1. Home
  2. Course and Curriculum
  3. Course and Curriculum Approvals
  4. Previous Approval Memos
  5. College of Health and Human Services
  6. The request to revise the Advanced Standing Master in Social Work (MSW) Program

The request to revise the Advanced Standing Master in Social Work (MSW) Program

Memo Date: 
Thursday, April 3, 2014
To: 
College of Health and Human Services
From: 
Office of Academic Affairs
Approved On: March 12, 2014
Approved by: Graduate Council
Implementation Date: Summer 2014

Note: Deletions are strikethroughs.  Insertions are underlined.

Summary

The proposal received provisional approval from the Provost on March 19, 2014.

Catalog Copy

ATTACHMENT 3: CHANGES TO CATALOG COPY

The following section shows the current MSW program description and curriculum.  “Track changes” is used to indicate proposed changes.

 

 

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK

 

The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree prepares students for advanced social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities in a variety of public, voluntary, and proprietary human service settings. Graduates are skilled in addressing the many social and individual problems of society—especially for those who constitute membership in low income, vulnerable, and historically oppressed groups. The Full-Time Program takes four semesters of course and field work beyond the bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The first practicum starts in the Fall semester of the first year and continues through Spring semester. The second practicum spans the Fall and Spring semesters of the second year.

The Extended Program takes three years to complete. There is no practicum the first year; the first practicum starts in the Fall of the second year and continues through Spring. The second practicum is completed in the Fall and Spring of the third year.  The Advanced Standing Program is available for eligible students with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and consists of course and field work, spanning over one calendar year of full-time study (Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters).  Students in the Advanced Standing program complete the MSW in one calendar year.  Admission to the Advanced Standing program assumes the student is competent in knowledge, values, and skills typically learned during the first year of the Full Time MSW program.  Advanced Standing students begin in the Summer Session with courses that prepare them to enter the second year of the Full Time MSW program.   The UNC Charlotte MSW degree is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the national accrediting organization for social work education programs.

 

The MSW Program at UNC Charlotte offers a curriculum concentration in Advanced Interpersonal Practice that focuses on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The concentration embraces the profession’s commitment to social justice as well as the Department of Social Work’s special attention to the region’s most vulnerable populations. Graduates of the program will be advanced practitioners of social work who engage client systems of all sizes in a manner consistent with social work values and ethics. Students specialize by selecting a vulnerable population, micro or macro practice.

 

The following key themes undergird the advanced knowledge and practice behaviors associated with the successful engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of client systems:

  • Context – Recognizes the inseparability of individual struggles and social issues;
  • Multi-Level Practice – Takes action on multiple levels of social work practice;
  • Evidence-Based – Engages in research-informed practice and practice-informed research;
  • Strengths – Understands and employs the strengths of vulnerable populations but also insures their capacity and power to engage societal opportunities;
  • Cultural Sensitivity and Humility – Conducts social work practice with cultural sensitivity and humility;
  • Local and Global – Practices social work in communities everywhere; and
  • Critically Reflective – Encourages the continuous development of critically reflective practitioners

 

Graduates are employed in a range of human service settings, including youth and family agencies, child and adult protective services, schools, area mental health agencies, substance abuse centers, healthcare settings, and neighborhood service centers.

 

Additional Admission Requirements

 

Full-time and extended Extended Sstudy students begin in the Fall semester. Advanced Standing students begin in May. The department admits students to the MSW program once a year. The deadline for all application materials for all programs is February 1. Admission is selective. In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, applicants for the MSW program are required to meet the following criteria: submit:

 

  1. For Full Time and Extended Study applicants, a Minimum minimum 3.25 GPA for the last two years and 3.0 GPA overall for undergraduate work. Advanced standing Standing students applicants must have a BSW degree from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program within the past five years and have a 3.5 GPA in the last four years of study.

 

  1. Acceptable scores on the GRE. In 2011 a new GRE, including a new scoring system, began to be used. We indicate acceptable scores below using the new scoring system. Since it is likely that acceptable scores will change as time passes and more data are available, applicants Applicants are encouraged to consult the Department’s webpage for updates on minimally acceptable GRE scores.  The total quantitative and verbal scores should be in the range of 300. Marginal GRE scores may be offset by other exceptionally strong components of the application. Applications with total scores below 280 are considered marginal but would not prohibit the applicant from consideration.

 

  1. Liberal Arts foundation. Students must present evidence of having a liberal arts foundation for MSW study. Courses in statistics and human biology are required. In addition, transcripts may be evaluated for a liberal arts foundation with courses in the humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, and the physical sciences, for example.

 

  1. Personal Essay. Social work applicants should submit a Personal Essay and a Résumé resume in place of the Statement of Purpose Form required by the Graduate School. (See #5 below for instructions on the Resumeresume). The Personal Essay should be five pages in length and must include the following:

 

  1. Please discuss your reasons for seeking admission to UNC Charlotte’s MSW Program.
  2. Are you interested in Full-time, Extended study, or Advanced Standing? How will you manage your schedule and resources to meet the demanding program requirements and attend to self self-care?
  3. How are your personal career interests congruent with the UNC Charlotte MSW program?
  4. The Social Work Program values diversity in its student population. Diversity may be defined in terms of race, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, unique skills, or life experiences. What personal characteristics, unique skills, or life experiences will you bring to the program?
  5. Social workers practice with individuals from historically oppressed and diverse groups. Will people from particular groups be challenging for you to work with, either because of your personal values and/or attitudes? How will you handle this?
  6. Describe a time when you were given critical feedback. What was your reaction to that experience? What did you learn about yourself?
  7. As a prospective graduate student, what strengths and skills do you bring to the program? What do you identify as your areas of growth?
  8. Describe a time when you offered help to someone else (other than a family member).  Explain your reaction. What did you learn about yourself?
  9. Your signature and date.

 

  1. RésuméResume. The résumé resume is an addendum to the Personal Essay, and it should outline the applicant’s educational, work, and volunteer experience, and special skills or attributes. The attachment should be no more than two pages and should be in résumé format. Be sure the résumé resume includes all of the following:
    1. Personal data
      1. Name, address, phone number, email address
    2. Educational experience
      1. Institutions and the dates you attended
      2. Your academic degrees awarded, including majors and minors
    3. Work experience
      1. List all positions in chronological order (beginning with most recent) with a 2-3 line job description for each
      2. Include all beginning and ending dates for each position
      3. Identify if a MSW or a BSW level social worker supervised you
      4. Indicate whether the position was full-time or part-time
    4. Volunteer experience
      1. List all positions in chronological order (beginning with most recent) with a 2-3 line job description for each
      2. Include all beginning and ending dates for each position and the number of hours per week of volunteer time
      3. Identify if an MSW- or a BSW-level social worker supervised you
    5. Professional affiliations and honors from school, profession, or community
      1. List any memberships in professional organizations and service groups
      2. List any offices held in these organizations
      3. Add honors or special awards received

 

  1. Letters of Recommendation. Each applicant should provide three letters of recommendation. For recent graduates, at least two letters must be from faculty members. For applicants who have been out of the education system for five or more years, letters should be from employment or volunteer supervisors. Ideally, references will be written by MSW social workers or others who can speak to your suitability for the MSW.  The professionals providing references for you must complete two items: 1) an online recommendation form; and 2) a narrative letter (see below). The Office of Graduate Admissions will email the link to the online form to the person providing the reference. Applicants should notify references that the UNC Charlotte MSW program requires both the Graduate School form checklist and a narrative letter uploaded onto the form. This letter should be submitted on business stationery, and it should identify the writer’s title and educational credentials.

 

For Advanced Standing students, one letter should be written by your agency field instructor or University field liaison. Advanced Standing applicants are asked to send a copy of their final field evaluation to the Department of Social Work prior to enrollment. (Note: Please contact the department for the appropriate email address.)

 

All Applicants applicants should be sure to inform those writings letters of recommendation to not only describe aptitude for graduate education, but also cover the following items:

 

  1. Volunteer or work activities and duties
  2. Skills and values relevant to social work practice with diverse populations
  3. Enthusiasm for learning
  4. Responses to supervision and critical feedback
  5. Ability to collaborate with others
  6. Overall strengths and challenges relevant to graduate study

 

  1. Interview. Applicants may be required to participate in an interview process.

 

Upon acceptance to the program, students will be asked to complete an Intent to Enroll Form and a Field Application Form. Because some field placement agencies serving vulnerable populations exclude personnel with criminal convictions, students entering the program may be subject to a criminal history inquiry. Many agencies require drug testing as well.

 

Degree Requirements

 

Note: In order to ensure that social work services remain of high quality and relevant to an ever-changing clientele, the MSW Curriculum is being revised. Revisions are also necessary to maintain accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education. Be sure to visit the Department of Social Work website (socialwork.uncc.edu) to read the most up-to-date curriculum information.

 

First Year CurriculumFull Time Program (Two Years)

 

First Year Curriculum

SOWK 6121 Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills (3)

SOWK 6131 Social Work Research (3)

SOWK 6141 Foundations of Social Work (3)

SOWK 6151 Social Work, Social Justice, and Diversity (3)

SOWK 6212 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

SOWK 6441 Social Work Practicum I (3)

SOWK 6442 Social Work Practicum II (3)

 

Second Year Curriculum

SOWK 7125 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Families (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7443 Social Work Practicum III (4)

SOWK 7444 Social Work Practicum IV (4)

SOWK 7651 Synthesis and Reflection (3)

Four Electives selected according to the student’s specialty (12)

 

 

First Year Fall

SOWK 6121 Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills (3)

SOWK 6131 Social Work Research (3)

SOWK 6141 Foundations of Social Work (3)

SOWK 6151 Social Work, Social Justice, and Diversity (3)

SOWK 6441 Social Work Practicum I (3)

 

First Year Spring

SOWK 6212 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

SOWK 6442 Social Work Practicum II (3)

 

Second Year Curriculum

 

Second Year Fall

SOWK 7125 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Families (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7443 Social Work Practicum III (4)

Elective (3)*

Elective (3)*

 

Second Year Spring

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7444 Social Work Practicum IV (4)

SOWK 7651 Synthesis and Reflection (3)

Elective (3)*

Elective (3)*

 

Total Credit Hours: 62

 

*For Full Time students, two of the four elective courses must be taken within the Department of Social Work. 

 

 

Extended Study Program (3 Three Years)

 

First Year Fall

SOWK 6131 Social Work Research (3)

SOWK 6141 Foundations of Social Work (3)

 

First Year Spring

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

 

First Year Summer

Elective (3)

 

Second Year Fall

SOWK 6121 Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills (3)

SOWK 6151 Social Work, Social Justice, and Diversity (3)

SOWK 6441 Social Work Practicum I (3)

 

Second Year Spring

SOWK 6212 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

SOWK 6442 Social Work Practicum II (3)

 

Second Year Summer

Elective (3)

 

Third Year Fall

SOWK 7125 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Families (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7443 Social Work Practicum III (4)

Elective (3)*

 

Third Year Spring

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7444 Social Work Practicum IV (4)

SOWK 7651 Synthesis and Reflection (3)

Elective (3)*

 

Total Credit Hours: 62

 

*For Extended Study students, two of the four electives must be taken within the Department of Social Work. 

. 

 

Advanced Standing Curriculum (one full yearOne Year)

 

Advanced Standing students enroll in the Full-Time Program Second Year Curriculum courses listed above except they have three electives (instead of four) and take SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change in their final semester. The curriculum for the Fall and Spring Semesters are the same as for Full Time MSW students.

 

Summer Semester

SOWK 6323 Advanced Interpersonal Practice (3)

SOWK 6313 Advanced Social Welfare Policy (3)

SOWK 6232  Social Work Research II (3)

SOWK 6212 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals (3)

SOWK 6232 Practice and Program Evaluation (3)

SOWK 6252 Mental Health Assessment (3)

SOWK 6343 Advanced Social Work Practicum and Seminar (3)

 

Second Year Fall and Spring

enroll in the Full-Time Program Second Year Curriculum courses listed above

 

Second Year FallFall Semester

SOWK 7103 HBSE III (3 cr.)

SOWK 7123 Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Individuals (3 cr.)

SOWK 7125 Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Groups (3 cr.)

SOWK 7125 Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Families (3)

SOWK 7222 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations I (3)

SOWK 7443 Social Work Practicum III (4)

Elective (3)

Elective (3)

 

Second Year SpringSpring Semester

SOWK 7124 Advanced Interpersonal Practice with Families (3 cr.)

SOWK 7651 Field of Practice Seminar (3 cr.)

*Elective (3 cr.)

SOWK 6242 Advocacy and Policy Change (3)

SOWK 7223 Advanced Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations II (3)

SOWK 7444 Social Work Practicum IV (54)

SOWK 7651 Synthesis and Reflection (3)

Elective (3)*

 

Total Credit Hours: 44

 

*For Advanced Standing students, one of the three electives must be taken within the Department of Social Work. 

 

 

Electives

Electives may be from outside the department, but must have a social work relevance. The Department of Social Work offers different elective topics each year, depending on the expertise of the faculty and student interests. As such, the department cannot guarantee which electives will be offered. Electives must be approved by the student’s MSW faculty advisor prior to registration.

 

COURSES IN SOCIAL WORK

(SOWK) (Details are offered only on courses that are changing)

 

SOWK 6121. Social Work Practice: Theories and Skills. (3) Corequisites: SOWK 6151 and SOWK 6441. Introduces the theories of human behavior and models of social work intervention necessary to engage all levels of client systems. Also introduces the skills necessary to identify, analyze, and implement evidence-based interventions to achieve client goals. (Fall)

 

_____This course will be cross listed with another course.

__ __ There are prerequisites for this course.

__ __ There are corequisites for this course.

_____This course is repeatable for credit.

_____This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

_____This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.  SOWK 6323 Advanced Interpersonal Practice eliminated as a result

None apply

 

 

SOWK 6131. Social Work Research. (3) Corequisite: SOWK 6141. Introduction of social science research methods and their relevance to social work. Other content relates to the  application of critical thinking and how to engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. (Fall)

 

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

_____ There are prerequisites for this course.- do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ There are corequisites for this course. – do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

_____This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.  SOWK 6323 Advanced Interpersonal Practice eliminated as a result

None apply

 

 

SOWK 6141. Foundations of Social Work. (3) Corequisite: SOWK 6131. Introduction to professional development as a social worker, with attention to social work history, ethics, professional identity, and critical thinking. Other topics include: self-reflection, the importance of career-long learning, and practitioner comportment. (Fall)

 

_____This course will be cross listed with another course.

_____There are prerequisites for this course,

__ __ There are corequisites for this course.

_____This course is repeatable for credit.

_____This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

___ __This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.  SOWK 6323 Advanced Interpersonal Practice eliminated as a result

None apply

 

SOWK 6151. Social Work, Social Justice, and Diversity. (3) Corequisites: SOWK 6121 and SOWK 6441. Examines individual, systemic, and ideological factors related to diversity and social justice. Theories and perspectives that contribute to understanding oppression and privilege are emphasized. Implications for social work practice, research, and policy are examined. Strategies to counter discrimination and oppression are identified. Requires considerable critical analysis and self-reflection on the part of participants. (Fall)

 

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

_____ There are prerequisites for this course.

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

_____This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.  SOWK 6323 Advanced Interpersonal Practice eliminated as a result

None

 

 

SOWK 6212. Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6121, SOWK 6131, SOWK 6141, SOWK 6151, and SOWK 6441. Corequisites: SOWK 6252 SOWK 6222 and SOWK 6442. (Advanced Standing students are exempt from the prerequisite  requirement for this course). Expands social work students’ knowledge, values, and skills with regard to advanced micro practice with individuals, especially members of vulnerable groups. (Spring for Full Time and Extended Study; Summer for Advanced Standing)(Spring)

 

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

___X__ There are prerequisites for this course.- do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

___X__This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.  SOWK 6323 Advanced Interpersonal Practice eliminated as a result

 

SOWK 6232. Practice and Program Evaluation. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6131 and SOWK 6141. (Advanced Standing students are exempt from the prerequisite requirements for this course). Corequisite: SOWK 6242. Demonstrates how to engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research. Managing client data and critically analyzing, monitoring, and evaluating interventions are covered in-depth. (Spring for Full Time and Extended Study; Summer for Advanced Standing)(Spring)

 

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

__X___ There are prerequisites for this course. do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

_____This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.

 

 

SOWK 6242. Advocacy and Policy Practice. (3) This course addresses the role of advocacy in the social work profession, tools for bringing about policy change, and use of advocacy to promote social justice, especially for vulnerable populations.. (Spring)

 

SOWK 6252. Mental Health Assessment. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6121,SOWK 6131, SOWK 6141, SOWK 6151, and SOWK 6441. Corequisites: SOWK 6212. (Advanced Standing students are exempt from all prerequisite requirement for this course). An overview of social work theories related to mental/behavioral health assessment. Social constructivism frames many of these theories for the purposes of conceptualizing diagnostic classifications, as well as human strengths and resiliencies. Social work practice behaviors are understood within the context of human behaviors and the social environment, and applied for responsibly engaging and assessing behavioral health consumers via with special emphasis on and critique of the APA Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (5th edition). (Spring for Full Time and Extended Study; Summer for Advanced Standing)

 

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

___X__ There are prerequisites for this course. do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

_____This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog. 

 

SOWK 6313. Advanced Social Welfare Policy. (3) Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced Standing Program. Introduction to social welfare policy as a central concern of the social work profession. Policies and programs designed to deal with personal and societal disruptions that result from social and economic changes are presented in historical context.  The theory, philosophy, and research basis of current policies in the areas of aging, family and child welfare, health, mental health, and poverty and public welfare are presented. The policy making process, policy analysis, and implications of policy for program design, service delivery, and for social work practice are discussed. (Summer)

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

_____ There are prerequisites for this course. do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

__XX___This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.

 

 

 

SOWK 6323. Advanced Interpersonal Practice. (3) Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced Standing Program. Designed for advanced standing students, this course has an integrated twofold purpose. First, it offers an overview of social work practice with individuals, families, small groups, and organizations and communities that solidifies student understanding of foundation practice theory and methods. Second, it builds upon foundation theory and methods by introducing students to the Program’s advanced practice conceptualization of interpersonal practice and the related fields of practice emphases. Students will develop a basic understanding of interpersonal practice with individuals, families, and small groups and how foundation theory and methods can prepare them for the study of interpersonal practice within a selected field of practice emphasis. (Summer)

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

_____ There are prerequisites for this course. do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

__XX___This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.

 

 

 

SOWK 6343. Advanced Social Work Practicum and Seminar. (3) Prerequisite: Admission to the Advanced Standing Program. Designed for advanced Advanced standing Standing students, this field internship course has an integrated twofold purpose. First, it solidifies student’s students’ preparation in foundation social work practice methods and skills with individuals, families, small groups, and organizations and communities. Students will demonstrate their understanding of foundation theories and concepts by applying practice methods and skills across systems and with diverse clients. They will demonstrate the ability to accurately assess client systems, formulate and carry out plans of intervention, and evaluate the effectiveness of practice. Second, students will develop an emerging understanding of interpersonal practice with individuals, families, and small groups and how foundation practice theories and methods can prepare them for utilizing interpersonal practice methods within a selected field of practice emphasis. (Summer)

 

SOWK 6441. Social Work Practicum I. (3) Corequisites: SOWK 6121 and SOWK 6151. A foundation field practicum that prepares students to apply generalist social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles gained in the classroom to actual practice at a social agency. Students work in an approved field site under the supervision of a UNC Charlotte field instructor and attend a monthly seminar. (Fall)

 

SOWK 6442. Social Work Practicum II. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6121, SOWK 6131, SOWK 6141, SOWK 6151, and SOWK 6441. Corequisites: SOWK 6212 and SOWK 6252. Continuation of prepares students to apply generalist social work knowledge, skills, values, and ethical principles gained in the classroom to actual practice at a social agency. Students work in an approved field site under the supervision of a UNC Charlotte field instructor and attend a monthly seminar (Spring)

 

SOWK 6635. The Social Context of Mental Health. (3) Cross-listed as SOCY 6635, PSYC 8636, and PPOL 8636. Prerequisite: Admission to graduate program or permission of instructor. Draws upon contributions from the field of psychiatry, psychology, social work, and anthropology. The focus is on mental health and illness it is social context, with an emphasis on the relationship between social structure and mental health/disorder. Social factors are examined which shape psychiatric diagnosis, the effects of socio-demographic variables on mental health, and the role of social support and stress for different groups. Also examines the organization, delivery, and evaluation of mental health services, and mental healthcare policy. (Every other year)

 

SOWK 7090. Special Topics in Social Work. (3) A topics course that is only available for graduate credit. May be repeated for credit for different topics. (Fall, Spring, or Summer)

 

SOWK 7010. School Social Work. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6131, SOWK 6141, SOWK 6232, and SOWK 6242. Exploration of school social work practices from a theoretical as well as practical point of view. Also focuses on the roles of school social workers and the type of issues they confront.  (Fall, Spring, Summer)

 

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

____X_ There are prerequisites for this course. do not apply to Advanced Standing students

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

_____This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog. 

 

 

SOWK 7015. Child Welfare. (3) Prerequisite: Permission of the Instructor.  Examination of the history, purpose, and goals of child welfare services in North Carolina and in the United States. Course information is provided from the context of the child and family-centered model that guides child welfare services. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

 

SOWK 7020. Social Welfare and Philanthropy. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6131, SOWK 6141, SOWK 6232, and SOWK 6242. This elective course introduces MSW students and other graduate students to philanthropy and allows them, through a community-based project, to experience two predominant aspects of philanthropy – grant making and fundraising – with an emphasis on supporting the well-being of vulnerable populations. (Fall, Spring, Summerschedule varies)

_____ This course will be cross listed with another course.

_____ There are prerequisites for this course.

_____ There are corequisites for this course.

_____ This course is repeatable for credit.

_____ This course will increase/decrease the number of credits hours currently offered by its program.

_____This proposal results in the deletion of an existing course(s) from the degree program and/or catalog.  The change is to eliminate prequisites and corequisites that were listed in error in the previous catalog copy.

 

 

SOWK 7025. Social Development in Malawi. (3) Students actively participate in several pre-departure class lectures and work sessions. They travel to Malawi for 11 days and engage in service-learning activities aligned with social development in rural Malawi. Experiential projects are designed and implemented by students using funds they raise. Sustainability and anti-oppressive approaches to social development are highlighted. (Fall, Spring, Summer)

 

SOWK 7125. Advanced Social Work Practice with Groups and Families. (3) Expands knowledge, values, and skills with regard to advanced micro practice with groups and families especially vulnerable populations. (Fall)

 

SOWK 7222. Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities I. (3) Corequisite: SOWK 7443. Builds on the foundational theories and skills introduced in Social Work Practice with specific attention to communities and organizations as primary client systems. Introduces theories that inform and guide practice in communities and organizations. Builds advanced skills in engaging and assessing communities and organizations. (Fall)

 

SOWK 7223. Advanced Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities II. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 7222, SOWK 7443. Corequisites: SOWK 7444, SOWK 7651. Builds advanced practice skills in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions at the community and organizational levels. Also builds skills in leadership and ethical decision-making. Emphasizes the use of critical thinking and self-awareness concerning leadership and ethical challenges in community and organizational contexts. (Spring)

 

SOWK 7443. Social Work Practicum III. (4) Corequisite: SOWK 7222. Prerequisite: SOWK 6442 (Advanced Standing students are exempt from the prerequisite requirement for this course). Students work in an approved social service agency developing specialized social work skills in their area of focus.

Students are expected to demonstrate advanced social work practice skills that indicate an integration of theories, research, and policies in relation to their area of specialization within interpersonal practice. (Fall)

 

SOWK 7444. Social Work Practicum IV

SOWK 7444 Social Work Practicum IV. (4cr./24 hrs per week in field)  Prerequisite: SOWK 7443. Corequisite: SOWK 7223, 7651  Continuation of SOWK 7443. (Spring)

. (4) Prerequisites: SOWK 7125, SOWK 7222, and SOWK 7443. Corequisites: SOWK 7223 and SOWK 7651. Continuation of SOWK 7443. Students work in an approved social service agency developing specialized social work skills in their area of focus. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced social work practice skills that indicate an integration of theories, research, and policies in relation to their area of specialization within interpersonal practice. (Spring)

 

SOWK 7651. Reflection and Synthesis. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 7222, 7443 SOWK 7125, SOWK 7222, and SOWK 7443. Corequisites: SOWK 7223 and, SOWK 7444. Provides MSW students with an opportunity to practice personal reflection, synthesize their learning from the MSW program, and demonstrate competency. (Spring)

 

 

SOWK 7627. Seminar in Advanced Practice: Supervision and Staff Training. (3) Prerequisites: SOWK 6121, SOWK 6131, SOWK 6141, SOWK 6151, or admission to the Advanced Standing program Students may choose to satisfy their social work elective requirement with this course. This seminar is for students who anticipate working in traditional social welfare organizations in the public or private sectors. The focus is on knowledge and skills that a social worker will need to succeed in practice in large organizations. Included is content on supervision, staff training and development, and the role of the professional in large organizations. (Spring)