MSSW Fall Start Courses

• SOWK 503 – Intro to Interpersonal Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab, which covers micro and mezzo practice, specifically with individuals, families, and small groups. Introduces the profession of social work, its history, ethical code, and theories related to interpersonal practice with an emphasis on social justice, trauma-informed care, and interprofessional practice. Will allow students to compare and contrast evidence-based interventions and models of social work practice with clients/client systems in the context of social work values, attention to all forms of diversity, and professional engagement with clients.
• SOWK 504 – Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Introduction to Interpersonal Social Work Practice. This experiential course will address the essential skills of social work practice of empathy, engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination. Students will learn appropriate use of self, including self-care strategies. Skills will be addressed with consideration of the various frameworks of social work practice with diverse populations including trauma-informed care, interprofessional practice, and social justice.

• SOWK 510 – Social Welfare Policy and Programs
  • A required generalist course. Explores the policies that shape the welfare system and influence social work practice. Will emphasize organizational and legislative systems at the federal, state, local levels and their impact on social services. Links social welfare policy and social work practice by critically analyzing the historic and contemporary contexts of social welfare practice. The processes of analyzing, influencing, developing, implementing, and advocating for policies and programs through the lens of social work values and ethics are addressed.
• SOWK 538 – Social Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practices
  • A required generalist course designed to increase students’ awareness of the dimensions of human diversity and forms of oppression, discrimination, and inequality. Students will learn to apply and articulate social justice frameworks, critical theory, and a human rights perspective to complex social problems. Students will be prepared to integrate these concepts into future ethical decision-making and practice with marginalized populations.

• SOWK 511 – Intro to Macro Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course covers systemic macro practice, specifically communities, organizations, and leadership roles. A range of methods, strategies, and skills applicable to diverse macro settings are examined. Taking into consideration the historical and contemporary relevance of macro practice, students will explore issues of social justice, inequality, and systemic oppression.
• SOWK 519 – Foundations of Social Work Research
  • A required generalist course. Includes the concepts and skills underlying social work research, including basic research terminology, the value of research in social work practice, research ethics, research with minoritized populations, problem formulation and conceptualization, measurement, research designs, sampling, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytic techniques.

• SOWK 515 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Required generalist course that examines biological, psychological, and social theories and frameworks for individuals and families, emphasizing the interaction between neurophysiological development and environmental contexts. Risk and protective factors that influence and shape development while promoting resilience are identified. The influences of culture, oppressive systems, and dynamic processes critical to risk and resilience for vulnerable populations are explored. Practice implications for early prevention, policies, and services for healthy and atypical developmental patterns are examined including behavioral health challenges, chronic illness, family and social relationships, and death and dying.
• SOWK 542 – Generalist Field Practicum I
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The first in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. This experiential course gives students the opportunity to apply, practice, and refine generalist social work competencies, knowledge, and skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The seminar content, assignments, and activities prepare students for successful engagement and learning in a professional practice setting.

• SOWK 544 – Generalist Field Practicum II
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The second in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. Students continue and complete the agency placement that they commenced in Generalist Field Practice I. Students apply, practice, and demonstrate appropriate mastery of all generalist competencies in preparation for their concentration placement experience. The seminar focuses on processing student learning and content related to ethical and professional practice.
• SOWK 565 – Psychosocial Assessment & Diagnostic Formulation in the Behavioral Health Systems
  • Social workers are often required to practice within multidisciplinary teams of professionals. The role of the social worker within the larger behavioral health policy and care systems is the conceptualization of an individual, family, and community systems within a social/cultural/political/economic context and from a strengths-based perspective. Will teach students to conduct a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of multiple systems. Students will critique assessment and diagnostic tools, including an in-depth examination of the diagnostic framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Students completing the course will demonstrate competency in psychosocial assessment, including a diagnostic formulation.

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
• Elective (optional; may take in Spring)
• Elective (optional; may take in Spring)

• SOWK 560 – Interpersonal Practice with Groups
  • This required concentration course focuses on recruitment and composition of group members, leadership structure of small groups, phases of group development, and such group processes as decision-making, tension reduction, conflict resolution, goal setting, contracting, and evaluation. Students will learn how to assess and address group problems, to employ a variety of intra-group strategies and techniques such as programs, structured activities, exercises, etc. Also considers how gender, ethnicity, race, social class, sexual orientation, and different abilities will impact on various aspects of group functioning such as purpose, composition, leadership, selection of intervention strategies, and group development. Will also address aspects of clinical and advanced policy practice in the contemporary environment of behavioral health including such concepts as telehealth, integrated care, trauma responsive care, and professional use of self all grounded in the concepts of social justice and anti-racist practice.
• SOWK 562 – Interpersonal Practice with Adult Individuals
  • A required concentration course that provides the foundation for clinical social work practice. Advanced knowledge and skills are developed in the areas of interviewing, building the therapeutic alliance, case formulation/conceptualization, and treatment planning and intervention, all from a strengths-based perspective. Particular emphasis is placed on effective case conceptualization and the use of evidence‐based treatments for common mental health problems across populations. Will also address aspects of clinical and advanced policy practice in the contemporary environment of behavioral health including such concepts as telehealth, integrated care, trauma responsive care, and professional use of self all grounded in the concepts of social justice and anti-racist practice.
• SOWK 563 – Assessment and Evaluation of Interpersonal Practice
  • This required concentration course focuses on the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to systematically plan and evaluate interpersonal practice for the purpose of informing clinical decision-making and investigate policies that impact clinical practice. Builds upon the foundation research, human behavior, and practice courses, and examines evidence-based methods for conducting trauma-informed assessments through an anti-racist and social justice lens; identifying and implementing culturally relevant evidence-based interventions; and measuring and monitoring outcomes for individuals, couples, families, and small groups within a variety of settings, including interprofessional practice contexts.
• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
  

• SOWK 570 – Family Therapy
  • Advances students’ theoretical knowledge and practice skills in working with individuals and families. Will utilize a family-systems perspective and integrate such concepts as family stress and resilience, prevention and recovery in understanding and treating families through the phases of treatment from engagement and assessment to termination and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the development and enhancement of knowledge, skill, theories and values specific to family practice. Various family therapy models will be introduced. Theories of the family, family development and diverse family structures are examined. Will acquaint students with the concepts for dealing with systems when they face crisis, trauma and grief. The significance of crisis and grief for social work practice will be addressed. Concepts of behavioral health and family policy will also be addressed.
• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)

• SOWK 503 – Intro to Interpersonal Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab, which covers micro and mezzo practice, specifically with individuals, families, and small groups. Introduces the profession of social work, its history, ethical code, and theories related to interpersonal practice with an emphasis on social justice, trauma-informed care, and interprofessional practice. Will allow students to compare and contrast evidence-based interventions and models of social work practice with clients/client systems in the context of social work values, attention to all forms of diversity, and professional engagement with clients.
• SOWK 504 – Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Introduction to Interpersonal Social Work Practice. This experiential course will address the essential skills of social work practice of empathy, engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination. Students will learn appropriate use of self, including self-care strategies. Skills will be addressed with consideration of the various frameworks of social work practice with diverse populations including trauma-informed care, interprofessional practice, and social justice.

• SOWK 510 – Social Welfare Policy and Programs
  • A required generalist course. Explores the policies that shape the welfare system and influence social work practice. Will emphasize organizational and legislative systems at the federal, state, local levels and their impact on social services. Links social welfare policy and social work practice by critically analyzing the historic and contemporary contexts of social welfare practice. The processes of analyzing, influencing, developing, implementing, and advocating for policies and programs through the lens of social work values and ethics are addressed.
• SOWK 538 – Social Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practices
  • A required generalist course designed to increase students’ awareness of the dimensions of human diversity and forms of oppression, discrimination, and inequality. Students will learn to apply and articulate social justice frameworks, critical theory, and a human rights perspective to complex social problems. Students will be prepared to integrate these concepts into future ethical decision-making and practice with marginalized populations.

• SOWK 511 – Intro to Macro Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course covers systemic macro practice, specifically communities, organizations, and leadership roles. A range of methods, strategies, and skills applicable to diverse macro settings are examined. Taking into consideration the historical and contemporary relevance of macro practice, students will explore issues of social justice, inequality, and systemic oppression.
• SOWK 519 – Foundations of Social Work Research
  • A required generalist course. Includes the concepts and skills underlying social work research, including basic research terminology, the value of research in social work practice, research ethics, research with minoritized populations, problem formulation and conceptualization, measurement, research designs, sampling, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytic techniques.

• SOWK 515 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Required generalist course that examines biological, psychological, and social theories and frameworks for individuals and families, emphasizing the interaction between neurophysiological development and environmental contexts. Risk and protective factors that influence and shape development while promoting resilience are identified. The influences of culture, oppressive systems, and dynamic processes critical to risk and resilience for vulnerable populations are explored. Practice implications for early prevention, policies, and services for healthy and atypical developmental patterns are examined including behavioral health challenges, chronic illness, family and social relationships, and death and dying.
• SOWK 542 – Generalist Field Practicum I
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The first in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. This experiential course gives students the opportunity to apply, practice, and refine generalist social work competencies, knowledge, and skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The seminar content, assignments, and activities prepare students for successful engagement and learning in a professional practice setting.

• SOWK 544 – Generalist Field Practicum II
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The second in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. Students continue and complete the agency placement that they commenced in Generalist Field Practice I. Students apply, practice, and demonstrate appropriate mastery of all generalist competencies in preparation for their concentration placement experience. The seminar focuses on processing student learning and content related to ethical and professional practice.
• SOWK 565 – Psychosocial Assessment & Diagnostic Formulation in the Behavioral Health Systems
  • Social workers are often required to practice within multidisciplinary teams of professionals. The role of the social worker within the larger behavioral health policy and care systems is the conceptualization of an individual, family, and community systems within a social/cultural/political/economic context and from a strengths-based perspective. Will teach students to conduct a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of multiple systems. Students will critique assessment and diagnostic tools, including an in-depth examination of the diagnostic framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Students completing the course will demonstrate competency in psychosocial assessment, including a diagnostic formulation.

• SOWK 560 – Interpersonal Practice with Groups
  • This required concentration course focuses on recruitment and composition of group members, leadership structure of small groups, phases of group development, and such group processes as decision-making, tension reduction, conflict resolution, goal setting, contracting, and evaluation. Students will learn how to assess and address group problems, to employ a variety of intra-group strategies and techniques such as programs, structured activities, exercises, etc. Also considers how gender, ethnicity, race, social class, sexual orientation, and different abilities will impact on various aspects of group functioning such as purpose, composition, leadership, selection of intervention strategies, and group development. Will also address aspects of clinical and advanced policy practice in the contemporary environment of behavioral health including such concepts as telehealth, integrated care, trauma responsive care, and professional use of self all grounded in the concepts of social justice and anti-racist practice.
• SOWK 562 – Interpersonal Practice with Adult Individuals
  • A required concentration course that provides the foundation for clinical social work practice. Advanced knowledge and skills are developed in the areas of interviewing, building the therapeutic alliance, case formulation/conceptualization, and treatment planning and intervention, all from a strengths-based perspective. Particular emphasis is placed on effective case conceptualization and the use of evidence‐based treatments for common mental health problems across populations. Will also address aspects of clinical and advanced policy practice in the contemporary environment of behavioral health including such concepts as telehealth, integrated care, trauma responsive care, and professional use of self all grounded in the concepts of social justice and anti-racist practice.

SOWK 570 – Family Therapy

• Advances students’ theoretical knowledge and practice skills in working with individuals and families. Will utilize a family-systems perspective and integrate such concepts as family stress and resilience, prevention and recovery in understanding and treating families through the phases of treatment from engagement and assessment to termination and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the development and enhancement of knowledge, skill, theories and values specific to family practice. Various family therapy models will be introduced. Theories of the family, family development and diverse family structures are examined. Will acquaint students with the concepts for dealing with systems when they face crisis, trauma and grief. The significance of crisis and grief for social work practice will be addressed. Concepts of behavioral health and family policy will also be addressed.
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)

• SOWK 563 – Assessment and Evaluation of Interpersonal Practice
  • This required concentration course focuses on the development of knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to systematically plan and evaluate interpersonal practice for the purpose of informing clinical decision-making and investigate policies that impact clinical practice. Builds upon the foundation research, human behavior, and practice courses, and examines evidence-based methods for conducting trauma-informed assessments through an anti-racist and social justice lens; identifying and implementing culturally relevant evidence-based interventions; and measuring and monitoring outcomes for individuals, couples, families, and small groups within a variety of settings, including interprofessional practice contexts.
• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
• Elective

• SOWK 510 – Social Welfare Policy and Programs
  • A required generalist course. Explores the policies that shape the welfare system and influence social work practice. Will emphasize organizational and legislative systems at the federal, state, local levels and their impact on social services. Links social welfare policy and social work practice by critically analyzing the historic and contemporary contexts of social welfare practice. The processes of analyzing, influencing, developing, implementing, and advocating for policies and programs through the lens of social work values and ethics are addressed.
• SOWK 538 – Social Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practices
  • A required generalist course designed to increase students’ awareness of the dimensions of human diversity and forms of oppression, discrimination, and inequality. Students will learn to apply and articulate social justice frameworks, critical theory, and a human rights perspective to complex social problems. Students will be prepared to integrate these concepts into future ethical decision-making and practice with marginalized populations.

• SOWK 511 – Intro to Macro Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course covers systemic macro practice, specifically communities, organizations, and leadership roles. A range of methods, strategies, and skills applicable to diverse macro settings are examined. Taking into consideration the historical and contemporary relevance of macro practice, students will explore issues of social justice, inequality, and systemic oppression.
• SOWK 519 – Foundations of Social Work Research
  • A required generalist course. Includes the concepts and skills underlying social work research, including basic research terminology, the value of research in social work practice, research ethics, research with minoritized populations, problem formulation and conceptualization, measurement, research designs, sampling, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytic techniques.

• SOWK 503 – Intro to Interpersonal Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab, which covers micro and mezzo practice, specifically with individuals, families, and small groups. Introduces the profession of social work, its history, ethical code, and theories related to interpersonal practice with an emphasis on social justice, trauma-informed care, and interprofessional practice. Will allow students to compare and contrast evidence-based interventions and models of social work practice with clients/client systems in the context of social work values, attention to all forms of diversity, and professional engagement with clients.
• SOWK 504 – Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Introduction to Interpersonal Social Work Practice. This experiential course will address the essential skills of social work practice of empathy, engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination. Students will learn appropriate use of self, including self-care strategies. Skills will be addressed with consideration of the various frameworks of social work practice with diverse populations including trauma-informed care, interprofessional practice, and social justice.
• SOWK 542 – Generalist Field Practicum I
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The first in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. This experiential course gives students the opportunity to apply, practice, and refine generalist social work competencies, knowledge, and skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The seminar content, assignments, and activities prepare students for successful engagement and learning in a professional practice setting.
    

• SOWK 515 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Required generalist course that examines biological, psychological, and social theories and frameworks for individuals and families, emphasizing the interaction between neurophysiological development and environmental contexts. Risk and protective factors that influence and shape development while promoting resilience are identified. The influences of culture, oppressive systems, and dynamic processes critical to risk and resilience for vulnerable populations are explored. Practice implications for early prevention, policies, and services for healthy and atypical developmental patterns are examined including behavioral health challenges, chronic illness, family and social relationships, and death and dying.

• SOWK 544 – Generalist Field Practicum II
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The second in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. Students continue and complete the agency placement that they commenced in Generalist Field Practice I. Students apply, practice, and demonstrate appropriate mastery of all generalist competencies in preparation for their concentration placement experience. The seminar focuses on processing student learning and content related to ethical and professional practice.

• SOWK 565 – Psychosocial Assessment & Diagnostic Formulation in the Behavioral Health Systems
  • Social workers are often required to practice within multidisciplinary teams of professionals. The role of the social worker within the larger behavioral health policy and care systems is the conceptualization of an individual, family, and community systems within a social/cultural/political/economic context and from a strengths-based perspective. Will teach students to conduct a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of multiple systems. Students will critique assessment and diagnostic tools, including an in-depth examination of the diagnostic framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Students completing the course will demonstrate competency in psychosocial assessment, including a diagnostic formulation.

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)

• SOWK 545 – Resource Development and Management
  • In this required course for the Organizational Leadership concentration, students will learn the fundamentals of organizational management in the social service sector. Will provide an overview of the skills required by leaders of organizations and will discuss the purpose or mission of the organization and its place in society, including laws, regulations, and policies. The important logistics of nonprofit management are addressed including financial management, human resources, fund development, accreditation, resource management, trauma responsive systems, and grant acquisition and management. These concepts are all addressed through the lens of the NASW Code of Ethics with a special emphasis on the components of social justice such as contributive and distributive justice.
• SOWK 547 – Advanced Organizational Theory and Practice
  • In this required course for the Organizational Leadership concentration, students will be introduced to social service/nonprofit organizations through a trauma-informed, social, anti-racist, economic, and environmental justice lens. Students will gain the knowledge/skill needed for entrance into management positions in human service/nonprofit/governmental/quasi-governmental organizations. Topics addressed will include multi-organization initiatives such as partnerships, community coalitions and alliances, theories in economic development such as how economic factors affect the social sector with particular attention to entrepreneurship/venture philanthropy, and collective impact. Will consider aspects of governmental relations, operational best practices including practical skills such as running meetings, employee development, advanced strategic planning and futuring, understanding and incorporating accreditation standards, organizational culture and ethical practice in organizations. Topics such as nonprofit governance and accountability, human resource development, supervision, compensation strategies, management theories and employment law will also be addressed.
• SOWK 548 – Advanced Change Management and Policy Practice
  • Instructs students in the traditions of social work change and the empowerment of clients from within an organizational system and as an individual change agent. Topics addressed will include advanced advocacy skills, coalition building in order to impact legislation, policy research, congressional testifying, policy development and analysis at organizational/local/state/federal levels, use of information technology and social media in bringing about change, and organizational government relations. Empowerment of recipients of service and implementation science will be addressed.

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
  

• SOWK 549 – Program Development and Continuous Improvement
  • In this required course for the Organizational Leadership concentration, students will address the important aspects of measuring and demonstrating the impact that social programming has on clients, organizations, and communities. Content includes the basic principles of program development, needs assessments, program implementation, impact measurements, applied data analysis, and dissemination of outcomes related to topics such as social justice, anti-racism, and trauma responsiveness.

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)
• Elective (if not taken in Summer)

• SOWK 510 – Social Welfare Policy and Programs
  • A required generalist course. Explores the policies that shape the welfare system and influence social work practice. Will emphasize organizational and legislative systems at the federal, state, local levels and their impact on social services. Links social welfare policy and social work practice by critically analyzing the historic and contemporary contexts of social welfare practice. The processes of analyzing, influencing, developing, implementing, and advocating for policies and programs through the lens of social work values and ethics are addressed.
• SOWK 538 – Social Justice & Anti-Oppressive Practices
  • A required generalist course designed to increase students’ awareness of the dimensions of human diversity and forms of oppression, discrimination, and inequality. Students will learn to apply and articulate social justice frameworks, critical theory, and a human rights perspective to complex social problems. Students will be prepared to integrate these concepts into future ethical decision-making and practice with marginalized populations.

• SOWK 511 – Intro to Macro Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course covers systemic macro practice, specifically communities, organizations, and leadership roles. A range of methods, strategies, and skills applicable to diverse macro settings are examined. Taking into consideration the historical and contemporary relevance of macro practice, students will explore issues of social justice, inequality, and systemic oppression.

• SOWK 519 – Foundations of Social Work Research
  • A required generalist course. Includes the concepts and skills underlying social work research, including basic research terminology, the value of research in social work practice, research ethics, research with minoritized populations, problem formulation and conceptualization, measurement, research designs, sampling, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analytic techniques.

• SOWK 503 – Intro to Interpersonal Social Work Practice
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab, which covers micro and mezzo practice, specifically with individuals, families, and small groups. Introduces the profession of social work, its history, ethical code, and theories related to interpersonal practice with an emphasis on social justice, trauma-informed care, and interprofessional practice. Will allow students to compare and contrast evidence-based interventions and models of social work practice with clients/client systems in the context of social work values, attention to all forms of diversity, and professional engagement with clients.
• SOWK 504 – Interpersonal Social Work Skills Lab
  • A required generalist course, taken concurrently with Introduction to Interpersonal Social Work Practice. This experiential course will address the essential skills of social work practice of empathy, engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, and termination. Students will learn appropriate use of self, including self-care strategies. Skills will be addressed with consideration of the various frameworks of social work practice with diverse populations including trauma-informed care, interprofessional practice, and social justice.

• SOWK 542 – Generalist Field Practicum I
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The first in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. This experiential course gives students the opportunity to apply, practice, and refine generalist social work competencies, knowledge, and skills with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The seminar content, assignments, and activities prepare students for successful engagement and learning in a professional practice setting.

• SOWK 515 – Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Required generalist course that examines biological, psychological, and social theories and frameworks for individuals and families, emphasizing the interaction between neurophysiological development and environmental contexts. Risk and protective factors that influence and shape development while promoting resilience are identified. The influences of culture, oppressive systems, and dynamic processes critical to risk and resilience for vulnerable populations are explored. Practice implications for early prevention, policies, and services for healthy and atypical developmental patterns are examined including behavioral health challenges, chronic illness, family and social relationships, and death and dying.

• SOWK 544 – Generalist Field Practicum II
  • A required generalist course with a focus on integrating social work theory and practice in an organizational setting. The second in a sequence of required field practicum courses. Includes an agency-based placement and a seminar. Students continue and complete the agency placement that they commenced in Generalist Field Practice I. Students apply, practice, and demonstrate appropriate mastery of all generalist competencies in preparation for their concentration placement experience. The seminar focuses on processing student learning and content related to ethical and professional practice.
• SOWK 565 – Psychosocial Assessment & Diagnostic Formulation in the Behavioral Health Systems
  • Social workers are often required to practice within multidisciplinary teams of professionals. The role of the social worker within the larger behavioral health policy and care systems is the conceptualization of an individual, family, and community systems within a social/cultural/political/economic context and from a strengths-based perspective. Will teach students to conduct a comprehensive psychosocial assessment of multiple systems. Students will critique assessment and diagnostic tools, including an in-depth examination of the diagnostic framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Students completing the course will demonstrate competency in psychosocial assessment, including a diagnostic formulation.

• SOWK 545 – Resource Development and Management
  • In this required course for the Organizational Leadership concentration, students will learn the fundamentals of organizational management in the social service sector. Will provide an overview of the skills required by leaders of organizations and will discuss the purpose or mission of the organization and its place in society, including laws, regulations, and policies. The important logistics of nonprofit management are addressed including financial management, human resources, fund development, accreditation, resource management, trauma responsive systems, and grant acquisition and management. These concepts are all addressed through the lens of the NASW Code of Ethics with a special emphasis on the components of social justice such as contributive and distributive justice.
• SOWK 547 – Advanced Organizational Theory and Practice
  • In this required course for the Organizational Leadership concentration, students will be introduced to social service/nonprofit organizations through a trauma-informed, social, anti-racist, economic, and environmental justice lens. Students will gain the knowledge/skill needed for entrance into management positions in human service/nonprofit/governmental/quasi-governmental organizations. Topics addressed will include multi-organization initiatives such as partnerships, community coalitions and alliances, theories in economic development such as how economic factors affect the social sector with particular attention to entrepreneurship/venture philanthropy, and collective impact. Will consider aspects of governmental relations, operational best practices including practical skills such as running meetings, employee development, advanced strategic planning and futuring, understanding and incorporating accreditation standards, organizational culture and ethical practice in organizations. Topics such as nonprofit governance and accountability, human resource development, supervision, compensation strategies, management theories and employment law will also be addressed.

• SOWK 549 – Program Development and Continuous Improvement
  • In this required course for the Organizational Leadership concentration, students will address the important aspects of measuring and demonstrating the impact that social programming has on clients, organizations, and communities. Content includes the basic principles of program development, needs assessments, program implementation, impact measurements, applied data analysis, and dissemination of outcomes related to topics such as social justice, anti-racism, and trauma responsiveness.

• Elective
  

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended
• Elective

• SOWK 548 – Advanced Change Management and Policy Practice
  • Instructs students in the traditions of social work change and the empowerment of clients from within an organizational system and as an individual change agent. Topics addressed will include advanced advocacy skills, coalition building in order to impact legislation, policy research, congressional testifying, policy development and analysis at organizational/local/state/federal levels, use of information technology and social media in bringing about change, and organizational government relations. Empowerment of recipients of service and implementation science will be addressed.
• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice

• SOWK 584 – Advanced Field Practice Extended or SOWK 586 – Advanced Field Practice
• Elective