Evaluating social work practice is a professional imperative based on the NASW Code of Ethics and the profession's core values. Given that social workers do research in the "real world" rather than in a lab, this class addresses the advantages and challenges of conducting research in social work settings (e.g., data collection, use of existing data, etc.).
The use of technology is just one area in which social workers must have translational knowledge and skill. Social workers must not only be able to effectively leverage technology and social media, but are often responsible for financial management tasks such budgeting, accounting, and cost/benefit analysis, particularly within non-profit agencies. This course draws from multiple disciplines (e.g., business, marketing, communication) to help students understand and utilize business and technology skills in the work they do as social workers.
This course examines the concept of human need as it relates to social justice and the cyclical relationships between social problems and public policies. A variety of strategies for effective social policy design, implementation and analysis are presented within the context of existing social welfare policies and services. Course content reflects the interdisciplinary efforts of the social, political, legal, economic, and administrative processes which are vital to policy making at all levels.
This course offers a critical analysis of theories which seek to explain human behavior and provide the foundation for current clinical change interventions. Students will also examine the empirical support for and efficacy of major treatment modalities used in social work practice.
The ability to effectively assess and accurately diagnose psychopathology and understand pharmaceutical interventions is critical to advanced clinical social work practice. This course examines the diagnostic classifications, criteria, etiologies, and the epidemiology of mental illness disorders and pharmacological treatment options for disorders. Medication related concerns of clients and families are identified as key to effective intervention as well as an understanding the role of biopsychosocial implications associated with pharmaceutical interventions.
This course addresses the role and variety of scholarship in the academy and social work education specifically. By examining teaching/ education as a distinct area of social work practice, this class prepares students to contribute to social work scholarship around teaching and learning. Students will identify their own strengths and growth areas around engaging in scholarship. Students will continue to develop their engagement with scholarship, thus cementing the circular relationship between knowledge building, evidence and social work practice.
In this course, students will examine the foundations of evidence-based interventions, methods of interventions, and implementation of evidence- based interventions. There is a particular focus on EBPS commonly used with service members and their families including CBT, DBT and CPT. Class content also includes diagnoses and treatment options for common mental health disorders seen within military populations including: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance abuse, and suicide.
Justice is integral to social work practice because of the larger structural issues that directly impact clients, thus addressing challenges at the micro, or individual, level has limited implications for change. To truly effect change, social workers must have a systemic perspective, incorporating micro and macro elements grounded in a justice context.
Justice is integral to social work practice because of the larger structural issues that directly impact clients, thus addressing challenges at the micro, or individual, level has limited implications for change. To truly effect change, social workers must have a systemic perspective, incorporating micro and macro elements grounded in a justice context.
This course is the final exit colloquium designed to prepare students for synthesizing their final capstone projects. This course goes beyond preparing students to critically consume and implement research evidence in practice and transitions students to develop skills for producing knowledge that informs practice. Students will master the requisite techniques related to strategic dissemination of replicable and consumable information to stakeholders at all levels.
