Social Work (SOWK)
Introduction to social work’s approach to social problems, including how public-policy decisions affect individuals and families; overview of competing public-policy agendas in social welfare and alternative strategies for problem resolution, societal values and trends affecting service delivery; understanding social work in action; examining core concepts, values and ethics.
Experimental
This course offers a general understanding of economic theory as it applies to both microeconomic and macroeconomic decision making. The course comprises two major foci: 1) practical applications of decision-making paradigms for practice with individuals and families in the social work context; and 2) understanding the effects of economic conditions on social welfare policy, those who make policy and those who advocate for changes in the policy arena. Prereq: SOWK 102. SOWK majors and Social Justice minors only. Sophomore status required.
Examines the life span approach to human development, with focus on interaction between the individual’s biopsychosocial functioning and the social environment. Analyzes the impact of human diversity on behavior in social situations, with particular emphasis on populations at risk. Studies how factors of human diversity affect social policy. Volunteer work required. Prereq: SOWK C or higher in 102 and sophomore status or permissionof instructor. Prereq or coreq: BIOL 204, PSYC 100, SOCY 101, 210 or 211.
Experimental
Co-Op Ed Experience in Sowk
Study of the wide range of activities that constitute the generalist social work approach. Designed to assist students to develop basic entry-level professional social work competencies within a systems framework. Prereq: ENGL 110. Prereq or coreq: SOWK 203, junior standing. Corequisite: SOWK 322. SOWK majors only.
In-depth examination of the knowledge, values and skills that form the base of social work practice; method selection and skill development in social work intervention; practice with social work communication skills. Emphasis on practice with groups and vulnerable populations. Prereq: C or higher in SOWK 301. Corequisite: SOWK 430. SOWK majors only.
Significant legislation, court decisions and regulatory language shape public social policy and affect the legal base for social work practice. Among substantive areas discussed are: family law and policy, mental health and substance abuse law and policy, constitutional and civil rights, poverty law and policy, social wefare law and policy, and professional licensing. Prereq: C or better in SOWK 102 or permission of instructor; GOVT 111 or 112; Social Work Majors or Social Justice Minors Only.
A general introduction to the study of the juvenile correctional system in the United States and assessment and treatment of youth who may be at risk for interacting with the system. A historical perspective of juvenile, as well as adult,corrections will be offered, along with discussions and examinations of the etiology and extent of juvenile crime as well as antecedents of violence, environmental and ecological factors for the causes of criminality, along with assessment of at risk youth and their families. A historical perspective, rehabilitation approaches, de-institutionalization, community based programs and alternatives to incarceration will be reviewed.
Concepts, policies and practices in child welfare services as a response to the needs of children and their families; focus on services designed to support, supplement or substitute for the care usually given by biological parents; social work practices and public-policy issues in foster care, adoption, day care, institutional care, protective services, teenage pregnancy and juvenile delinquency.
A developmental approach to the aging process as one phase of the life cycle; biological, psychological, social and economic needs of the elderly; analysis of societal provision for these needs; public-policy issues and pertinent social legislation; community-based programs of social and health services; techniques of generic social work with older persons; advocacy and policy planning for the aging. Lectures and discussion supplemented with audiovisual material, speakers and field visits as available. Volunteer experience with an older person or persons required.
Scope and contribution of professional social work in comprehensive healthcare settings focusing on individual and community health needs, social and behavioral aspects of illness, essential practice components and skills required of social workers, healthcare policy, issues and trends, alternative healthcare programs and research needs.
Concepts, policies, issues, trends, theories and social work practice skills in settings affected by substance use. Focuses on interaction of affected individuals with others in family, social, economic, educational, legal and political systems. Examines the role of the social worker in identification, intervention and use of network of community resources.
Concepts, policies, issues, trends, and theory associated with social work, behavioral and emotional health. Focuses on interaction of affected individuals with others in family, social, economic, educational, legal and political systems. Examines the role of the social worker in identification, intervention and use of network of community resources and various practice modalities, including direct intervention as well as social policy analysis, research and prevention.
Scope and contribution of professional social work in regard to women’s issues and concerns in contemporary society. Emphasis on the analysis of individual and community women’s needs, the social and behavioral aspects of women’s concerns, the essential practice components and skills required of social workers, social welfare policy and women, issues and trends, alternative women’s programs and research needs. Prereq: ENGL 110
Professionals and society at large have recognized violence in the family against children, spouses and the elderly as a social problem. Other emerging related issues include cross-cultural violence, partner violence in gay/lesbian relationships, courtship violence and date rape. Focus will also include theories of abuse with various populations as well as treatment approaches to the various forms of family violence. Prereq: COMM 100, ENGL 110 and junior status.
This course is interdisciplinary and intercultural in nature. It is designed to prepare all students whose anticipated careers are primarily oriented to direct work with the global community, both domestically and internationally. There will be an emphasis on developing interpersonal communication skills for interacting with people whose way of life differs from one's own; developing insights into the multi-faceted issues impacting our world; and understanding global interconnection with oppression to foster social justice. The cornerstone of this course is service-learning opportunities on a local and global level.
Provide a framework for critical analysis of the dynamics of grief and bereavement. Combining a general social systems perspective, an ecological perspective, and the problem-solving approach, this course will assist students to integrate knowledge about grief and bereavement into their knowledge of practice theory and human behavior at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Students will appreciate the diversity of grieving practices and rituals among cultural, religious, and ethnic groups. Bereavement dynamics across the life span are addressed. The impact of death and disaster at the community level will be understood, including assessment tools and intervention strategies.
Mediation as an alternate form of dispute resolution is continuing to rise and is being used in corporate, labor, consumer, and family issues widely across the United States. Students in the Mediation class will focus on practical and theoretical aspects of mediation and its place in the larger framework of alternate dispute resolution. Skills in helping parties find common ground, creating a climate for reaching agreement, aspects of confidentiality, and both directive and non-directive mediation techniques will be explored. Each student will have the opportunity to role play at least one brief session in the role of mediator.
Perspectives on Poverty in the United States will provide students with an opportunity to explore the dynamics of and cultural attitudes surrounding poverty in the United States. This course will provide an atmosphere conducive to critical thinking, personal reflection, and social action. The essential inquiry of the course is to task students with critical interrogation of the question “what is poverty all about?” using multiple perspectives and diverse frameworks. To do this, students will explore diverse disciplinary viewpoints, including those of sociology, social work, economics, history, and media. This course will use an historical lens to investigate cultural constructions of the problem of poverty from colonial times to present. Modern conceptualizations of poverty from the perspective of popular culture and our own families and experiences will likewise be interrogated. The primary lens of the course will be the use of personal narratives that people in poverty have written about their own experience to help students develop social empathy. Additionally, the course will task students to also explore both cultural and personal assumptions associated with poverty, a pedagogical strategy that will help poise them to begin a journey as community leaders in advancing social justice. Throughout this critical inquiry, students from all disciplines will explore the complexities of poverty and economic vulnerability, developing empathy, knowledge, and skills that will help them to become thoughtful and productive citizens in any field.
Aiming to strengthen students' foundational and professional writing skills in preparation for professional social work practice, a combination of peer review processes and iterative instructor feedback is utilized to support students as they produce the course's primary product--a comprehensive literature review. Students receive instruction related to foundational writing skills and complete assignments related to writing forms required of social work professionals to increase their writing competency. Prereq: ENGL 110 and SOWK 102 Coreq: SOWK 301
The second of two courses in human behavior and the social environment, emphasizing 1) the interaction of social and economic forces with individuals and social systems; 2) traditional and alternative theories about systems as they interact with people, promoting and impeding health, welfare and well-being, in the context of human culture and diversity; and 3) knowledge about opportunity structures and how they promote and deter human development and meeting needs. Prereq: C or higher in SOWK 203. SOWK majors or Social Justice minors only.
An upper-level, multicultural, interdisciplinary, interactive course designed to enhance students’ knowledge, skills and values relative to working with people in professional situations within a diversity-embracing atmosphere. Focuses on the various differences in communication styles brought about by gender and culture. Designed for students whose anticipated careers are primarily oriented to direct work with people. Prereq: COMM 100, ENGL 110 and junior status.
Experimental
Co-Op Ed Experience in Sowk
Theoretical aspects of the skills, knowledge and values in social work practice at the macro level involving organizations and communities. Integration of abstract knowledge with concrete experience in the field. Prereq: C or higher in SOWK 302. SOWK majors only.
Emphasis on the scientific method in development of beginning evaluative skills that contribute to practice competence. Knowledge to evaluate critically the research findings of others; use of research methods to improve practice. Students are required to participate in a research study. Prereq: ENGL 110, SOWK 102, 322. Coreq: SOWK 302. SOWK majors only.
Advanced study of a social work practice issue. The course may be taken for credit more than one semester as topics vary. Topics may include youth violence, human trafficking, poverty and homelessness, immigration and refugee care, military social work, and rural social work issues. Offered annually with different topics.
Experimental Course Number. Content Varies.
For the definition of honors courses/thesis and eligibility, refer to the Special Academic Opportunities section of this catalog.
For further information on independent study, see the Special Academic Opportunities section.
For the definition of honors courses/thesis and eligibility, refer to the Special Academic Opportunities section of this catalog.
Co-Op Ed Experience in Sowk
Introduces the generalist model for practice, which serves as a base for subsequent social work courses and provides initial understanding of the needs and issues of special populations in relation to social welfare policies and services as well as social work practice. The course provides an introduction to the profession and the MSW program while helping to prepare students for their subsequent field placements. This course may be offered in multiple modalities.
Focuses on issues of understanding human diversity, risk, societal power and privilege, including issues related to sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, religion and spirituality, cultural identity development oppression, risk, resilience and empowerment. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq. SWK/SOWK 501
Examines the life-span approach to human development, with a focus on the interaction between the individual’s biopsychosocial functioning and the social environment. It considers the impact of micro and mezzo (i.e., families and small groups) systems on behavior, with particular emphasis given to populations considered to be at risk. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq or Coreq: SWK/SOWK 501.
Explores theories for understanding the behavior of individuals, social systems and communities. It examines traditional and alternative perspectives on the political, economic and institutional environments, and critically considers opportunity structures and how they deter and promote human. Students evaluate theory and apply it to social work practice situations. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 510.
Furnishes students with the orienting knowledge and skills needed to examine social welfare policies and to understand their relevance to social service delivery and social work practice. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 501
Offers opportunities for applying and studying advanced generalist practice with individuals, families and groups. Students will learn and apply skills to their specific areas of interest, which enable development of individuals, families and groups in environment processes for improving social functioning. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 501; Coreq: SWK/ SOWK 530.
Conceptualizes macro social work as the profession that brings about social change. The course extends from understanding theories about communities and organizations to assessment and practice. Students will focus on analysis of the community as a social system, common strategies for 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 effect change within organizations. Students will examine the role of a macro social worker as program developer, program administrator and organization developer. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 520; Coreq: SOWK 531.
Introduces research concepts, procedures for conducting research and their application to social work practice. Advanced knowledge of scientific inquiry, the ethics that guide research and the roles of social workers as researchers are also covered. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of collecting and analyzing data are given major attention. Students learn the procedure for developing a research proposal. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 501
Provides students with practical experience (200 hours) in supervised direct-service activities across all client systems, from the individual’s level to that of the community. This initial field experience allows the student to apply theory and skills acquired in the generalist foundation areas while simultaneously fostering the development of a professionally reflective, ethical, knowledgeable and self-evaluating social worker. The course also includes a seminar where students discuss and process the field experience with faculty. Coreq: SWK/SOWK 520
Provides students with practical experience (200 hours) in supervised direct-service activities across all client systems, from the individual’s level to that of the community. This initial field experience allows the student to apply theory and skills acquired in the generalist foundation areas while simultaneously fostering the development of a professionally reflective, ethical, knowledgeable and self-evaluating social worker. The course also includes a seminar where students discuss and process the field experience with faculty. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 530 Coreq: SWK/SOWK 521
Course builds upon the foundation content from students' B.S.W. programs. It serves as a 'bridge" course to integrate B.S.W. learning in preparation for M.S.W. courses. The course provides opportunities for a review of competencies and related behaviors, with a special focus on ethics, policy and research. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prerequisite: Advanced Standing admission status.
Enables students to understand and increase their ability to work with micro to macro aspects of mental health/mental retardation and substance abuse/dependence as bio-psycho-social-societal phenomena. This course will be offered in a blended distance education format. Prereq: SOWK 601 or completion of foundation year. Offered in spring.
Focuses on four content areas: 1) what the social worker’s role is in different healthcare settings; 2) historic and current policies that affect healthcare services; 3) current research in various healthcare-related issues; and 4) international models of care. This course will be offered in a blended distance education format. Prereq: SOWK 601 or SOWK 531. Offered periodically.
Provides an in-depth study of the concepts, policies, practices and research in the field of child welfare and family and children services. This course will provide an introduction to the child welfare field, an overview of the development of services for children, a detailed examination of the provision of services and an exploration of the ethical implications of child welfare practice. This course will be offered in a blended distance education format. Prereq: SOWK 601 or SOWK 531. Offered periodically.
Provides an in-depth study of the concepts, policies, practices and research in crisis intervention during disasters. This course will provide an introduction to the disaster field, a detailed examination of the human service delivery systems and guidelines for attending to the emotional and mental-health needs of both disaster survivors and responders, using the Critical Incident Stress Management model. This course is offered online. Prereq: SOWK 601 or SOWK 531 or permission of instructor. Offered periodically.
This course is designed to expand students’ knowledge of and skills in effective program management of human services organizations and to provide approaches for managing service programs effectively. Organizational and management theories and principles are applied to a range of human services. This course will provide students with an introduction to the knowledge and skills necessary to perform managerial and supervisory functions in public and private human service organizations, including those that have historically served populations at risk. It will examine the structure and processes of human service organizations, the process of management, and organization building. The course will also cover different supervisory approaches and techniques and consider supervisory challenges that arise in various practice settings. During this course, students will be provided with opportunities to build competencies. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
This advanced elective course explores the principles and the techniques of art therapy and considers the usefulness of art therapy in providing alternatives and supplements to the customary verbal methods of intervention. Ways of working with clients at various stages of the life cycle, childhood through later adulthood, and with clients who are on different levels of psychosocial functioning are examined. Issues in art therapy are explored both cognitively and experientially. Previous training in the visual arts and artistic ability are not required. This course will meet 2/3 online and 1/3 in the classroom. Prereq or Coreq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
This advanced practice course, with heavy focus on clinical assessment, provides students with a conceptual framework for clinical social work practice with individuals. The course will emphasize assessing clients’ systems at the micro level, with a particular focus on diagnoses, assessment and treatment of individuals. The course maintains a multicultural, strengths perspective and a focus on diversity, rural populations, and social and economic justice. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prerequisite(s): SWK/SOWK 531 or SWK/SOWK 601 (the latter may be taken concurrently).
This course is an in-depth study of the concepts, policies, practices and research in the field of child services, including school social work and child welfare. In addition, this course will provide a detailed exploration and understanding of a range of at-risk children and youth populations and their families. This comprehensive understanding will assist practitioners to effectively conduct an assessment and develop a treatment plan listing evidence-based intervention strategies and/or prevention programs that will effectively meet the complex needs of at-risk populations and their families. The challenges and ethical dilemmas confronting social work practitioners working with at-risk populations and their families will also be addressed. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
This advanced course prepares students with the skills to be critical users of a variety of types of measurement instruments, as well as gain experience in the intricacies of scale development, including psychometrics. Students will examine and determine scale reliability and validity. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
Course introduces conceptual approaches to policy analysis and assesses selected social policies, programs, and services in the areas of income maintenance, health care and personal social services in accordance with these approaches and with specific reference to their impact on special populations. This course may be offered in multiple modalities . Prerequisite(s): SWK/SOWK 531 or SWK/SOWK 601
Leadership theories and practices that are relevant to professional social work. The course prepares students for effective leadership practice in both formal leadership positions (i.e. administrative positions) and informal leadership (i.e. amongst colleagues). Students will be able to apply the course concepts to their work as advanced generalist practitioners at micro, mezzo and macro levels. Leadership issues and challenges within a multicultural context and variety of settings including nonprofit, public, for-profit, community-based, political, national and international organizations will be explored. Students will assess their own and others' leadership styles in order to build competence as leaders. Students will create an individual leadership development plan based on key leadership theories and models. Special emphasis will be placed on the need for evidence-based leadership practice and leadership for social and economic justice. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
This course will focus on the topic of addictions, preparing students to recognize and intervene when clients and their families demonstrate addictions problems in a wide range of social service agencies and host settings, such as child welfare, mental health, aging, schools, health care, corrections, and drug and alcohol programs. The course will examine the evolving models of alcohol and chemical dependency to the present day understanding of the disease model, including an examination of the neurobiology of addiction and basic pharmacology including medication assisted therapies. The concept of harm reduction is introduced. Using a case studies approach, students will develop assessment and intervention skills. The course will address professional issues including credentialing, confidentiality and ethics. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
Students will be exposed to global issues and understand how the institution of social welfare has developed in different regions of the world. The course examines globalization and its effect on social welfare and human need. As a way of understanding how different regions and countries have responded to human need, the course explores the specific areas of women in developing countries, street children and child labor, HIV in the developing world, and the plight of refugees. The role of international organizations, such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the agencies of the United Nations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in shaping international welfare policyand services will be examined. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
Course builds on the practice concepts learned during the generalist year, particularly in the SWK/SOWK 520: Micro/Mezzo Social Work Practice course. This course focuses on social work with groups and with families from a systems and ecological perspective. Emphasis is on strengths- and evidence-based family and group assessment and intervention strategies with diverse, complex families and groups. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prerequisite(s): SWK/SOWK 531 or SWK/SOWK 601 Corequisite(s): SWK/SOWK 630
Course builds on the practice concepts learned during the generalist year, particularly in the SWK/SOWK 520: Micro/Mezzo Social Work Practice course. This course focuses on social work with groups and with families from a systems and ecological perspective. Emphasis is on strengths- and evidence-based family and group assessment and intervention strategies with diverse, complex families and groups. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prerequisite(s): SWK/SOWK 531 or SWK/SOWK 601 Corequisite(s): SWK/SOWK 630
This elective course provides students with specialized knowledge of working with military personnel, veterans and their families. Military social work is a unique service and intervention focus designed to help social workers enhance their overall knowledge and skill set in support of service women and men as well as their family and supportive care givers. Students will have opportunities to learn the history, theoretical underpinnings, and foundation and practical applications to specific client populations.
This elective course provides students with specialized knowledge of narrative therapy in clinical social work practice. Narrative therapy is a unique intervention designed to help clients express and re-author their life stories. This course focuses on narrative therapeutic techniques applied to working with individuals, families, and groups. Students will have opportunities to learn the history, theoretical underpinnings, and foundations of narrative therapy as well as the clinical applications to specific client populations. Through interactive practice activities, including the use of case studies, film, and roleplays, students will develop an understanding of narrative therapy as an empowering approach in working with diverse populations. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
Provides students with an historical overview of homelessness as a social problem in the United States. Students will examine the disparate conceptualizations of homelessness over time and the individual, community, and policy approaches intended to address it. Emphasis will be placed on contemporary issues in homelessness service delivery. This course may be offered in face/face, blended, or 100% online formats (with asynchronous and/or synchronous components). Prereq: SOWK/SWK 601 or permission of instructor.
The focus of this course is on social work practice research paradigms, models and methods. Particular attention is given to the conduct of evaluation and assessments projects. This course also gives the student a more in-depth exploration of computer-assisted, qualitative and quantitative data analysis. This course may be offered in multiple modalities. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 525 or SWK/SOWK 601.
This course provides a framework for critical analysis of the dynamics of complicated mourning and traumatic loss. Students will recognize the manifestations of grief that has become complicated, and assess capacities for healthy resolution at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. Students will develop intervention strategies that are supported by research as well as recognize and identify theoretical underpinnings. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
Explore the connection between mental health and sport, as well as the role of social workers in intervening with athletes of all levels to address mental health issues clients may encounter or have developed as a result of athletic participation. Additionally, the course will review, critique and address current interventions with athletes, and will seek to focus on new and emergent evidence-based modalities of treatment for athletes. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 601 or permission of instructor.
Provides students with practical experience (250 hours) in supervised direct-service activities across all client systems, from the individual’s level to that of the community. This advanced field experience allows students to apply theory and skills acquired in the generalist concentration areas while simultaneously fostering the development of a professionally reflective, ethical, knowledgeable and self-evaluating social worker. The course also includes a seminar where students discuss and process the field experience with faculty. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 531 or SWK/SOWK 601. Coreq: SOWK 620.
Provides students with practical experience (250 hours) in supervised direct-service activities across all client systems, from the individual’s level to that of the community. This advanced field experience allows students to apply theory and skills acquired in the generalist concentration areas while simultaneously fostering the development of a professionally reflective, ethical, knowledgeable and self-evaluating social worker. The course also includes a seminar where students discuss and process the field experience with faculty. Prereq: SWK/SOWK 531 or SWK/SOWK 601. Coreq: SOWK 620.
Experimental
An in-depth approach to an individually structured problem. Registration by permission.
This is the first of a sequence of two courses on advanced leadership and management for Doctor of Social Work students. Students will glean a theoretical orientation to the study of organizations and leadership within organizations. This examination of theories will reflect the values of the social work profession and their application to social service systems, structures, and processes. Also explored will be theories of organizational change, organizational challenges, and organizational effectiveness. Within the context of social service organizations, leadership approaches and theories are also examined.
This is the second course in the advanced leadership and management sequence. The focus of this course is on development of knowledge and skills for social work managers within the public and private social service sector. Additional attention will be given to leading in times of fiscal constraint, political changes, and workforce challenges.
This is the first of a sequence of two courses on social work teaching and scholarship for Doctor of Social Work students. The course will enable the students to critically examine seminal and contemporary works in pedagogy. The connection of these theories to social work teaching and learning will be a central component of this course, including particular emphasis on the historical evolution of social work education. The course provides students with an opportunity to explore seminal works from a historical perspective and critically evaluate contemporary theories of teaching and learning in social work. It is required preparation for the second course in the sequence in which students develop a unique and personal conceptual framework for their own teaching.
This is the second in a sequence of two courses about social work teaching and scholarship for Doctor of Social Work students. The course provides students with an opportunity to critically evaluate theories of teaching and learning, particularly in contemporary settings in social work. Students will craft a conceptual framework to guide their own career as instructors in a variety of social work settings, including undergraduate and graduate professional social work education. They will practice course planning and delivery along with program development and student/course/program assessment with attention to accreditation requirements. In addition, they will develop understanding of the roles of the social work teacher-scholar in academe and other settings.
Students will be able to apply univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistics, analysis of variance and simple linear regression to the analysis of a social science data set. They will learn how to choose appropriate statistical analyses that answer research questions and hypotheses, conduct these analyses using SPSS, interpret their findings, and communicate their results clearly and effectively. Reserved for students in the DSW program.
Experiential two semester course designed to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the course content from the program's first year's courses. Students will participate in supervisory leadership and/or teaching activities that provide experiential learning and application and integration of theory and skills acquired in earlier coursework. Weekly meetings are a required component of this course and the meetings will be facilitated by the faculty mentor to instruct, guide, and assess student's progress related to the leadership and/or teaching praxis.
Experiential two semester course designed to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the course content from the program's first year's courses. Students will participate in supervisory leadership and/or teaching activities that provide experiential learning and application and integration of theory and skills acquired in earlier coursework. Weekly meetings are a required component of this course and the meetings will be facilitated by the faculty mentor to instruct, guide, and assess student's progress related to the leadership and/or teaching praxis.
Advanced research course introduces students to the five steps of intervention development, testing, and dissemination. Students will be given the opportunity to practice elements of these stages to master the strategies of implementing, documenting, and evaluating interventions that respond to social problems affecting systems of all sizes (e.g., individual, family, group, community).
Students will engage in a collaborative learning experience in which they assess whether as doctoral students they have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary for proceeding with the development of a Doctoral Dissertation. Utilizing a phenomenon of interest, students will demonstrate their ability to conceptualize a clear and compelling research topic by organizing, presenting, and critiquing both theoretical and empirical knowledge related to the phenomenon. Further, students will identify areas needing further exploration as well as possible research methods to conduct the proposed research. The Preliminary Paper must demonstrate that the student has acquired a sufficiently broad understanding of the phenomenon of interest and indicate that the student is prepared to add to knowledge in the field through an independent in-depth study of a topic relevant to best practices in social work related to leadership, teaching, or both. Students will orally defend their comprehensive paper at Residency. The defense will include an overview of the phenomenon as well as a summary of the research question that could be employed should students continue with the same topic for their dissertation.
Students will engage in a collaborative learning experience in which they explore different ways of knowing in social sciences. They will become familiar with a variety of theoretical perspectives and will practice integrating those theories with their professional social work practice as they work toward formulating a research question and identifying a relevant theoretical perspective from which to examine it in the upcoming dissertation. Ethical considerations in research will be examined, and students will become familiar with their institution's IRB process. Students will consider deeply the relationship between their education and their future roles as leaders and educators.
Over two semesters, students will work in close consultation with a faculty member to build upon the research question crafted in the Dissertation Seminar. They will gain institutional approval to conduct their independent research and will conduct the research under the supervision of the faculty member. A focus will be placed on the completion of a traditional dissertation in the context of the development of applied knowledge that will be relevant to the social work profession; as such, the student will develop components of the dissertation that may be published or presented in refereed venues. Pre-requisite: SOWK/SWK 775: Dissertation Seminar
Over two semesters, students will work in close consultation with a faculty member to build upon the research question crafted in the Dissertation Seminar. They will gain institutional approval to conduct their independent research and will conduct the research under the supervision of the faculty member. A focus will be placed on the completion of a traditional dissertation in the context of the development of applied knowledge that will be relevant to the social work profession; as such, the student will develop components of the dissertation that may be published or presented in refereed venues. Pre-requisite: SOWK/SWK 776: Dissertation I