SW - Social Work


SW 201Community Social ServicesUNITS: 4 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Study of social services typical of American communities including services to children, families, and older persons, and services in mental health, criminal and juvenile justice, and industry. 40-hour pre-professional placement required, intern liability insurance required.


SW 290The Development of Social Welfare and Social Work in the U.S.UNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Traces the history of major policy and program development in American social welfare and the emergence and development of professional social work.


SW 300Social Work Research MethodsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Social Work Majors or Social Work Minors, ST 311
Principles and methods of basic social work research. Substantive research knowledge and research methodology. Research ethics within the context of social work purposes and values. Formulation of problems for study that address the social needs of diverse groups.


SW 307Social Welfare Policy: Analysis and AdvocacyUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: SW 290
Social welfare policy analysis and social work advocacy skill development. Recent changes in national and state social welfare policies and programs in major areas such as welfare, housing, health and mental health care, juvenile justice and rural development.


SW 310Human Behavior Theory for Social Work PracticeUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: SW 201
Theory regarding human social functioning for students intending to practice social work. Emphasis on biological, psychological, social and cultural factors in human life.


SW 312Multicultural Social WorkUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prepares students to work with diverse groups of people residing in United States, North Carolina, and globally including racial and ethnic groups and other populations defined by gender, sexual orientation, income, physical and mental ability, age and religion. Utilizing the strengths and empowerment models, emphasis is placed on defining and developing skills for culturally competent social work generalist practice through students' self-examination, experimental learning, and critical reading of class material.


SW 320Social Work Practice IUNITS: 4 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Corequisite: Social Work Majors, and a prerequisite or corequisite of SW 310
First of a three-course sequence on generalist social work practice. Professional values, ethics, roles and interviewing skills. Includes a 40-hour pre-professional placement and intern liability insurance required.


SW 405Social Work Practice IIUNITS: 4 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Social Work Majors, SW 320, Corequisite: SW 480/SW 408
Second of a three-course sequence on generalist social work practice. Theory and practice methods with individuals, families and small groups. 40-hour pre-professional placement and intern liability insurance required.


SW 408Social Work Practice IIIUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Social Work Majors, SW 320, Corequisite: SW 405, SW 480
Third of three-course sequence on generalist social work practice. Theory and practice of effecting planned change in and with communities and organizations.


SW 412Social Work in SchoolsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Nine credits in Social Work courses, including SW 320
Models and roles relevant to school social work practice. Cooperative work with school personnel in the identification, prevention and treatment of social, emotional and behavioral problems of children and interventive techniques with parents and community groups. For individuals preparing for social work practice in the public schools and for school social workers seeking licensure.


SW 413African American Families: History, Tradition, and CommunityUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Odd Years, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
Characteristics, traditions, history and strengths of African American families and their relationship to other social institutions, social advocacy and social policy development. African-centered worldview and relevant theory pertaining to best practice with African American families.


SW 414Social Work Practice in Health CareUNITS: 3 - Offered Alternate Even Years, Offered in Fall and Summer
Prerequisite: SW 201
Practice skills and knowledge required of social workers in health care settings. Multi-disciplinary team work in health care. Social components of major illnesses and disabilities, including prevention and rehabilitation. Emotional, cultural, economic and social factors in health and illness. Health needs of specific population groups.


SW 415Child WelfareUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: SW 201
Generalist perspective on the practice of public child welfare. History of child welfare, practices in child welfare, and current trends in child welfare programs. Skills needed to practice in child protective services, adoption, and foster care with specific attention to the North Carolina child welfare system. Application of cultural diversity and cultural competency integrated throughout as it relates to child welfare issues.


SW 416Addiction Recovery and Social Work PracticeUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: SW 310
Knowledge and skills in identifying Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) problems, screening, assessment, intervention, referral, and prevention: history of AOD problems and treatment, AOD classification, effects and signs/symptoms of AOD, models of addiction, diversity, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, treatment modalities, mutual-help groups, family dynamics, prevention, and ethical considerations. Students cannot receive credit for both SW 416 and SW 516


SW 417Social Work and AgingUNITS: 3
Physical, psychological, social, and cultural theories of the aging process as it relates to social work practice, social policy, and services for working with older adults and their families. Emphasis on mental and physical well-being, diversity, social and economic justice, intergenerational issues, policy and programs. Credit is not allowed for both SW 417 and SW 517


SW 420The Legal Aspects of Social WorkUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Social Work Majors and Social Work Minors
Legal environment of the social work profession. Relationships among legal processes, the delivery of social work services and client problems.


SW 440International Learning Experience in Social WorkUNITS: 6 - Offered in Summer
A seven week learning experience in Guatemala. Through this course, the student will develop a global perspective of social welfare and social work practice, will learn about the people and culture of the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala, will learn the variety of resources available in response to social need, and will enhance or develop Spanish language competence. All costs associated with learning opportunities and activities for this course are included in the cost of the program.


SW 480Preparation for Field WorkUNITS: 1 - Offered in Fall and Spring
Prerequisite: Social Work Majors, SW 320, Corequisite: SW 405, SW 408
Introduction to aspects of field placement process and necessary skills for a successful internship. Application, interview, ethical practice, documentation, supervision and learning contract. Intern liability insurance required.


SW 490Field Work in Social ServicesUNITS: 12 - No Course Evaluation
Prerequisite: Social Work Majors, SW 405, SW 408, SW 480
Supervised placement in a social service organization; application of social work knowledge and skill. Weekly integrative seminar. Intern liability insurance required.


SW 495Special Topics in Social WorkUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Detailed investigation of a topic in social work. Topic and mode of study determined by faculty member.


SW 498Independent Studies in Social WorkUNITS: 1-6 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: Junior standing or Senior standing, Social Work Majors or Social Work Minor, Nine credits in social work courses
Independent or small group study of a social work practice or social welfare area.


SW 501Social Welfare HistoryUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Master of Social Work
Understanding of and critical perspective on the development of social systems and social policy in the United States. Historical context for current social work practice, policy, and planning. Historical framework necessary for subsequent social work courses.


SW 502Social Welfare Planning and AnalysisUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: Master of Social Work SW 501
Reviews a range of frameworks for analyzing social policy. Highlights the relationships among social problems, policies and programs, and social work practice. Addresses issues of social and economic justice and explores the values and ethical choices involved in various approaches to social welfare policy.


SW 505Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Social JusticeUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: Master of Social Work
Theoretical and experiential knowledge related to oppression, privilege, and social and economic justice. Particular attention is given to persons and groups most affected by oppression and mechanisms that advance the achievement of a more just society.


SW 506Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Individuals, Families, and GroupsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall and Summer
An overview of normative individual and family development trajectories through the life cycle and survey of major theoretical frameworks and normative development variations; Theories of individual, familial, and group interaction and ways that informal groupings and support networks function to maintain individual and family well-being and stability. Admission to the MSW program or permission of the instructor.


SW 507Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Organizations and CommunitiesUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring and Summer
Prerequisite: Master of Social Work
Theories and models for understanding human service organizations and communities. Emphasis on communication and collaboration with diverse task groups, organizations, and communities.


SW 510Research Methods for Social WorkUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: ST 311
Social work research methods, interpretation of empirical research findings within the context of social work practice. Major activities include 1)identification of the steps of the research process, 2)utilization of mixed methodologies, 3)assessment of empirical research studies, and 4)discussion of human diversity and ethical issues in research design and implementation.


SW 511Evaluation of Social Work InterventionsUNITS: 3
Prerequisite: SW 510
Evaluating social work practice and health and human services. Prepares students for designing a study relevant to social work goals and meeting professional ethics, collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data, and presenting findings to diverse stakeholders. Master of Social Work required.


SW 515Child WelfareUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Generalist perspective on the practice of public child welfare. History of child welfare, practices in child welfare, and current trends in child welfare programs. Skills needed to practice in child protective services, adoption, and foster care with specific attention to the North Carolina child welfare system. Application of cultural diversity and cultural competency integrated throughout as it relates to child welfare issues. Credit is not allowed for both SW 415 and SW 515.


SW 516Addiction Recovery and Social Work PracticeUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Knkowledge and skills in identifying Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) problems, screening, assessment, intervention, referral, and prevention: history of AOD problems and treatment, AOD classification, effects and signs/symptoms of AOD, models of addiction, diversity, assessment, diagnosis, intervention, treatment modalities, mutual-help groups, family dynamics, prevention, and ethical considerations. Credit is not allowed for both SW 416 and SW 516


SW 517Social Work and AgingUNITS: 3
Physical, psychological, social, and cultural theories of the aging process as it relates to social work practice, social policy, and services for working with older adults and their families. Emphasis on mental and physical well-being, diversity, social and economic justice, intergenerational issues, policy and programs. Credit is not allowed for both SW 417 and SW 517.


SW 520Foundation Practice with Individuals, Families & GroupsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Foundation knowledge and skills needed to work with individuals, families and groups. Underlying theories about and models of empirically-based social work practice with individuals, families and groups. Phases of the helping relationship, strengths-based assessment, and change process in interpersonal helping relationships and issues of human diversity.


SW 521Social Work Practice with Organizations and CommunitiesUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prepares students for practice with organizations, communities, and policy structures. Emphasizes multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice in relation to social systems.


SW 540International Learning Experience in Social WorkUNITS: 6 - Offered in Summer
A seven week learning experience in Guatemala. Through this course, the student will develop a global perspective of social welfare and social work practice, will learn about the people and culture of the Lake Atitlan area of Guatemala, will learn the variety of resources available in response to social need, and will enhance or develop Spanish language competence. All costs associated with learning opportunities and activities for this course are included in the cost of the program.


SW 550Advanced Social Work Practice with FamiliesUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: SW 652, Corequisite: SW 654
Theories, concepts, and skills needed for practice with diverse, at-risk family populations. Includes overview of historical and current social work approaches to family intervention as well as skill development in contemporary intervention methods. Focuses on understanding families within their cultural and community contexts, and presents several family intervention models useful for helping families build on their strengths to cope with a variety of family constellations, changes, and challenges.


SW 551Social Work Practice with Children and AdolescentsUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: SW 521 and SW 652
Focuses on assessment and intervention strategies for clinical practice with children and adolescents. Explores issues common to these client groups.


SW 560Advanced Social Work Practice with CommunitiesUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: SW 652, Corequisite: SW 653
Prepares social work students for community-based change efforts, particularly in partnership with historically oppressed groups. Employs a four-part framework for building community capacity that encompasses leadership development, organizational development, community development, and inter-organizational links.


SW 561Social Work AdministrationUNITS: 3 - Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: SW 521, Corequisite: SW 654
Addresses the history, theoretical frameworks, and functions of managing human service organizations. Issues of staff development, team building, group decision-making and/or problem solving strategies and evidence-based approaches are discussed.


SW 570Social Work with GroupsUNITS: 3
Prerequisite: SW 691
Advanced social work practice with groups. Planning, implementing, ending, and evaluating groups placed within various policy contexts and theoretical frameworks. Group work with diverse populations emphasized. Master of social work required.


SW 571Community Mental HealthUNITS: 3
Prerequisite: SW 691
Focuses on social work practice in the field of Mental Health. Reviews policy and practice as it pertains to the promotion of mental health, the prevention of mental illnesses, and the delivery of psychosocial treatment. Strategies and practice for use at the individual, family, group, organizational, community, and societel levels are explored. Master of social work required.


SW 580Social Work Professional SeminarUNITS: 4
Prerequisite: SW 653
Capstone course taken in the final semester of the MSW program intended to help students integrate all coursework in preparation for graduation and professional practice. Directs students to apply promising practices to their professional work andencourages students to interact and blend perspectives from both direct practice and community partnership concentration options.


SW 595Special Topics in Social WorkUNITS: 3 - Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
In-depth exploration of specialized or emerging topics in social work or social welfare. Topic of current interest and mode of study determined by faculty member. Also used to test and develop new courses.


SW 630Independent Study in Social WorkUNITS: 1-6 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Fall Spring Summer
Prerequisite: Master of Social Work, SW 510
An independent study addressing an area of social work practice or social welfare.


SW 651Social Work Internship IUNITS: 5 - Offered in Fall Only
This is the first course in a two course sequence that provides students the opportunity to use generalist practice social work skills in a field agency under the supervision of an MSW social work practioner.


SW 652Social Work Internship IIUNITS: 5 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: SW 520 and SW 651, Corequisite: SW 521
This is the second course in a two course sequence that provides students the opportunity to use generalist practice social work skills in a field agency under the supervision of an MSW social work practitioner.


SW 653Social Work Internship IIIUNITS: 5 - Offered in Fall Only
Prerequisite: SW 521 and SW 652, Corequisite: SW 550 or SW 560
Advanced practice internship course with focus on the application of advanced social work practice skills under supervision in an agency setting. The internship experience is supplemented by participation in regularly scheduled field seminars. First of two-course sequence in advanced social work practice.


SW 654Social Work Internship IVUNITS: 5 - No Course Evaluation, Offered in Spring Only
Prerequisite: SW 550 or SW 560; and SW 653, Corequisite: SW 551 or SW 561
Advanced practice Internship course with focus on the application of advanced social work practice skills under supervision in an agency setting. The Internship experience is supplemented by participation in regularly scheduled field seminars. Second of two-course sequence.