Courses in Social Work (SWK)

SWK 2043 Social Welfare Policy I
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Introduction to the history and philosophy of social welfare as it relates to social and economic justice, the role of government in social welfare, advocacy, and policy practice. Focuses on social work responses to social problems (e.g., poverty, mental illness, physical illness, disability, criminal behavior, and so forth). Covers the relevance of social welfare policy to vulnerable and oppressed populations.

SWK 2123 Introduction to Social Work
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
An introduction to the profession of social work. Social work's mission, values, and ethics are a focus in this course. An introduction to professional roles, fields of practice, and generalist practice methods with diverse populations are covered.

SWK 3113 Generalist Social Work Practice I
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043, SWK 2123, and Admission into the B.S.W. Degree Program
Prerequisite or Corequisite: SWK 3133
Introduction to generalist social work practice applying the general intervention model with individuals, couples, families and small groups. Focuses on engagement, assessment and evaluation, planning for service delivery, implementing empirically based interventions, evaluating outcomes, and follow-up with clients on the micro and mezzo system levels.

SWK 3133 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043, SWK 2123, and Admission into the B.S.W. Degree Program or a Declared Social Work Minor or Emphasis
The biopsychosocial science basis for social work practice. Focuses on human development, from conception to death, in the context of the social environment.

SWK 3143 Social Welfare Policy II
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043, SWK 2123, and Admission into the B.S.W. Degree Program
Policy analysis frameworks, policy advocacy, and legislative advocacy are applied to social work practice. Covers the implications of policy on social work practice and the role of social work practice in policy development.

SWK 3213 Generalist Social Work Practice II
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 3113 and SWK 3133
Introduction to generalist social work practice applying the general intervention model with large groups, organizations, and communities. Focuses on engagement, assessment and evaluation, planning for service delivery, implementing empirically based interventions, evaluating outcomes, and follow-up with clients on the mezzo and macro system levels.

SWK 3233 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 3113 and SWK 3133
The biopsychosocial science basis for social work practice. Focuses on multidimensional aspects of the person (i.e., biological, psychological, sociological, cultural, and spiritual) in the context of the social environment. Covers the critical application of theory and knowledge to generalist social work practice.

SWK 3243 Methods of Social Work Research I
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043, SWK 2123, and Admission into the B.S.W. Degree Program
Social work research methods and design including practice and program evaluation methods. Critical evaluation and application of research-based knowledge to social work practice, and how to apply practice-based knowledge to inform scientific inquiry. The ethical and culturally competent application of research methods in practice and program evaluation is emphasized.

SWK 3343 Methods of Social Work Research II
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisite: SWK 3243
Selected statistical methods used in scientific inquiry, practice and program evaluation, and social work practice. Focuses on skills related to statistical analysis, interpretation, and the application of statistical data to social work practice. Ethical, cultural, and professional value considerations in interpreting statistical data are covered.

SWK 4323 Social Work and Children/Families
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043 and SWK 2123
Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to children and families. Includes the processes of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with diverse clients across system levels.

SWK 4333 Social Work and Aging
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043 and SWK 2123
Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to the geriatric population. Includes the processes of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with diverse clients across system levels.

SWK 4343 Social Work and Health Care
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043 and SWK 2123
Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to health care. Includes the processes of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with diverse clients across system levels.

SWK 4353 Social Work and Mental Health
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043 and SWK 2123
Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to mental health and illness. Includes the processes of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with diverse clients across system levels.

SWK 4363 Social Work and Criminal Justice
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043 and SWK 2123
Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to juvenile and criminal justice. Includes the processes of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with diverse clients across system levels.

SWK 4373 Social Work and Substance Abuse
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Prerequisites: SWK 2043 and SWK 2123
Provides knowledge and skills necessary for generalist social work practice relating to substance abuse and dependency. Includes the processes of engagement, assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up with diverse clients across system levels.

SWK 4441 Social Work Comprehensive Examination
1 credit: 1 hour lecture
Prerequisite: SWK 4376
Focuses on career development, lifelong learning, use of technology, and professional leadership in social work. Students must take and pass a comprehensive examination in social work. Prepares students for the ASWB Bachelors Level Social Work examination.

SWK 4653 Special Topics in Social Work
3 credits: 3 hours lecture
Selected topics in social work offered as student need indicates. May be repeated once for credit when topic varies.

SWK 4676 Social Work Field Practicum I
6 credits: 3 hours lecture, 15 hours field experience per week
Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in all social work courses applied towards the degree, good academic standing as a senior in the B.S.W. Degree Program, and the permission of the Social Work Department's Director and Social Work Field Education Director.
A supervised practicum of at least 240 hours in an approved agency appropriate to social work; fosters the integration of classroom knowledge, values, and ethics with practice-based knowledge that seeks to increase practice skills and promotes professional competence. Restricted to B.S.W. majors.

SWK 4706 Social Work Field Practicum II
6 credits: 3 hours lecture, 15 hours field experience per week
Prerequisite: SWK 4376
A supervised practicum of at least 240 hours in an approved agency appropriate to social work; fosters the integration of classroom knowledge, values, and ethics with practice-based knowledge that seeks to increase practice skills and promotes professional competence.

SWK 479V Independent Study in Social Work
Variable Credit
Consult the Independent Study Courses section in the Academic Regulations chapter of this catalog for prerequisites and description.