Social Work Foundation Curriculum

The social work foundation curriculum and major requirements consists of the following:

* Please note that listed courses may not be taught every semester or year. The Department Head, program director, instructors and advisors have information about projected course offerings for a semester/year.

All social work majors are required to complete 12 credit hours of pre-requisite courses. These courses have been identified to include content poised to enhance student learning in the social work major:

* Please note that listed courses may not be taught every semester or year. The Department Head, program director, instructors and advisors have information about projected cours offerings for a semester/year.

Course Descriptions

Courses may not be taught every semester. The department head, program director, instructors, and advisors have information about projected course offerings for a semester/year.

SW 150: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (3) This course introduces the social work profession, with an emphasis on the historical development of the profession, social welfare policy and programs, understanding of resources and services, fields of practice, and intervention methods used by social workers. This course emphasizes the importance of social justice and advocacy in the social work profession.

SW 250: HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I (3, fa). Using a person-in-environment perspective, this course focuses on theories of human behavior over the life span and on the development of individuals and families in the context of biological, social, psychological, spiritual, and cultural components. Pre-requisite SW 150. May take SW 150 simultaneously if more than 24 hours are completed.

SW 251: HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II (3, sp) Using a person in the environment perspective, this course focuses on theories that investigate and explain human behavior in the larger ecological and macro contexts. Theories, models, and frameworks evaluating group dynamics, organizational behavior, and communities will be examined. Prerequisites: SW 150 Introduction to Social Work. May take SW 150 simultaneously if more than 30 hours are completed.

SW 301: SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY (3, sp). This course engages student in the history and role of U.S. political, economic, and social ideologies that influence social welfare policies and the impact that social policy has on the social work profession. This course examines how the political process influences the identification of social problems and how social welfare policy is used to address social concerns in the United States and globally. Students will develop social justice advocacy skills needed for social workers to influence and advocate for policy development and change on the organizational, community, legislative, and judicial levels. This course is writing intensive. Pre-requisite ENG 102 and Junior Status

SW 310: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION IN SOCIAL WORK (3, fa) This course is designed to help students develop basic interviewing skills and techniques in social work. This course will provide foundational skills in interviewing so that students can work effectively with individuals, families, and groups from diverse backgrounds. Different techniques and theoretical principles of interviewing will be investigated. This course requires service-learning hours.

SW 325: DIVERSITY INFORMED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE (3, fa). This course introduces students to a wide range of diverse populations and issues in the United States and globally. It is designed to increase student awareness, knowledge, and understanding of diversity, human rights, social and economic justice, and diversity-informed practice. The course examines the effects of oppression, power, and privilege in society and how these influence social and economic justice and service delivery at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Pre-requisites SW 150, SW 250, SW 251.

SW 350: SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH METHODS (3, sp). This course examines the various methods of social research, including sampling, data collection, analysis, and focuses on the application of the social research skills needed to practice with individuals, groups, organizations, and communities. Pre-requisites Junior Status Co-requisite MAT 117.

SW 401: GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH INDIVIDUALS (3, sp). This practice course is designed to increase student competency in generalist social work practice with an emphasis on understanding the basic theories of social work intervention and problem solving with individuals. The principles and skills for effective case management are studied and applied. Students will critically examine generalist social work practice with individuals including assessment, engagement, crisis intervention, evaluation, and ethical practice. Pre-requisites 15-hour SW credits, excluding SW 495. Admission to the Social Work Major.

SW 402: GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH GROUPS (3, fa). This practice course examines the theories and knowledge of group work focusing on competency and skill building applicable to a broad range of group activities and group dynamics. Students will critically examine group processes including planning, assessment, facilitation, leadership, evaluation, and ethics needed for diversity informed group practice. Pre-requisites 15-hour SW credits, excluding SW 495. Admission to the Social Work Major.

SW 406: GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH COMMUNITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS (3, fa). This practice course focuses on theories and frameworks for generalist practice in communities and organizations. This course encompasses the knowledge, values, and skills needed for community organizing, leadership development, and engaging in planned change and empowerment in communities and organizations with an emphasis on the impact of globalization on generalist social work practice. Pre-requisites 15-hour SW credits, excluding SW 495. Admission to the Social Work Major.

SW 490: FIELD PRACTICUM ORIENTATION (1, fa). This course emphasizes the knowledge, and skills students need to prepare for their practicum experience. Students will learn about professional behaviors, secure agency placement, and begin learning contracts in preparation for practicum. Pre-requisites: Admission to the Social Work Major, Requires instructor approval.

SW 491:- DIRECTED READINGS (1-3). Independent research. Prerequisite
492: Requires instructor approval.

SW 495: SPECIAL TOPICS IN SOCIAL WORK (1-3). This course explores contemporary issues in social work practice and provides students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and skills on current social work issues and practice topics. May enroll again as the topic changes.

SW 499: FIELD PRACTICUM EXPERIENCE (9, sp). This course requires students to complete four hundred twenty-five (425) hours of a supervised field practicum in an approved agency. Pre-requisites: SW 490, Admission to Field Practicum. Requires instructor approval. Co-requisite – SW 499.

SW 499L: FIELD PRACTICUM SEMINAR (3, sp). Students are required to complete specified assignments designed by the instructor, including a capstone project. Students apply and practice social work knowledge, values, and skills learned in human behavior, policy, social justice, research, ethics, and practice classes and assist students with connecting social work theory with practice. Pre-requisites: SW 490, Admission to Field Practicum. Requires instructor approval. Co-requisite – SW 499.

Freshmen Semester 1

• GE 101: University Seminar (1 credits)
• ENG 101: Comp. and Rhet I (3 credits)
• SW 150: Introduction to Social Work (3 credits)
• PSY 101: General Psychology (3 credits)
• Core 42 Humanities Selection 1 (3 credits)
• Fine Arts Selection 1 (3 credits)

Total: 13 credit hours

Freshmen Semester 2

• MAT 117: Elementary Statistics (3-5 credits)
• ENG 102: Comp. and Rhet. II (3 credits)
• Core 42 Natural Sciences Selection Without a Lab (3 credits)
• Core 42 Humanities Selection 2 (3 credits)
• Fine Arts Selection 2 (3 credits)

Total: 15-17 credit hours

Sophomore Semester 3

• SPT 206: Fundamentals of Speech (3 credits)
• SA 201: Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• SW 250: Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3 credits)
• PSC 203: American National Government (3 credits)
• Core 42 Natural Sciences Selection With a Lab (3+1 credits)

Total: 16 credit hours

Sophomore Semester 4

• SW 251: Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3 credits)
• SW 301: Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
• Core 42 Humanities Selection 3 (3 credits)
• Fine Arts Selection 3 (3 credits)
• Any Course From the Core 42 List Not Already on This Program (3 credits)
• Elective Course (3 credits)

Total: 15 credit hours

Junior Semester 5

• SW 310: Intercultural Communication in Social Work (3 credits)
• SW 325: Diversity Informed Social Work Practice (3 credits)
• Any Course From the Core 42 List Not Already on This Program (3 credits)
• Elective Course at 300/400 Level (3 credits)
• Core 42 Natural Sciences Selection With a Lab (3 credits)

Total: 15 credit hours

Junior Semester 6

• SW 350: Social Work Research Methods (3 credits)
• SW 401:Generalist Practice with Individuals (3 credits)
• Any Course From the Core 42 List Not Already on This Program (3 credits)
• Elective Course at 300/400 Level (3 credits)
• Elective Course (3 credits)

Total: 15 credit hours

Senior Semester 7

• SW 402: Generalist Practice with Groups (3 credits)
• SW 406: Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations (3 credits)
• SW 407: Social Justice and Ethics (3 credits)
• Elective Course (3 credits)
• Elective Course (3 credits)

Total: 15 credit hours

Senior Semester 8

• SW 499: Field Practicum Experience (12 credits)
• SW 499L: Field Practicum Seminar (3 credits)

Total: 15 credit hours