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 1
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 1: 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 2: 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 -- .5/trimester each
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 -- .5/trimester each
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 -- .5/trimester each
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.
Multicultural Clinical Practice (MCCP) Concentration Courses (8)
SWK 610, 611, & 612 Field Seminar 3, 4, & 5 (MCCP) --.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 three courses,
and to be enrolled in the corresponding diversity and inequality courses.
SWK 615 & 616 Diversity and Inequality 1 & 2: MCCP -- .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 628 MCCP with Individuals
This first course in the MCCP methods sequence prepares social work clinicians who are
competent to assess, intervene and monitor clinical interventions that are culturally
sensitive and consistent with social work values and ethics. Although focused on
individual intervention, clients are viewed within the context of their families and
social context.
SWK 629 MCCP with Families
This second course in the MCCP methods sequence focuses on the family as a unit of
assessment and intervention in clinical social work practice. This course examines theory,
knowledge and skills for clinical practice with families within a multicultural context.
Students apply major family therapy models to assessing and intervening with families
experiencing problems.
SWK 630 MCCP Policy Practice
In this course, MCCP students learn how organizational and social policies affect the
delivery of clinical social work services in multicultural contexts. The multi-cultural
lens sharpens focus on both the strengths that come with diversity and the discrimination
and oppression, such as racism, that policies can uphold or undo.
SWK 631 MCCP with Groups (.5 credit)
This third course in the methods sequence prepares students for advanced multicultural
groupwork within a clinical practice. Applied theories of human development, change, and
resilience are integrated with theories of group processes, group leadership, and group
communication as a critical knowledge base for planning, intervention, and leadership.
SWK 634 MCCP Supervision (.5 credit)
Building upon the research to date on social work supervision, this course presents the
functions of supervision (administrative, educational, supportive) as they interrelate
in achieving the primary purpose of clinical supervision: assuring that client services
prevent difficulties in client functioning and restore or enhance the biopsycohosocial
and spiritual functioning of individuals, families and groups served by supervisees.
SWK 635 and 636 MCCP Evaluation 1 and 2 (.5 credit each)
In this course, students will learn values and skills of advanced clinical practice,
combined with research methods, which guide the creation of culturally appropriate
approaches to monitoring and evaluating clinical practice. Such practice requires the
integration of evidence-based practice knowledge, multicultural clinical skills, and
multi-epistemological research skills.
SWK 639 MCCP Elective (.5 credit)
Courses in MCCP electives are opportunities for students to practice with a focus on a
particular field or aspect of the social work profession. Examples include Social Work
with Involuntary Clients, Ethics, and Domestic Violence.
Program Development, Policy, & Administration (PDPA) Concentration Courses (8)
SWK 651 & 652 Field Seminar 3 & 4 (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 1 & 2 -- .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 2: 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 1
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 2
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 3
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 1
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 2
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:
- Parent and Professional Planning
- Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Aging
- Child Welfare: History, Policy, and Practice
- Spirituality in Social Work and Human Services
We also offer short-term electives abroad:
Exploring Human Services in International Settings (Examples include Mexico, Slovenia, Namibia, South Africa, India, China, and Hong Kong).
SWK 698 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.
