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BS Social Work

Core Curriculum

SOWK 1300

Introduction to SOWK
Overview of social work, its historical roots, the profession’s principles and values, fields of practice, and methods of intervention. Required before taking all other SOWK courses except SOWK 2300.

SOWK 2300

Social Welfare Policy: Programs and Service
Descriptive overview of historical and contemporary social welfare policies and programs, and the role of social work in policy development and implementation. Required for social work majors open to all students.  Must be taken prior to SOWK 3321.

SOWK 3311

Principles of Generalist Social Work Practice I
Introduction to general social work practice with micro, mezzo, and macro systems. Emphasis on basic skill building, the need for culturally sensitive practice and theory-driven intervention. Prerequisite: Admitted to the BSWProgram; Must be taken prior to SOWK 3312.

SOWK 3312

Principles of Generalist Social Work Practice II
Application of general social work practice knowledge, skills, and values to professional intervention with individuals, families, and small groups. Emphasis on culturally sensitive practice, theory-driven intervention, and evaluation of practice. Prerequisite: SOWK 3311 and Admitted to the BSW Program; Must be taken prior to SOWK 4452, 4552, and 5314.

SOWK 3321

Social Welfare Policy: Analysis and Practice
Study of social welfare policy, the processes that influence social policy, and on developing conceptual tools for social policy analysis. Prerequisite: SOWK 2300 or equivalent.

SOWK 3331

Human Behavior: Individuals and Families
Focus on process of human growth and development from pre-conception through death; cultural systems, family process, and development are integrated.

SOWK 3332

Human Behavior: Groups, Organizations and Community
Study of human behavior in groups, organizations, and communities within the context of political, social, economic, global, and cultural systems.

SOWK 3333

Human Behavior and Diverse Population
Emphasis on theoretical content focusing on diverse populations. Historical, political, and economic factors that contribute to privilege, power, oppression, and social injustices.

SOWK 4483

Social Work Research Methods
Introduction to quantitative and qualitative social work research methods and ethics, including the political and cultural context impacting research studies and findings. Attention to assessment of social work practice and evaluation of social programs. Introduction to quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis. Prerequisite: Admitted to the BSW Program.

SOWK 4452

Social Work Field Placement
Field placement in a human service organization under the instruction and supervision of a licensed master-level social worker. Emphasis on effective application of general social work practice, values, skills, and knowledge in an agency setting. A minimum of 450 agency-based clock hours must be completed. Prerequisites: Successful completion of 27 hours in social work; social work GPA of 2.5 or higher, overall GPA of 2.0 or higher, and completion of all other requirements for an OLLU degree. Prerequisite: Admitted to the BSW Program; Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 4552 and 5314.
Gen Eds Curriculum

SOWK 4552

Social Work Field Education
Prerequisites: Successful completion of 27 hours in social work; social work GPA of 2.5 or higher; overall GPA of 2.0 or higher, and completion of all other requirements for an OLLU degree. Prerequisite: Admitted to the BSW Program; Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 4452 and 5314.

SOWK 5314

Generalist Practice in Direct Service
Integrative capstone course with emphasis on application of knowledge, values, and skills necessary for general social work practice. Emphasis on context, cultural diversity, and evaluation of practice. Prerequisite: Admitted to the BSW Program; Must be taken concurrently with SOWK 4452 and SOWK 4552.

MA School Counseling

COUN 8302

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
Introduction to the counseling profession, including its history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing. Emphasis on ethical practice and decision-making.

COUN 7335

Social and Cultural Diversity
Examination of social and cultural diversity issues in counseling, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Focus on developing culturally competent counseling skills.

COUN 6360

Human Growth and Development
Study of human development across the lifespan, with emphasis on psychological, cognitive, and emotional growth. Application of developmental theories to counseling practice.

COUN 8314

Career Development
Exploration of career development theories and decision-making models. Techniques for career counseling and assessment, including the use of occupational information and resources.

COUN 6330

Counseling and Helping Relationships
Development of foundational counseling skills and techniques. Emphasis on building effective helping relationships and understanding the counseling process.

COUN 8310

Group Counseling and Group Work
Study of group dynamics, therapeutic factors, and stages of group development. Training in group counseling methods and leadership skills.

COUN 6325

Research and Program Evaluation
Introduction to psychological assessment and testing in counseling. Focus on selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of assessment instruments.

COUN 7337

Pharmacologic Principles for Advanced Practice Nursing
Overview of research methods and program evaluation in counseling. Emphasis on developing the ability to critically evaluate research and apply findings to practice.

COUN 6315

School Counseling Services
Examination of the role and function of school counselors. Strategies for designing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive school counseling programs.

COUN 8370

Child and Adolescent Counseling
Techniques and interventions for counseling children and adolescents. Consideration of developmental, cultural, and systemic factors affecting youth.

COUN 8317

Group Dynamics
In-depth study of group processes and dynamics. Application of group theories to various counseling settings.

COUN 8360

Practicum
Supervised counseling experience in a clinical setting. Application of counseling theories and techniques with clients under professional supervision.

MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling

COUN 8302

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
Introduction to the counseling profession, including its history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing. Emphasis on ethical practice and decision-making.

COUN 7335

Social and Cultural Diversity
Examination of social and cultural diversity issues in counseling, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Focus on developing culturally competent counseling skills.

COUN 6360

Human Growth and Development
Study of human development across the lifespan, with emphasis on psychological, cognitive, and emotional growth. Application of developmental theories to counseling practice.

COUN 8314

Career Development
Exploration of career development theories and decision-making models. Techniques for career counseling and assessment, including the use of occupational information and resources.

COUN 6330

Counseling and Helping Relationships
Development of foundational counseling skills and techniques. Emphasis on building effective helping relationships and understanding the counseling process.

COUN 8310

Group Counseling and Group Work
Study of group dynamics, therapeutic factors, and stages of group development. Training in group counseling methods and leadership skills.

COUN 6325

Research and Program Evaluation
Introduction to psychological assessment and testing in counseling. Focus on selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of assessment instruments.

COUN 7337

Pharmacologic Principles for Advanced Practice Nursing
Overview of research methods and program evaluation in counseling. Emphasis on developing the ability to critically evaluate research and apply findings to practice.

COUN 6351

Child and Adolescent Counseling
Techniques and interventions for counseling children and adolescents. Consideration of developmental, cultural, and systemic factors affecting youth.

COUN 6323

Group Dynamics
In-depth study of group processes and dynamics. Application of group theories to various counseling settings.

COUN 8355

Practicum
Supervised counseling experience in a clinical setting. Application of counseling theories and techniques with clients under professional supervision.

COUN 8312

Internship
Extended supervised counseling experience. Integration of counseling knowledge and skills in a professional setting.

MA Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling

COUN 8302

Professional Counseling Orientation and Ethical Practice
Introduction to the counseling profession, including its history, roles, organizational structures, ethics, standards, and credentialing. Emphasis on ethical practice and decision-making.

COUN 7335

Social and Cultural Diversity
Examination of social and cultural diversity issues in counseling, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Focus on developing culturally competent counseling skills.

COUN 6360

Human Growth and Development
Study of human development across the lifespan, with emphasis on psychological, cognitive, and emotional growth. Application of developmental theories to counseling practice.

COUN 8314

Career Development
Exploration of career development theories and decision-making models. Techniques for career counseling and assessment, including the use of occupational information and resources.

COUN 6330

Counseling and Helping Relationships
Development of foundational counseling skills and techniques. Emphasis on building effective helping relationships and understanding the counseling process.

COUN 8310

Group Counseling and Group Work
Study of group dynamics, therapeutic factors, and stages of group development. Training in group counseling methods and leadership skills.

COUN 6325

Research and Program Evaluation
Introduction to psychological assessment and testing in counseling. Focus on selection, administration, scoring, and interpretation of assessment instruments.

COUN 7337

Pharmacologic Principles for Advanced Practice Nursing
Overview of research methods and program evaluation in counseling. Emphasis on developing the ability to critically evaluate research and apply findings to practice.

COUN 8352

Introduction to Rehabilitation Counseling
Overview of rehabilitation counseling, including history, philosophy, and legislation. Focus on services for individuals with disabilities.

COUN 8390

Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability
Study of medical and psychosocial aspects of disabilities. Emphasis on the impact of disabilities on individuals and families.

COUN 8391

Rehabilitation Service Delivery
Examination of rehabilitation services, including case management and service coordination. Focus on effective delivery of services to individuals with disabilities.

COUN 8392

Group Dynamics
In-depth study of group processes and dynamics. Application of group theories to various counseling settings.

COUN 8393

Practicum
Supervised counseling experience in a rehabilitation setting. Application of rehabilitation counseling theories and techniques with clients under professional supervision.

COUN 8365

Internship
Extended supervised counseling experience in a rehabilitation setting. Integration of rehabilitation counseling knowledge and skills in a professional environment.

Master's Social Work - Advanced Standing

SOWK 6328

Professional Writing for Social Work
Study and practice of academic-level and Social Work-specific writing methods and document design, with research applications and development of general and specialized writing skills included.

SOWK 6347

Evaluation of Social Work Practice with Hispanic Children and Families
Application of formative and summative evaluation methods employed to determine the effectiveness of programs and interventions in working with Hispanic children and families.

SOWK 7332

Social Work Practice with Hispanic Elders
This course prepares students for social work practice with Hispanic elders, including culture, theory, engagement, assessment, interventions and evaluation.

SOWK 7334

Social Work Practice: Hispanic Children and Families
This course prepares students for social work practice with Hispanic children and families, including theory, engagement, assessment, interventions and evaluation. This course will focus on theoretical frameworks and perspectives, research, practice and intervention strategies specific to social work practice when working with Hispanic children and families.

SOWK 7338

Theories and Perspectives: Hispanics Children and Families
Critical analysis of theories and perspectives on Hispanic child and family development, functioning and interaction in the social context.

SOWK 7366

Hispanics in the U.S.: Policies and Programs
Critical analysis of U.S. social policies and social welfare programs utilizing theories of power and oppression to understand issues of human rights, and social and economic justice impacting Hispanic children and families.

SOWK 7371

Psychopathology
Study of basic concepts related to the development and assessment of abnormal behavior. Content focuses on major mental disorders, the diagnostic/assessment process and its application in a variety of settings, the use of assessment tools such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

SOWK 7157

Advanced Integrative Seminar I
Seminar designed to ensure students integrate their required graduate social work coursework with the experiential learning in their field education internship. Provides opportunity for students to demonstrate attainment of core competencies. Concentration is social work practice with Hispanic children and families.

SOWK 7158

Advanced Integrative Seminar II
Continuation of integrative learning, focusing on complex case analyses and application of advanced practice theories.

SOWK 7159

Advanced Integrative Seminar III
Further integration of advanced social work concepts and practices through seminar discussions and projects.

SOWK 8255

Advanced Social Work Field Education I
Field placements in human service organizations under the instruction and supervision of licensed master level social workers. Advanced social work practice with families and children, with emphasis on Hispanics.

SOWK 8256

Advanced Social Work Field Education II
Continuation of supervised field education, allowing for further development and refinement of advanced practice competencies.

SOWK 8257

SOWK 8257 - Advanced Social Work Field Education III
Further supervised field education experience providing practical application of advanced social work skills in a professional setting.

SOWK 9366

Academic Leadership
Examination of leadership and management theories applied in academic institutions. Focus on conceptual frameworks and effective leadership skills.

SOWK 9367

Proposal Development
Focused support for developing dissertation proposals, emphasizing process over mastery of content. Prerequisite: SOWK 9164.

SOWK 9164

Dissertation I
Selection of dissertation committee and topic approval. Pass/fail.

SOWK 9167

Dissertation II
Completion of literature review, theoretical foundation, and first three chapters of the dissertation proposal. Prerequisite: SOWK 9164.

SOWK 9369

Dissertation III
Completion of literature review, theoretical underpinning, methods section, and defense of the dissertation proposal. Includes residency. Course fee: $550. Prerequisite: SOWK 9167.

SOWK 9372

Dissertation IV
Data collection and/or data analysis for dissertation approval. Pass/fail. Prerequisite: SOWK 9369.

SOWK 9183

Dissertation V
Data analysis and finalization of all dissertation chapters for approval. Pass/fail. Prerequisite: SOWK 9372. May be repeated for credit if students do not transition to candidacy.