Master of Social Work: Curriculum

This course provides students with the framework for understanding how diversity characterizes and shapes the human experience and is critical to the formation of identity and achieving social justice.

This first course in the two-course policy sequence is designed to help students examine policy as a major component of social work practice.

Framework for understanding 1) social policy and process which is formulated, implemented and analyzed; 2) inequalities and inequities in social welfare as policy manifestations of institutionalized racism and sexism; 3) impact and interaction of policy with service delivery networks delivering services and resources.

Theories of human development with emphasis on stages of the life cycle; human diversity and the biological, psychological, socioeconomic, spiritual and cultural influences on development.

The focus will include the biological, sociological, cultural, psychological and spiritual development of individuals throughout the life span.

This course emphasizes the generalist model of social work practice, the use of systems theory, the strengths perspective and professional values and skills to facilitate the planned change and problem-solving process.

Emphasizes the generalist model of social work practice, the use of system theory, the strengths perspective and professional values and skills to facilitate the planned change and problem-solving process. This semester focuses on families and group
Prerequisite: SW 575

Two-semester course where students will participate in an approved, social work practice field placement with the focus on the development and application of knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive/affective process within generalist framework.

Second half of two-semester course where students will participate in an approved, social work practice field placement with the focus on the development and application of knowledge, values, skills, and cognitive/affective process within generalist framework.

Assessment strategies for all systems to understand inter-systems perspective, influence system for case formulation in change efforts.

This course covers the development of research methods for evaluation and enhancement of social work practice. Emphasizes research designs, sampling, practice evaluation, program evaluation, measurement instruments, and basic statistics.

This course focuses on assessment and diagnosis of individuals and utilizes frameworks that place individuals within the context of their environment. Biopyschosocial-spiritural, cultural, and human diversity influences will be utilized for understanding mental health conditions.

This course examines and develops strategic-skills in the interaction between person and environment and creating organizational and community change in order to better meet the needs of diverse populations.

This course advances students’ research knowledge through applications of practice evaluation. Students will gain hands-on experience with single system research designs, evidence-based practice, and program evaluation design to strengthen clinical and community practice.

This advanced equity and social justice course examines racist and white supremacist power structures and policies while building anti-racist practice skills that challenge, disrupt, and change racist policies.

This is the first of a two-semester specialized practice course building on the Generalist Practice framework. This course focuses on developing integrated social work practice skills for both clinical and community specializations. Clinical specializations will develop specialized skills in working with individuals, families and groups in a clinical setting while integrating community practice considerations. Community specializations will develop specialized skills in working with large groups, organizations, and communities within macro settings while integrating clinical practice considerations. The course will cover selected theoretical frameworks and evidence-based interventions with an emphasis on an integrated application. Students will develop competencies in using empirical and research evidence to inform practice strategies and models with diverse client populations.

This is the second of a two-semester specialized practice course. In this culminating course, students will apply key content in the Master of Social Work curricula to design and defend a MSW Capstone project. The MSW Capstone project is a comprehensive demonstration of specialized practice integrated across all levels of social work practice in alignment with the mission of the School of Social Work. Throughout this course students will demonstrate progress on their Capstone in accordance with defined benchmarks and a final product. Students will work collaboratively with their instructor, peers, and key stakeholders to reach the benchmarks, integrate learning, practice leadership skills, and demonstrate their ability to apply social work knowledge, values, skills and cognitive and affective processes.

Two-semester course where students participate in an approved, specialized, social work practice field placement with the focus on the development and application of skills and cognitive/affective process within specialized framework.

Second half of two-semester course where students participate in an approved, specialized, social work practice field placement with the focus on the development and application of skills and cognitive/affective process within specialized framework. Prerequisite: Take SW-678

This course presents theoretical and practical approaches to groups, with particular emphasis on the exploration of creating meaningful connections through mutual aid.

Introduction of theoretical frameworks and skills of forensic social work practice across systems (macro, mezzo, and micro) affected by criminal justice involvement, with an emphasis on law and political advocacy. Offered: As Needed Contact Department

This course develops knowledge and skills for working with client systems experiencing mental health and addiction issues with an integrated practice context.

This course focuses on the relationship between sex, gender, sexuality and recognize how one’s identity affects their daily lives, experiences and access to services. The marginalization and intersectionality within the LGBTQ+ Community will be explored, as well as exploring areas of vulnerability for the LGBTQ+ population such as hate crimes, suicide, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse as well as mental health and physical illness . A critical analysis of policies at micro, mezzo and macro levels will be used for identifying ways to engage, advocate and support the community at a variety of practice levels. A working knowledge of some of the specialized needs of, and practice with, the LGBTQ+ Community will be developed. Offered: As Needed Contact Department

This course develops knowledge and skills for working with client systems experiencing transition and loss across the life cycle within an integrated systems context.

This course develops knowledge and skills for working with children, youth, and families within an integrated practice context.

Explores forms of trauma (early adversity, chronic, and historical) and associated impact across the lifespan. Includes neuroscience of trauma, effects on at-risk populations, and treatment from a social justice perspective.

This course is designed to develop inter-professional collaboration skills among multiple disciplines to prepare social workers to practice in a variety of settings.

This course focuses on assessment and diagnosis of individuals and utilizes frameworks that place individuals within the context of their environment. Biopyschosocial-spiritural, cultural, and human diversity influences will be utilized for understanding mental health conditions.

This course examines and develops strategic-skills in the interaction between person and environment and creating organizational and community change in order to better meet the needs of diverse populations.

This course advances students’ research knowledge through applications of practice evaluation. Students will gain hands-on experience with single system research designs, evidence-based practice, and program evaluation design to strengthen clinical and community practice.

This advanced equity and social justice course examines racist and white supremacist power structures and policies while building anti-racist practice skills that challenge, disrupt, and change racist policies.

This is the first of a two-semester specialized practice course building on the Generalist Practice framework. This course focuses on developing integrated social work practice skills for both clinical and community specializations. Clinical specializations will develop specialized skills in working with individuals, families and groups in a clinical setting while integrating community practice considerations. Community specializations will develop specialized skills in working with large groups, organizations, and communities within macro settings while integrating clinical practice considerations. The course will cover selected theoretical frameworks and evidence-based interventions with an emphasis on an integrated application. Students will develop competencies in using empirical and research evidence to inform practice strategies and models with diverse client populations.

This is the second of a two-semester specialized practice course. In this culminating course, students will apply key content in the Master of Social Work curricula to design and defend a MSW Capstone project. The MSW Capstone project is a comprehensive demonstration of specialized practice integrated across all levels of social work practice in alignment with the mission of the School of Social Work. Throughout this course students will demonstrate progress on their Capstone in accordance with defined benchmarks and a final product. Students will work collaboratively with their instructor, peers, and key stakeholders to reach the benchmarks, integrate learning, practice leadership skills, and demonstrate their ability to apply social work knowledge, values, skills and cognitive and affective processes.

Two-semester course where students participate in an approved, specialized, social work practice field placement with the focus on the development and application of skills and cognitive/affective process within specialized framework.

Second half of two-semester course where students participate in an approved, specialized, social work practice field placement with the focus on the development and application of skills and cognitive/affective process within specialized framework. Prerequisite: Take SW-678