Open to senior majors on approval of the department head. Provides for independent study, research, or practice experiences under departmental determination, supervision, and evaluation. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

Course Fees: $60