Social Work (SWK)

College of Arts and Sciences

(GE) = Approved General Education Course
(WR) = Approved Writing Reinforcement Course

203 Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work, 3 credit hours (GE)
Introduction to social welfare as a humane and stabilizing influence in U.S. society, and to social work as the dominant profession in social welfare. Students who have received credit for PSYC 203 cannot receive credit for SWK 203. (Cross-listed with PSYC 203.)

260 Family and Child Issues and Services, 3 credit hours (GE)
Issues affecting children and families in American society. Emphasis on child abuse and neglect, developmentally disabled children, homeless children and families, chronically ill and disabled children, and services available to children and families. Policy issues related to the provision of adequate services and sources also will be considered. (Cross-listed with SOC 260.)

301–305 Selected Topics in Social Work, 3 credit hours
Specific subjects will vary each time the course is offered. The subject will be announced the previous semester.

311 Substance Abuse, 3 credit hours
Evolution of alcohol and drug abuse/dependence in the U.S. and selected other countries and models used to treat substance abuse. Content includes the effects of drugs, including alcohol, on the body, as well as how the disease of dependence affects every area of life and the lives of family members. (Cross-listed with PSYC 311 and SOC 311.)

322 Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 3 credit hours (GE) (WR)
Examination of interrelationships among the individual, family, small groups, organizations, and the community. Special attention given to diversity, cultural sensitivity, oppression, and discrimination. Prerequisites: PSYC 201, SOC 230, and BIO 105. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 306. Students who have received credit for PSYC 322 cannot receive credit for SWK 322. (Cross-listed with PSYC 322.)

350 Introduction to Social Work Practice, 3 credit hours
An introductory perspective on professional social work practice as a planned, purposeful process occurring over time, involving professional judgment and based on knowledge, values, and ethics of the social work profession. Emphasis is placed on understanding beginning generalist practice, including practice with systems of all sizes. For social work majors only. Prerequisites: SWK 308, 322, and PSYC 306, with a GPA of 3.0 in prerequisites courses. Prerequisite or corequisite: SWK 355.

355 Research in Social Welfare, 3 credit hours
Principles, methods, and utilization of quantitative and qualitative research relating to social work practice. Emphasis is placed on the role of research in evaluating the effectiveness of one’s own practice and of service delivery systems. Prerequisite or corequisite: PSYC 300. (Cross-listed with HIST 355 and SOC 355.)

373 Social Policy, 3 credit hours
An introduction to the study of social policy, with emphases on 1) how social policy influences the lives of citizens and clients, 2) how social policy influences the practice of social work, and 3) the resulting responsibilities of social work to try to influence social policy. Prerequisites for Social Work majors: SWK 308 and 322, EC 231, and POS 200. Also recommended for Human Service minors, for whom the prerequisite is SWK 308.

380 Mental Health Issues and Services, 3 credit hours
Development of mental health services in the United States, including changing conceptions of mental illness/mental health and associated programs and practices. Emphasis on the development of philosophy, policies, and implementation of community mental health, and on issues including deinstitutionalization and homelessness. Prerequisite: SOC 230. (Cross-listed with SOC 380.)

400 Skills for Social Work Practice, 3 credit hours
A competency-based course emphasizing acquisition of skills in interviewing, inter/intra organization communication, intervention, planning, and professional presentation. Students will complete a minimum of 24 hours of pre-practicum orientation. For social work majors only. Students must meet criteria for Admission to the Practicum to enter the course. Prerequisites: SWK 350, 355. Corequisite: SWK 410.

410 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families, 3 credit hours
Examines social work practice with individuals and families. The problem-solving process, social work purposes, values, and ethics are examined. Emphasis is given to the helping relationship and the phases of the helping process. For social work majors only. Prerequisites: SWK 350 and 355. Corequisite: SWK 400.

420 Social Work Practice with Small Groups, Communities, and Organizations, 3 credit hours (WR)
Emphasis on the development of knowledge and skills for practice with small groups, communities, and organizations. For social work majors only. Prerequisites: SWK 350 and 355.

455 Social Work Practicum, 10 credit hours
The social work practicum provides an opportunity for students to have direct and continuing contact with the realities of social work practice for the purpose of developing professional social work capabilities. The student is assigned to a social service agency five days a week and is supervised by a qualified professional practitioner employed by the agency. A GPA of 3.0 is required in social work courses. An overall GPA of 2.3 is also required. For admitted social work majors only. Prerequisites: SWK 373, 400, 410, and 420.

456 Social Work Integrative Seminar, 2 credit hours
Emphasis is on helping students incorporate previous classroom content with their “real life” experiences in the practicum. Themes that are infused into the total curriculum and preparation for entering social work practice are emphasized. The course meets every Monday for two hours. Corequisite: SWK 455.

490 Directed Readings in Social Work, 3 credit hours