SWK 205
Introduction to Social Work
4 credits

Provides an overview of the social work profession, its foundation in values and ethics, its theoretical framework, and its role in society. Also examines a variety of populations, fields of practice and focuses on the activities and responsibilities of social workers in diverse settings. Prerequisites: Open to students starting in the second semester of the first year.

SWK 225
Dynamics of Oppression/Discrimination
4 credits

Analyzes the economic and political foundations of organizational and societal oppression and discrimination utilizing analytic tools to detect these roots and to understand the uneven distribution of resources. Also, debates regarding issues of equity and equality will provide students familiarity with contemporary social policy issues. Prerequisites: SWK 205; sophomore and junior transfers may take concurrently with SWK 205. Open to sophomores and juniors.

SWK 268
Social Research
4 credits

Introduces the purposes, types and basic methodologies of social research. Prepares students to be informed consumers of research. Includes such topics as literature review, problem formulation, research design, data collection and data analysis and ethical/political issues. Prerequisite: SWK 205 and completion of or exemption from the college/core requirement in mathematics. Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.

SWK 345
Human Behavior and Social Environment
4 credits

Builds on the foundation of lifespan development content in the Human Growth and Development sequence. Focuses on the interaction between human behavior and the social environment from a multidimensional, holistic perspective which stresses the interdependence of biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual components of functioning. Prerequisites: HDP 120/122 and HDP 121/123 or HDP 124/126 and HDP 125/127. Additional prerequisites for Social Work majors: SWK 205 and SWK 225.

SWK 355
Social Welfare Policy and Services
4 credits

Components of American and international social welfare systems, policy-making, policy advocacy, and policy analysis. Includes a social policy field component. Prerequisites: SWK 205, SWK 225, and AST 150. Open only to junior Social Work majors.

SWK 440
Social Work Practice and Skills Lab I
4 credits

The Social Work Practice sequence consists of three courses introducing the theoretical and methodological aspects of the problem-solving process of the generalist practice model. Each course features a segment of the process and applies it to micro, mezzo, and macro practice. SWK 440 examines interviewing skills and engagement. Prerequisites: SWK 205, HDP 120/122 and HDP 121/123 or HDP 124/126 and HDP 125/127, and passing the Wheelock Literacy and Communication Exam (WLCE). Open only to junior Social Work majors.

SWK 450
Social Work Practice and Skills Lab II
4 credits

The Social Work Practice sequence consists of three courses introducing the theoretical and methodological aspects of the problem-solving process of the generalist practice model. Each course features a segment of the process and applies it to micro, mezzo, and macro practice. SWK 450 examines assessment, planning, and contracting. Prerequisites: SWK 355 and SWK 440. SWK 268 or a research course in Human Development must be taken prior to, or concurrently with this course. Taken concurrently with SWK 451 and SWK 452. Open only to senior Social Work majors.

SWK 451
Social Work Practice: Field Seminar I
2 credits

Integrates theoretical practice content with practicum experiences and gives opportunity for the discussion of professional and ethical issues. Taken concurrently with SWK 450 and SWK 452. Open only to senior Social Work majors.

SWK 452
Social Work Practice: Practicum I
4 credits

Placement in a social service agency for two days a week for 15 weeks (200 hours). Students will apply practice theory to develop skills for generalist Social Work practice. Taken concurrently with SWK 450 and SWK 451. Open only to senior Social Work majors.

SWK 455
Social Work Practice and Skills Lab III
4 credits

The Social Work Practice sequence consists of three courses introducing the theoretical and methodological aspects of the problem-solving process of the generalist practice model. Each course features a segment of the process and applies it to micro, mezzo, and macro practice. SWK 455 examines intervention, evaluation and termination. Prerequisites: SWK 268 and SWK 450, SWK 451 and SWK 452. Taken concurrently with SWK 456 and SWK 457. Open only to senior Social Work majors.

SWK 456
Social Work Practice: Field Seminar II
2 credits

Integrates theoretical methods course content with practicum experiences and gives opportunities for the discussion of professional and ethical issues. Taken concurrently with SWK 455 and SWK 457. Open only to senior Social Work majors.

SWK 457
Social Work Practice: Practicum II
4 credits

A continuation of SWK 452, the focus is on the development of Social Work skills for generalist practice. Students are in placement two days a week for 15 weeks (200 hours). Taken concurrently with SWK 455 and SWK 456. Open only to senior Social Work majors.

SWK 510
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
3 credits

Foundation-year, MSW theory course related to individuals and families. Ecosystem approach to understanding human development and behavior across lifespan, focusing on the continuous, transactional relationship(s) between people and their environments, contextualized by race, class, history, culture, politics, religion. Critical approach to how theories evolve in context, inform social work practice, research, and policy. Offered fall only.

SWK 511
Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
3 credits

Second MSW theory course prepares students to understand human behavior within groups, organizations, and communities through multidisciplinary theoretical approaches. Learn strengths based conceptual frameworks for understanding groups and environments in ways that are relevant to social work practice, policy, and research. Prerequisite: SWK 510. Offered spring only.

SWK 520
Social Policy
3 credits

History of U.S. and international social welfare programs, policy as social justice, policy analysis and implementation and social policy advocacy as a foundation of justice-based social work practice. Offered fall semester only.

 

SWK 530
Foundations of Social Research
3 credits

Introduces the purposes, types, methodology, and ethics of social research. Prepares students to be critical and informed consumers of research and also provides an applied learning opportunity through conducting a group research study. Prerequisites: Basic Statistics. Offered spring semester only.

SWK 540
Generalist Social Work Practice I
3 credits

First foundation year MSW practice course; provides the knowledge, skills, and values for justice-based social work practice with diverse individuals and families in multiple systems. Students are introduced to generalist social work practice from ecological, strengths-based, collaborative, and empowerment perspectives. Concurrent with SWK 542 and 550. Offered once a year; fall semester.

SWK 541
Generalist Social Work Practice II
3 credits

Continues the generalist social work practice model. Develop knowledge, skills, and values for practice with small groups, organizations, communities. Emphasis is on strengths-oriented, justice-based approaches to these systems in historical, cultural, and sociopolitical contexts for practice that is collaborative, family-centered, community-based, and multiculturally competent. Prerequisites: SWK 510, 540, 542, 550. Concurrent: SWK 543, 546, 551. Offered once a year; spring semester. Offered once a year; spring semester

SWK 546
Multicultural Social Work Assessment
3 credits

A critical learning approach to essential assessment tools for social work practice with children and families and the settings in which interventions typically occur. Issues of diversity, multicultural competence, and social justice in assessment and practice are explored. Develop an assessment framework and social work philosophy-in-progress. Prerequisites: SWK 510, 520, 530, 540, 542, 550. Concurrent: SWK 541, 543, 551. Offered once a year; spring semester.

SWK 550/551
Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar I, II
6 credits

Two-semester practicum experience provides students with a field-based environment in which to develop and begin to demonstrate mastery of curricular content. Students are also expected to know and apply the NASW Code of Ethics, values of the profession, approaches that reflect a celebration of differences, empowerment, and a commitment to human rights and distributive justice. Concurrent with foundation year practice classes. Offered once a year, in sequence, fall/spring semesters.

SWK 554/654
Social Work Field Practicum & Summer Seminar I & II
2 credits

Enhances competency based social work practice in field practicum settings. Intended for students who must begin or finish their field practicum hours during the summer months. Read and discuss topics pertaining to all areas of the field practicum experience and learn from input and support of peers. For Foundation Year students starting field placement early, or completing field placement late after Foundation Year.

SWK 610
Social Work Leadership and Administration
3 credits

Focuses on the advanced knowledge, skills, and values necessary for social work leadership in complex social service agencies. Organized around the following modules: organizational leadership, fundraising, grant development, and community asset building. Prerequisites: Completion of foundation year courses or by permission of instructor. Offered once a year; fall semester

SWK 620
Social Policy Practice
3 credits

An advanced policy course focusing on the development of skills in social policy practice, such as policy formation, policy analysis, policy advocacy, and evaluation of social policy related to children and families. Prerequisites: SWK 520 and completion of all foundation year courses or by permission of instructor. Offered once a year; spring semester

SWK 640
Social Work Practice with Children and Families I
3 credits

First required, advanced MSW practice course. Explore and develop skills with several strengths-based models for working with children and families. Integrates theory, research, policy, and practice skills for multiculturally competent, family-centered, and community-based social work. Highlights connections to students' fieldwork and other courses. Prerequisites: Completion of all foundation year courses. Concurrent with SWK 650. Offered once a year; fall semester.

SWK 641
Social Work Practice with Children and Families II
3 credits

Second required, advanced MSW practice course. Continues with development of advanced, justice-based family practice skills, particularly related to the complex issues impacting the lives of children and families in the 21st century. Highlights connections to students' fieldwork and other courses. Prerequisites: completion of foundation year courses and SWK 640, 650; concurrent with SWK 651. Offered once a year; spring semester.

SWK 650/651
Social Work Field Practicum and Seminar III, IV
6 credits

Two-semester, advanced field practicum experience. Students are expected to integrate all areas of the MSW curriculum into advanced, justice-based practice interventions with children and families. Includes advanced application of social work values and ethics and capacity to select among differential approaches based on knowledge and skills that are collaborative and interprofessional in order to effect social change at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community levels. Prerequisites: completion of SWK 640, 650; concurrent with SWK 641, 651. Offered once a year, in sequence, fall/spring semesters.

SWK 670
Spirituality of Children and Families
3 credits

This inter-professional course will enable students to effectively utilize the spiritual values/religious beliefs of clients and themselves to create positive change, human transformation, and healing. This will include exploration of spiritual development, supporting genuine respect for spiritual experiences and strengths of diverse clients during all stages of the helping relationship.

SWK 675
Family Violence Across the Lifespan
3 credits

This course will help students understand and apply theories and practice skills related to working with family violence. Topics will span child abuse and neglect; adolescent and adult intimate partner violence, including LGBT populations and working with victims and perpetrators of partner violence; and abuse of elders disabled family members.

SWK 690
Integrative Project Seminar I
3 Credits

The first part of a year-long course that serves as a capstone to the full MSW learning experience. Design and conduct human rights -based research projects that integrate the key concepts of the MSW program's curricular themes and course work. Develop an integrative project proposal in this semester that contributes to the knowledge, skills, and values of justice-based social work practice. Prerequisites: completion of foundation year courses. Offered once a year; fall semester

SWK 691
Integrative Project Seminar II
3 credits

The second part of the year-long integrative project course. Students complete the human rights action project begun in the fall. Projects focus on advancing human rights and social and economic justice for children, families and communities, through education, social action, and policy. Projects integrate the concepts learned in previous courses and reflect the curricular themes and justice-based focus of the program. Prerequisites: completion of foundation year courses and SWK 690. Offered once a year; spring semester

SWK 800
MSW Advanced Standing Summer Gateway
6 credits

Builds upon the student's BSW training and education, specifically in the areas of culturally competent and strength-based assessment and diagnosis. Students will learn about human-rights and justice-based social work practice, research, and policy. Prerequisites: Successful completion of an accredited BSW program within the last 5 years.

SWK 850
Dynamics of Oppression and Discrimination
3 credits

Analysis of the economic and political foundations of organizational and societal oppression and discrimination utilizing analytic tools to detect these roots and to understand the uneven distribution of resources. Also, debates regarding issues of equity and equality provide students with contemporary human rights social policy issues. Offered fall only.