SWK 24140     INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK      3 Credit Hours

Course provides an overview of the field of social work, including the historical development of social welfare, social work processes and programs and the emergence of social work as a profession. The impact of diverse leaders in social work is explored. Students are exposed to various career opportunities related to social work micro, mezzo and macro practice.

Prerequisite: None.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Attributes: TAG Social and Behavioral Sciences

SWK 24146     PERSPECTIVES ON BEHAVIOR AND ENVIRONMENT I      3 Credit Hours

An overview of human development throughout the life span. Students examine developmental stages, tasks and situational environmental influence upon individuals throughout their lives. The organization of the course includes instruction regarding the impact of psychological, biological, spiritual and social systems on individual lifespan development. Assess social work theories and knowledge base. Explore protective and risk factors throughout the life course.

Pre/corequisite: SWK 24140.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 24147     PERSPECTIVES ON BEHAVIOR AND ENVIRONMENT II      3 Credit Hours

Course increases students’ potential for effective generalist social work assessment and interventions with individuals, families, groups, organizations, social systems and communities. The influence of “person-in-environment” perspective is taken regarding influences that affect individuals’ lives. Students explore microsystems, mesosystems and macrosystems, in addition to risk and protective factors for systems of various sizes.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140 and SWK 24146.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture, 0 lab, 0 other

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 25100     SOCIAL WORK IN RURAL SETTINGS      3 Credit Hours

Course explore the challenges, special needs and cultural beliefs of those individuals and families living in rural communities. In the course, students (1) discuss and build upon strengths of rural individuals and communities; (2) examine needs and issues of special populations and vulnerable groups in rural areas; and (3) develop and apply innovative social work interventions and programs.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture, 0 lab, 0 other

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 25195     SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIAL WORK      1-4 Credit Hours

(Repeatable for credit) In-depth examination of particular topics of current interest to students. Specialized areas of social work theory or practice may be covered. Specific topics vary per offering and will be listed by title in the Schedule of Classes.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 1-4 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 25248     SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY      3 Credit Hours

Analysis of social welfare systems, policies, programs, services and practice. Critical exploration of social welfare policy in relation to government policy development. In the course, students (1) examine philosophical, historical and present day perspectives; (2) assess social welfare policies at the local, state and federal levels; and (3) review the impact of leaders and legislation in the field of social work.

Pre/corequisite: SWK 24140.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Attributes: TAG Social and Behavioral Sciences

SWK 34140     PRACTICE CONTENT FOR SOCIAL WORK I      3 Credit Hours

Students engage in coursework related to micro-level social work practice. Course focuses on practice with diverse individuals and families and utilizes evidence-based models. Included are introductions to the DSM-5, treatment planning and medical terminology. Also covered are family systems, dynamics, culturally competent practice and diversity within families. Students examine risk factors and protective factors, in addition to the impact of environmental factors on individuals and families such as poverty, unemployment, discrimination, community violence and rural and urban settings. Additional factors such as substance use, intimate partner violence and child abuse are discussed.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140.

Pre/corequisite: SWK 24146.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 34141     PRACTICE CONTENT FOR SOCIAL WORK II      3 Credit Hours

Course considers the importance of group dynamics, processes, content and roles at the micro levels, as well as the use of groups in various agency, organizational and community settings. Experiential and traditional teaching methods are used. Group intervention and treatment skills are addressed in relation to social work values, ethics and diversity within the group setting. Students explore power dynamics and group composition.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140, SWK 24146, SWK 24147 and SWK 34140.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 34149     APPLIED RESEARCH IN SOCIAL WORK      3 Credit Hours

As an orientation to research procedures for the prospective social work practitioner. Students examine the methods of scientific inquiry as applied in social work research. Concept formation, research design, procedures, sources, collection and the presentation of data are all explored. The course prepares future social work practitioner to aid in practice evaluation when they begin work in the field. Research design and statistical analysis are focused on, and students complete a research project.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35120     SOCIAL WORK IN MENTAL HEALTH SETTINGS      3 Credit Hours

In the course, students discuss diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders; learn how the DSM-5 and ICD-10 are used in diagnosis of mental health conditions; develop client treatment plans and discharge summaries; and examine various means of treatment of those with mental health conditions.

Prerequisite: None.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35121     SOCIAL WORK IN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER SETTINGS      3 Credit Hours

In the course, students examine social work with individuals and communities with substance use disorders and dysfunction; assess signs, symptoms and treatment of substance use disorders; explore prevention, theory and concepts of substance use in individuals, families and communities; and discuss implications for families, organizations and communities using the person-in-environment perspective.

Prerequisite: None.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35122     SOCIAL WORK IN CHILD WELFARE SETTINGS      3 Credit Hours

In the course, students learn identification of symptoms of child abuse and neglect; examine theories of prevention and treatment for victims of child abuse and neglect, incorporating aspects of trauma-informed care; and explore effective case management techniques and social work practices for child welfare.

Prerequisite: None.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35123     SOCIAL WORK AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE      3 Credit Hours

Course provides students with the tools to acknowledge and learn about the impact of trauma on human behavior and mental health. Students examine risk and protective factors involved in fostering resilience in difficult circumstances, in addition to exploring prevention and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on children, adolescents and adults.

Prerequisite: None.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35124     SOCIAL WORK PERSPECTIVES ON AGING      3 Credit Hours

Course is a survey of the special needs of older adults. Within a varied theoretical framework, students examine sociological, psychological and biological age-related concepts, needs, problems and issues. In addition, students use historical and current demographic data to understand societal patterns, trends and policies toward the elderly.

Prerequisite: None.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35125     INTERPROFESSIONAL APPROACHES TO SUICIDE PREVENTION      3 Credit Hours

Using readings and interactive case studies from health sciences, public health, law and psychology, students address multi-level influences on suicide and its prevention. Topics covered include suicide prevention-related ethical issues, terminology, attitudes and social norms, vulnerable populations, risk/protective factors, and mental health services and public health approaches to suicide prevention.

Prerequisite: None.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 3 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35195     SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIAL WORK      1-4 Credit Hours

(Repeatable for credit) In-depth examination of particular topics of current interest to students. Specialized areas of social work theory or practice may be covered. Specific topics vary per offering and will be listed by title in the Schedule of Classes.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Contact Hours: 1-4 lecture

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 35196     INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN SOCIAL WORK      1-4 Credit Hours

(Repeatable for credit) Provides students an opportunity to examine an individual topic of specialization within the field of social work while working closely with a faculty member. Involves a final project or research opportunity.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140.

Schedule Type: Individual Investigation

Contact Hours: 1-4 other

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 44192     FIELD EXPERIENCE I (ELR)      3 Credit Hours

Field work experiences are conducted in social service agencies, mental health settings, hospitals and non-profit organizations. This experiential learning builds upon students’ foundation-level coursework and allows them to implement and use problem solving-skills, active listening, therapeutic techniques and a variety of interventions.

Prerequisite: Special approval.

Corequisite: SWK 44210.

Schedule Type: Practical Experience

Contact Hours: 9 other

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Attributes: Experiential Learning Requirement

SWK 44210     INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR      3 Credit Hours

Promotes practice-theory integration emphasizing development of strong, ethical, and culturally competent social work practice skills. Supports students in their field experience in the seminar format with discussion and processing of practice issues, challenges and ethical dilemmas. Uses traditional and experiential learning to enhance students’ learning environment.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140 and SWK 34140.

Pre/corequisite: SWK 34141.

Corequisite: SWK 44192.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Contact Hours: 3 other

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

SWK 44292     FIELD EXPERIENCE II (ELR)      3 Credit Hours

Students continue field work experiences in social service agencies, mental health settings, hospitals and non-profit organizations. This experiential learning builds upon students’ foundation level coursework and allows them to implement and use problem solving-skills, active listening, therapeutic techniques and a variety of interventions.

Prerequisite: Special approval.

Corequisite: SWK 44299.

Schedule Type: Practical Experience

Contact Hours: 9 other

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Attributes: Experiential Learning Requirement

SWK 44299     SOCIAL WORK CAPSTONE (ELR) (WIC)      3 Credit Hours

Course integrates comprehensive student learning involving theory, practice, methods and research. Students discuss and process the exhaustive knowledge and skills learned throughout the program. Culminates in a social work portfolio of completed papers, projects and/or videos.

Prerequisite: SWK 24140, SWK 34140, SWK 34141, SWK 44192 and SWK 44210.

Corequisite: SWK 44292.

Schedule Type: Project or Capstone, Seminar

Contact Hours: 3 other

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Attributes: Experiential Learning Requirement, Writing Intensive Course