Course Descriptions

SOCW 101 : Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare - ES

An introduction to human need and the field of social work. Provides an overview of services, models of service delivery, and professional social work values. Students visit agency settings and meet with social work practitioners. A volunteer experience in the field is a required component of this seminar-style course. (4)

SOCW 175 : January on the Hill - VW, GE

An intense experience of service and community work on Tacoma's Hilltop District and/or Tacoma's eastside where students learn firsthand about poverty and participate in community projects. (4)

SOCW 232 : Research Methods

This course will prepare students to demonstrate basic competencies in the knowledge, values, and skills of research methodology to analyze the social world. This includes problem formulation, research designs, measurement, sampling, interviewing, and critical evaluation of research in social work and the social sciences. Required for social work majors. Prerequisite: SOCI 101. (4)

SOCW 245 : Human Behavior and the Social Environment - ES

Students examine developmental theory through the lens of an ecological systems perspective and a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework, emphasizing power, privilege, and cultural differences (particularly race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation) as applied to individuals, families, groups, institutions, organizations, and communities locally and globally. Volunteer experience is required. (4)

SOCW 250 : Social Policy I: History of Social Welfare - ES

Exploration of power, privilege and oppression emphasizing political process and global social change in the development of the American welfare state and the profession of social work. Students reflect critically upon personal and social values, social welfare systems and their performance, the impact of political ideology and compromise on vulnerable populations, and the function of professional social work. (4)

SOCW 287 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 288 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 289 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 291 : Directed Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)

SOCW 320 : Child Welfare, A Global Perspective

An examination of child welfare, including child abuse and neglect; child welfare services, including CPS, permanency planning, foster care, adoption; and the current status of child well-being around the world, exploring the impact on children of such issues as poverty, war, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, access to education, access to health care, care for orphans, street children. (4)

SOCW 325 : Social, Educational, and Health Services in Tobago - VW, GE

Explore strengths and needs of Tobago and effects of history and colonialism on the development of community problems. Through service learning, interaction with agency staff and community members, readings and reflections, develop an understanding of the meaning of service in another culture and deepen one's own ethic of meaningful service. (4)

SOCW 350 : Social Policy II: Social Policy Analysis

Students develop legislative policy practice and advocacy skills, and examine the impact of policy implementation, administration, and governmental structure on services to vulnerable populations. Critical thinking is used to analyze contemporary global and local policy in income assistance, health/mental health, child welfare, homelessness, and services to seniors. Prerequisite: SOCW 250. (4)

SOCW 360 : Social Work Practice I: Interviewing and Overview of Generalist Practice

Students learn the conceptual framework of generalist practice and apply the ecological systems perspective to practice. This course introduces engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation in the context of social work both locally and globally. Students are able to learn intentional interviewing skills and apply those skills within various models of practice and across cultures. Prerequisite: SOCW 245. (4)

SOCW 375 : Social Services in the Community

Completion of a minimum of 50 hours of work in a community setting. Through written work, students reflect on their experiences, their personal growth, and the mission of the agency. May be repeated for credit up to two semester hours. Prerequisite: SOCW 175 or 245 or 360. (1)

SOCW 387 : Special Topics in Social Work

Selected topics as announced by the department. Topics relevant to current trends and issues in the field of social work. (2 to 4)

SOCW 388 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 389 : Special Topics in Social Work

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 460 : Social Work Practice II: Families and Groups

Grounded in the framework of generalist social work practice, the second social work practice course examines theoretical models and practice skills for assessment and intervention with families and groups. Emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive practice. Introduces students to group dynamics and group development. Prerequisite: SOCW 245, 360. (4)

SOCW 465 : Social Work Practice III: Macropractice

Using the generalist social work practice framework, students develop engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation skills for local and global practice with organizations, and communities. As professional social workers, students map community assets, examine community development, and advocate for diverse and marginalized groups. Students recognize social service organizations as a changing context for professional practice and research. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 250, 350, 360, and 460. (4)

SOCW 475 : Field Experience I

Students are placed in social service agencies where, under supervision, they demonstrate the generalist skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of practice. They apply ethical principles in interactions with clients and staff, demonstrate critical thinking, engage and embrace diversity, demonstrate and apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. Pass/Fail. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 350, and 360; to be taken concurrently with SOCW 460 and 485; requires consent of instructor. (3)

SOCW 476 : Field Experience II

Continuation of SOCW 475. Students practice and refine the generalist skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Through their deepening identification with the social work profession, they analyze how their agency responds to changing contexts and reflect on ways to engage in policy and advocacy practice. Pass/Fail. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 465 and 486. (3)

SOCW 485 : Field Experience Seminar I

Students integrate the theories and skills from their coursework with experiences in their field settings, applying theories of human behavior and the social environment. They write and analyze a case and practice self-reflection by developing a plan to evaluate their own practice. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 475. (1)

SOCW 486 : Field Experience Seminar II

Students continue to grow in their professional identification and behavior. They make a formal case presentation to professional social workers, demonstrating their application of knowledge, values, and skills and their competence in engagement, assessment and intervention. They evaluate their own practice. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 476. (1)

SOCW 487 : Special Topics in Social Welfare

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 488 : Special Topics in Social Welfare

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 489 : Special Topics in Social Welfare

To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)

SOCW 491 : Independent Study

To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. (1 to 4)

SOCW 495 : Internship

To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student. (1 to 12)

SOCW 498 : Capstone Proposal - SR

Students select a topic for their capstone, complete a preliminary literature review, and develop an outline for their final capstone, to be completed in SOCW 499. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 350, and 360. (1)

SOCW 499 : Capstone: Senior Seminar - SR

This integrative seminar requires students to explore a field of generalist practice across all of the competencies of the social work profession, including reciprocal relationships between research and practice, the policies that impact practice, global perspectives, typical ethical issues, role of diversity, evidence-based interventions and ways they may evaluate their practice. This culminates in a paper and public presentation. Prerequisites: SOCW 245, 350, 360, 460, 475, 498, and SOCW 232 or SOCI 232. (3)

SOCW 505 : Social Work Theory and Practice: From a Racial Justice Perspective

This course is designed to introduce students to human behavior in the social environment through a critical race lens as students begin to explore theory and practice with diverse clients in healthcare settings. Students will explore the concepts of privilege, oppression, social justice in their work with diverse clients. This course will emphasize the impact discrimination and oppression by individuals and society on the developmental experience for people from culturally diverse backgrounds and orientations. Issues of power and oppression will be explored at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of social work practice. (3)

SOCW 510 : Social Work Practice Skills Lab

Content on working with diverse populations will be integrated at all practice levels (micro, mezzo, and macro) to assist students in developing social work practice skills using various theoretical constructs (i.e. strengths perspective, problem-solving, empowerment) and evidence-informed practices. Additional focus will be to assist students in developing a professional self with an integration of social work values and ethics throughout the course. Skill building will be practiced using role plays, videos, and written assignments in preparing students for their field experience in the spring semester. (3)

SOCW 525 : Culturally Responsive Social Work Practice

In this course, human diversity is broadly explored and defined to include race, ethnicity, culture, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and ability. The course content looks critically at privilege and the ways in which a society's cultural practices and structure may oppress, marginalize, and alienate some while enhancing power and privilege of others. Students will explore how awareness of these factors influences delivery of social work practice in healthcare and mental healthcare settings. (3)

SOCW 532 : Social Work Research Methods

Social work relies on careful collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to answer theoretical, empirical, and applied research questions. This course will introduce students to methods of data collection and analysis in social work and provide students with the tools to engage in this central component of scientific inquiry. This course lays the foundation for social research, including an introduction to the scientific method and ethics. Students will learn about several of the most commonly used methods of research in criminal justice, sociology, and social work; including, experiments, surveys, interviews, field research, single subject design, content analysis, and analysis of secondary data. Following an introduction into these research methodologies, research design, conceptualization, and sampling will be covered. Students will apply methods in course assignments and will demonstrate their cumulative learning through preparation of a research proposal using one of the methods. (3)

SOCW 538 : Social Work Theory and Practice in Healthcare Settings

This advanced social work theory and practice in healthcare settings is designed to situate practice in healthcare settings within a biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective. Health behavior theory, practice, and research relevant to healthcare settings in work with individuals, families, groups, and communities will be addressed. Relevant theories and practice issues associated with patient-centered care, interdisciplinary teams, along with the significance of values and ethics in social work will be explored. Skill development in all phases of the helping process, including termination with clients, will be covered. Prerequisite: SOCW 505 or acceptance into the MSW program in advanced standing status. (3)

SOCW 542 : Social Work Research in Health Settings

This course builds on basic understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods of Research Methods in Social Work (SOCW 532) and is designed and provides students with strategies for evaluating social work practice at multiple practice and system levels. Students will learn to assess and apply evaluation methods to address prevention, treatment, and programmatic services in health and mental health settings. This course also serves as the capstone course in the MSW program and is taken in the student's final semester. Prerequisite: SOCW 532 or acceptance into the MSW program in advanced standing status. (3)

SOCW 550 : History of Social Welfare & Healthcare Policy

This course reviews the history of the social work profession, social welfare programs, and healthcare policy in the U.S. The influence of values, politics, and economic forces on social welfare and healthcare policy are explored. An overview of the U.S. healthcare system (including behavioral and physical health) and the role of social work, historically and contemporarily, in the large variety of private and public healthcare settings is presented. The course content reflects the values of the profession of social work and emphasizes the role of the policy-informed social work practitioner in the delivery of health and mental health services with diverse individuals, families, and communities. (3)

SOCW 555 : Advanced Policy & Advocacy in Healthcare Systems

This course builds on policy content offered in the foundation policy course. The course provides students with knowledge, skills, and abilities for understanding the interrelationship between developments in health policy, the health care delivery system, and social work practice. Diversity, inequality, and social and economic justice are continuing themes of study in the advanced concentration year. Prerequisite: SOCW 550 or acceptance into the MSW program in advanced standing status. (3)

SOCW 560 : Mental Health Assessment and Intervention

This foundational course helps students develop a multi-dimensional assessment and intervention framework for clinical social work practice. This course builds on Social Work Theory and Practice from a Racial Justice Perspective and focuses on bio, psych, social, and spiritual assessment and intervention at the individual and family level and includes children, youth, adults, and older adults. The DSM-5 classification system is discussed within the context of social work values and ethics. Several empirically-based assessment tools and intervention techniques that are grounded in social work practice are explored to meet the needs of clients and families from diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite: SOCW 510 or acceptance into the MSW program in advanced standing status. (3)

SOCW 565 : Advanced Clinical Interventions in Health

This course builds on generalist social work theory and practice with a look at advanced assessment and intervention skills in healthcare settings across micro, mezzo, and macro practice settings. Theory will guide assessment and intervention selection for social work practice in healthcare settings. Issues of diversity and equity in practice will be addressed to meet the needs of multiple constituencies. Prerequisites: SOCW 538, 560. (3)

SOCW 575 : Field Experience I

Students are assigned to a field experience setting (e.g. healthcare, mental healthcare, or social service agency) and participate under social work (practicing MWS-degreed social worker) supervision and mentoring in the delivery of social work services. Students will have the opportunity to practice foundational social work skills; including, completing intakes, developing social histories, interviewing skills, developing intervention plans, analyzing politics relevant to practice, and other skills that the student, the field instructor, and faculty liaison mutually develop. The experience is a minimum of 300 clock hours. Graded pass/fail. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 576. Prerequisite: SOCW 510 or acceptance into the MSW program in advanced standing status. (3)

SOCW 576 : Field Experience I Seminar

This seminar provides students with the opportunity to integrate the content of their courses with their field experience learning activities. Students develop a plan to monitor and evaluate their practice in their field experience setting. The course provides students with an opportunity to explore, question, and process their experiences in field. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 575. (2)

SOCW 577 : Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice with Youth & Families

Grounded in the framework of clinical social work practice, this course will provide students with additional knowledge on addressing the needs of clients with trauma exposure. In this course, students will examine trauma exposure, the impact trauma exposure has on children, adolescents, and their families, and systems involved in the care of youth. The implications for improved cultural competence in trauma-informed assessment and interventions in youth and families will be discussed. (3)

SOCW 578 : Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Social Work

As an advanced clinical elective, this course is designed to assist students to increase their cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) knowledge and skills. Students will learn the theoretical foundations and the CBT practice model. Students will learn the continuum of care using a CBT approach that includes evidence-based assessments, case conceptualization, treatment planning, and intervention, as well as how to use other social work treatment theories (strengths-based, problem-focused interventions) in meeting the needs of diverse clients with complex presentations. (3)

SOCW 580 : Social & Behavioral Determinants of Health

In this course, the core concepts of social and behavioral determinants and how they influence the physical and mental health of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations is explored. Students will explore how awareness of these factors influences delivery of social work practice in healthcare and behavioral healthcare settings. (3)

SOCW 585 : Advanced Field Experience II

Students are assigned to a field experience setting (e.g. healthcare, mental healthcare, or social service agency) and participate under social work (practicing MWS-degreed social worker) supervision and mentoring in the delivery of social work services. Building on their foundational skills, students will begin to practice advanced social work skills of assessing, intervening with research-informed practices, and assessing interventions with individual and families. The experience is a minimum of 360 clock hours. Graded pass/fail. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 586. Prerequisite: SOCW 575 and 576 or acceptance into the MSW program in advanced standing status. (3)

SOCW 586 : Advanced Field Experience Seminar II

This seminar provides students with the opportunity to integrate the content in their courses with their field experience learning activities. Students develop a plan to monitor and evaluate their advanced practice in an opportunity to explore, question, and process their experiences in field related to advanced social work practices. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 585. Prerequisites: SOCW 575 and 576 or acceptance into the MWS program in advanced standing status. (2)

SOCW 595 : Advanced Field Experience III

Students generally continue in the Field Experience I setting under social work (practicing MWS-degreed social worker) supervision and mentoring in the delivery of social work services. Building on skills from Advanced Field Experience II, students will begin to demonstrate their advanced abilities by implementing evidence-based interventions with greater independence. The experience is a minimum of 360 clock hours. Graded pass/fail. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 596. Prerequisite: SOCW 585 and 586. (3)

SOCW 596 : Advanced Field Experience Seminar III

This seminar provides students with the opportunity to integrate the content of their courses with their field experience learning activities. Students develop a plan to monitor and evaluate their advanced practice in their advanced field experience setting. The course provides students with an opportunity to process and advance their field related experiences related to social-work-specific social work interventions. Students will develop a professional resume and explore the MSW job search process. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 595. Prerequisites: SOCW 585 and 586. (2)