School of Social Work
The social work program at Millersville University leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work. Millersville’s social work baccalaureate program is professionally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Based on the general education curriculum, the social work curriculum is designed to prepare students for beginning professional practice in social agencies and other settings where social workers are employed. The program educates the general practitioner; therefore, it is built on basic required courses. However, it also allows students to explore areas of interest through elective courses and field instruction assignments.
Affirming the mission of Millersville University, a public, liberal arts institution situated in South Central Pennsylvania, the baccalaureate social work program educates students to be competent, evidence-informed social work professionals who embrace core social work values; enhance human and community well-being; promote social, economic and environmental justice; and advance human rights through generalist social work practice. The University and the program provide a learning environment that prepares students to work in an increasingly diverse society and to meet contemporary social, cultural, economic, political and global challenges.
Social Work Program Goals
To meet the purpose of the social work profession and the mission of Millersville University and the social work baccalaureate program, faculty seek to prepare students/graduates to:
- Goal 1: Strengthen human connections and relationships
- Goal 2: Practice effectively and ethically
- Goal 3: Engage to promote justice and human rights
- Goal 4: Think globally; act locally
The curriculum is designed to help students integrate knowledge and theories from many academic disciplines with social work concepts, values and practice skills. Courses in the social work program attempt to develop an understanding of the human condition and human diversity. The social work major needs to understand biological, psychological and sociocultural aspects of human development; characteristics of human interaction with the social environment; the role, structure and function of social welfare policies and programs; social work intervention methods; and social work research findings and methods.
In addition to theoretical instruction, students are given ample opportunity for practical experience. The experiential requirements begin in the introductory courses and carry through to formal work in advanced courses. The culmination is 450 hours practicum during spring semester, wherein the student can integrate knowledge and skills in a social agency or other social service setting in the community.
A formal Professional Readiness Assessment process takes place for each student prior to placement in a social service setting for field instruction. Qualifications are based on academic performance, oral and written communication skills, and demonstrated ethical behavior, values and commitment to social work as a career. The social work faculty has the right to dismiss from the program, at any time, students found not qualified for social work practice.
Upon completion of the undergraduate social work degree, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior.
- Engage diversity and difference in practice.
- Advance human rights and social, economic and environmental justice.
- Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice.
- Engage in policy practice.
- Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
- Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
the faculty
Bethel, Joyous; Assistant Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., University of Oklahoma, 1981; M.S.W., Ibid, 1982; Ph.D., Barry University, 1997
DeJesus, Bertha; Assistant Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.S.W., Shippensburg University, 1998; M.S.W., Widener University, 2004; D.S.W., Kutztown-Millersville University, 2018
Felizzi, Marc; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., Delaware State University, 1978; M.S.W., Ibid., 1995; Ph.D., Widener University, 2011
Foels, Leonora; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.S., Webber College, 1988; M.S.W., Simmons College, 1993; Ph.D., Barry University, School of Social Work, 2007
Frank, Jennifer; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., Millersville University, 1999; M.S.W., Ibid., 2009; Ph.D., Bryn Mawr College, 2017
Girvin, Heather; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., Dickinson College, 1992; M.S.S., Bryn Mawr College, 1995; Ph.D., Ibid., 2002
Granruth, Laura; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., Fordham University, 1984; M.S.W., Virginia Commonwealth University, 2001; Ph.D., Catholic University of America, 2009
Ogongi, Wanja; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., University of Nairobi (Kenya), 1991; M.S.W., West Chester University, 2005; Ph.D., Widener University, 2012
Proctor, Curtis; Assistant Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., University of Oklahoma, 1989; M.S.W., University of Iowa, 1992; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, 2005
Redcay, Alex; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., Truman State University, 2001; M.S.W., Sothern Connecticut State University, 2008; Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2016
Rice, Karen; Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.A., Millersville University, 1991; M.S.W., Temple University, 2000; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 2011
Walsh, Kathleen; Associate Professor
College of Education and Human Services
B.S.W., University of Maryland, Baltimore, 1996; M.S.W., Ibid., 1997; Ph.D., Ibid., 2015
the courses
An introduction to the field of aging and examination of the physiological, sociological, psychological and economic perspectives. This course also focuses on problems of the aged at levels of self, interactions with others and the broader societal context. Offered in spring of even years.
Experimental
Introduction to legal concepts and thinking. Study of the laws, regulations, social policies and psychological factors that affect delivery of service to the elderly in the areas of economic security, employment, health care, wills, mental health, housing, criminal justice, consumer protection. Offered periodically. Prereq: ENGL 110.
Experimental
Supervised practicum at cooperating agencies and organizations active in serving the elderly, for a minimum of 150 hours (10 hrs./week). Involvement in meeting physiological and/or psychological and/or social needs of the elderly. Prereq: GERT 100 and at least 30 s.h. of general education and gerontology courses. Faculty involvement in and approval of practicum plan. Malpractice liability insurance required.
Experimental
Co-Op Ed Experience in Gert
Experimental
Co-Op Ed Experience in Gert
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