An introduction to the field of social work. The curriculum will focus on various practice settings, the history of social work, and the purposes and values that guide social work practice with individuals, groups, organizations, communities and social welfare. Case studies and videos are used to introduce the social issues and vulnerable populations with which social work is concerned. You will be encouraged to assess your potential as a social worker through self-reflection and course assignments

An overview of normal biological, psychological, social and spiritual development of individuals from a life-span and family life-cycle perspective. Curriculum will emphasize how the interaction of the individual, culture, race, gender and the social environment affect human behavior using social systems theory. Issues of gender and other current social problems associated with the family life-cycle will also be addressed. This course provides the theoretical foundation for social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.

This course explores the cultures and experiences of minority ethnic groups in the United States and the impact of prejudice, discrimination and racism on these same groups and on white society.

An introduction to the research-based theory and techniques of interviewing for the helping relationship. This is a pre-practice course that will teach interviewing skills necessary for effective practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Roleplaying will be used to practice skills within the classroom setting, as well as interview assignments outside the classroom

This course will cover theoretical foundations of generalist social work practice with individuals and families. Theories of Human Behavior and Social Environment (HBSE) will be applied to practice of assessment, goal-setting, intervention, termination and practice evaluation. Special attention will be given to intervention with diverse and vulnerable populations. Case materials and role-playing will also be used. Problem-solving processes will also be covered, with attention given to their practice and application with groups, organizations and communities.

This course includes descriptive statistics (measures of central tendency and dispersion, graphical representation of data), inferential statistics (binomial and normal distributions, central limit theorem, standard tests of significance), and special statistical techniques (analysis of variance, linear regression, chi square test)

Basic theory of research design is used to design a proposal for doing program outcome evaluation, needs assessment and single subject research. This course primarily covers design and analysis of quantitative research, with an introduction to qualitative research methods. The course material will also prepare students for reading and using professional research articles.

This course reviews the historical development and philosophical basis of social work’s response to those in need and of social welfare policy in general. It will also examine the current welfare system, enabling students to develop beginning practice skills in the construction, analysis and implementation of social welfare policy at local, state and national levels. This course will prepare students to effectively utilize social policy as a generalist social worker

Theories of group behavior and the impact of group participation on human behavior are covered in this course, with emphasis given to use of these theories in applying the problem-solving methods for treatment and task groups. Systems theory is used to understand how the social work profession makes use of groups to accomplish individual, family, organizational and/or community goals. Content will cover issues of diversity within and between various groups in our society. Focus will also be group dynamics, group development, group decision-making, use of self within group dynamics, group leadership skills and evaluation of group practice.

This course builds on theories of human behavior in the social environment (explored in both SWK 305 and SWK 446) by providing additional theory of community and organizational behavior. The primary focus is on a macro-perspective involving work both with and in the community. The course is designed to teach students how social work uses knowledge and skills in organizing and planning to change or reform social conditions in order to achieve better organization and coordination of community systems for meeting human needs. Students integrate their knowledge of theory and practice by developing and implementing a group project in the community.

The internship requires participation in a social service program in a community agency, under the educational direction of social work professionals and university faculty. Students advance their knowledge of the profession and refine their generalist practice skills. The internship will involve 400 hours of work in a social service setting.

This seminar is designed to integrate the concepts, knowledge and values learned in previous coursework with agency experience. This capstone course provides opportunities for students to share learning experiences from agency placement and to demonstrate their competencies through a series of integration assignments.