MSW Course Descriptions
The following are descriptions of required courses in the MSW program of study.
Required Foundation Courses
SW 610 Structural Oppression
The first of two courses that promote a multidimensional understanding of human functioning across systems and the life course. Introduces oppression and examines the experiences of diverse POPULATIONS.
SW 611 Theoretical Perspectives on Human Behavior
The second course in a two-course sequence that promotes a multidimensional understanding of human functioning and behavior across systems and the life course. This course specifically examines human behavior and functioning among individuals and families. In particular, the course emphasizes an evidence-informed approach to assessing human functioning. The course advances students' ability to critically apply a range of theories and research to better understand and assess human behavior and development.
SW 620 Social Work Methods with Individuals
One of a four-course sequence that emphasizes the competent application of skills, knowledge and values to social work practice. This course focuses on developing competency in intervening with individuals. Students will learn how to engage in each stage of the social work intervention process with individuals, including: rapport building, exploration, assessment, planning, implementation, goal attainment, evaluation and termination. This course furthers students' understanding of the strengths-based, generalist social work perspective; in particular students will learn the various roles social workers may play in work with individuals. Special emphasis is placed on analyzing the ways in which client characteristics (i.e., biological, psychological and socioeconomic factors as well as class, gender, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation) interact with the resources and demands of the environment in identifying appropriate intervention strategies. Students will be asked to use critical thinking skills to identify and implement interventions with individuals that are evidenced-informed, as well as contextually and culturally relevant.
SW 621 Social Work Methods with Groups
One of a four-course sequence that emphasizes the competent application of skills, knowledge and values to social work practice. This course focuses on developing competency in intervening with small groups. Students will learn how to engage in each stage of the social work intervention process with groups, including: formation, initial/beginning stage, middle stage, termination stage and evaluation. Students will continue their use of an evidence-informed approach to practice through identification and critique of group curriculums. Special emphasis is placed on analyzing the ways in which member characteristics (i.e., biological, psychological and socioeconomic factors as well as class, gender, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation) influence communication, interaction and dynamics within groups.
SW 623 Social Work with Organizations, Communities and Legislatures
One of a four-course sequence that emphasizes the competent application of skills, knowledge and values to social work practice. This course focuses on developing competency in working with organizations, communities and legislative bodies. This course furthers the understanding of the strengths-based, generalist social work perspective. In this course students will learn public speaking, elements of grant writing, budgeting, advocacy, lobbying and written and oral persuasion techniques as methods of assessing and responding to community and organizational issues. Students will learn to attend to the cultural, ideological, and diverse nuances present in large groups of people and within complex problems while maintaining a critically reflexive position in relation to their own culture, privilege, ideology, personal values, and biases. Students will be asked to use critical thinking skills to identify and implement interventions with organizations and communities that are evidenced-informed, as well as contextually and culturally relevant.
SW 624 Social Work Methods with Couples and Families
One of a four-course sequence that emphasizes the competent application of skills, knowledge and values to social work practice. This course focuses on developing competency in intervening with couples and families. Students will learn how to engage in each stage of the social work intervention process with couples and families, including: rapport building, exploration, assessment, planning, implementation, goal attainment, evaluation and termination. This course furthers students' understanding of the strengths-based, generalist social work perspective. Special emphasis is placed on analyzing the ways in which client characteristics (i.e., biological, psychological and socioeconomic factors as well as class, gender, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation) interact with the resources and demands of the environment in identifying appropriate intervention strategies. Students will be asked to use critical thinking skills to identify and implement interventions with couples and families that are evidenced-informed, as well as contextually and culturally relevant.
SW 630 Social Work History and Social Welfare Policy
Explores the historical development of the social work profession and current policies governing the social service delivery system within the United States. Social policy is presented as a social construction influenced by a range of ideologies and interests. Special attention is paid to social welfare policy and programs relevant to the practice of social work, including poverty, child and family well-being, mental and physical disability, health, and racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities. The course includes a focus on the role of policy in creating, maintaining or eradicating social inequities.
SW 640 Elements of Evidence-Informed Practice
This is the first in a two-course sequence that examines concepts, principles, and methods of scientific inquiry, emphasizing qualitative and quantitative designs, assessment of practice and program effectiveness, and critical use of existing research when working with individuals, couples, families, or groups. A key focus is on understanding the reciprocal relationship between practice and research. The goal of the course is to prepare competent research consumers who view evidence-informed practice as a "process of inquiry," and continually examine the foundations of "best practices." Emphasis is placed on a) learning to formulate research and evaluation questions; b) conducting ongoing analysis and critique of research literature, and c) using empirically valid data to identify social problems relevant to practice. Additionally, the course introduces cultural and ethical issues present in all investigative endeavors and the unique issues involved in studying special populations and populations at risk.
SW 680 Foundation Practicum I
Integration of professional content through a weekly one hour seminar and at least 15 hours of social worker supervised placement in an approved practicum site.
SW 681 Foundation Practicum II
Continued integration of professional content through a weekly one hour seminar and at least 15 hours of social worker supervised placement in an approved practicum site.
Required Concentration Courses
SW 710 Advanced multidimensional assessment
Critical examination of the language and classification systems used in mental health.
This course introduces students to the concepts and language of mental health and mental disorders, and the influence of social structural factors on each. Structural inequalities in mental health diagnosis and treatment are covered, particularly among groups that historically have been oppressed and marginalized. In addition, the history of the classification system of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual is reviewed, as well as the tension between the use of a classification system based on the medical model, and the assumptions and values of the social work profession. Students will learn to distinguish mental health diagnostic categories and gain skills in the diagnostic process. As students deepen their understanding of mental health diagnosis, they will also gain an appreciation for the benefits and limitations of diagnosis as part of the helping process. The primary goals are for students to gain skills in using the DSM for assessment, treatment planning, and for conversing as a member of a multidisciplinary team —while maintaining a person-centered approach to helping clients.
SW 720 Intervention Approaches with Individuals
Integration of theories of human behavior and select intervention approaches with individuals.
This is the first in a series of three direct practice courses with a focus on integrating advanced theory and evidence-informed knowledge with social work practice skills. Students will learn to implement three approaches used widely to understand psychological factors in helping individuals deal with obstacles and achieve their goals: relational, cognitive behavioral and narrative therapy. These practice approaches represent variants of the major psychological frameworks—psychodynamic, behavioral, and post-modern. Each supports social work's person-in-environment perspective and the profession's emphasis on resilience and strengths among oppressed and underserved populations. This course will provide students with opportunities for experiential learning and skill-building in carrying out these intervention approaches. Professional responsibility for ongoing learning and self-development as a reflective practitioner is woven throughout the course.
SW 721 Therapeutic Interventions with Groups
Develop and facilitate therapeutic groups from the perspective of selected theoretical frameworks; knowledge of systems theory and special properties of groups that can be used as a mechanism for improved coping and change.
SW 723 Social Work Administration I
First in a two-course sequence. Prepares students for advanced macro social work practice; program and agency planning/development, and the knowledge/skills required to assume administrative and policy-practice roles.
SW 724 Therapeutic Interventions with Families
Students will learn to implement three approaches that are used widely to help families cope with obstacles and achieve their goals—multigenerational family therapy, structural family therapy, and feminist family therapy. These frameworks incorporate the group practice techniques that students learned at the foundation level, support social work's emphasis on resilience and strengths, and can be used with families across practice fields. This course will provide students with opportunities for experiential learning and skill-building in carrying out these intervention approaches. Ethnicity, culture, gender, and family life course are central in this regard, as students learn to tailor family interventions to the needs of clients. Professional responsibility for ongoing learning and self-development as a reflective practitioner is woven throughout the course.
SW 725 Social Work Administration II
One in a two-course sequence that prepares students to engage in advanced social work practice with macro systems. This course focuses specifically on the knowledge and skills required to assume administrative and policy-practice roles within social service settings. In particular, the course highlights public and private budgetary processes as they influence and guide social service delivery, fundraising, management, program development, strategic planning and policy analysis, development and implementation. Students will be encouraged to critically examine competing needs, differential power structures and value conflicts inherent to social service delivery within the United States in general and Nevada in particular.
SW 741 Practice and Program Evaluation
Develop evaluation practice skills. Emphasis on middle and later stages of the evaluation process. Includes learning to use a logic model; developing data collection plans; analyzing qualitative/quantitative data; presenting findings.
SW 780 Advanced Practicum I
Integration of professional content through a weekly one-hour seminar and development of advanced generalist practice skills through supervised placement in community agencies.
SW 781 Advanced Practicum II
Continuation of integration of professional content through a weekly one-hour seminar and development of advanced generalist practice skills through supervised placement in community agencies.
SW 793 Integrative Case-Based Seminar: Advanced Generalist Practice
Competent social work practice involves broad knowledge of person-in-environment and a full integration of social work knowledge, skills, theory, evidence, and values and ethics, and the ability to clearly articulate a rationale for decision-making. This course gives students the opportunity to analyze and apply with greater depth, breadth, and specificity their knowledge, skills, and theories to values and ethics, diversity, populations at risk, social and economic justice, human behavior and the social environment, social welfare policy, social work practice, research, and field education. Therefore, this competency based course builds upon all previous courses in the curriculum and their field internships utilizing a multilevel case study method and prepares students for professional practice. Case studies will require students to intervene at all systems levels and address the required accreditation-based social work competencies. The course will be taken concurrently with students' final field placement to enhance reciprocal learning in class and in field.
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