This course introduces students to the generalist approach to social work practice and social welfare policy. It presents social workers in a wide range of professional roles demonstrating a commitment to human rights and social justice, an eclectic knowledge base, and effective and ethical service delivery to a diverse constituency of clients and populations. (3 credits)

This course is taught from the biopsychosocial perspective on development across the lifespan, and the interaction of the person with the social environment. It examines how factors in the environment can constrain or enhance optimum development. Students will critically analyze theories of behavior and personality and reflect on how their life experiences, attitudes, and values interact with their continuing professional development as competent and ethical social workers. (3 credits)

This course introduces the student to the foundational problem-solving approach to social work practice through engagement, assessment, intervention, and termination with individuals and families. Students will critically examine the main theories that inform clinical direct practice. Ethical decision-making, incorporation of social work values, and multicultural competence will be stressed. The course will support students in establishing methods of empathic communication with the client, developing goals that target client concerns, evaluating family systems and group dynamics, and implementing effective change-oriented strategies. (3 credits)

This course introduces the student to the foundational problem-solving approach to clinical social work practice through engagement, assessment, intervention, and termination with groups, organizations and communities. Students will critically examine the main theories that inform direct practice. Ethical decision-making, incorporation of social work values, and multicultural competence will be stressed. The course will support students in establishing methods of empathic communication, developing goals that target client concerns, evaluating systems and group dynamics, and implementing effective change-oriented strategies. (3 credits) prerequisite SW 500 and SW 502 AND prerequisite/corequisite SW 501

This course provides students with information on advanced practice techniques and program assessment. It teaches both qualitative and quantitative research designs. It also addresses evaluation research design, instrument selection and development, and data analysis techniques. Finally, it presents ethical and behavioral issues in evaluation research. (3 credits) prerequisite SW 500 and SW 502

This course ushers’ students into the pedagogy of social work, the practicum field experience. It offers engaged field education as the central form of instruction and learning to socialize students into practitioners. Integrates social work course concepts and theory with practice. Reinforces the purposes, values, and ethics of the social work profession. Fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge to promote the development of professional competence. Requires weekly participation in online seminar components for field placement. (100 practicum hours)

This course prepares students to examine their understanding of various aspects of culture and how culture influences social work practice. Students will review different theoretical and conceptual frameworks for practice with multicultural populations. Students will develop a capacity for cultural self-assessment and awareness of their cultural limitations before working with diverse populations. Students examine the principles of a culturally competent system from the individual, organizational, policy, community, and practice levels. The course focuses on critical thinking as a vital skill. Special attention is given to self-awareness, values clarification, and ethnographic research as a tool for describing a group or culture and gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. (3 credits) prerequisite SW 500 and SW 502

This course ushers students into the pedagogy of social work, the practicum field experience. It offers engaged field education as the central form of instruction and learning to socialize students into practitioners. Integrates social work course concepts and theory with practice. Reinforces the purposes, values, and ethics of the social work profession. Fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge to promote the development of professional competence. Requires weekly participation in online seminar components to the field placement. (200 practicum hours) prerequisite SW 592

Clinical Practice I, in the second year of the Master's Degree Program, builds upon the first-year Foundation and HBSE courses. Students develop conceptual, practical, theoretical, and ethical frameworks that will inform their casework skills with individuals, families, and couples in social service agencies. Specific clinical practice theories are explored for their applicability to a refined assessment of client(s) needs. Students formulate therapeutic interventions based on assessments that include an appreciation of the impact of the social, political, and agency context, ethnicity, minority status, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and cultural issues, as well as the assessment of the values, ethics and relevant practice research findings on their clients. (3 credits) prerequisite 30 credits of social work courses

Clinical Practice I, in the second year of the Master's Degree Program, builds upon the first-year Foundation and HBSE courses. Students develop conceptual, practical, theoretical and ethical frameworks that will inform their casework skills with individuals, families and couples in social service agencies. Specific clinical practice theories are explored for their applicability to a refined assessment of client(s) needs. Students formulate therapeutic interventions based on assessments that include an appreciation of the impact of the social, political and agency context, ethnicity, minority status, gender, sexual orientation, social class and cultural issues, as well as the assessment of the values, ethics and relevant practice research findings on their clients. (3 credits) prerequisite 30 credits of social work courses

The current socio-political climate is increasingly focusing on assessing the costs, quality, and effectiveness of mental health services. As a practicing social worker, you will apply research findings in your clinical work and use research methods to monitor and evaluate clinical interventions and services for clients in complex urban environments. 

This course focuses on applying the scientific research concepts introduced in the introductory research course to several areas of social work practice: The evaluation of clinical practice, program evaluation, and critique of the research literature to develop and update evidence-based practice guidelines.

The course will help students assess research to evaluate clinical practice, develop skills for applying research principles and techniques to systematically monitor and evaluate mental health programs with diverse clientele, and develop skills for critically evaluating published research. (3 credits) prerequisite 60 credits of graduate SW courses

This course provides an overview of topics related to child maltreatment. Child maltreatment includes neglect and physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. Major course topics include: defining child maltreatment, cross-cultural issues in the definition of child maltreatment, the incidence and prevalence of different types of child maltreatment, the causes and consequences of child maltreatment, forensic and clinical assessment of child maltreatment, the repressed memory controversy, mandated reporting and other legal issues, and psychosocial interventions for maltreated children and their families. (3 credits) prerequisite 60 credits of graduate SW courses

This course deepens the students’ knowledge and application of the pedagogy of social work, as well as the practicum field experience. It offers engaged field education as the central form of instruction and learning to socialize students into practitioners. Integrates social work course concepts and theory with practice. Reinforces the purposes, values, and ethics of the social work profession. Fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge to promote the development of professional competence. Requires weekly participation in online seminar component to the field placement. (150 practicum hours) prerequisite 60 credits of graduate SW courses

The course focuses on theories and methods of working with groups in a clinical setting and using groups with a wide range of populations. These populations include groups related to staff and team relationships, prevention, social action, mutual aid, and treatment. An eclectic approach that builds competencies and integrates theory and practice is used. This course provides students with a perspective that considers the special qualities of group practice as an integrative part of intervention in various settings. The choice of group as an intervention method is made by utilizing a broad-based or systems assessment and communication and ego psychological formations. Within the field of group practice, the various group approaches of social group work, including task groups, psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral groups, are addressed. The course includes the history of social work groups, different models of group practice, the stages of group development, the planning and formation of groups, leadership issues, the beginning through ending phases of groups, and groups for vulnerable and specific populations. Throughout the course, the impact of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, and poverty in the provision of group services and group dynamics is explored. Identification and utilization of client strengths within the group are stressed. (3 credits) prerequisite 60 credits of graduate SW courses

This practice course provides students with theories and skills needed for direct supervision of line workers, and middle and upper management skills in human service organizations. The course addresses relevant theories and models of supervision and administration as well as key skills needed to perform supervision and administration functions in complex organizations. Special attention is given to empowerment theories and the importance of resource development in underserved rural areas. (3 credits) prerequisite 60 credits of graduate SW courses

This course deepens the students’ knowledge and application of social work pedagogy, as well as the practicum field experience. It offers engaged field education as the central form of instruction and learning to socialize students into practitioners. Integrates social work course concepts and theory with practice. Reinforces the purposes, values, and ethics of the social work profession. Fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge to promote the development of professional competence. Requires weekly participation in online seminar component to the field placement. (150 practicum hours) prerequisite SW 691

This course deepens the student’s knowledge and application of the pedagogy of social work, the practicum field experience and capstone completion. It offers engaged field education as the central form of instruction and learning to socialize students into practitioners. Integrates social work course concepts and theory with practice. Reinforces the purposes, values, and ethics of the social work profession. Fosters the integration of empirical and practice-based knowledge to promote the development of professional competence. Requires weekly participation in online seminar components for field placement. (200 practicum hours) prerequisite SW 692