|
Master Course Offerings
The University reserves the right to withdraw or modify any
of the courses or programs listed herein, or to cancel any
course or program for which it deems the registration insufficient,
or to make any change considered necessary or desirable.
A complete syllabus for current courses offered can be found on the
Master Syllabi page.
FOUNDATION CURRICULUM
SWGS 6006 — Social Welfare Policy and Services
The first of two required courses covering the content of
social welfare policies and services, this course introduces students
to the ways American society has provided for human
needs and addressed social problems through the social welfare
institution, and to the underlying values, assumptions
and philosophical perspectives that explain the development
of this country’s social welfare system. The major forms of
social provision are addressed in an historical framework that
traces the development, expansion, contraction, reorganization
and (at times) their elimination. Special attention is given
to how economic, political and social forces lead to differential
policies and provisions with racial, class and gender dimensions,
as well as to inequities, and social and economic injustices.
The role of the social work profession in influencing
social welfare is emphasized.
SWGS 6007 — Social Policy Analysis, Advocacy and Practice
This is the second of two required courses covering content
on social welfare policies and services. Building on the first
course, this course introduces the knowledge, skills and
strategies necessary to examine the impact of specific social
policies on clients, agencies, service delivery and practice, and
to influence these policies as participants in the major arenas
where policy is analyzed, formulated, implemented and
changed. This course is offered with a broad focus upon
diverse fields of practice or, alternatively with afocus on a
specific practice area. Prerequisite: SWGS 6006. This Foundation-
level course is usually taken while the student is in the
Advanced phase of the program.
SWGS 6208 — Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
The is the first of a two-semester course sequence. The
course presents content from the behavioral sciences and
related professional literature regarding those theoretical
constructsand insights most relevant for social work practice.
It uses an ecosystems perspective to coordinate and synthesize
a broad range of knowledge pertinent to practice concerning
the transactional and interactional aspects of large
and small systems.
SWGS 6209 — Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
The second semester course in the Human Behavior and
Social Environment sequence discusses human development
over the life course. Similarities and variations in personal
and social functioning; in social, cultural and physical environments;
in complex organizations and social institutions.
All are examined for insights concerning the interplay
between people and their environment. This focus includes
biological, psychological and sociocultural factors and how
the environment affects individual development. Prerequisite:
SWGS 6208.
SWGS 6319— Social Justice — Practice with Organizations
and Communities
First in a three-course generalist social work practice
sequence, this course examines the organizational and community
context of social work practice from a social justice
perspective. It places particular emphasis on oppression, institutional
racism, economic and social discrimination and how
these factors affect access to social services. Students consider
how systemic oppression and socialjustice may emerge in
agency, organizational and community settings. A strengthsbased,
ecological assessment-planning-intervention-evaluation
paradigm is used to focus learning and help students
develop practice values, knowledge and skills relevant for
work with larger systems. Concurrent field instruction is
required; students in the Experienced and Employed Social
Service Practitioners plan are exempt from the concurrent
field instruction requirement, but must be enrolled in the field
practicum laboratory course (SWGS 6907).
SWGS 6321 — Generalist Social Work Practice with
Individuals, Families and Groups I
This second course in the generalist social work practice
sequence covers the initial phase of the helping process with
individuals and families and the middle phase with individuals.
It focuses on building generalist practice skills in communication,
interviewing, engagement, individual and family
assessment, intervention planning, contracting and case documentation.
Concurrent field instruction required; students
in the Experienced and Employed Social Service Practitioners
plan are exempt from concurrent field instruction requirement
but must be enrolled in the field practicum laboratory
course (SWGS 6907).
SWGS 6322 — Generalist Social Work Practice with
Individuals, Families and Groups II
The third course of the generalist practice sequence continues
to build skills of generalist practice, attending in greater
detail to the processes of intervention, evaluation and termination.
Particular attention is paid to the beginning and middle
phases of work with families and groups, and the necessary
tasks and skills involved in endings and transition for all system
levels — including the evaluation of practice. Skills
involved in case management are addressed. Prerequisite:
SWGS 6321; concurrent field instructionrequired;students in
the Experienced and Employed Social Service Practitioners
plan are exempt from concurrent field instruction requirement
but must be enrolled in the field practicum laboratory course
(SWGS 6907).
SWGS 6801 — Social Work Practice in Research I
This is the first of a two-course sequence that culminates in
the completion of a research project and presentation of a
research report. This course introduces students to social work
research and focuses on various phases of the scientific method
from the preparation of a research question developed by the
class to the point of data collection.
SWGS 6802 — Social Work Practice in Research II
In this second course in the foundation research sequence,
students implement the proposed class research projects. The
course includes content on data collection and analysis, how
to interpret the theoretical and practical meaning of findings
for social work practice, and how to report on and present
data. Basic computer skills and statistical concepts (SPSS)
are presented through “hands on” training in the computer
laboratory. Prerequisite: SWGS 6801.
SWGS 6901 — Field Work I (Yearlong)
Actual practice with a limited work load under close supervision
designed to assist the student in applying theory to
practice and to enable the student to master fundamentals of
generalist practice. Includes 10 two-hour seminar sessions.
Fourteen hours per week from September through July; 21
hours per week from September through May.
SWGS 6907 — Field Practicum Laboratory Course for Students
in the Program for Employees in the Social Services
This required laboratory course for students who enter as
experienced employees in the social services complements the
Generalist Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families and
Groups I & II. The focus is on the integration of classroom
learning with practice. Assignments are closely related to
issues covered in these practice classes. Class participation,
process recording, presentations, role-playing and focused
journal writing are important tools in the course. Upon satisfactorily
completing this course, students will receive three
credits and will be eligible for SWGS 6908, Combined Field
Work in the following academic year.
Elective Course
SWGS 6303 — Human Service Agencies as
the Context for Practice
This course will focus on how agency goals, structure, members,
technologies and relationships with the environment
affect how and to whom services are provided. Emphasis is
given to the skills and strategies social workers need to engage
in organizational change and efforts to enhance the quality and
delivery of services. This course is open to beginning nonmatriculated
students as well as to all interested matriculated
students in the Foundation or Advanced phase of the program.
CLINICAL PRACTICE CONCENTRATION
Required Courses
SWGS 6413 — Clinical Social Work Practice I
The first of a two-course sequence in advanced clinical
social work practice, this course expands and deepens the
knowledge base of generalist practice, emphasizing advanced
assessment with clients across the life cycle, and evaluation of
practice. Treatment planning with individuals, families and
groups are all explored. Special attention is given to the
assessment of trauma. Prerequisite: SWGS 6319, 6321, 6322;
concurrent field practice is required.
SWGS 6414 — Clinical Social Work Practice II
This is the second of a two-course sequence in advanced
clinical social work practice. Building upon a generalist
approach to social work practice and an understanding of
psychopathology and resiliency, it focuses on clinical decision
making and interventions. It also examines ways in which
specific models of intervention with individuals, families and
groups can be tailored to client needs. Special attention is
given to work with clients across the life cycle who are coping
with vulnerable conditions or traumatic life events. Prerequisite:
SWGS 6413; concurrent field practice is required.
SWGS 6415 — Seminar in Clinical Social Work Practice
This required course assists students in integrating the
knowledge gained in the required clinical practice courses and
in field instruction. By developing and presenting an internship
case, students demonstrate their ability to integrate theory
and practice. Prerequisite: SWGS 6413; concurrent SWGS 6414
and field practice are required.
SWGS 6430 — Advanced Clinical Assessment
and Diagnosis
This course, required for those electing a clinical concentration,
covers clinical assessment and diagnosis from an historical
and developmental point of view. Special attention is paid
to the social work perspective in relation to the classification
systems available to the practitioner. The course focuses on
recognizing and understanding mental health and mental illness,
and distinguishing between client dysfunction and client
strength within an environmental framework. Prerequisites:
SWGS 6208 and SWGS 6209.
SWGS 6902 — Field Work II (Yearlong)
Actual practice with a limited work load under close supervision
designed to assist students in applying theory to practice
and to enable students to adapt fundamentals of practice
to a particular concentration and field. Includes 10 two-hour
seminar sessions. Prerequisite: SWGS 6901; Advanced Standing
students are exempt from this prerequisite. Fourteen
hours per week from September through July; 21 hours per
week from September through May.
SWGS 6908 — Combined Field Work (Yearlong)
Open only to students admitted to the Experienced and
Employed Social Service Practitioner plan, this course combines
a review of fundamentals of practice with a focus on
applying fundamentals in a particular concentration and field
of practice. Students are in placement 28 hours per week from
September through May, and are required to attend 10 twohour
seminar sessions during the work day or in the evening.
Prerequisite: SWGS 6907.
Elective Courses
All clinical electives require that students registering have
completed the full Foundation level of the program or have
the permission of the area chairperson to enroll in the course.
SWGS 6028 — Child Abuse and Family Violence
This course focuses on intervention with abused children
and battered women from an ecological perspective. It highlights
the need for trauma-specific interventions with individuals
and families, as well as system-wide advocacy with social
and cultural institutions that contribute to the continuation of
abuse within family relationships.
SWGS 6030 — Death and Dying
This course examines the experience of death as encountered
by social workers in clinical practice. The focus is on providing
a theoretical base forunderstanding the psychosocial
aspects of loss, death and bereavement across the life cycle.
Additional emphases includestrategies, techniques and goals
of interventions in clinical work with the bereaved.
SWGS 6104 — Spirituality and Social Work Practice
This course will explore a number of holistic concepts under
the definition of “spirituality.” The many ways spirituality can
be used in a variety of social work practice settings will be the
main theme. A range of methods of spiritual practice and
approaches to healing will be taught.
SWGS 6206 — Psychological Aspects of Social Work
This course uses a seminar approach to focus on the psychological
dimensions of various theoretical, clinical, practice
and philosophical aspects of social work. There is significant
eclectic content and use of audiovisuals.
SWGS 6220 — Seminar on Alcoholism Counseling
This seminar is focused on an in-depth examination of the
varied approaches involved in counseling substance abusers.
SWGS 6223 — Practice with Families of Alcoholics and
Other Substance Abusers
The focus of this course is on individual, group and family
practice with family members of alcoholics and other substance
abusers. Family treatment of the addicted person is also
presented. The immediate and generational familial effects of
addictions are explored in depth from a systems perspective.
SWGS 6403 — Family-Oriented Treatment
This course provides an introductory overview of major
themes of family intervention. The approach is eclectic and
integrates theory and practice. The styles of Ackerman, Satir,
Minuchin, Bowen and others are emphasized.
SWGS 6404 — Crisis Intervention andTrauma Therapy
This course emphasizes the theoretical base that guides crisis
intervention and trauma treatment with individuals, families
and groups across the life cycle. Case materials illustrate
the assessment and resolution of crisis and trauma in a variety
of contexts.
SWGS 6408 — Social Work with Children
The focus of this course is on the application of theories, concepts
and principles in the direct treatment of children. Adevelopmental
and systemic perspective serves as the framework for
assessing the child in the context of family and environment. A
range of interventive modalities is presented, including individual,
family and group treatment, as well as interdisciplinary
collaboration and psychoeducational approaches.
SWGS 6409 — Practice with Older People and Their Families
This course focuses on direct practice with older people and
their families. The course examines the social context of aging,
the aging process, associated changes and the effects on older
people and their families. Emphasis is on the nature of support
systems and the social work role in maintaining and
enhancing older people’s functioning and well-being. The role
of caregivers, when elders are limited in their capacity to function
independently, is examined.
SWGS 6417 — Practice with Abusers of Alcohol
and Other Substances
This course examines the diagnostic and treatment implications
for social work practice with alcoholics and those dependent
on other drugs. Addictions are viewed from a
bio-socio-psychological perspective. The diversified roles of
the social worker are emphasized.
SWGS 6418 — Social Work Practice in Schools
This course focuses on the knowledge, values and skills
appropriate for social work practice within the school setting.
Understanding of the school context and its politics is highlighted.
Special attention is given to working with students,
teachers, parents and administrators as well as on interfacing
with the community. Emphasis is placed on the tasks of social
assessment for educational planning, the formulation of goals
and objectives,record keeping, accessing school resources and
external referrals. Theoretical approaches include problem
solving, crisis and role theory, play therapy, brief treatment
and group treatment.
SWGS 6422 — Individual-Oriented Treatment
This course provides an overview of the principles,
premises and practices of a selected sample of current theories
andmethods of intensiveindividual treatment. Examining
and comparing the clinical dimensions of history-taking, diagnosis,
symptomatology, time and relationship, it focuses on
critical appraisal of commonalties and differences across theories
with a view toward developing an integrated approach to
direct social work treatment of individuals.
SWGS 6424 — Women’s Issues in Social Work Practice
This course explores the evolving theory of women’s psychological
development with an emphasis on the implications
for social work intervention. Through an examination of the
impact of gender throughout the life cycle, the course seeks to
increase understanding of gender-related premises underlying
professional social work practice and the issues women
clients present.
SWGS 6426 — Cognitive/Behavioral Brief Treatment With
Children and Adults
This course focuses on the theory and practice of cognitivebehavioral
social work. Several common problems of children,
adolescents and adults are examined, including aggression,
depression and anxiety disorders. Techniques that effectively
treat these problems such as cognitive reframing, behavior
modification, assertiveness training, stress management, the
use of homework and bibliotherapy and the evaluation of
practice will be introduced.
SWGS 6427 — Brief Treatment: Current Models
This course provides an overview of the theory, premises,
practice principles, method and techniques used in the major
current brief treatment models. It examines these elements,
the models from which they are drawn, and the client populations
and problems best served by a brief approach. The effi-
cacy of these different approaches is also examined.
SWGS 6428 — Social Work Practice with Adolescents
Adolescence is explored within a developmental context in
this course. The importance of maturational norms, family
dynamics, class and cultural factors and peer group influence
are examined. Particular attention is paid to adolescents at
psychosocial risk and to the development of assessment and
intervention skills with the adolescent client.
SWGS 6429 — Methods of Group Intervention
This course focuses on group practice as an integral part of
social work intervention. It includes theories and methods of
work with groups for prevention and treatment, and the use
of groups in staff and team relationships. Theory and practice
are integrated through an eclectic approach. Teaching is
augmented by group exercises.
SWGS 6433 — Relational Practice with Children,
Adolescents and Adults
This course will emphasize the application of relational theories
— attachment theory, ego psychology, object relations
theory, self psychology and women’s relational theory — to
social work practice. Risk and protective factors in child development
will also be considered. Case materials of children,
adolescents and adults will be discussed.
ADMINISTRATION PRACTICE
CONCENTRATION
There are two ways to pursue the Administration Practice
Concentration. The first, Social Work Management, referred to
as Track A, allows students to focus on the knowledge and
skills needed to administer and manage agencies, programs or
projects. Students are prepared to assume administration positions
at all levels, as supervisors, program or project managers,
or executive directors. The second, Client-Centered Practice
and Management, Track B, prepares students to work directly
with and on behalf of client populations while at the same
time performing management roles and tasks to ensure that
organizations and communities respond to client needs,
although they may not hold formal administration positions.
Required Courses — Track A (Social Work Management)
SWGS 6617 — Administration I
The first of a two-semester course sequence in administration,
this course introduces the key knowledge and skills
needed to effectively manage human service programs, units
or agencies. Content focuses upon the generic requirements
of managers, regardless of organizational role, function, position
or setting. Different perspectives are used to examine the
manager’s job in human service organizations. Special attention
is given to becoming a manager, possible obstacles to
effective management and issues around leadership, motivation,
gender, ethnicity and race. Prerequisite: SWGS 6319,
6321, 6322; concurrent field practice is required.
SWGS 6618 — Administration II
The second of a two-semester course sequence, this course
focuses on significant management areas including strategic
planning, designing and restructuring organizations; managing
finances; managing a diverse and multicultural workplace;
evaluating programs, performance and agencies; and
managing the environment. Cases are used to examine the
theories and skills that provide a framework for management
practice. Prerequisite SWGS 6617; concurrent field
practice is required.
SWGS 6607 — Practice with Task Groups
This course focuses on the knowledge and skills for effective
work in and with a variety of a organizational task
groups such as boards, committees, teams, staff meetings,
workgroups, coalitions or administrative policy and decision
making bodies. It examines group processes, tasks and
functions, membership and leadership roles and effective
group functioning. Experiential exercises provide opportunities
for student self-assessment, insight and professional
growth in relation to practice with groups. Concurrent field
practice is required.
Required Courses—Track B (Client-Centered Practice
and Management)
SWGS 6620 — Client-Centered Management I
The first of a two-semester course sequence in the management
of direct service agencies, this course broadens and
deepens the knowledge base of macro generalist practice,
introduces the concept of client-centered management, and
focuses on the management roles of social workers engaged
in practice with clients. It focuses on knowledge and skills
in relation to the planning, design, and administration of
community-based programs, and in working with communities
and organizations to insure quality services are available
and accessible especially to populations-at-risk.
Prerequisite: SWGS 6319. 6321, 6322; concurrent field practice
is required.
SWGS 6621 — Client-Centered Management II
This is the second of a two-course sequence in advanced
management. It expands upon managerial roles and skills for
improving or changing programs and service delivery. Special
attention is given to interagency collaboration, enhancing
community capacity, and managing programs and agencies
faced with challenges related to funding, staffing, competing
values and changing environments. Prerequisite: SWGS 6620;
concurrent field practice is required.
SWGS 6440 — Practice for Client-Centered Management I
This is the first part of a two-course sequence that broadens
and deepens knowledge and skills of generalist practice and
introduces the concept of advanced client practice in agency
and community settings. Drawing upon clinical practice and
strengths-based models of case management, emphasis is
placed on professional knowledge, skills and tasks to assess
and intervene across systemlevels. The course focuses on
preparing social workers for direct practice with clients, their
families and other members of their support networks. Particular
attention is given to special populations, many of whom
require sustained social work services. The course is integrally
linked to Client-Centered Management I (SWGS 6620) and is
targeted to social workers who will be assuming administrative
and managerial responsibilities in addition to their practice
with clients. Prerequisite: SWGS 6319, 6321, 6322;
concurrent field practice is required.
SWGS 6441 — Practice for Client-Centered Management II
This is the second part of a two-course sequence that focuses
on preparing social workers for direct practice with clients,
their families and other members of their support networks
through a range of intervention modalities. Particular attention
is given to special concerns of advanced practice including
cultural competence, practice evaluation and effective
termination. The course is integrally linked to Client-Centered
Management II (SWGS 6621) and is targeted to social workers
who will be assuming administrative and managerial responsibilities
in addition to their practice with clients. Prerequisite:
SWGS 6440; concurrent field practice is required.
Required Courses—Track A and Track B
SWGS 6902 — Field Work II (Yearlong)
Actual practice with a limited work load under close supervision
designed to assist students in applying theory to practice
and enable students to adapt fundamentals of practice to
a particular concentration and field. Includes 10 two-hour
seminar sessions. Prerequisite: SWGS 6901; Advanced Standing
students are exempt from this prerequisite. Fourteen
hours per week from September through July; 21 hours per
week from September through May.
SWGS 6908 — Combined Field Work (Yearlong)
Open only to students admitted to the Experienced and
Employed Social Service Practitioner plan, this course combines
a review of fundamentals of practice with a focus on
applying fundamentals in a particular concentration and field
of practice. Students are in placement 28 hours per week from
September through May, and are required to attend 10 twohour
seminar sessions during the work day or in the evening.
Prerequisite: SWGS 6907.
Elective Courses
SWGS 6412 — Practice in the Workplace
The focus of this course is on the individual as worker, the
environment as defined by employing organizations, work
itself, and social policy as it relates to the world of work. Special
attention is given to: professional roles and ethical issues;
models of service delivery like EAPs; opportunities and challenges
in practice in workplace settings; and issues such as
managing work and family, work transitions, diversity in the
workplace, creating supportive work environments and organizational
cultures and climate.
SWGS 6605 — Community Organization
This course provides a history of community organizing,
especially in the context of the social work profession andas a
way of meeting the needs of vulnerable and at-risk populations
and communities. Focus is on the various community
organizing models and the array of roles and functions of
community organizers. Emphasis is on practice strategies and
tactics for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating
community organizing projects and campaigns.
SWGS 6608 — Quality Management
This course deepens the knowledge and skills of the social
work administrator by focusing on management practices that
are currently being used in response to the emphasis on measuring
organizational performance. Total quality management
andquality improvement approaches are applied to human
service organizations. The course focuses on the tools and
techniques used to define quality, assess problems and measure
improvement.
SWGS 6609 — Seminar: Advanced Organizational Practice
This course focuses on concepts, principles and values that
inform macro practice. Emphasis is on integration of theories,
research and interdisciplinary content applicable to practice
issues that transcend any one macro practice area. Topics covered
are drawn from student interests and practice and may
include women and minorities, the public sector, communitybased
or alternative agencies, TQM. Prerequisite: SWGS 6605
or SWGS 6617.
SWGS 6614 — Technology in Social Welfare Services
This course focuses on the principles of computer technology
and management information systems and their application
to administration. It includes their use in planning,
program monitoring and evaluation, accountability, case
review, client eligibility determination and third-party payment.
Emphasis is on management issues that arise in acomputer
environment, including confidentiality, impact on
practice, practitioner support or resistance.
SWGS 6615 — Supervision and Staff Development
This course examines supervision and staff development as
management functions in diverse agency settings and within
| 
