Year 1 -- Summer Session I

This course studies the life cycle of the individual from in utero through old age and death from a biopsychosocial perspective via multiple theoretical frameworks. Individual growth and development is studied in the context of culture, race, ethnicity, social class, gender, families, and other social systems. Attention is also given to the impact of trauma, loss, and environmental stressors on the individual and the family.

SOWK 507 -- Social Welfare and Social Work -- 2 credits

This course examines social welfare problems, the system of social welfare, and its interrelationships with direct practice and the delivery of services. Particular emphasis is placed on the examination of different political and economic conceptions, as well as the ways in which they shape social programs and, in turn, social work practice. Attention is given to the controversies surrounding the "welfare society."

Total Credits: 5

Year 1 -- Summer Session II

Proceeding from the base established in SOWK 500, this course focuses on deepening the student's knowledge of human behavior. Maladaptive patterns of adult psychological functioning are examined. The interrelatedness of physical, psychological, familial, and larger social systems is emphasized in the consideration of both etiology and symptomatology.
Prerequisite: SOWK 500.

SOWK 502 -- Ethnicity, Race, and Culture: Diversity in Human Experience -- 2 credits

The course provides an orientation to the diversity of cultural values, family structures, and life styles within the United States. Particular attention will be given to African, Asian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Native American populations and their experiences. The review of cultural styles with any group culture provides an understanding of diversity within groups regarding gender, class, immigration, history, affectional preferences, level of acculturation, color, language, religion/spirituality. These cultural components will be discussed in relation to the consequences of institutional responses of the larger society to these groups as well as data collection, assessment, and intervention for social work practice.

Total Credits: 5

Year 1 -- Fall Semester

Theory for social work practice is studied, using an integrated social systems and biopsychosocial model. The student is introduced to the profession through its history and conceptual development and through an examination of the values, knowledge, and skills that characterize it. The course content focuses on the worker/client relationship and development of assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills.
Prerequisite: SOWK 500 or concurrent enrollment.

SWFI 530 -- Field Instruction I -- 3 credits

The first-level fieldwork courses provide the opportunity for students to acquire, integrate, and develop foundation knowledge and skills related to social work practice through a practicum experience. Students utilize a systems theory and biopsychosocial perspective that provides a basis for generalist practice, including the person -- in situation point of view. Students work directly with clients and client systems to learn about social work relationships, the professional code of ethics, assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. Students have the opportunity to work with diverse populations, and learn to evaluate change resulting from their own practice.
Prerequisites: SOWK 500, SOWK 503 or concurrent enrollment.

Total Credits: 6

Year 1 -- Spring Semester

Proceeding from the base established in SOWK 503, this course is concerned with social work as intervention with clients. The focus of the course is on individualized treatment planning and execution, based on diagnosis and the social worker's disciplined use of professional skills.
Prerequisite: SOWK 503.

SWFI 531 -- Field Instruction II -- 3 credits

The first-level fieldwork courses provide the opportunity for students to acquire, integrate, and develop foundation knowledge and skills related to social work practice through a practicum experience. Students utilize a systems theory and biopsychosocial perspective that provides a basis for generalist practice, including the person -- in situation point of view. Students work directly with clients and client systems to learn about social work relationships, the professional code of ethics, assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. Students have the opportunity to work with diverse populations, and learn to evaluate change resulting from their own practice.
Prerequisites: all foundation-level courses or concurrent enrollment.

Total Credits: 6

Year 2 -- Summer Session I

This course presents theoretical approaches to social work with small groups, with particular emphasis on the dynamics of small group process and appropriate worker intervention. Students will also experience group participation and analysis with a small group of their peers as part of the course requirements.
Prerequisite: SOWK 503 or concurrent enrollment.

SOWK 509 -- Policies and Strategies for Community Intervention -- 2 credits

This course provides a developmental review of community organization theory and practice at both the macro and micro levels. Basic models of community organization theory and practice are highlighted, including locality development, social planning, and social action as well as major policy issues that relate to communities. Special attention is given to the historical base of community organization in America, citizen/consumer participation, volunteerism, assessment of community needs, impact of racism, and community work and intervention techniques. Students will have an opportunity to examine the range of social work roles and functioning in community organization practice from the personal individual participant perspective to the social worker/professional organizer perspective, and as a policy-maker.
Prerequisites: SOCW 507 or concurrent enrollment.

Total Credits: 4

Year 2 -- Summer Session II

The need for practitioners to be accountable and to evaluate their own practice, programs, and service delivery requires them to have research skills. In addition, the social work profession depends on knowledge-generating activities using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. In recognition of these needs, the research sequence is designed to enable the student to prepare for three roles: 1) the role of a competent evaluator of one's own practice and programs; 2) the role of a responsible and critical consumer of social work research; and 3) the role of an active participant in knowledge-generating inquiries. The approach of this sequence also facilitates the student's understanding of issues related to racial and ethnic diversity and ethical standards and values in the context of social work research.

In order to supplement the objectives of the research sequence, and to take into account students' research backgrounds, aptitudes, and professional goals, two basic courses are offered. The purpose of the first course is to provide a foundation in research methodology, while the second course provides an opportunity to apply this content in a research project.

SOWK 612 -- Family Diagnosis and Treatment -- 2 credits

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the field of family diagnosis and treatment. It provides a base of selected theoretical concepts and practice techniques which may be utilized to assess family functioning, organize therapeutic systems, and facilitate processes of family development and positive change. Case and audio-visual materials are used to illuminate content and demonstrate practice skills.

-- OR --

SOWK 616 -- Psychotherapy with Adults -- 2 credits

This course focuses on the content and process of psychodynamically-based psychotherapy with adults. Course content includes areas of diagnostic evaluation, the phasic treatment process, the therapeutic alliance, transference and counter-transference, frameworks for understanding communications, and therapeutic techniques.

Total Credits: 5

Year 2 -- Fall Semester

This course builds on the foundation content offered in SOWK 506 and in other areas of the curriculum. Knowledge gained in their clinical concentration can be organized and regulated by the principles of scientific inquiry. Therefore, the course integrates research and practice for the student, builds on the student's understanding of research paradigms, and offers the opportunity to apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to their line of inquiry. The basic thrust is twofold: 1) to provide students with knowledge and skill for theory-building and evaluating social work practice at clinical and program levels on intervention; and 2) to involve students in designing and implementing studies related to their advanced clinical focus. Students design and implement a meaningful hands-on research experience. Students demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly using research guidelines in their proposal and formal research report. An important aim is to help students understand the research process from beginning to end through the experience of doing their own research projects.

SOWK 609 -- Social Work Practicum in the Schools -- 2 credits

This course focuses on the roles of social workers in schools, including provision of direct service, consultation, advocacy, program development and evaluation, and liaison with family and community systems. A perspective on school social work is developed through a historical view of social work in schools and identification of issues in the delivery of social work services in schools. Significant legislation such as laws pertaining to special education, family rights and privacy, and due process will be included. Content areas are supported by value positions stemming from the professional social work value base and the professional code of ethics. This course should be taken concurrently with a school field placement.

-- OR --

SOWK 617 -- Clinical Diagnosis and Therapeutic Treatment -- 2 credits

Utilizing a developmental framework and a structural approach to clinical diagnosis, this course focuses on the manner in which individuals organize and understand their environments in harmony with the functioning of their innner lives. Selective perception and the concept of the transitional object are emphasized as basic to the development of both cognitive and affective development. Case material is analyzed to demonstrate the manner in which client communication can be understood from this point of view. Attention is then paid to how counter-transference reactions and worker-client interactions within the treatment situation can be used to promote growth. Although there is some illustrative material from work with neurotic clients, the course deals primarily with work with pre-oedipal disorders.

SWFI 630 -- Field Instruction III -- 4.5 credits

The third and fourth semesters of field instruction are designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills that underlie the practice of clinical social work. Students at the second level choose a special focus or cluster (social work with children and families or health and mental health). The practicum course provides students with the opportunity to work in a setting and with a population related to the cluster they choose while taking supportive coursework. Students are able to develop critical thinking and practice skills while interning in the setting of their choice. The second-level fieldwork courses build on the core content of the first-level experience as students learn to deal with more complex issues of the clinical process.
Prerequisites: completion of all 500-level courses and two 600-level methods electives or courses required for the cluster taken before or concurrent with the field placement.

Total Credits: 8

Year 2 -- Spring Semester

This course builds on the foundation content offered in SOWK 506 and in other areas of the curriculum. Knowledge gained in their clinical concentration can be organized and regulated by the principles of scientific inquiry. Therefore, the course integrates research and practice for the student, builds on the student's understanding of research paradigms, and offers the opportunity to apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to their line of inquiry. The basic thrust is twofold: 1) to provide students with knowledge and skill for theory-building and evaluating social work practice at clinical and program levels on intervention; and 2) to involve students in designing and implementing studies related to their advanced clinical focus. Students design and implement a meaningful hands-on research experience. Students demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly using research guidelines in their proposal and formal research report. An important aim is to help students understand the research process from beginning to end through the experience of doing their own research projects.

SOWK 607 -- The Development of Psychodynamic Theory -- 2 credits

This course will cover five different historical and current areas of psychodynamic theory: 1) drive and structural theory, 2) ego psychology, 3) object relations theories, 4) self psychology, and 5) new theories derived from research on infants. Emphasis is on understanding the evolution of psychodynamic theory over time, (i.e., how different theories have both built upon and diverged from each other, and what their respective strengths and limitations are). Applications to social work practice will be explored and discussed.

-- OR --

SOWK 615 -- The Adolescent Client: Diagnosis and Treatment -- 2 credits

This course emphasizes knowledge of critical dimensions of adolescent ego development (normal and pathogenic) and draws primarily from analytic ego psychological theory. The vicissitudes of therapeutic relationships with adolescents are explored, focusing on stages in the treatment process, the modes of expression available to clinicians, and clinicians' differential judgments regarding technique and communication. While a psychodynamic approach is emphasized within the context of an individual treatment model, some issues relative to family and group psychotheraphy will be addressed.

SWFI 631 -- Field Instruction IV -- 4.5 credits

The third and fourth semesters of field instruction are designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills that underlie the practice of clinical social work. Students at the second level choose a special focus or cluster (social work with children and families or health and mental health). The practicum course provides students with the opportunity to work in a setting and with a population related to the cluster they choose while taking supportive coursework. Students are able to develop critical thinking and practice skills while interning in the setting of their choice. The second-level fieldwork courses build on the core content of the first-level experience as students learn to deal with more complex issues of the clinical process.
Prerequisites: completion of all 500-level courses and two 600-level methods electives or courses required for the cluster taken before or concurrent with the field placement.

Total Credits: 8

Year 3 -- Summer Session I

This course examines the relationship between social work and law, development of the law and legal systems, and common areas of interest and practice of social workers and lawyers. Attention is focused on assisting social workers in recognizing legal issues and problems within their professional and personal lives, as well as providing instruction on proper preparation of written information and courtroom testimony. Particular emphasis is placed on issues in child welfare, family, juvenile, school, and administrative law, as well as legal issues in medicine, mental health, and work with the aged.
Prerequisites: all 500-level required courses.

SOWK 610F -- Social Policy in Practice or elective -- 2 credits

Total Credits: 4

Year 3 -- Summer Session II

SOWK 610H -- Social Policy in Practice or elective -- 2 credits

Total Credits: 4

Year 1 -- Summer Session I

This course studies the life cycle of the individual from in utero through old age and death from a biopsychosocial perspective via multiple theoretical frameworks. Individual growth and development is studied in the context of culture, race, ethnicity, social class, gender, families, and other social systems. Attention is also given to the impact of trauma, loss, and environmental stressors on the individual and the family.

SOWK 507 -- Social Welfare and Social Work -- 2 credits

This course examines social welfare problems, the system of social welfare, and its interrelationships with direct practice and the delivery of services. Particular emphasis is placed on the examination of different political and economic conceptions, as well as the ways in which they shape social programs and, in turn, social work practice. Attention is given to the controversies surrounding the "welfare society."

Total Credits: 5

Year 1 -- Summer Session II

Proceeding from the base established in SOWK 500, this course focuses on deepening the student's knowledge of human behavior. Maladaptive patterns of adult psychological functioning are examined. The interrelatedness of physical, psychological, familial, and larger social systems is emphasized in the consideration of both etiology and symptomatology.
Prerequisite: SOWK 500.

SOWK 502 -- Ethnicity, Race, and Culture: Diversity in Human Experience -- 2 credits

The course provides an orientation to the diversity of cultural values, family structures, and life styles within the United States. Particular attention will be given to African, Asian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Native American populations and their experiences. The review of cultural styles with any group culture provides an understanding of diversity within groups regarding gender, class, immigration, history, affectional preferences, level of acculturation, color, language, religion/spirituality. These cultural components will be discussed in relation to the consequences of institutional responses of the larger society to these groups as well as data collection, assessment, and intervention for social work practice.

Total Credits: 5

Year 1 -- Fall Semester

Theory for social work practice is studied, using an integrated social systems and biopsychosocial model. The student is introduced to the profession through its history and conceptual development and through an examination of the values, knowledge, and skills that characterize it. The course content focuses on the worker/client relationship and development of assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills.
Prerequisite: SOWK 500 or concurrent enrollment.

SWFI 530 -- Field Instruction I -- 3 credits

The first-level fieldwork courses provide the opportunity for students to acquire, integrate, and develop foundation knowledge and skills related to social work practice through a practicum experience. Students utilize a systems theory and biopsychosocial perspective that provides a basis for generalist practice, including the person -- in situation point of view. Students work directly with clients and client systems to learn about social work relationships, the professional code of ethics, assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. Students have the opportunity to work with diverse populations, and learn to evaluate change resulting from their own practice.
Prerequisites: SOWK 500, SOWK 503 or concurrent enrollment.

Total Credits: 6

Year 1 -- Spring Semester

Proceeding from the base established in SOWK 503, this course is concerned with social work as intervention with clients. The focus of the course is on individualized treatment planning and execution, based on diagnosis and the social worker's disciplined use of professional skills.
Prerequisite: SOWK 503.

SWFI 531 -- Field Instruction II -- 3 credits

The first-level fieldwork courses provide the opportunity for students to acquire, integrate, and develop foundation knowledge and skills related to social work practice through a practicum experience. Students utilize a systems theory and biopsychosocial perspective that provides a basis for generalist practice, including the person -- in situation point of view. Students work directly with clients and client systems to learn about social work relationships, the professional code of ethics, assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. Students have the opportunity to work with diverse populations, and learn to evaluate change resulting from their own practice.
Prerequisites: all foundation-level courses or concurrent enrollment.

Total Credits: 6

Year 2 -- Summer Session I

This course presents theoretical approaches to social work with small groups, with particular emphasis on the dynamics of small group process and appropriate worker intervention. Students will also experience group participation and analysis with a small group of their peers as part of the course requirements.
Prerequisite: SOWK 503 or concurrent enrollment.

SOWK 509 -- Policies and Strategies for Community Intervention -- 2 credits

This course provides a developmental review of community organization theory and practice at both the macro and micro levels. Basic models of community organization theory and practice are highlighted, including locality development, social planning, and social action as well as major policy issues that relate to communities. Special attention is given to the historical base of community organization in America, citizen/consumer participation, volunteerism, assessment of community needs, impact of racism, and community work and intervention techniques. Students will have an opportunity to examine the range of social work roles and functioning in community organization practice from the personal individual participant perspective to the social worker/professional organizer perspective, and as a policy-maker.
Prerequisites: SOCW 507 or concurrent enrollment.

Total Credits: 4

Year 2 -- Summer Session II

The need for practitioners to be accountable and to evaluate their own practice, programs, and service delivery requires them to have research skills. In addition, the social work profession depends on knowledge-generating activities using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. In recognition of these needs, the research sequence is designed to enable the student to prepare for three roles: 1) the role of a competent evaluator of one's own practice and programs; 2) the role of a responsible and critical consumer of social work research; and 3) the role of an active participant in knowledge-generating inquiries. The approach of this sequence also facilitates the student's understanding of issues related to racial and ethnic diversity and ethical standards and values in the context of social work research.

In order to supplement the objectives of the research sequence, and to take into account students' research backgrounds, aptitudes, and professional goals, two basic courses are offered. The purpose of the first course is to provide a foundation in research methodology, while the second course provides an opportunity to apply this content in a research project.

SOWK 612 -- Family Diagnosis and Treatment -- 2 credits

The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the field of family diagnosis and treatment. It provides a base of selected theoretical concepts and practice techniques which may be utilized to assess family functioning, organize therapeutic systems, and facilitate processes of family development and positive change. Case and audio-visual materials are used to illuminate content and demonstrate practice skills.

-- OR --

SOWK 616 -- Psychotherapy with Adults -- 2 credits

This course focuses on the content and process of psychodynamically-based psychotherapy with adults. Course content includes areas of diagnostic evaluation, the phasic treatment process, the therapeutic alliance, transference and counter-transference, frameworks for understanding communications, and therapeutic techniques.

Total Credits: 5

Year 2 -- Fall Semester

This course builds on the foundation content offered in SOWK 506 and in other areas of the curriculum. Knowledge gained in their clinical concentration can be organized and regulated by the principles of scientific inquiry. Therefore, the course integrates research and practice for the student, builds on the student's understanding of research paradigms, and offers the opportunity to apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to their line of inquiry. The basic thrust is twofold: 1) to provide students with knowledge and skill for theory-building and evaluating social work practice at clinical and program levels on intervention; and 2) to involve students in designing and implementing studies related to their advanced clinical focus. Students design and implement a meaningful hands-on research experience. Students demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly using research guidelines in their proposal and formal research report. An important aim is to help students understand the research process from beginning to end through the experience of doing their own research projects.

SOWK 609 -- Social Work Practicum in the Schools -- 2 credits

This course focuses on the roles of social workers in schools, including provision of direct service, consultation, advocacy, program development and evaluation, and liaison with family and community systems. A perspective on school social work is developed through a historical view of social work in schools and identification of issues in the delivery of social work services in schools. Significant legislation such as laws pertaining to special education, family rights and privacy, and due process will be included. Content areas are supported by value positions stemming from the professional social work value base and the professional code of ethics. This course should be taken concurrently with a school field placement.

-- OR --

SOWK 617 -- Clinical Diagnosis and Therapeutic Treatment -- 2 credits

Utilizing a developmental framework and a structural approach to clinical diagnosis, this course focuses on the manner in which individuals organize and understand their environments in harmony with the functioning of their innner lives. Selective perception and the concept of the transitional object are emphasized as basic to the development of both cognitive and affective development. Case material is analyzed to demonstrate the manner in which client communication can be understood from this point of view. Attention is then paid to how counter-transference reactions and worker-client interactions within the treatment situation can be used to promote growth. Although there is some illustrative material from work with neurotic clients, the course deals primarily with work with pre-oedipal disorders.

SWFI 630 -- Field Instruction III -- 4.5 credits

The third and fourth semesters of field instruction are designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills that underlie the practice of clinical social work. Students at the second level choose a special focus or cluster (social work with children and families or health and mental health). The practicum course provides students with the opportunity to work in a setting and with a population related to the cluster they choose while taking supportive coursework. Students are able to develop critical thinking and practice skills while interning in the setting of their choice. The second-level fieldwork courses build on the core content of the first-level experience as students learn to deal with more complex issues of the clinical process.
Prerequisites: completion of all 500-level courses and two 600-level methods electives or courses required for the cluster taken before or concurrent with the field placement.

Total Credits: 8

Year 2 -- Spring Semester

This course builds on the foundation content offered in SOWK 506 and in other areas of the curriculum. Knowledge gained in their clinical concentration can be organized and regulated by the principles of scientific inquiry. Therefore, the course integrates research and practice for the student, builds on the student's understanding of research paradigms, and offers the opportunity to apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to their line of inquiry. The basic thrust is twofold: 1) to provide students with knowledge and skill for theory-building and evaluating social work practice at clinical and program levels on intervention; and 2) to involve students in designing and implementing studies related to their advanced clinical focus. Students design and implement a meaningful hands-on research experience. Students demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly using research guidelines in their proposal and formal research report. An important aim is to help students understand the research process from beginning to end through the experience of doing their own research projects.

SOWK 607 -- The Development of Psychodynamic Theory -- 2 credits

This course will cover five different historical and current areas of psychodynamic theory: 1) drive and structural theory, 2) ego psychology, 3) object relations theories, 4) self psychology, and 5) new theories derived from research on infants. Emphasis is on understanding the evolution of psychodynamic theory over time, (i.e., how different theories have both built upon and diverged from each other, and what their respective strengths and limitations are). Applications to social work practice will be explored and discussed.

-- OR --

SOWK 615 -- The Adolescent Client: Diagnosis and Treatment -- 2 credits

This course emphasizes knowledge of critical dimensions of adolescent ego development (normal and pathogenic) and draws primarily from analytic ego psychological theory. The vicissitudes of therapeutic relationships with adolescents are explored, focusing on stages in the treatment process, the modes of expression available to clinicians, and clinicians' differential judgments regarding technique and communication. While a psychodynamic approach is emphasized within the context of an individual treatment model, some issues relative to family and group psychotheraphy will be addressed.

SWFI 631 -- Field Instruction IV -- 4.5 credits

The third and fourth semesters of field instruction are designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills that underlie the practice of clinical social work. Students at the second level choose a special focus or cluster (social work with children and families or health and mental health). The practicum course provides students with the opportunity to work in a setting and with a population related to the cluster they choose while taking supportive coursework. Students are able to develop critical thinking and practice skills while interning in the setting of their choice. The second-level fieldwork courses build on the core content of the first-level experience as students learn to deal with more complex issues of the clinical process.
Prerequisites: completion of all 500-level courses and two 600-level methods electives or courses required for the cluster taken before or concurrent with the field placement.

Total Credits: 8

Year 3 -- Summer Session I

This course examines the relationship between social work and law, development of the law and legal systems, and common areas of interest and practice of social workers and lawyers. Attention is focused on assisting social workers in recognizing legal issues and problems within their professional and personal lives, as well as providing instruction on proper preparation of written information and courtroom testimony. Particular emphasis is placed on issues in child welfare, family, juvenile, school, and administrative law, as well as legal issues in medicine, mental health, and work with the aged.
Prerequisites: all 500-level required courses.

SOWK 610F -- Social Policy in Practice or elective -- 2 credits

Total Credits: 4

Year 3 -- Summer Session II

SOWK 610H -- Social Policy in Practice or elective -- 2 credits

Total Credits: 4