Core Course Descriptions
Request InformationClinical practice concentration
Clinical social work practice involves a mutual problem-solving process in which multidimensional assessment, goal setting, planned intervention and evaluation are prominent components, all of which are informed by current scientific knowledge. All clinical practice is grounded in the values and purposes of the social work profession. The goal of clinical social work is to promote effective coping with life challenges and transitions. This is achieved by helping people solve problems, change dysfunctional behavior, resolve emotional and interpersonal conflicts, develop and use social networks and resources, and maintain achieved capacities and strengths. This goal rests on the fundamental belief in the dignity of all human beings and in communal responsibility for all members of the multicultural society.
Clinical social work practice takes place in the context of a purposeful relationship. The conscious use of the professional self is central in building and maintaining such relationships. Interventions may involve therapeutic, supportive, educational and resource- management activities. These interventions are based on a process of strengthening and reordering organizational structures in the lives of clients: intrapersonal (including intrapsychic), interpersonal, institutional and/or social.
Provides a multidimensional theoretical and evidence-based approach to understanding the complex interactions of biological, psychological, spiritual, economic, political and sociocultural forces on the lives of individuals, families and groups in a multicultural society. Required core curriculum course.
First of two generalist courses on social policy, policy practice and practice in communities and organizations. Surveys historical evolution of social welfare policy and contemporary provision of social welfare services, including the role of values in policy formulation and principles of social and economic justice. Introduces the social work role as change agent in legislative, community and organizational arenas. Uses social/behavioral knowledge and social work intervention models and applies analytical frameworks for assessing program, organizational and policy effectiveness. Develops skills in identification of need, designing strategies for change and policy analysis.
Enhances understanding of and appreciation for diversity in self and others. Addresses issues of power, inequality, privilege and resulting oppression. Analyzes oppression resulting from persistent social, educational, political, religious, economic and legal inequalities. Focuses on the experiences of oppressed groups in the U.S. in order to understand their strengths, needs and responses. Uses a social justice perspective for the study of and practice with oppressed groups. Required direct practice core curriculum course.
Introduces basic knowledge, skills and values necessary to provide a range of restorative, rehabilitative, maintenance and enhancement services in social work practice with individuals, families and groups. Introduces selected practice theories and models to guide intervention. Emphasizes the multidimensional and diverse contexts in which problems and needs are assessed and in which intervention occurs. Required direct practice core curriculum course.
Extends application of beginning knowledge and skills to the phases of intervention with groups and families. Presents knowledge and skills of environmental intervention and termination. Introduces additional selected theories and models for social work practice with individuals, families and groups with attention to special populations and practice evaluation. Required direct practice core curriculum course.
The second of two generalist courses on social policy, policy practice and practice in communities and organizations. Examines values and ethical dilemmas facing professional social workers in organizations, communities and policy making arenas. Explores legislative/political processes. Develops skills in legislative lobbying, advocacy, design of change strategies and tactics, policy analysis and task group leadership. Emphasizes reciprocal effects of policy on social work practice and implications for social and economic justice.
Introduces the methods of social work research, including problem formulation, research designs, measurement, data collection and sampling. Focuses on the application of critical-thinking skills, diversity and research methods of clinical social work practice effectiveness. Covers evaluation of social work programs and services. Required direct practice core curriculum course.
Covers the life course from conception through late adulthood and/or death. Focuses on the influences of biological, psychological, spiritual, economic, political and sociocultural forces on individual and family coping and adaptation. Provides a multidimensional, multicultural perspective on the behavior of individuals and families based on theory and research with identification of the risk and protective mechanisms that influence development. Required core curriculum course.
Provides opportunities to master essential social work knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor, monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the generalist curriculum.
Provides opportunities to master essential social work knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor, monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the generalist curriculum.
Enrollment is restricted to part-time students. Provides opportunities to master essential social work knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor, monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes the integration of content from all areas of the generalist curriculum.
This course reviews the epidemiology, etiology, classification (using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V) and course of a range of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders and conditions across the lifespan and the relevance of this knowledge to social work across practice settings. It emphasizes a biopsychosocialspiritual assessment, a risk and protective factors framework, a critical analysis of existing and emerging theory, the impact of difference and diversity, an appreciation of the lived experience of these challenges for clients and their families, and the practical implications of this knowledge for relationship-building and treatment planning as well as interdisciplinary collaboration. Introduces knowledge of psychopharmacology. Required advanced clinical core curriculum course.
Provides a multitheoretical orientation to intervention across fields of practice with individuals, families, couples and groups. Emphasizes contemporary psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral approaches and their empirical support. Focuses on multidimensional assessment and the differential application of therapeutic, supportive, educational and resource-management strategies to complex problems of children, youth and adults. Required advanced clinical core curriculum course.
Continues a multitheoretical orientation to intervention across fields of practice with emphasis on integrated family systems theory and multidimensional family assessment. Focuses on differential application of psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral and family systems theories to a range of complex client problems and concerns with attention to diverse populations. Introduces basic knowledge of pharmacology related to social work intervention. Required advanced clinical core curriculum course.
Review of statistical inference and decision-making using univariate and bivariate techniques. Introduction to computer applications for quantitative data and methods of analysis of qualitative data. Application of ethical standards for research involving human participants. Further development of critical-thinking skills in using empirical literature. Required advanced clinical core curriculum course.
Further development of critical-thinking skills for translating research findings into practice principles and measuring outcomes of clinical practice. Focus on data collection, data analysis, presentation of visual and statistical techniques for qualitative and quantitative research methods, and utilization of findings for improving clinical social work practice. Continued application of statistical inference, integration of empirical research findings and decision-making. Required advanced clinical core curriculum course.
Focuses on advanced policy analysis through an in-depth, focused examination of a particular social policy area or population. Extends basic knowledge and skills of policy formulation, development and impact analysis/evaluation, as these affect practice on behalf of clients. Examines diversity of policy sources; value, political and economic determinants; policy formulation processes; the policy basis for current services; a broad range of potential need domains; and current programs and laws. Integrates knowledge of human behavior and the social environment relevant to the focal policy areas and pays special attention to issues of social and economic justice. Examines current policy issues, advocacy efforts related to these issues and practice strategies for effecting change.
First of a two-course sequence that provides opportunities to master advanced social work application of theory knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor, monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the concentration curriculum.
Second of a two-course sequence provides opportunities to master advanced social work application of theory knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor, monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the concentration curriculum.
Advanced block field instruction (option for part-time students). Provides opportunities to master advanced social work knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor, monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the concentration curriculum. Completion of course requires 600 structured field hours.
Course provides opportunities to master advanced social work application of theory knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor and monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the concentration curriculum.
Course provides opportunities to master advanced social work application of theory knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor and monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the concentration curriculum.
Course provides opportunities to master advanced social work application of theory knowledge, values and skills through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor and monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the concentration curriculum.
Advanced standing format bridge courses
Students review approaches, principles, techniques and theories of micro social work practice and human behavior. Emphasis is on commonalties and differences among practice modalities, including differential assessment, intervention and evaluation of outcomes. Course includes weekly field instruction integrating seminar. Required advanced standing program core curriculum course.
Presents social work theory and practice focusing on social policy, communities, agencies and interventions in light of principles of social and economic justice. Introduces and analyzes the social work role of policy practitioner with its specific skills and tasks. Demonstrates the importance of understanding the community and the agency in social work practice. Provides skill building in advocacy, planned change, and policy and organizational analysis, as well as weekly field instruction seminar.
Reviews approaches to scientific inquiry in the development of knowledge for social work practice; problem formulation; concepts and operational definitions; measurement validity and reliability; selected social work research designs; planned data collection strategies and procedures. Required advanced standing program core curriculum course.
Enrollment is restricted to students admitted to the advanced standing program. Reviews generalist-level knowledge, attitudes and skills acquired through social work education at the undergraduate level. Requires application, refinement and the active use of content from the advanced standing curriculum through practice under the direction of an agency-based field instructor, monitored by a faculty field liaison. Emphasizes integration of content from all areas of the generalist foundation curriculum.
Social work administration, planning and policy practice concentration (SWAPPP)
The concentration in administration, planning and policy practice prepares graduates to become leaders skilled in analyzing, formulating, implementing and evaluating policies, plans and programs. The knowledge, values and skills that are taught emphasize current theory and research through classroom and field-based experiences. Practice takes place in the context of a complex, changing environment in which communities and governmental, legislative, nonprofit and for-profit organizations advocate for, plan and deliver social services and advocate for social change. The major themes within the integrated curriculum are social and economic justice, diversity, leadership and advocacy.
Focuses on advanced policy analysis through an in-depth, focused examination of a particular social policy area or population. Extends basic knowledge and skills of policy formulation, development and impact analysis/evaluation, as these affect practice on behalf of clients. Examines diversity of policy sources; value, political and economic determinants; policy formulation processes; the policy basis for current services; a broad range of potential need domains; and current programs and laws. Integrates knowledge of human behavior and the social environment relevant to the focal policy areas and pays special attention to issues of social and economic justice. Examines current policy issues, advocacy efforts related to these issues and practice strategies for effecting change.
Develops leadership and planning skills that guide the implementation of policy and practice in community and organizational settings. Present problem-solving strategies for planning, administration and management of community and organizational resources. Emphasizes planning context for diverse settings. Provides knowledge and skill for human and fiscal resource responsibilities, including fundraising. Examines ethical and justice implications of planning and administrative practice.
Presents knowledge and skills for social work leadership in administering, developing and advocating social service policies and programs that are socially and economically just. Examines underlying assumptions, political, value and ethical considerations in social service planning. Presents knowledge of organizational theories and analyzes the political context of problem solving in the internal and external environments of organizations and programs. Focuses on community and organizational planning theories and models of intervention in assessing needs, analyzing problems, determining feasibility and identifying emergent dilemmas. Emphasizes development of critical thinking and self-awareness about role responsibilities and ethical positions for organizational and community leadership at local, state, national and international levels.
Continues development of knowledge and skills begun in prerequisite course. Examines traditional and alternative strategies in formulating proposals to address human needs. Emphasizes multiple program designs (e.g., direct service, advocacy, staff development and training, and community empowerment programs). Incorporates understandings of policies, community, and organizational behavior and change, and leadership styles and skills. Analyzes feasibility of interorganizational partnerships and community relationships. Focuses on financial and human resource acquisition and mobilization, monitoring, accountability and evaluation.
This course provides students with advanced knowledge and skills to carry out evaluations of social work programs and services. Building on the contents covered in SLWK 609 or equivalent, the course helps students to design and execute an independent research project. Major topics include types of evaluation, evaluation theory and design, and research proposal development that can be employed to improve the quality and delivery of social work policy, programs and services. Special attention is given to the student’s quest to understand and apply statistical analyses to questions of interest. The course will also address social and economic justice, value and ethical concerns involving human participants, and issues related to diverse populations at risk that arise in evaluation research.
This course provides students with advanced knowledge and skills to carry out evaluations of social work programs and services. Building on the contents covered in SLWK 609 or equivalent, the course helps students to design and execute an independent research project. Major topics include types of evaluation, evaluation theory and design, and research proposal development that can be employed to improve the quality and delivery of social work policy, programs and services. Special attention is given to the student’s quest to understand and apply statistical analyses to questions of interest. The course will also address social and economic justice, value and ethical concerns involving human participants, and issues related to diverse populations at risk that arise in evaluation research.