Master of Social Work Course Descriptions
Below is an outline of the courses required to earn the online Master of Social Work (MSW) from Our Lady of the Lake University. The curriculum is designed specifically to address emerging needs and trends in the social work community while building a time-tested foundation of skills and philosophies.
A 31-credit-hour, advanced standing MSW program is available to students holding a bachelor’s degree in social work from an accredited program. The advanced standing program can be completed online in two to two and a half years. Candidates holding any other bachelor’s degree can complete the full, 54-credit-hour online MSW program in three to three and a half years.
Advanced Standing Courses (31 credit hours)
SOWK 7318 Advanced Practice with Children & Adolescents
SOWK 7370 Crisis Intervention with Children & Families
SOWK 7320 Family Centered Social Work Practice
SOWK 7325 Family Stress, Functioning, & Social Support
SOWK 7360 Administrative Policy and Practice in Human Services
SOWK 6342 Social Work Research II
SOWK 7371 Psychopathology
SOWK 7156 Advanced Block Integrative Seminar
SOWK 8456 Field Education: Services to Children and Families
SOWK 8556 Field Education: Services to Children and Families
Regular Program Courses (54 credit hours)
SOWK 6315 Generalist Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families, and Groups
SOWK 6321 Social Welfare Policy and Services
SOWK 6325 Generalist Social Work Practice: Organizations and Communities
SOWK 6332 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Individuals and Families
SOWK 6331 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Social Systems
SOWK 6341 Social Work Research I
SOWK 6151 Foundation Integrative Seminar I
SOWK 8351 Field Education I
SOWK 6152 Foundation Integrative Seminar II
SOWK 8352 Field Education II
SOWK 7371 Psychopathology
SOWK 6342 Social Work Research II
SOWK 7318 Advanced Practice with Children & Adolescents
SOWK 7320 Family Centered Social Work Practice
SOWK 7325 Family Stress, Functioning, & Social Support
SOWK 7360 Administrative Policy and Practice in Human Services
SOWK 7156 Advanced Block Integrative Seminar
SOWK 8456 Field Education: Services to Children and Families
SOWK 8556 Field Education: Services to Children and Families
Course Descriptions
SOWK 6315 Generalist Social Work Practice: Individuals, Families and Groups
An overview of general direct practice, this course focuses on professional social work according to a social systems paradigm, social work values and industry ethics.
SOWK 6321 Social Welfare Policy and Services
With special attention to the history of social work, this course provides an overview of the social welfare system in the U.S. as a solution to modern social problems. Programs and policies aimed at poverty and the preservation of social justice are emphasized.
SOWK 6325 Generalist Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
Expanding on SOWK 6315, this class examines social work techniques for larger groups of clients at the organization and community level.
SOWK 6331 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Social Systems
From an ecological perspective, this course explores the theoretical foundations of human behavior within an entire social system with emphasis on group, organizational and community behavior dynamics.
SOWK 6332 Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Individuals and Families
Bringing the lessons of SOWK 6331 to the family and individual level, this class focuses on life span development from conception to old age.
SOWK 6341 Social Work Research I
An introduction to quantitative and qualitative social work research methods, this course discusses the design of a research project and its different phases, with special attention paid to ethical research standards and cultural factors.
SOWK 6151 Foundation Integrative Seminar I
This seminar is taken concurrently with SOWK 8351 to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the program thus far to the fieldwork experience.
SOWK 8351 Field Education I
The first in a series of fieldwork sessions, students will use hands-on experience to build foundational social work practice values, skills and knowledge. All fieldwork is done under the instruction and supervision of licensed master social work practitioners in a local agency chosen by each student and approved by OLLU.
SOWK 6152 Foundation Integrative Seminar II
This seminar is taken concurrently with SOWK 8352 to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the program thus far to the fieldwork experience.
SOWK 8352 Field Education II
The second generalist fieldwork session, students will continue to develop foundational skills through hands-on social work experience.
SOWK 7371 Psychopathology
Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, this course examines the development and assessment of abnormal behavior with a focus on major mental disorders. The diagnostic/assessment process is explored together with its application in a variety of settings.
SOWK 6342 Social Work Research II
Research in this class seeks to determine the effectiveness of social service programs. Students will learn to critically analyze research reports using statistical data analysis and a theory-based research evaluation program.
SOWK 7318 Advanced Practice with Children and Adolescents
This course helps students develop the specialized skills for effective direct practice and advanced intervention with children and young adults.
SOWK 7370 Crisis Intervention with Children & Families
This special topics course is an advanced practice elective course for MSW students who are preparing for SOWK 8456/8556—Field Education: Services to Children and Families. It provides knowledge and skills necessary for effective, professional crisis intervention. An array of crisis events will be examined, including suicide, sexual assault, family violence, substance abuse, death and dying, violent trauma, and natural disasters. Examination of contemporary crisis intervention theory will include evidence-based practice and models of intervention.
SOWK 7320 Family-Centered Social Work Practice
Using major theoretical models, this course focuses on advanced skill development for direct family practice.
SOWK 7325 Family Stress, Functioning and Social Support
To aid in the service of families in need, students review theories and research regarding family development, functioning and interaction with emphasis on family stress, coping mechanisms and the strengths of the family unit.
SOWK 7360 Administrative Policy and Practice in Human Services
This course examines how larger social systems at the state, national and global level effect social work policy and service delivery. The development, implementation, management and analysis of policy initiatives will be explored.
SOWK 7156 Advanced Block Integrative Seminar
This seminar corresponds to the final fieldwork sessions (SOWK 8456 and 8556) and incorporates specific service techniques to Hispanic families and children.
SOWK 8456 Field Education: Services to Children and Families
This is the first of two 500-clock-hour fieldwork sessions dedicated to specific service to children and families, with emphasis on the Hispanic community.
SOWK 8556 Field Education: Services to Children and Families
The second of two 500-clock-hour fieldwork sessions dedicated to specific service to children and families, with emphasis on the Hispanic community.
For more information on the Master of Social Work curriculum at Our Lady of the Lake University, call 855-275-1082 to speak with an admissions advisor or request more information.
