Course Description

Foundation Year

MSW 500 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (3) 
HBSE I, the first of two companion courses, focuses on individual and family life span. Examine individual and family development in the context of social, political, historical, and cultural variables. Individual and family behavior is examined for its unique expressions of strength and abilities in the course of achieving psychosocial, cognitive, moral, and spiritual developmental tasks.

MSW 501 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3) 
HBSE II, the second of the two companion courses, examines the interrelationships among social institutions, social structure and social processes, on the one hand, and the realities of the lives of individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations and societies, on the other.

MSW 510 Social Welfare Policy I (3) 
The structure, functions and components of US social welfare policy are identified and critically analyzed to reveal its scope, reach and limitations; current and historically successful approaches and tools to improve policies, increase social justice and reduce inequalities are reviewed.

MSW 511 Social Welfare Policy II (3) 
Preparation to engage in policy practices advancing social and economic well-being of individuals, families, organizations and administrative and legal aspects of policy provisions and advancing social justice.

MSW 520 Generalist Social Work Practice I (3) 
Focus in this course is on theories, principles and models underlying generic social work practice with primary emphasis on working with individuals and families. Emphasis is placed on effective and equitable multicultural and contextual service delivery and interventions with poor, vulnerable and oppressed populations.

MSW 521 Generalist Social Work Practice II (3) 
In this course, the focus is on theories, models and principles for generic social work practice with groups, communities and organizations. Emphasis is placed on effective and equitable multicultural and contextual service delivery and interventions with poor, vulnerable and oppressed populations.

MSW 523 Social Justice in Social Work Practice (3) 
Examines the history and consequences of different definitions of social justice. Social justice within human rights, culture, values, and ethics will be explored including related theory, social policy and movements and development of effective strategies promoting social justice.

MSW 524 Critical Race Studies in Social Work Practice (3)

In-depth overview of Critical Race Studies (CRS) in social work practicum. Examination of the causes and symptoms of structural racism and social/racial hierarchies in underserved communities. Analysis of the history and development of CRS’ application to practice issues.

MSW 530 Social Welfare Research (3) 
Introduction to research methods, including conceptualization of research problems, literature review, research design, sampling, measurement, techniques of data collection and analysis, and the strategies of evaluating service delivery in all areas of practice.

MSW 540 Practicum I (3) Fall

Supervised agency experience designed to enhance generalist practice in working with individuals, families, groups, and communities with emphasis on cross cultural practice. One-hour weekly seminar and 16 hours (weekly) in agency placement.

MSW 541 Practicum II (3) Spring
Supervised agency experience designed to apply the knowledge, skills and values learned in SW 520 and SW 521 and activities of SW 540. One-hour weekly seminar and 16 hours (weekly) in agency placement.

Concentration Year

MSW 550 Advanced Social Work Practice in Communities (3) 
Provides in depth overview of Social Work from a Community Practice perspective. It highlights contextual models of practice with communities as well as developmental, organizing, and planning approaches that are applicable to diverse populations. It will examine skills used by social workers to conduct culturally competent interventions.

MSW 551 Social Welfare Policy III: Community Capacity Building  (3) 
Provides in depth overview of current advanced theoretical models and frameworks and a variety of practice skills designed to work effectively with public and non-profit agencies delivering community health and mental health services.

MSW 555 Advanced Practice in Administration and Leadership (3) 
Introduces the concepts and theories involved in leadership, administration and management of a human services organization. Leadership styles will be examined, paying close attention to those who recognize diverse cultural styles and incorporate contextually competent approaches to administration.

MSW 560 Social Welfare Policy III: Children, Youth and Families (3) 
Advanced understanding of key issues, concepts, and skills associated with policy analysis and development of policy alternatives and political action within human service systems focused on children, youth and families.

MSW 561 Social Welfare Policy III: Community Health/Mental Health (3) 
Advanced understanding of key issues, concepts, and skills associated with policy analysis and development of policy alternatives and political action within human service systems focused on public and non-profit agencies delivering health and mental health services.

MSW 570 Practicum III (3) Fall
Continued supervised agency experience at an advanced level in both direct and administrative program development areas within the student’s area of concentration with an emphasis on cross-cultural practice. One-hour weekly seminar and 20 hours (weekly) in agency placement.

MSW 571 Practicum IV (3) Spring
Continued supervised agency experience at an advanced level in both direct and administrative program development areas within the student’s area of concentration with an emphasis on cross-cultural practice. One-hour weekly seminar and 20 hours (weekly) in agency placement.

MSW 580 Child Welfare Issues (3) 
Critical analysis of child maltreatment and neglect, focusing upon recent research and treatment innovations.

MSW 581 Seminar in Community Capacity Building (3)
This course focuses on the collaboration, assessment, implementation and evaluation of various strategies utilized to build capacity within communities. Students will apply the tenets of Asset and Social development to support/aid in the development of a community/organization and its objectives.

MSW 582 Seminar in Mental Health Issues (3)
Social work processes from intake to termination; emphasis on clinical skills required for social work practice in a broad spectrum of mental health settings.

MSW 598 Directed Research (3) Fall
Extensive research on a subject related to the student’s area of concentration under the guidance of a faculty member. This course is designed to prepare students for the Directed Project.

MSW 599 Project or Thesis (3) Spring
The student will complete a scholarly project or thesis under the supervision of an assigned faculty. This course may not be taken if the student has failed the Comprehensive Examination.

MSW 595 Special Topic (3)
A course periodically offered by the department on a special topic of interest related to social work. This course is taken for elective credit or as otherwise granted by the MSW program director.

MSW 600 Project Continuation Course (0)
Students who have completed their course work but not their comprehensive exam, directed project or thesis may maintain continuous enrollment by registering for this course with permission of the program coordinator.

[Get Adobe Acrobat Reader]