MSW Course Descriptions
Foundation Year Courses
5320 Human Diversity & Social Justice
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Social Work Program. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
This course provides foundational content to better understand how diversity and difference shape the human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. Dimensions of intersectionality are explored and examined considering privilege and marginalization. Students will learn to identify structural mechanisms of oppression as well as strategies for interrupting systems of power to create equity and inclusion in professional and community contexts.
5361 Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5351. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
In this course, students practice skill development by applying the steps of the generalist intervention model (engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, and termination/transition) to create diversity-sensitive care management plans for individuals and families. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
5351 Human Behavior Theory: Person & Environment
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Social Work Program. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
This course prepares students to understand the foundational theoretical base of social work that drives and informs practice. Students will gain applicable knowledge of the complex experiences of individuals, families, informal and formal social networks, and communities.
5362 Social Work Practice with Groups
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5361 or SWO 5561. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Knowledge, values, and skills needed for working with groups. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
5491 Foundation Internship I
Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221 and a grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5361 or SWO 5561. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Orientation and introduction to internship, at least 240 hours of applied learning and an integrative seminar. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree. Fee: $50.
5381 Research for Social Work Practice
Prerequisite(s): Credit in SWO 5320 or SWO 5221. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
Critical evaluation and use of research and conducting research in one's on professional practice.
5363 Social Work Practice with Communities & Organizations
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of B in SWO 5361 or SWO 5561. A minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5362. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
This course prepares students for ethical and effective social work practice with communities and organizations. Students will learn models and skills that relate to macro social work practice. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
5322 Social Policy for Social Work Practice
Prerequisite(s): SWO 5320 or SWO 5221. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
Introduces the historical context of social policy and services in the United States, the analysis of current developments, and how social work influence social welfare policy and provide social services.
5492 Foundation Internship II
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5491 and SWO 5361 or 5561; a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5362; credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5381 and SWO 5322; and a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5463 or SWO 5363. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Social Work Internship, including at least 240 hours of applied learning and an integrative seminar. This is the second part of SWO 5491 with the addition of more sophisticated social work practice opportunities and expectations. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree. Fee: $50.
Advanced Year Courses
5123 Introduction to Graduate Studies
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing program.
This course introduces students to the Advanced Standing MSW program. Students will review skills, competencies, and ethics to prepare for advanced practice courses. Additionally, students will orient to MSW program policies, procedures, and resources to support academic success.
5338 Clinical Diagnosis in Social Work
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing program or a minimum grade of B in SWO 5492. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
This course utilizes a strengths-based social work perspective to examine common diagnoses of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, associated assessment tools and areas for professional, ethical and cultural consideration in the diagnostic process.
5370 Clinical Social Work Practice I
Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337 or 5338. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
This course prepares students with specialized knowledge of theories and practice models and skills for advanced clinical practice within a broad array of practice contexts. Students learn to assess and intervene at the levels of individual, family, and group with some discussion of organizational and community practice. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
5380 Clinical Social Work Practice II
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5370. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Students will learn transdiagnostic clinical treatment models and skills. Emphasis is given to students demonstrating clinical skills that address a wide range of client contexts and goals. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete the requirements for the master’s degree.
5376 Health Practice & Policy
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or Credit in SWO 5322 and SWO 5363 or SWO 5463. Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
Prepares students for practice within health contexts. Uses social work knowledge, skills, and values to prepare students to assess and intervene at the levels of individual, family, and group in health care settings. Discusses policy, justice, and equity issues as it relates to health and health care access.
5377 Social Work Practice & Advocacy with Children & Families
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or Credit in SWO 5322 and SWO 5363 or SWO 5463. Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5491. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
This course emphasizes application of theory, models, and skills in practice contexts with children and families. Includes instruction on models and theories and the impact of crisis and trauma on the family. Exposes students to various themes in child and family practice such as grief, levels of need, strengths, and collaborative work.
5335 Theoretical Frameworks for Community Social Work Practice
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program, or a minimum grade of B in SWO 5492. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
Guides advanced practice social workers in the evaluation and selection of frameworks for community change. Emphasizes values, professional role, and cultural influences on how change is envisioned, enacted, and evaluated.
5375 Community Social Work Practice I
Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5335. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Prepares advanced practice social workers to promote community problem-solving and development. Emphasizes community assets; leadership development; and change strategy selection, enactment, and evaluation. Focuses on congregations and religiously affiliated organizations as agents of community change.
5378 Community Social Work Practice II
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of a B in SWO 5375. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Continuation of 5375. Prepares advanced practice social workers to promote community problem-solving and development. Emphasizes community assets; leadership development; and change strategy selection, enactment, and evaluation. A grade of B or better must be received in this course to complete requirements for the master’s degree.
5323 Organizational Leadership & Management
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program or Credit in SWO 5322 and 5363 or 5463. Credit or concurrent enrollment in 5491. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
Organizational Leadership & Management prepares students to perform managerial functions in public, nonprofit, and faith-based human service organizations. Specific attention is given to the topics of leadership, human resources, fund raising, grant writing, organizational development, resource management, structure and governance, and efforts to link human service organizations in an integrated community-wide service delivery system.
5382 Clinical Evaluation for Practice Improvement
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program; or credit in SWO 5381 and a minimum grade of B in SWO 5492. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
This course emphasizes the importance of systematic, consistent monitoring of client outcomes as a critical part of effective clinical social work practice. Building upon skills of thorough, accurate assessment and effective client rapport, this course focuses on the next steps of collaborating with the client system (individual, family, group) to monitor feasible, clinical outcomes that inform the treatment process and the continuous improvement of practice.
5494 Part I Advanced Internship
Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5337, SWO 5338, or SWO 5335; and credit with B higher or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5370, SWO 5379, or SWO 5375. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Introduction and first of two semesters of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization. Fee: $50.
5490 Part II Advanced Internship
Prerequisite(s): Credit in SWO 5335 or SWO 5337 or 5338: a minimum grade of B in SWO 5494; a minimum grade of B in SWO 5375 or 5370 or 5379; a minimum grade of B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5380 or SWO 5378; and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5323, 5376, or 5377. A minimum grade of B is required for this course.
Second of two semesters of the advanced internship in a specified area of specialization. Fee: $50.
5384 Program Evaluation for Practice Improvement
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Advanced Standing Program; or credit in SWO 5381 and a minimum grade of B in SWO 5492. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
Selection and implementation of outcome-based, program evaluation protocols to inform intervention decisions by advanced practice social workers.
5395 Capstone Seminar
Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of a B or concurrent enrollment in SWO 5490. A minimum grade of C is required for this course.
The capstone is an integrative seminar at the end of the MSW process to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate key social work competencies at an advanced level in their area of specialization and launch their careers as professional social workers. Building on their application of advanced social work values, knowledge, and skills from their coursework and internships, students will develop a presentation that reflects competency in the goals and objectives of the social work program. Students will also create professional development plans that demonstrate a readiness to enter, contribute to, and develop within the social work profession.