COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

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 is 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. The course may extend beyond the limits of a typical quarter. Prerequisites: admission to the program; completion of or concurrent enrollment with SW 540. May be taken up to three times for credit.

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 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 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 593: Assessment and Diagnosis in Social Work (5)
This elective is designed to examine the incidence and etiology of mental illness and its impact on individuals, families, and society. Various Classification systems (DSM, PIE, and ICD) may be utilized to meet the demands of practice. Prerequisites: A course in human biology and SW 520.

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 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 with Child and Family Services (5)
This course is designed to prepare students to carry out social work roles in various social agencies that serve children and families. The focus of this course is on the application of theories, concepts, and principles in the direct service to children and families. Students are expected to develop competencies in assessments, intervention strategies, and in ongoing review of cases. Prerequisites: SW 540 and SW 541.

SW 641 Advanced Practice in Mental Health Services (5)
This course is designed to prepare students to carry out social work roles in community mental health agencies. The course focuses on the application of theories, concepts, and principles in accord with laws and regulations regarding community mental health services in California. Students are expected to develop competencies in assessments, intervention strategies, and in ongoing review of cases across the life span and with diverse populations. Prerequisites: SW 540 and SW 541.

SW 643 Advanced Practice in Health Services (5)
This course is designed to provide a framework for social work practice in health care settings with diverse populations across the lifespan. 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 541.

SW 646 Advanced Practice I (5)
This course focuses on the application of theories, concepts, and principles in direct service. Students are expected to develop competencies in assessment, intervention, monitoring, and evaluation. Social work roles, functions, and processes across settings are emphasized. Prerequisites: SW 540 and SW 541.

SW 647 Advanced Practice II (5)
This course continues from SW 646 the application of theories, concepts, and principles in direct service with attention to different settings and different levels of practice. Prerequisite: SW 646.

SW 648 Advanced Practice III (5)
This course continues from SW 647 the application of theories, concepts, and principles in direct service and incorporates them into a focus on administrative practice. Prerequisites: SW 647.

SW 650 Advanced Field Practicum (3)
Supervised practicum that engages students in supervised direct service activities 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. The course may extend beyond the limits of a typical quarter. Prerequisites: Completion of an approved foundation practicum sequence and completion of or concurrent enrollment in SW 646. May be taken up to three times for credit.

SW 691 Thesis (3)
Under the supervision of a thesis committee, completion of an individual research project with a focus on research. 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.