Department Head: Dr. Kimber Wickersham
309 Brewer Hall
The Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
The goals of the Social Work program are to prepare social work graduates for the successful application of the knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work practice in a variety of settings. This includes, but is not limited to, excellence in interpersonal, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
SW 300 Interpersonal Skills and Human Relations (3)
This course examines interpersonal skills and helping relationships. The course is designed to help students better understand themselves and their personal and professional relationships. Critical thinking skills, problem-solving techniques and conflict resolution tactics are emphasized.
SW 306 Stress, Coping, and Resilience (3)
This course explores the biopsychosocial and spiritual aspects of stress, including different types of stress, consequences of
stress, differences in perceived stress, strategies for coping, and holistic methods for improving coping and resilience in response to
challenging life events. Grades: Pass/No credit.
SW 323 Social Work in Educational Settings (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course will present knowledge and critical skills related to evaluation of educational programs and policies for preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher education settings, functioning under public and private auspices. The primary focus of the course will be acquiring knowledge and skills for culturally responsive practice, including assessment, interviewing, and engagement with students and families within educational settings.
SW 330 Introduction to Social Work (3)
Prerequisite(s): 24 earned hours.
Designed to assist the student who is considering social work as a career. Fundamental concepts of social work, client systems, fields of practice, history, and the current status of social work are presented.
SW 332 Social Policy and Services (WI) (3)
SW 333 Family and Child Welfare Services I (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
An exploration of the history of child welfare service in this country, as well as current trends in this field of social work. Foster care, adoption, and protective services will be viewed in a historical perspective, ending with an evaluation of current policy and future implications for social work practice in child welfare areas.
SW 335 Social Work in Health Care (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course explores social work practice in various health care settings such as hospitals, health maintenance organizations, long-term care facilities, and home health care agencies. The psychosocial aspects of working with clients (patients) and the range of intervention strategies available to social work practitioners will be discussed.
SW 336 Crisis Intervention (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course provides content in crisis theory and intervention strategies. May be used as an elective in social work.
SW 338 Social Work and Mental Health (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course is designed to teach the identification, symptomology, and current trends in the treatment of mental illness. Emphasis will be placed on the diagnosis and treatment of dysfunctional cognitive, emotive, and behavioral disorders.
SW 339 Communication In Social Work Practice (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
An exploration of the historical development and current trends in both verbal and written forms of social work communication. Students will gain understanding in the development of effective presentations, psycho-social assessments, memorandums, proposals, progress notes, agendas, minutes, and other types of communication needed to be effective social work practitioners.
SW 340 Substance-Use and Addictive Disorders in Social Work Practice (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course presents the current trends related to addictions and substance use disorders, including causes and consequences, and the role of social work. Treatment interventions and social ramifications will be explored.
SW 343 Family and Child Welfare Services II (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course examines contemporary theory, practices, and services in the field of child welfare and social services for children and families. Emphasis is placed on supportive, supplementary, and substitute care services in child welfare, including skills and knowledge most helpful in case management with children and families.
SW 344 Community Engagement and Leadership (3)
The course is designed to help students come to a personal understanding of community service and leadership through learning based on volunteer service experiences, readings, group discussion and interaction, and critical reflection. This course includes the examination of pervasive social issues occurring locally, nationally, and globally. As part of this course, students are required to complete a minimum of 40 volunteer service-learning hours in a community and/or social service setting to be approved by the instructor. Students will be introduced to skills and issues relevant to various helping and human service professions.
SW 350 Social Work Research (WI) (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330, CS 201, and MS 110 or higher.
This course will focus on the application of theories and skills of social research to social work practice with individuals, groups, organizations, and communities. It is recommended this course be taken soon after SW 330. Students can use the skills and knowledge developed in this course to better complete the research assignments in the advanced social work courses. Social Work Majors only. (Writing Intensive Course)
SW 353 Forensic Social Work (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course provides an examination of social work roles within the realm of the criminal justice and legal system. The course will focus on the knowledge, skills, ethics, and competencies necessary for working with diverse populations within these settings. Topics will include, but are not limited to, forensic social work practice within the child welfare system, mental health system, juvenile justice system, domestic violence, etc.
SW 360 Cultural Diversity and Social Justice (3)
Content is presented that promotes understanding, affirmation, and respect for people from diverse backgrounds. Content focuses on how prejudice, discrimination, and exclusion affect the experiences of members of diverse groups.
SW 365 Perspectives on Poverty (3)
This course explores the heritage of poverty in the United States and the implications of the myths, facts, and social policies that influence and affect individuals, families, and communities. The course emphasizes the complex causes and prevalence of poverty and explores poverty research and models to eradicate or prevent poverty.
SW 370 Aging and Human Development (3)
SW 371 Perspectives on Death and Dying (3)
An examination of the attitudes of differing cultures and subcultures toward death, which encourages students to supplement relevant readings by discussing personal attitudes toward death and dying. Current research in this topic will be explored by lectures, films, and reading. By better understanding death and dying, students can explore in this course opportunities for growth and for improving the quality of life. SW 371 is cross-listed with SY 340 but only one course can be counted for credit.
SW 380 Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3)
SW 381 Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3)
SW 390 Social Work Practice I (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
Generalist social work practice, ethics and values of the social work profession, and basic helping skills will be studied. Students will begin to acquire generalist social work practice skills and an identity with the social work profession. Social Work Majors only.
SW 391 Social Work Practice II (3)
SW 392 Cognitive Theories in Social Work Practice (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
The process of how emotions work and how humans can learn to behave more rationally in dealing with anger, anxiety, and depression will be reviewed.
SW 395 Case Management (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
This course will assist students to develop skills in assessment, consulting, teaching, modeling, and advocacy to enhance the optimum social functioning of clients. Attention will be paid to the ways in which social workers can utilize practice models to pursue policies, services, and resources in a variety of social service settings.
SW 399 Study Tour (3)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330.
Topics, excursions, and requirements determined by department. May be duplicated for credit; however, only 3 credits may be applied toward any major or minor. Infrequently scheduled and subject to minimum and maximum numbers. Advance deposit required.
SW 441 Independent Study (3)
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department head and instructor.
Students with advanced standing explore areas of special interest with individualized instruction from a faculty member. Social Work Majors only.
SW 442 Independent Study (3)
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department head and instructor.
Students with advanced standing explore areas of special interest with individualized instruction from a faculty member. Social Work Majors only.
SW 443 Independent Study (3)
Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department head and instructor.
Students with advanced standing explore areas of special interest with individualized instruction from a faculty member. Social Work Majors only.
SW 445 Special Topics in Social Work (1)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330 and permission from the instructor and Department Head.
This course focuses upon a selected area of social work practice and/or education. The course capitalizes on a timely topic, research activity, or experimental alternative to existing courses, etc. Directed Study. (Social Work Majors only.)
SW 446 Special Topics in Social Work (1)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330 and permission from Instructor and Department Head.
This course focuses upon a selected area of social work practice and/or education. The course capitalizes on a timely topic, research activity, or experimental alternative to existing courses, etc. Directed Study. (Social Work Majors only)
SW 447 Special Topics in Social Work (1)
Prerequisite(s): SW 330 and permission from Instructor and Department Head.
This course focuses upon a selected area of social work practice and/or education. The course capitalizes on a timely topic, research activity, or experimental alternative to existing courses, etc. Directed Study. (Social Work Majors only)
SW 448 Social Work Practice III (3)
Prerequisite(s): All other courses for the BSW degree except SW 449 and SW 450 and admission to Field Instruction Placement.
Corequisite(s): Sw 449 and SW 450.
Generalist practice knowledge, values, and skills will be studied and developed for work with and in organizations, communities, and large social systems.
SW 449 Field Instruction Placement (9)