BSW Courses

Required Courses in Social Work (*Majors Only)

301. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK (3 hrs):
Introduction to Social Work as a profession and to its practice methodologies, with an emphasis on the Generalist Method.
300. SOCIAL SERVICE SYSTEMS (3 hrs):
Study of the major social service systems in which social workers practice. Historical perspectives, value issues and current administrative policies are examined.
315. HUMAN DIVERSITY IN A CHANGING WORLD (3 hrs):
Cultural, social and psychological implications of diverse lifestyles for social work practice. Differences/similarities among various cultures and implications for social work practice are explored.
329*. INTERVIEWING AND RECORDING (3 hrs):
Prerequisites: Social Work Major and 3 hours of English Electives (ENG 300, 332, or 333). Fundamentals of good oral and written communication skills for social workers presented in a laboratory setting.
330*. SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE I (3 hrs):
Co-requisites: SWK 329 & SWK 340. Development of generalist practice skills with a focus on direct services to individuals, families, and groups.
331*. SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE II (3 hrs):
Prerequisites: Social Work Major and SWK 330. Co-requisite: SWK 341. Models of social work practice carried out in organizations and communities with emphasis on macro practice.
340*. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I (3 hrs):
Prerequisites: PSY 375, and BSC 107 with lab. Study of the interrelations of the biological, social, cultural, environmental and psychological factors in human behavior and their relevance and application to social work practice.
341*. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II (3 hrs):
Prerequisites: SWK 340. Co-requisite: SWK 331. Examination of theoretical and practice concerns of human behavior in groups, communities and formal organizations. Particular focus is placed on oppression, social justice, and human rights.
400*. SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY ANALYSIS (3hrs):
Prerequisites: SWK 331, SWK 341. Co-requisite: SWK 410 & SWK 420. Examination of the construction, analysis, and implementation of social welfare policy at local, state, and federal levels.
410*. SOCIAL WORK THEORIES (3hrs):
Prerequisites: SWK 331, SWK 341. Co-requisites: SWK 400, SWK 420. Overview of practice theories providing the foundation to social work practice with children, adults, and families.
420*. METHODS OF SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH (3 hrs):
Prerequisites: SWK 331, SWK 341, CSC 100, and CHS440. Co-requisite: SWK 400 & SWK 410. Methods of data collection, analysis, interpretation and reporting in preparation for the evaluation of social work practice and research.
430*. FIELD EDUCATION (9 hrs):
Prerequisites: Must have completed the required university general education curriculum, the social work core, and the professional foundation. The student must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Co-requisite SWK 431. This internship in a social service agency provides experience in direct service to client systems and enhances and develops generalist practice skills. This course is the only one in the social work curriculum where students earn a Pass/Fail grade.
431* FIELD SEMINAR (3 hrs):
Co-requisite: SWK 430. The seminar enables students to further develop generalist practice skills and integrate 12 professional knowledge, values, skills and theory with practice.

Social Work Electives (6 hours are required)

492. SPECIAL PROBLEMS (3 hrs):
(May be repeated up to 6 credit hrs.) Allows a student or a group of students to study issues of special significance for social work practice that are not normally addressed by regular courses.
493. CRISIS INTERVENTION (3 hrs):
Prerequisites: SWK 330, Theory as well as step-by-step interventions for the helping professional to assist the client in reducing temporary and extreme stress.
494. SOCIAL WORK WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (3 hrs):
Prerequisites: SWK 330. Introduction to the practice settings that provides services to children and their families. Social work practice in child welfare agencies and social service interventions to strengthen families will be the primary focus.
495. HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN JAMAICA (4hrs):
Prerequisite: Pre-social work or social work major and permission of the instructor. Provides a cross cultural experience where students learn about Jamaican culture, social development, social welfare, and social justice.
496. SOCIAL WORK IN SCHOOLS (3hrs):
Examines the challenges and opportunities of social work practice in education and the roles and functions of social workers within a complex ecological system of home/school/community; addresses the impact of issues such as violence, AIDS, physical and sexual abuse, drugs and discrimination.
497. SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE AND FAMILY VIOLENCE (3hrs):