This is an introduction to the profession of social work. This course will provide foundational knowledge necessary for those interested in a career in social work. Students will be familiarized with the various roles, tasks, duties, and responsibilities of a social worker. Other topics covered in this course: the history and development of social work, social work mission, values, and ethics, generalist social work practice, ethical decision-making, social justice and advocacy, strengths perspective, multi-disciplinary approach, and the levels of social work practice. Students will be oriented to National Association of Social Work (NASW) Code of Ethics. In addition to the coursework, students are required to complete 40 hours of human or social service related volunteer work.

The course reviews and evaluates the history, philosophical assumptions, values and development of social welfare programs and services throughout the United States. The course examines the socio-political-economic conditions which not only form but influence social welfare systems. In addition, the course discusses intersections between privilege and oppression. The course reviews multiple marginalized, oppressed, and underserved populations with which social work intersects and ways that social work can positively impact social, economic, environmental justice, and human rights.

This course examines the bio-psycho-social aspects of human development across the life span. Students will learn and understand the influence of sex, religion, spirituality, socio-cultural contexts, personal and familial values, race, ethnicity, privilege, sexual orientation, class, religion, gender, nationality and immigration can influence human behavior and development. Students will understand how to apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks as it pertains to the social worker’s ability to critically analyze and conceptualize human growth and development and use as a guide to the generalist practice approach when working with individuals and families. This course supports social work practice competencies with emphasis on assessment and intervention skills and evidence-based practice.

This course will focus on social work practice and interventions with children, youth, and families in the child welfare system. Students will analyze and evaluate the issues of the current child welfare system. Other topics covered in this course: foster care, permanency planning, case management, service coordination, child maltreatment, abuse, and neglect, vulnerable children and families, and the strengths approach with families.

This course will focus on social work practice and interventions with children, youth, and families in the child welfare system. Students will analyze and evaluate the issues of the current child welfare system. Other topics covered in this course: foster care, permanency planning, case management, service coordination, child maltreatment, abuse, and neglect, vulnerable children and families, and the strengths approach with families.

This course will examine historical and contemporary child welfare issues related to Native American children and families and tribal communities. Students will get an in depth understanding of the history and development of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), boarding school effect, and the historical trauma related to these events. Students will become familiar with terms related to the Indian Child Welfare Act, Title IV-E, and we will discuss the role of cultural and traditional practices, planning, and case management when working with Native American children and families in child welfare.

This course applies knowledge, values, and skills for entry level Generalist Practice Social Work with individuals and families using evidence-based skills and interventions. Students will develop skills to engage, assess, plan, intervene, and evaluate social work practice with individuals and families.

This course will explore social welfare policy and how those policies impact diverse populations and approaches to influence change. A generalist practice framework is used for the analysis of social welfare policies and current policy structures, and policy practice, advocacy, and evaluation used in agency, community, and legislative settings.

This is the second course in the HBSE sequence. This course examines human behavior and the social environment across groups, organizations, and communities. In this context, students will learn and understand social system theories as a framework to guide social work practice with groups, organizations, and communities. Emphasis is placed on human diversity, marginalized and oppressed groups, transcultural and intersectional perspectives of diversity, feminism, and the influence of racism, historical trauma, power, privilege, and oppression on human development.

This course applies knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work practice with groups using evidence-based skills and interventions. Students will develop and utilize skills to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate social work practice with groups. The course will review group dynamics and the best practices and methods in group work. In addition, students will be required to complete a specified number of hours of direct observation and participation of any outside or community group.

This course applies knowledge, values, and skills for generalist social work practice with organizations and communities using evidence-based skills and interventions. Students will develop and utilize skills to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate social work practice with organizations and communities.

This course introduces students to the concepts and principles of social work research methodology. This course includes conceptualizing a social work problem, designing research strategy, making use of relevant literature, and organizing and evaluating relevant data. Students will understand the role and responsibility of being a critical and informed consumer and contributor of research. Students will analyze and evaluate the ethical issues and dilemmas involved with research as it relates to ethical practice in social work.

This course will focus on social work practice with Indigenous peoples and communities both locally and globally. The course will emphasize the importance of understanding the history and issues of colonization and colonized practices associated with modern social work practice. Furthermore, students will examine how racism and oppression can show up in social work practice and how the social work profession itself can further marginalize Indigenous individuals, families, groups, and communities. The course will review how social workers can be mindful of their privilege and power in the profession. The course will look at effective decolonized interventions and strategies and best practices that honor Indigenous ways, traditions, and practices that promote healing, emphasize Indigenous strengths, and acknowledge Indigenous rights, identity, sovereignty and self-determination.