School of Social Work

AJ An, Interim Director (effective 2/01/24)

The School of Social Work offers the master of social work (MSW), as well as opportunities for students seeking graduate certificates in gerontology or substance abuse. At the undergraduate level, the School offers the bachelor of social work (BSW) and two minors. (Click here to go to the undergraduate catalog.)

Master of Social Work

Social work is a helping profession which focuses on providing skilled intervention in the prevention and amelioration of individual and societal problems. It is a challenging and rewarding career involving the application of knowledge, skills, and professional values to assist individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations in reaching their full potential. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The principal educational objective of the MSW is to prepare students for professional advanced social work practice from a strengths-based perspective. To prepare for this level of practice, students will develop practice competency in ethical and professional behavior; diversity and difference in practice; human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice; practice-informed research and research-informed practice; policy practice; and practice, assessment, intervention, and practice evaluation with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The degree provides graduates a competitive advantage in many human services jobs.

Certificate Programs

The School of Social Work offers the Gerontology Certificate  and the Substance Abuse Certificate  . Click on the program links below for more information. 

Programs

• Gerontology Certificate

• Substance Abuse Certificate

• Social Work, MSW

Courses

• GERO 5903 - Readings in Aging Studies
• GERO 6300 - Seminar in Aging Studies
• GERO 6500 - Issues in Service Provision to Older Adults

• GERO 6022 - Perspectives on Death and Dying
• GERO 6100 - Aging and Health
• GERO 6222 - Group Work with the Aged
• GERO 6600 - Practicum in Aging Studies

• SOCW 5007 - Women as Clients
• SOCW 5008 - Supervision in Social Welfare Agencies
• SOCW 5901 - Readings in Aging Studies
• SOCW 5902 - Readings in Aging Studies
• SOCW 5903 - Readings in Aging Studies
• SOCW 5940 - Research Methodology for Social Workers
• SOCW 6004 - Social Work Services in Schools
• SOCW 6005 - Human Behavior and Social Environment for the Human Service Professions
• SOCW 6008 - Introduction to Clinical-Community Practice from a Relational Perspective
• SOCW 6009 - Foundations of Social Work and Social Welfare
• SOCW 6100 - Introduction to Social Work Practice
• SOCW 6101 - Social Work Intervention with Groups for Substance Use Disorders
• SOCW 6110 - Foundational Communication and Relationship Capacities for Clinical-Community Practice from a Relational Perspective
• SOCW 6111 - Social Work Practice: Community Foundations
• SOCW 6112 - Trauma Informed Practice with a Clinical-Community Relational Perspective
• SOCW 6114 - Group Practice with a Clinical-Community Relational Perspective
• SOCW 6140 - Advanced Practice: Individuals and Families
• SOCW 6141 - Advanced Practice: Community Partnerships
• SOCW 6200 - Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities
• SOCW 6324 - Social Work Practice with Developmental Disabilities
• SOCW 6326 - Advanced Policy in Health and Aging Settings
• SOCW 6380 - Interdisciplinary Practice: Services for Children with Serious Emotional Disturbances and Their Families
• SOCW 6392 - Social Work Practice in Mental Health
• SOCW 6394 - Advanced Policy in Mental Health: A Social Work Perspective
• SOCW 6422 - Social Work Practice in Family and Children Services
• SOCW 6426 - Advanced Policy in Family and Children’s Services
• SOCW 6701 - Biopsychosocial: Social Work Perspectives on Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• SOCW 6702 - Social Work’s Response to Human Differences
• SOCW 6711 - Critical Thinking in Social Work Research
• SOCW 6730 - Conducting Evaluation Research
• SOCW 6732 - Professional Paper
• SOCW 6734 - Professional Paper
• SOCW 6800 - Social Work Practice in Substance Abuse Treatment
• SOCW 6801 - Clinical Approach to Working with Substance Using/Abusing Clients
• SOCW 6803 - Selected Topics in Human Behavior: A Social Work Perspective
• SOCW 6806 - Selected Topics in Social Work with Families and Children
• SOCW 6807 - Selected Topics in Health and Aging
• SOCW 6809 - Selected Topics in Social Work Research
• SOCW 6810 - Selected Topics in Social Welfare Policy
• SOCW 6901 - Independent Study
• SOCW 6902 - Independent Study
• SOCW 6903 - Independent Study
• SOCW 6940 - Field Instruction I
• SOCW 6950 - Field Instruction II
• SOCW 6960 - Field Instruction III
• SOCW 7000 - Thesis

• SOCW 5910 - Foundation Skills in Social Work Practice
• SOCW 6022 - Perspectives on Death and Dying
• SOCW 6550 - Integrative Seminar