SW 250 Introduction to Social Welfare 3hrs. Overview of historical development and contemporary forces shaping the social welfare system in the U.S. Examines social policies, social conditions affecting vulnerable populations, and service delivery systems in which social work is practiced. Includes community agency contact.
SW 260 Research Methods 3hrs. Social research methods: research design and models of observation, including single subject and program evaluation, quantitative and qualitative methods, sampling techniques, questionnaire construction, types of surveys, measurement problems, and data analysis. Prerequisites: Sociology or social work major or consent of instructor; MTH 111 or PSY 205.
SW 350 Foundations for Social Work Practice 3hrs. Historical development of social work. Introduction of generalist social work practice, systems perspective; knowledge, skills, values, and ethics required for practice; communication skills and the helping relationship as foundation for the problem-solving process. Overview of fields of practice. Includes required volunteer experience.
SW 351 Social Work Practice I 3 hrs. Assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, termination, and follow-up phases of the problem-solving process. Students develop interviewing skills and apply knowledge of social systems, human development, diversity, and ethics with focus on the micro level. Prerequisite: SW 3so, social work major or consent of social work program director.
SW 352 Social Work Practice 11 3hrs. Generalist practice with focus on families and groups as well as individuals in group contexts. Includes required volunteer experience in group setting. Prerequisites: SW 350; social work major or consent of social work program director.
SW 353 Social Work Practice 111 3hrs. Generalist practice with focus on organizations, communities, and large social systems. Assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation skills for macro level practice. Emphasis on issues of diversity, discrimination, and oppression. Prerequisites: SW 350; social work major or consent of social work program director.
SW 354 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I 3hrs. Current research and theory concerning interaction of environment with individual behavior. Life span development, strengths, approach, and issues of diversity as influences on individual development.
SW 355 Social Welfare Policy 3 hrs. Analysis of social welfare policy from the social work perspective. Impact of social policy on recipients and constituents of social welfare programs. Institutional responses to social problems, social justice, and human needs. Analysis and evaluation of policy at the organizational, community, and legislative levels. Prerequisites: ECO 100; PLS 105; SW 250.
SW 356 Topics in Social Work 3hrs. Topics of special interest which may vary each time the course is offered. Topic stated in current Academic Handbook. May be repeated under a different topic for maximum of 6 hours credit.
SW 358 Human Behavior in the Social Environment 11 3hrs. Current research and theory concerning interaction of environment with families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social and cultural causes and impact of diversity, discrimination, and oppression. Prerequisite: SW 354.
SW 393 Social Work Practicum 9hrs. Supervised experience in an approved community agency; use of knowledge and skills common to generalist practice; 420 field hours required. Pass/fail. Prerequisites: SW 351; social work major. Corequisite: SW 395.
SW 395 Social Work Seminar 3hrs. Seminar that integrates theory and principles learned in academic courses with field and practice experience. Prerequisites: SW 351; social work major. Corequisite: SW 393.
SW 490 Individual Study in Social Work 1-3 hrs. Special study on topics with faculty supervision. For social work majors; non-majors require approval of Department Chair. May be repeated under a different topic up to a maximum of 3 credit hours. Prerequisite: consent of director of social work program.
SW 499 Honors Colloquium 3hrs. Special study or project conducted under faculty supervision. Oral presentation before a faculty committee. Prerequisite: 3.5 GPA in social work major and consent of department chair.