MSW COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
For a complete list of course descriptions, contact the Graduate Admissions Office for a viewbook.
SWK
500 Human Behavior and the Social Environment
This course studies human growth through the life cycle, exploring factors
that influence the growth of individuals and families.
SWK 501 History of Social Welfare Policy
This course analyzes the history and impact of U.S. and global social
welfare policy and examines what factors contribute to the rise of the welfare
state and the profession of social work.
SWK 504 Research I
This course introduces social science research methods and ethics, presenting
quantitative and qualitative research designs and exploring various ways to
organize, compare and interpret findings.
SWK 505 Practice Methods and Skills I: Individuals
In sequence with SWK 506, this course introduces social work practice
and prepares students to apply the generalist perspective for practice
with systems of all sizes.
SWK 506 Practice Methods and Skills II: Groups
This course prepares students for generalist social work practice
with larger client systems, emphasizing the strengths perspective.
SWK 509 Assessment and Diagnosis in Mental Health Practice
This is a foundation HBSE course which explores psychopathology and
mental disorders from a developmental and strengths perspective.
Emphasis is placed on understanding biopsychosocial influences on
the incidence, course and treatment of the most commonly presented
mental disorders and the differential effect of these factors on
diverse populations at risk.
SWK 510 Advanced Practice Methods
For Advanced Standing students only, this course is designed to provide
a transition from their BSW program to advanced placement in the
MSW program. It covers the latest approaches to social work practice,
contemporary theories, and current research on effectiveness.
SWK 516 Community Development for Social Change
This course focuses on practicing social work on the community level.
Students analyze social organizations, looking at models of practice
for organizing in indigenous and current immigrant communities in
Minnesota.
SWK 530 AND SWK 535 Field Seminar 1 & 2
The integrative field seminars are courses where field practice and
classroom theory meet. The goal is to strengthen the connections
between social work theory and practice. Students are expected to
spend 420 hours in a field work practicum during enrollment in these
two courses, and to be enrolled in the corresponding practice methods
courses.
SWK 531 Methods Skills Lab
This half credit course places an emphasis on active learning and
the application of content presented in SWK 505. The skills lab
is an integral part of the required graduate school core curriculum.
All students in field placements must participate in the skills
lab and Field Seminar I.
SWK 536 Human Behavior and the Macro Social Environment
This course builds on HBSE I, moving from the individual life span
focus to emphasizing the impact of the environment in all relationships,
stressing the link between social issues and individual problems
plus defining the common human condition.
Family Practice Concentration Courses (8)
SWK 610 & 611 Field Seminar III & IV (Family Practice)
--.5/trimester each
All students in field placements must participate in the appropriate
concurrent Field Seminar. The seminar makes connections among course
components and the expansion of classroom content particularly relating
to dynamics of groups, community; human behavior, populations-at-risk;
policy analysis and research. Students are expected to spend 500 hours
in a field work practicum during enrollment in these two courses,
and to be enrolled in the corresponding diversity and inequality courses.
SWK 615 & 616 Diversity & Inequality in Family Practice
I & II -- .5/trimester each
This course is based on a dual focus on valuing diversity and understanding
social justice. This course studies the history, demographics, and
cultures of various disenfranchised groups. It examines the impact
of inequality on people of diverse backgrounds.
SWK 620 Research II: Practice Evaluation
This course offers a practice-oriented exploration of the range of
research methods used in social work. A research project will be
designed, but not actually carried out, to complete the summative
project requirement for graduation. Students completing the thesis
will have additional assignments fitting the thesis.
SWK 625 Family Practice I
This first course in the family practice methods sequence introduces
students to the family level of need conceptual framework (Kilpatrick & Holland,
1999). Presentation of the models will be integrated with current
research, family policy, values, ethics, and global perspectives.
SWK 626 Family Practice II
This second course in the sequence continues presenting levels of
the family level of need framework focusing on boundaries, conflict
and intimacy. Students will gain a working knowledge of strategies
derived from these models.
SWK 627 Family Practice III
This third course in the sequence offers students a selection of one
course from two or more special topics, such as Advanced Family
Practice or Mental Health Practice.
SWK 630 Family Social Policy
This course explores the impact of social policies on diverse families,
including policies that relate to housing, income maintenance, health,
long-term care, education and discrimination. National and international
political, social and economic systems will be a reference point.
SWK 634 Creative Problem Solving in Supervision --.5/trimester
each
This course examines knowledge and skill building in the administrative,
educational and supportive functions of social work supervision.
SWK 639 Topics in Family Practice --.5/trimester each
The purpose of this course is to help students acquire the knowledge
base for ethical practice and to develop skills in identifying and
resolving ethical dilemmas. Also, the course will provide students
with tools required to make ethical decisions when confronted with
conflicting choices occurring within the context of a profession
with a specific values base and a code of ethics addressing ethical
principles and standards related to clients, colleagues, employers,
the profession of social work, and society.
Program Development, Policy & Administration Concentration Courses (8)
SWK 651 & 652 Field Seminar III & IV (PDPA) --.5/trimester
each
All students in field placements must participate in the appropriate
concurrent Field Seminar, which serves as a means for making connections
among course components and the expansion of classroom content. Students
are expected to spend 500 hours in a field work practicum during enrollment
in these two courses, and to be enrolled in the corresponding diversity
and inequality courses.
SWK 657 & 658 Diversity & Inequality in Social Work
Macro Practice I & II -- .5/trimester each
This course explores diversity and social inequality related to race,
ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation, age, and disability,
with application to the social service setting.
SWK 660 Research II: Program Evaluation
This course offers a practice-oriented exploration of the range of
research methods used in social work. A research project will be
designed, but not actually carried out, to complete the summative
project requirement for graduation. Students completing the thesis
will have additional assignments fitting the thesis.
SWK 667 Organizational/Social Administrative Practice I
This course examines organizational theory and structure, processes of
development, research and evaluation, and social work values and ethics in
the workplace.
SWK 668 Organizational/Social Administrative Practice II
This course provides students with opportunities to apply critical
skills used in supervision and management and is intended as a base
for the beginning administrator. Topics include budgeting and personnel/human
resource functions (e.g., recruitment, selection, hiring, training,
and evaluation).
SWK 669 Organizational/Social Administrative Practice III
This course explores strategies and methods for working effectively
with other service agencies, legislative and policy-making bodies,
regulatory agencies and advocacy groups.
SWK 675 Planning & Policy Practice I
This course examines theoretical and conceptual ideas concerning human
services, their rationale in a market economy, and their relationship
to public policy.
SWK 676 Planning & Policy Practice II
This course examines theories, concepts and analytical frameworks
for analyzing policy and addresses factors on policy design and
implementation. The course emphasizes the analysis of existing or
proposed policies in areas such as social insurance (e.g. Social
Security), welfare reform, health care, long-term care, and tax
policy including tax expenditures.
General Elective (1)
SWK 699 General Elective
The following are examples of elective offerings that rotate each
year.
* Child Welfare: History, Policy and Practice
* Social Work with Adolescents
* Social Work with Involuntary Clients
* Spirituality in Social Work & Human Service
* Parent and Professional Planning
* Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
* Thesis Seminar (for those who choose the thesis option)
We also offer electives abroad:
* Exploring Human Services in International Settings (examples include England, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, and Taiwan)
SWK 598 Independent Study
Students may propose to complete an independent study project. A faculty
sponsor must be secured and a proposal submitted to the social work
department.
