Courses Master of Social Work Advanced Standing

Learners investigate diversity and difference, power and privilege, and oppression, as they relate to social work practice. Throughout the course, learners become knowledgeable of one’s biases toward race, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, social and economic status, political ideology, and disability; how those biases contribute to discrimination and oppression; and the ethics of culturally competent best practice. In addition, learners assess personal values, beliefs, and behaviors that may limit their ability to practice effective social work with people of diverse backgrounds. Through the use of technology, learners then engage in strategy and leadership best practices for dealing with biases in social work practice. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Must be taken during the first quarter by learners who have been admitted to the MSW—Advanced Standing degree program. Prerequisite(s): SWK5007; completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5008. Learners in the MSW—Advanced Standing degree program are exempt from these prerequisites. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program. ​

This course prepares learners for advanced mental health best practice. Learners use multiple theoretical frameworks and technology to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities within the mental health field. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5007; completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5008. Learners in the MSW—Advanced Standing degree program are exempt from these prerequisites. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program.

Learners in this course develop and demonstrate advanced generalist best practice and leadership skills in engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation from a strengths perspective grounded in social work values and ethics, social justice, human rights, cultural competence, policy practice, the integration of technology, and evidence-based practice. During this course, learners engage in a dynamic synchronous and asynchronous online hybrid experience integrating live video clinical practice experiences with faculty and learners in a virtual learning community. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5012, completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course provides learners with the opportunity to advance their knowledge in research methodology, data collection, and program evaluation in social work best practice. Learners integrate research practice, knowledge, and theory with leadership methods and data processing and analysis, in order to better understand the implications of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods data. Learners also use and interpret various statistical procedures for analyzing quantitative and qualitative data using analytical software and applications. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program.

This course is an introduction to transformative and innovative methods of client interviewing, follow up, documentation, evaluation, professional development, and communication through the use of technology, with particular emphasis on 21st-century social work practice skills used to serve diverse clients. Learners engage in interactive roleplay activities and create a technology-based initiative that promotes social justice and best practices. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5015. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course is an introduction to leadership theories and skills, ethical decision-making, self-care efficacy, strategic planning, and administrative roles in social work organizations. Throughout the course, learners investigate technology integration; administrative, educational, and supportive supervision; supervision procedures; conduct of supervision; and legal and regulatory guidelines. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5016. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer except by coursework from a CSWE-accredited program.

This course provides a synthesis of all social work practice systems. Learners apply critical-thinking skills as they delve into the identification of social work values and ethics; the assessment of professional behaviors and skills; the engagement of cultural competence; the integration of research, knowledge, human behavior, and theory; and the application and analysis of social work best practice, social justice, policy, technology, and leadership. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): Completion of or concurrent registration in SWK5528. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course prepares learners for internship placement. Throughout the interactive seminar, learners review social work best practices as well as the steps necessary for success in the internship, including professionalism, interviewing techniques, process recording, documentation, evaluation, and safety. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): SWK5013, SWK5014. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This is the first course in a sequence of three required practicum courses during which learners complete a minimum of 600 supervised internship experience hours. Throughout the practicum, learners engage in experiential learning in an agency setting and apply social work best practice theories, professional values, practice techniques, and technology integration skills gained from their advanced generalist coursework. This course includes an integrative seminar that facilitates learners’ leadership development with regard to graduate-level generalist social work practice. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): SWK5014; SWK5026 with a grade of “B” or higher or SWK5525. Approval of practicum application. All application materials must be received by the first day of the quarter preceding the quarter of the proposed start date. Refer to the current manual for further details. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This is the second course in a sequence of three required practicum courses during which learners complete a minimum of 600 supervised internship experience hours. Throughout the practicum, learners engage in experiential learning in an agency setting and apply social work best practice theories, professional values, practice techniques, and technology integration skills gained from their advanced generalist coursework. This course includes an integrative seminar that facilitates learners’ leadership development with regard to graduate-level generalist social work practice. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): SWK5526 with a grade of “B” or higher. Approval of practicum application. All application materials must be received by the first day of the quarter preceding the quarter of the proposed start date. Refer to the current manual for further details. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This is the third course in a sequence of three required practicum courses during which learners complete a minimum of 600 supervised internship experience hours. Throughout the practicum, learners engage in experiential learning in an agency setting and apply social work best practice theories, professional values, practice techniques, and technology integration skills gained from their advanced generalist coursework. This course includes an integrative seminar that facilitates learners’ leadership development with regard to graduate-level generalist social work practice. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Special permission is required for registration. Prerequisite(s): SWK5527 with a grade of “B” or higher. Approval of practicum application. All application materials must be received by the first day of the quarter preceding the quarter of the proposed start date. Refer to the current manual for further details. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

Learners in this course acquire the advanced knowledge and skills required to engage in the clinical treatment of children and youth. Learners examine theoretical frameworks, including developmental, ecological systems, cognitive/behavioral, and psychodynamic. In addition, learners analyze assessment styles and intervention planning, with an emphasis on cultural and environmental factors. Throughout the course, learners use technology and leadership skills to synthesize, integrate, and apply that which they have learned, in order to provide assessment and treatment that is grounded in professional social work ethics and best practices to children and youth. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course provides a bio-psychosocial approach to identification, screening, assessment, and diagnosis of common psychosocial problems experienced by children and youth. Learners analyze etiology, recognition, and diagnosis of these problems in the context of the socio-cultural formation of disordered behavior. Throughout the course, learners apply social work best practices, leadership skills, techniques gained throughout their coursework, the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the use of technology to screen, assess and diagnose issues, such as serious mental illness, suicidality, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, child abuse, and the effects of trauma. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5800. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course is designed to prepare learners for advanced clinical social work practice utilizing multiple theoretical frameworks and technology to engage, assess, evaluate, and intervene in ethically and culturally competent clinical practice with adults. In addition, learners use best practice skills to serve as competent clinical social work practitioners in nonprofit, for-profit, and community organizations. Throughout the course, learners apply a skills-based approach; leadership in presenting and practicing the use of specific screening, assessment, and diagnostic protocols; as well as the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to provide diagnostic formulations. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5013. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course provides a bio-psychosocial approach to identification, screening, assessment, and diagnosis of common psychosocial problems experienced by adult clients. Learners analyze etiology, recognition, and diagnosis of these problems in the context of the socio-cultural formation of disordered behavior. Throughout the course, learners apply social work best practices, leadership skills, techniques gained throughout their coursework, the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and the use of technology to screen, assess and diagnose issues, such as serious mental illness, suicidality, depression and anxiety, substance abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, and the effects of trauma. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5802. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

The course provides social work learners with the opportunity to explore workplace dynamics, communication theory, leader’s influence, and the relationship between social work best practice and leadership skills. Learners also analyze the use of technology as a tool for effectively serving as administrators. For MSW and MSW—Advanced Standing learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5014. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.

This course covers best practices in hiring, staffing, coaching, and evaluating personnel. In particular, learners review key practice policies related to health care, consumer rights, educational rights, access, disabilities, cultural diversity, and ethical practices in the workplace. Other course topics include leadership, grant writing, program development, professional development, and strategic planning. In addition, learners gain an understanding of advanced financial management and planning with the use of technological resources. For MSW—Advanced Standing and MSW learners only. Prerequisite(s): SWK5804. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer.