2003-2005 Catalog
|
|
C A L I F O R N I A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y B A K E R S F I E L D
2003-2005 Catalog |
SOCIAL WORK (MSW)
Dorothy Donahoe Hall, A100
(661) 664-3434
(661) 665-6928 (fax)
email: pcadena@csub.edu
Director: David A. Cherin, MSW, Ph.D.
Dorothy Donahoe Hall, A104
(661) 664-3434
email: dcherin@csub.edu
Faculty: D. Cherin, D. Chenot, J. Digges, L. Etue, B. Hartsell, P. Henry,
R. McCleary, R. Mejia,
D. Morrison-Orton, G. Nordquist, B. Reifel, M. Thomas
Program Description
For more than 100 years, the profession of social work has upheld a tradition of commitment to social justice and equity, and has advocated for oppressed and vulnerable populations. Today, social workers can be seen in fields such as mental and physical health, family and child welfare, aging, corrections, juvenile justice, youth services, substance abuse treatment, and industrial social work dealing with the increasingly complex and difficult problems of our age. Poverty, homelessness, chronic mental illness, drug abuse, family violence, youth and adult criminal behavior, aging, and AIDS are a few of those difficult issues that confront professional social workers in their practice.
Master of Social Work
The Master of Social Work (MSW) program provides graduate level education and prepares students for advanced social work practice. New graduates will be able to explore exciting job opportunities in direct service, management and administration, community organization, and consultation to numerous public and private organizations. The program involves over 90 quarter units of academic work, a thesis or comprehensive examination, and a 960-hour internship in social work agencies under qualified supervisors. The program has two concentrations: Child and Family Services, and Health and Mental Health Services. Both full-time and part-time options are available.
Admission to the Program
Students are admitted to the MSW program for the Fall quarter only, with the exception of Advanced Standing Students who begin their studies in the Spring quarter. Admission materials are available from the department in January of each year. Early application is encouraged. Students send the application to the Office of Admissions and Records.
Admission to the MSW program is based on an overall evaluation of the applicant on the following criteria: 1) intellectual and academic potential, 2) relevant human services experience, 3) leadership potential, and 4) quality of reference letters.
Applicants must meet these requirements before the Admissions Committee will review the application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application file is complete.
1. Possession of a Bachelors degree from a recognized college or university. For degrees earned in the United States, this means the degree must be from an institution that is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations.
2. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 (on a four point scale) for the last 60 semester units (90 quarter units).
3. A completed University application form, which is obtainable from any CSU campus.
4. A completed departmental application.
5. Official sealed copies of transcripts from all colleges attended.
6. A personal statement completed according to (guidelines in the application packet).
7. Three letters of reference.
8. Submission of GRE scores.
9. Application fee of $55.
Students who meet the following requirements are admitted as “classified” graduate students. Students with one or more deficiencies in the following may be admitted as “conditional” graduate students. Deficiencies must be rectified before enrollment in the program.
1. A liberal arts foundation significantly equivalent to the general education requirements listed in the CSUB catalog
2. A course in Human Biology
3. Computer literacy is expected
This is a CSU system policy that requires all degree candidates to demonstrate upper division writing competency. Students at CSUB can fulfill the writing proficiency requirement with one of the following courses:
1. English/Comm 304: Technical and Report Writing
2. English 305: Modes of Writing
3. Communications 306: News Writing and Reporting
4. Communication 311: Feature Writing
5. English 310: Advanced Writing
6. English 311: Writing Literary Analysis
7. History 300: Historical Writing
8. Administration 510: Advanced Technical Communication
Classification Levels
Conditionally Classified Level – Students who are selected by the department’s admissions committee but who have not met one or more of the additional requirements may be admitted as conditionally classified. Deficiencies must be rectified before enrollment in the program.
Classified Level – Students who have met all the admission requirements and are selected by the department’s admissions committee will be admitted at the classified level. These students may take any graduate course meeting the requirements of their Plan of Study as long as the appropriate prerequisites are met.
Advanced Standing – Applicants who have graduated with a baccalaureate degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) may request advanced standing. These students follow an abbreviated Plan of Study involving waiver of Foundation courses except SW530. Advanced standing candidates may test out of SW530 with an 80% or better score. The following additional conditions must be met for advanced standing:
1. The student must have completed the Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) within five years prior to admission to the graduate program.
2. The applicant must have an overall GPA of 3.0 for the baccalaureate degree.
3. All social work courses must have a grade of 3.0 or better. Courses with a grade of less than 3.0 will not be waived.
International Students
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission given above, international students must take TOEFL and have a score of 550 or higher (or 213 on the new conversation scale for the computer-based TOEFL exam).
Immigration Requirements for Licensure
On August 27, 1996, Governor Pete Wilson issued Executive Order W-135-96 which requested that the CSU and other state agencies implement “as expeditiously as reasonably practicable” the provision of The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRAWORA) of 1996 (P.L. 104-193). The Act, also known as the Welfare Reform Act, included provisions to eliminate eligibility for federal and state public benefits for certain categories of lawful immigrants as well as benefits for all illegal immigrants.
Students who will require a professional or commercial license provided by a local, state, or federal government agency in order to engage in an occupation for which the CSU may be training them must meet the immigration requirements of the new Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act to achieve licensure.
Accreditation
The MSW program at CSUB has received Candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the accrediting body in Social Work. The initial accreditation is expected in 2003, which will cover students admitted since the Fall of 2000.
Life or Work Experience
In accordance with the standards of the Council on Social Work Education, it is the policy of the Department not to grant academic credit for previous life or work experience at either the undergraduate or graduate level.
MSW Curriculum
MSW courses provide two levels of competencies, namely Foundation and Concentration. The following are Foundation courses:
SW 510 Social Policy and Services (5)
SW 520 Foundations of Human Behavior (5)
SW 530 Research Methods for Social Work (5)
SW 540 Generalist Social Work Practice I (5)
SW 541 Generalist Social Work Practice II (5)
SW 550 Field Practicum I (3)
SW 551 Field Practicum II (3)
SW 552 Field Practicum III (3)
Advanced Courses
All students in the MSW program take a core set of advanced courses:
SW 610 Advanced Social Policy and Services (5)
SW 620 Advanced Human Behavior for Social Workers (5)
SW 630 Advanced Research Methods for Social Work Practice (5)
Concentrations
There are two concentrations for the MSW program at CSUB: Child and Family Services, and Health and Mental Health Services. Practice courses and field practice are different for these concentrations. The following are concentration courses:
Concentration Courses in Child and Family Services
SW 640 Advanced Practice in Child and Family Services I (5)
SW 642 Advanced Practice in Child and Family Services II (5)
SW 644 Social Work Administration in Child and Family Services (5)
SW 650 Advanced Field Practicum in Child and Family Services I (3)
SW 652 Advanced Field Practicum in Child and Family Services II (3)
SW 654 Advanced Field Practicum in Child and Family Services III (3)
Concentration Courses in Health and Mental Health Services
SW 641 Advanced Practice in Health and Mental Health Services I (5)
SW 643 Advanced Practice in Health and Mental Health Services II (5)
SW 645 Social Work Administration in Health and Mental Health Services (5)
SW 651 Advanced Field Practicum in Health and Mental Health Services I (3)
SW 653 Advanced Field Practicum in Health and Mental Health Services II (3)
SW 655 Advanced Field Practicum in Health and Mental Health Services III (3)
Elective Course Work
The MSW course of study includes 15 units of Elective courses. Following is a list of such electives offered by the Department.
SW560 SW Interventions with Asian American Families (5)
SW561 SW Practice with Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Populations (5)
SW564 SW Interventions with African-American Families (5)
SW565 SW Practice with the Aged and their Families (5)
SW566 Social Welfare Policy and Services with Aged Populations (5)
SW567 Multicultural SW Practice with Aged Populations (5)
SW568 International Social Work (5)
SW569 Cross-Cultural Approaches to Health and Healing and SW Practice (5)
SW570 Domestic Violence and Family Dynamics (5)
SW571 Clinical Practice With Death and Dying (5)
SW572 Issues and Interventions in Child Maltreatment (5)
SW573 Substance Abuse: Assessment and Treatment (5)
SW574 Advanced Substance Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment (5)
SW577 Special Topics in Social Work (5)
SW580 Family Treatment (5)
SW581 Social Work with Groups (5)
SW583 Object Relations and Self-Psychology in SW (5)
SW586 Leadership in Human Service Organizations (3)
SW588 Applied Program Evaluation with Social Work Agencies (5)
SW590 Social Work and the Law (5)
SW591 Special Education, the Law, and SW Practice (5)
SW592 Ethical Issues in SW Practice (5)
SW595 Spirituality, Religion, and Social Work (5)
SW599 Individual Study (1-5)
SW686 Supervision in the Helping Professions (3)
At least one of the electives must be related to diverse populations. These courses provide advanced knowledge about cultural and social justice issues of diverse groups such as Native Americans, African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian Americans, Women, and others. The courses numbered 560 – 569 above and the following list fulfill this requirement.
SOC 335 The Latino Experience in the United States (5)
SOC 336 The Asian Experience in the United States (5)
SOC 337 The African Experience in the United States (5)
SOC 338 The Indigenous Experience in the Modern Americas (5)
SOC 527 Advanced Theories of Race, Nation, and Ethnicity (5)
SOC 565 Seminar in Sexual In Equality (5)
ANTH 370 Third World Communities (5)
ANTH 438 The Anthropology of Women (5)
Students may take the remaining electives from approved courses in other departments including Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, and Nursing. The following courses are approved as electives:
ECON 410 International Economic Development (5)
ECON 510 Health Economics (5)
NURS 626 Introduction of Epidemiology and Care (5)
NURS 627 Health Law, Ethics and Public Policy (5)
PSYC 415 Developmental Psychopathology (5)
PSYC 418 Mental Health and Aging (5)
PSYC 432 Industrial and Organizational Psychology (5)
PSYC 510 Human Development: Childhood and Adolescence (4)
PSYC 511 Human Development: Adulthood and Aging (4)
PSYC 602 Seminar in Organizational Psychology (5)
SOC 442 Conflict Mediation and Dispute Resolution (5)
SOC 450 Contemporary Global Issues (5)
SOC 464 Family and Stress (5)
SOC 541 Complex Organizations (5)
SOC 555 Seminar on Alcohol and Drugs (5)
PPA 504 Contemporary Issues in Health Care Management (5)
PPA 505 Managed Health Care (5)
PPA 515 Public Health Administration (5)
PPA 519 Non-Profit Management (5)
PPA 520 Grantsmanship and Financial Development (5)
PPA 573 Emergency Management (5)
PPA 618 Health Services Planning and Policy (5)
EDCS 510 Developmental Counseling: Children and Adolescents (5)
EDCS 515 Developmental Counseling: Adulthood and Aging (4)
Field Practicum
Field practicum is an integral part of social work education and is concurrent with the coursework. Throughout the two years of study, students enrolled in Field Practicum spend sixteen hours each week in a field placement applying the knowledge, skills, and values learned in other courses. This amounts to a total of 960 clock hours for field practicum. The field experience is guided by an individualized learning contract that students develop with their field instructors. As part of the Field Practicum, students also participate in a three-hour seminar each week. The Field Practicum Seminar provides students the opportunity to integrate knowledge, skills, and values with field experience. The Coordinator of Field Education is responsible for this component of the curriculum.
Students must be prepared to travel approximately 100 miles from Bakersfield, as suitable placements may not be available to all students in the city of Bakersfield. Additionally, students must purchase the Field Practicum Manual and the student handbook, available at the University bookstore, to learn about additional policies and procedures of field practicum.
Thesis or Comprehensive Examination
The California State University system requires a culminating experience for graduate education in the form of a thesis, a project, or a comprehensive examination. The MSW program requires the students to choose a Thesis (9 units) in an area of their Concentration or the Comprehensive Examination (5 units).
Degree Requirements
The University confers the MSW degree upon fulfillment of the following requirements:
1. Completion of 93 or 97 hours of graduate credit for the regular program-depending on whether the student elects the comprehensive examination or the thesis-or 59 or 63 credit hours for the advanced standing program in accordance with the Plan of Study, including at least one course (5 units) from the list of Diversity electives.
2. Completion of a Thesis or Comprehensive Exam.
3. Grade point average of 3.0, and or grade of “C,” or better in all courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the degree as specified in each student’s Plan of Study.
4. Satisfactory completion of both Field practica.
5. Completion of 64 credits in residence for regular students and 32 for the Advanced standing students.
6. All coursework leading to the MSW degree must be completed within 4 years from first enrollment.
Advancement to Graduate Candidacy
Regular MSW students may be advanced to candidacy upon completion of the Foundation curriculum, and Advanced Standing students may be advanced to candidacy during the second quarter of their studies. Advancement to candidacy is based upon a formal review and recommendation by the graduate program coordinator and approval by the Dean for Graduate Studies and Research. Advancement to candidacy is required prior to initiation of the Thesis or Comprehensive Examination.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
SW 200 Social Welfare, Social Work, and Social Services (5)
This course is designed to provide beginning knowledge of social services, current and dominant issues of social welfare, the welfare state, the nature of social work, and the interaction between individuals and their environments. The course examines the knowledge base, the value base, and the historical landmarks in the development of the social welfare system and professional social work. Classroom sessions, student assignments, readings, and guest speakers will be used to examine how social workers work with a diverse client population and how social workers contribute to solving major social problems within our society. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.
SW 510 Social Policy and Services (5)
This course provides an overall introduction to social welfare policies in relation to social work practice. Students gain an understanding of the historical and philosophical background of social welfare policies and the social work profession. Important issues in social policy formulation and models of policy analysis are presented. The impact of social policies on diverse populations such as ethnic minorities, children, women, the poor, and other oppressed groups are examined. The course also focuses on the concept of social justice as it relates to welfare policy formulation and implementation. Prerequisite: admission to the program.
SW 520 Foundations of Human Behavior (5)
Reviews a broad spectrum of theories of human development as they relate to individuals, families, groups, organizations, institutions, and communities. Interactions of biological, social, psychological, and cultural factors as they promote health and well-being during early, middle, and late adulthood are considered. Unique situations of diverse populations such as ethnic minorities, children, women, the poor, and other oppressed groups will be examined in the context of the social systems with which the person interacts. Prerequisite: admission to the program.
SW 530 Research Methods for Social Work (5)
Introduces social work research methods, including research designs for both quantitative and qualitative studies. Focuses on learning research strategies that are appropriate to clinical practice and administrative demands; accepting responsibility for contributing to the professional body of social work knowledge; developing the ability to critically examine, interpret, and utilize research findings in relation to everyday social work practice; acquiring skills in using and understanding statistical procedures most commonly used in social work settings. Prerequisite: admission to the program.
SW 540 Generalist Social Work Practice I (5)
Examines the assumptions, concepts, principles, and values of generalist practice from a cross-cultural perspective in regard to professional relationships, social work roles, treatment processes, and service delivery models with individuals, families, and groups. The course emphasizes problem solving processes, including defining problems, collecting and analyzing data, planning and contracting, selecting among alternative interventions, implementing interventions, evaluating effectiveness, and termination. Examines special issues relating to diverse populations such as ethnic minorities, children, women, the poor, and other oppressed groups. Prerequisite: admission to the program.
SW 541 Generalist Social Work Practice II (5)
Provides the contextual framework of generalist social work practice with particular emphasis on communities and organizations as social systems. The course focuses on analysis of the community as a social system with emphasis on the dynamic aspects of community system interfaces; common strategies of producing change in community work; the nature of formal organizations as environments through which social services are provided in the community; and the knowledge and skills necessary to affect change within organizations. Prerequisites: admission to the program.
SW 550 Field Practicum I (3)
This course includes 16 hours each week of supervised practice experience in a community social agency, and a three-hour integrative seminar. The course focuses on the application of Foundation knowledge, skills, values, and ethics to practice with individuals, families, groups, and communities. Students develop skills in effective use of self; in assessment, intervention, and evaluation; in written and oral professional communication; in effective use of supervision; and in critical assessment of agency policy and practice. Prerequisites: admission to the program; concurrent enrollment with SW 540.
SW 551 Field Practicum II (3)
Continuation of Field Practicum I. Prerequisites: SW 550.
SW 552 Field Practicum III (3)
Continuation of Field Practicum II. Prerequisites: SW 551.
SW 560 Social Work Interventions with Asian-American Families (5)
In this course, students develop an understanding of the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual issues involved when working with Asian-American clients. The course examines the history and diversity of ethnic groups and the impact of local, state, and national demographics, policies, economics, and service systems. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 561 Social Work Practice with Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Populations (5)
This course presents the brief modern history of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons. Special emphasis is given to the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual issues associated with this population and current social work trends in working with this population. Prerequisites: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 564 Social Work Interventions with African- American Families (5)
This course is designed to provide the student an understanding of communication, family dynamics, extended and fictive kinship impact on psychosocial service delivery within the African American family within the context of the African-American experience in the United States. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 565 Social Work Practice with the Aged and their Families (5)
(formerly SW 580)
This course provides an overview of social work practice with older adults and their families. It will build on theories about human development, personality, and the social environment as they relate to an ethnically diverse aging society at national and global levels. The course will focus on social work practice and will address poverty, gender, ethnicity, caregiving, elderly abuse, long-term care, religion, spirituality, legal issues, health care, mental health care, and advocacy. Prerequisite: SW 520 or instructor permission.
SW 566 Social Welfare Policy and Services with Aged Populations (5)
(formerly SW 581)
This course examines policies, problems, and trends related to aging adults. Students will analyze policies with regard to access, cost, and availability of services. The course will examine policies in the US and in other countries and will cover health care, mental health care, long-term care, housing, and cultural issues. Prerequisites: SW 520, SW565, or instructor permission.
SW 567 Multicultural Social Work Practice with Aged Populations (5)
(formerly SW 582)
This course uses national and global perspectives to focus on multicultural issues of older adults and their families. It provides a framework for social work interventions that are complicated by interactions of ethnic, gender, and sexual backgrounds of aging populations. Areas of study include individual, family, group, and community treatment of diverse elderly. Prerequisites: SW520, SW 565, or instructor permission.
SW 568 International Social Work (5)
(formerly SW 589)
This course examines political, economic, and social forces that have historically affected the practice of social work in the global community. Emphasis is placed on human rights, social justice, and social development perspectives in the provision of social welfare services. Students examine social work philosophy, theory, and practice in countries other than the United States. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 569 Cross-Cultural Approaches to Health and Healing and Social Work Practice (5)
(formerly SW 590)
This course examines approaches to health and healing in the East and West. From a holistic perspective, students examine the relevance of these approaches to micro, mezzo, and macro practice. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 570 Domestic Violence and Family Dynamics (5)
(formerly SW 562)
This course examines the dynamics of domestic violence within the family with an emphasis on understanding the cycle of violence and the impact of domestic violence on women and children. This course also focuses on the bio-psycho-socio-spiritual models and theoretical approaches to interventions with this population and society. Prerequisites: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 571 Clinical Practice and Inquiry with Death and Dying (5)
(formerly SW 563)
This course examines the impact of grief and loss throughout the life cycle with an emphasis on loss through terminal illness and the trauma of death. The course emphasizes clinical interventions, research, and the current theoretical perspective from a bio-psycho-socio-spiritual paradigm. Prerequisites: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 572 Issues and Interventions in Child Maltreatment (5)
(formerly SW 567)
This course prepares students for interdisciplinary, multicultural practice with maltreated children and their families. Students develop a conceptual background in etiology, intervention, and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Students develop skills in identification, intervention, treatment, and prevention in working with families who have abused or are at high risk for abusing their children. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 573 Substance Abuse: Assessment and Treatment (5)
(formerly SW 568)
This course examines the incidence and etiology of chemical dependency and its impact on individuals, families, and society. The course examines physiological and psychological aspects of psychoactive substances and examines ethical and spiritual issues relative to treatment. Special attention is given to distinctions among diverse populations. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 574 Advanced Substance Abuse, Dual Diagnosis, Assessment, & Treatment (5)
(formerly SW 569)
This advanced course in substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment addresses assessment, placement criteria, treatment approaches, relapse prevention, standards of care, professional ethics, case management, and multidisciplinary strategies. The course also covers the 10 core competencies required to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor, and consideration is given to public policy, legislation, and service delivery in a managed care environment. Prerequisite: SW 573, or instructor permission.
SW 577 Special Topics in Social Work (1-5)
Offered periodically as announced. May be repeated with different course content. Prerequisite: Junior standing or instructor permission.
SW 580 Family Treatment (5)
(formerly SW 565)
This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of advanced specialized skills needed to work with families. The focus is on clinical work with families emphasizing the ecosystem, strength-based, and multicultural perspectives. Techniques of various family theorists as employed in the stages of family treatment are taught in a lecture and experiential format. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 581 Social Work with Groups (5)
(formerly SW 588)
This course examines the theory and skills of group social work. Students examine stages of group development and the role of social workers in each stage. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 583 Object Relations and Self-Psychology in Social Work (5)
(formerly SW 591)
This course explores object relations and self-psychology with a focus on the utility of these theories and related methodology for professional social work. The emerging theory of intersubjectivity also receives cursory coverage. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 586 Leadership in Human Service Organizations (3)
(formerly SW 576)
This course focuses on the various theories of leadership and their application to service delivery, professional ethics, and community needs in human service organizations. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 588 Applied Program Evaluation with Social Work Agencies (5)
(formerly SW 593)
This course provides an overview of applied program evaluation in social welfare and mental health agencies. Topics include qualitative and quantitative evaluation designs, formative and summative evaluations, program monitoring, and quality assurance procedures. Prerequisite: SW 530 or instructor permission.
SW 590 Social Work and the Law (5)
(formerly SW 566)
Provides an overview and analysis of the interaction of the social work and legal professions. Legal procedures and issues of special relevance to social work practice are presented. Legislation and court decisions as well as pending litigation affecting the delivery of social services are reviewed and discussed. Emphasis is on child welfare and juvenile court issues, but topics related to homelessness, education, mental health, domestic violence and the elderly are also examined. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 591 Special Education, the Law, and Social Work Practice (5)
(formerly SW 586)
This course examines federal and state law associated with special education. Students learn to advocate for the child, family, and teachers and to facilitate effective Individual Education Plans and Transition Plans. Prerequisites: SW 520 and SW 540 or instructor permission.
SW 592 Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice (5)
This course examines the many ethical issues that arise in social work practice. Students examine ethical standards and how they evolved, models for ethical decision making, and ethical dilemmas. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 595 Spirituality, Religion, and Social Work (5)
(formerly SW 585)
This course examines the role of religion and spirituality in social work practice, nationally and globally. Students gain an understanding of religiously/spiritually-based groups in the development of social work. Students examine models for integrating spirituality and religious beliefs into practice. Prerequisite: admission to the program or instructor permission.
SW 599 Individual Study (1-5)
This course allows a student to work independently with a professor on a collaboratively designed plan of study. Prerequisite: instructor permission.
SW 610 Advanced Social Policy and Services (5)
The course prepares students to understand major services and policies relating to Child and Family Services and to Health and Mental Health Services. This understanding serves as the basis for examination of social work interventions in problem areas. The course emphasizes the interaction between political and legislative processes in policy formulation, and it examines international, national, and state perspectives on problem areas in health care and child welfare. Prerequisite: SW 510.
SW 620 Advanced Human Behavior (5)
The course critically evaluates how the cultures of human groups, organizations, and communities contribute to the life issues that social workers confront every day. It emphasizes the application and integration of contemporary theory and research on multiple dimensions of social behavior in human groups of all sizes. Focus is placed on the ways culture affects social and economic justice. Prerequisites: SW 520.
SW 630 Advanced Research Methods for Social Work Practice (5)
The focus of this course is on social work practice research paradigms, models, and methods. Particular attention is given to epistemological issues in clinical research, clinical assessments, and qualitative and quantitative methods used in social work practice evaluation. Needs assessment and program evaluation and their role in social work practice are covered. This course is designed to give the student a more in-depth exploration of gender and ethnic minority research issues and computer-assisted, descriptive and exploratory data analysis. Prerequisites: SW 530.
SW 640 Advanced Practice in Child and Family Services I (5)
This course focuses on the application of theories, concepts, and principles in direct service to children and families. Students are expected to develop competencies in assessments, intervention strategies, and in ongoing review of cases. Social work roles, functions, and processes across settings are emphasized. The course explores selected theories useful in understanding children and families across the life cycle. Prerequisites: SW 540 and SW 541.
SW 641 Advanced Practice in Health and Mental Health Services I (5)
This course provides a framework for social work practice in health and mental health settings with a primary focus on mental health. It examines the impact of mental illness and adjustment on human behavior and the wide range of roles and skills that social workers contribute as members of a mental health care team. Social work values, ethics, theories, and skills vital in mental health practice are examined. Prerequisites: SW 540 and SW 541.
SW 642 Advanced Practice in Child and Family Services II (5)
This is the second practice course within the Child and Family Services concentration. The course focuses on applied macro practice with children and families. Application of skills, techniques, and strategies needed to mobilize people and resources and to solve basic social problems at the large-group or community level is stressed. Community problem solving involving vulnerable populations using a social justice perspective is emphasized. Prerequisite: SW 640.
SW 643 Advanced Practice in Health and Mental Health Services II (5)
This course is designed to provide a framework for social work practice in health care settings with special focus on physical health, healthcare, and wellness. Social work practice, theory, and skills vital in healthcare practice are examined (assessment, interventions-including discharge planning, case management, advocacy, and outreach, and interdisciplinary collaboration-and a range of brief therapies such as crisis intervention, grief, supportive counseling, and referral). Values, professional ethics, and bioethics in practice are discussed. Prerequisite: SW 641.
SW 644 Social Work Administration in Child and Family Services (5)
The focus of this course is management and organizational behavior within human service agencies; leadership; decision making; conflict resolution; program and staff development; fiscal management; and, work with boards and volunteers. This course prepares students to work more effectively and responsively within complex organizational settings and expands students’ knowledge of the organizational context of social work practice, while focusing on settings that primarily serve families and children. Emphasis is placed on ways that race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, class, and disability affect management practices. Prerequisites: SW 640 and SW 642.
SW 645 Social Work Administration in Health and Mental Health Services (5)
The focus of this course is management and organizational behavior within health and mental health agencies; leadership; decision making; conflict resolution; program and staff development; fiscal management; and work with boards and volunteers. This course also prepares students to work more effectively and responsively within complex organizational settings and expands students’ knowledge of the organizational context of social work practice while focusing on health and mental health settings. Emphasis is placed on ways in which race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, class, and disability affect management practices. Prerequisites: SW 641 and SW 643.
SW 650 Advanced Field Practicum in Child and Family Services I (3)
Supervised practicum that engages students in supervised direct service activities in Child and Family Services and provides practice experiences for application of the skills acquired in all foundation areas. The goal is to produce a professionally reflective, self-evaluating, knowledgeable, and developing social worker. Students are prepared for entry into a specialized area of practice, with the ability to utilize a variety of intervention techniques in diverse settings and with diverse populations. Prerequisites: SW 552. Corequisite: SW 640.
SW 651 Advanced Field Practicum in Health and Mental Health Services I (3)
Supervised practicum that engages students in supervised direct service activities in Health and Mental Health and provides practice experiences for application of the skills acquired in all foundation areas. The goal is to produce a professionally reflective, self-evaluating, knowledgeable, and developing social worker. Students are prepared for entry into a specialized area of practice, with the ability to utilize a variety of intervention techniques in diverse settings and with diverse populations. Prerequisites: SW 552. Corequisite: SW 641.
SW 652 Advanced Field Practicum in Child and Family Services II (3)
Continued supervised social work practice experience in Child and Family Services in a community agency at an advanced level of practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities with emphasis on cross-cultural practice. Prerequisite: SW 650. Corequisite: SW 642.
SW 653 Advanced Field Practicum in Health and Mental Health Services II (3)
Continuation of supervised practice experience in Health and Mental Health Services in a community social agency on an advanced level of practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities with emphasis on cross-cultural practice. Prerequisites: SW 651. Corequisite: SW 643
SW 654 Advanced Field Practicum in Child and Family Services III (3)
Continued supervised social work practice experience in Child and Family Services in a community agency at an advanced level of practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities with emphasis on cross-cultural practice. Prerequisite: SW 652. Corequisite: SW 644.
SW 655 Advanced Field Practicum in Health and Mental Health Services III (3)
Continuation of supervised practice experience in Health and Mental Health Services in a community social agency on an advanced level of practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities with emphasis on cross-cultural practice. Prerequisite: SW 653. Corequisite: SW 645.
SW 686 Supervision in the Helping Professions (3)
(formerly SW 646)
This course introduces students to the techniques of administrative, educational, and supportive supervision with an emphasis on clinical supervision. Topics include California requirements for supervisors and supervisees, stages of supervision, models of supervision, diversity issues in supervision, ethical issues in supervision, and evaluation of supervision. Prerequisites: SW 620 or consent of instructor.
SW 690 Comprehensive Examination (5)
A comprehensive written examination on all graduate coursework and/or a reading list covering major works in social work as determined by the faculty. Five units of credit are awarded upon successful completion of the exam. Prerequisite: successful completion of all graduate course work except SW644/645 and SW654/655.
SW 691 Thesis (3)
Under the supervision of a thesis committee, completion of an individual research project in the student’s selected concentration. Must meet University thesis requirements. Three units are awarded for each quarter in which satisfactory work is documented and approved by the thesis committee. May be taken three times for credit. Prerequisite: Completion of foundation requirements and thesis committee approval.