Social Work at VSU
MSW Course Descriptions
| SOWK 6000 | Orientation to Advanced Generalist Practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the program with Advanced Standing Status. An overview of social work principles and skills. This is a transition course to orient students who already have a BSW degree to the graduate degree perspective. |
| SOWK 6004 | Social Work Practice with Groups. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Introduction to knowledge, skills and values that underlie contemporary social work practice with various types of groups and group dynamics. |
| SOWK 6100 | Introduction to Professional Social Work Education. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Orientation to graduate social work education. |
| SOWK 6201 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment I. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Presents a multi-theory perspective on human behavior of individuals and families across the life span within the context of the social environment. |
| SOWK 6202 | Human Behavior in the Social Environment II. Prerequisites: Admission to the program and SOWK 6201. Presents a multi-theory perspective on human behavior of groups, organizations and communities within the context of the social environment. |
| SOWK 6301 | Generalist Practice I - Individuals and Families. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. An introduction to knowledge of the Problem-Solving approach used in generalist practice with individuals and families within the ecological systems framework. |
| SOWK 6302 | Generalist Practice II - Organizations and Communities. Prerequisites: Admission to the program and SOWK 6301. The second course in the foundation practice sequence which presents knowledge of the problem-solving approach with work groups, organizations and communities within the Ecological Systems Framework. |
| SOWK 6303 | Practice Skills Lab. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Corequiste: SOWK 6301. Laboratory work will allow students to practice social work interviewing skills. |
| SOWK 6400 | Social Welfare Policy, Problems, and Services. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. History of the social work profession and current patterns of the provision of social services. Policy formulation process, policy analysis and change. |
| SOWK 6500 | Research and Evaluation Methods in Social Work. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Principles, methodologies, technologies and statistical approaches of human service research are introduced. Beginning capabilities in evaluation of social work practice and skill development regarding use of published research are emphasized. |
| SOWK 6600 | Practicum I. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Corequisite: SOWK 6610. First semester of supervised practice for the integration of classroom learning in field settings. |
| SOWK 6610 | Practicum Seminar I. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Corequisite: SOWK 6600. Seminar in which students discuss their practicum experiences with the goal of integrating social work theory and practice. |
| SOWK 6700 | Practicum II. Prerequisites: Admission to the program, SOWK 6600 and SOWK 6610. Corequisite: SOWK 6710. Second semester of supervised practice for the integration of classroom learning in field settings. |
| SOWK 6710 | Practicum Seminar II. Prerequisites: Admission to the program, SOWK 6600 and SOWK 6610. Corequisite: SOWK 6700. Second semester of seminar in which students discuss their practicum experiences with the goal of integrating social work theory and practice. |
| SOWK 7000 | Directed Independent Study in Social Work. Permission of Division Head. Independent study in social work. |
| SOWK 7300 | Advanced Practice in Rural Areas I - Individuals. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Corequisite: SOWK 7310. Provides students with practice models compatible with the ecological systems perspectives and with skills for working with individuals in the rural community. |
| SOWK 7310 | Advanced Practice in Rural Areas II - Families. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Corequisite: SOWK 7300. Advanced seminar which provides theories compatible with the ecological systems perspective in relation to multi-level work with families at different levels of functioning and of diverse forms. |
| SOWK 7320 | Advanced Practice in Organizations and Communities. Prerequisites: Admission to the program, SOWK 7300 and SOWK 7310. Provides applications of service management and planning principles and skills essential for social work planners, administrators, supervisors, and program developers. |
| SOWK 7400 | Policy in Rural Areas. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. A continuation of SOWK6400 that focuses on social welfare policies in rural areas and small communities. |
| SOWK 7500 | Advanced Research and Program Evaluation. Prerequisite: Admission to the program. Emphasizes the integration of research and advanced generalist social work through evaluation of practice and program evaluation. Advanced statistical concepts are applied to direct practice and five types of program evaluation. |
| SOWK 7611 | Advanced Social Work Practicum I. Prerequisite: Admission to the program and Concentration Status. The first of two concentration practica designed to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice in rural settings. |
| SOWK 7612 | Advanced Social Work Practicum II. Prerequisite: Admission to the program and SOWK 7611. The second of two concentration practica designed to prepare students for advanced generalist social work practice in rural settings. |
| SOWK 7630 | Professional Seminar. Prerequisite: Admission to the program and Concentration Status. A seminar to facilitate and structure students’ transition from graduate school to post-graduation social work practice. |
| SOWK 7700 | Gerontology. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Study of aging from a Bio-Psycho-Social perspective within the context of culture and values with an emphasis on healthy aging in rural communities. |
| SOWK 7750 | Social Work in Child and Family Settings. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Policy and practice issues are examined in the context of multiple child and family settings. Issues include: abuse reporting, parental rights, delinquency, child custody, support, and divorce. |
| SOWK 7800 | Social Work Practice in Health Settings. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Prepares students for advanced rural practice across a variety of traditional and emerging inpatient and outpatient health care delivery systems. |
| SOWK 7810 | Psychopathology and Assessment for Non-Medical Helpers. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Includes information on theories within the Bio-Psycho-Social paradigm or on causality of disorders/conditions and the use of the DSM-IV. |
| SOWK 7820 | Issues in Substance Abuse. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Alcohol and substance abuse issues are examined from the perspective of their individual and cultural impact. Strategies for prevention and treatment are introduced with an emphasis on Bio-Psycho-Social approaches. |
| SOWK 7830 | Social Work Practice in Mental Health. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. An advanced seminar on mental health service delivery -- past, present and future -- in rural environments. |
| SOWK 7840 | Seminar on Loss and Bereavement. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. A seminar focused on a multidisciplinary perspective for helping clients deal with significant losses, using practical interventions at the individual and family level. |
| SOWK 7850 | Social Work Practice in Schools. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Focuses on the issues and laws related to social work practice in the school. Issues related to rural schools are presented. |
| SOWK 7860 | Grant Writing in Human Services. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Provides knowledge, skills, and process of grant writing with an emphasis on human services in rural communities. |
| SOWK 7870 | Social Work Practice with Abusing and Neglecting Families. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. An advanced seminar in social work practice with abusing and neglecting families. Content includes current knowledge about causes, dynamics, and interventions related to neglect and abuse of children, elders, spouses and rape victims. |
| SOWK 7880 | Social Work Practice in Forensics. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Forensic issues for social work practitioners, focusing on assessment skills, career opportunities, interviewing techniques, and preparation for court testimony. |
| SOWK 7880 | Social Work Practice in Forensics. Prerequisite: Concentration Status for SOWK students or permission of department head for other graduate students. Provide students with a framework of knowledge, values, skills, and experiences for spiritually sensitive social work practice and subsequent social justice ramifications. |
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Updated: November 13, 2006