Social Work (SWK)

SWK 250  Introduction to Social Work     Credits: 4

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Overview of professional social work practice including its history, philosophy, ethics, values, methods, and fields of practice. Forty hours of volunteer experience in an area human service agency required.

SWK 260  Introduction to Aging Studies     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Overview of the physical, social, psychological, cultural, and economic aspects of aging, all from a social problems perspective; social policy and social work intervention issues pertaining to aging.

SWK 270  Selected Topics in Social Work     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Study of a selected problem in social work practice, e.g., mental illness, chemical dependence, or child welfare. Course may be repeated for credit for each different topic.

SWK 280  Mental Health and Social Work     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course provides students with the opportunity to learn content specific to social work practice in the field of mental health at the baccalaureate level. The course will focus on addressing relevant historical components of mental health delivery systems and current policy issues. The course will specifically focus on diagnostic criteria for mental health disorders with a particular focus on promoting a strengths-based and person-centered model of assessment and preliminary intervention.

SWK 283  Introduction to Research Methods in Social Work     Credits: 1-5

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Introduction to basic research methods in social work. Individual and team projects involving methods for solving social work-related research problems. Prerequisite(s): Department approval.

SWK 320  Philosophy and Policy in Social Services I     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Historical significance of social legislation, its impact on the individual and society; social philosophy, social service, and social change. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in SWK 250, PSC 101, and either ECO 101 or ECO 260.

SWK 330  Human Behavior and the Social Environment I     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Theories and knowledge of human bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural behavior within a systems framework, with an emphasis on individuals and families. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing, a grade of C or higher in SWK 250, and BIO 101, or departmental approval.

SWK 345  Substance Use and Disorders     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Provides an overview of the substance abuse and dependence field within a bio-psycho-social framework. The course will cover current and historical patterns of drug use; etiological theories and connected research; substance abuse effects on individuals, families, and society; physiological, psychosocial, and cultural aspects of psychoactive substances; basic pharmacology of alcohol and other abused substances; socio-cultural values and their implications for public policy and prevention; assessment and diagnosis of substance abuse/dependence disorders; substance abuse and dependence in special populations, overview of the treatment process and service delivery systems; the recovery process, relapse and relapse prevention and the impact of substance abuse and recovery on family systems. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 or SOC 110.

SWK 350  Social Work Practice I     Credits: 4

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Introduces generalist social work practice with individuals and families. Covers the nature of social work practice, practice theory, ethics and values, the social work relationship, interviewing, the problem-solving process, assessment, planning, intervention, and practice evaluation. Three hours lecture, two hours lab per week. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing, a grade of C or higher in SWK 250, and a grade of C or higher or concurrent enrollment in SWK 330.

SWK 360  Social Work Practice II     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Continuation of SWK 350. Focuses on group work within the generalist social work perspective. Covers group theory, ethics and values, problem-solving process, assessment, planning, intervention, and practice evaluation applied to task and treatment groups. Prerequisite(s): Declared Social Work major, SWK 330, a grade of C or higher in SWK 350, and credit or concurrent enrollment in SWK 430.

SWK 365  Death And Dying     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Cultural views and customs regarding death and dying; stages of death and dying; abnormal grief reactions, issues pertaining to children and death, role of spirituality; functions of health care systems and interdisciplinary teams.

SWK 410  Family and Child Welfare     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: This course examines the field of family and child welfare. Students will explore the history of child welfare, the critical issues facing families and children in our society, the scope of family and child welfare services, and the social, political, legal and economic forces that shape family and children programs. Students will study families from a strengths-based, ecological perspective and will build sensitivity to various family forms, cultural patterns and issues that stem from social and/or economic injustice. Prerequisite(s): ENG 108.

SWK 415  Social Work Practice III     Credits: 4

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Continuation of SWK 350 and SWK 360. Applies the planned change process to interventions with organizations, communities and institutions within the generalist social work perspective. Students complete a community development/organizing project in a local community. Prerequisite(s): Declared Social Work major and a grade of C or higher in SWK 360 and SWK 430.

SWK 420  Philosophy and Policy in Social Services II     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Continuation of SWK 320. Analyzes the philosophy and policies of presently active social agencies; policy reforms and evaluation of their possible effectiveness. Prerequisite(s): Declared Social Work major and a grade of C or higher in SWK 320.

SWK 425  Bridge to Practicum     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course is designed to prepare students for entry into the field practicum. Students will explore field placement options and complete the field application and interview process. In addition, students will develop skills that will bridge them into the professional arena such as resume building, job interviewing and networking skills.

SWK 430  Human Behavior and the Social Environment II     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Theories and knowledge of human bio-psycho-social-spiritual-cultural behavior within a systems framework with a focus on groups, communities, organizations, and institutions. Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in SWK 330.

SWK 450  Independent Research/Project     Credits: 1-5

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Investigation of a research problem, project, or topic on an individual conference basis. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval.

SWK 465  Advanced Research Project     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Students will design and conduct an empirical research project focused on a relevant social issue or concern. Same as SOC 465. Prerequisite(s): Any statistics course and a grade of C or higher in SOC 460.

SWK 470  Program Evaluation     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Techniques and methods of program evaluation and grant writing, utilize different approaches and methodology to critically examine program goals, outcomes and measures in program evaluation and grant writing. Prerequisite(s): Completion of a research methods course (CRJ 325 or SOC 460) and a statistics course or by departmental approval. This course is open to all majors and disciplines.

SWK 480  Practicum in Social Work     Credits: 10

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Students spend a minimum of 456 hours in an agency setting under the supervision of trained social work professionals. To be taken concurrently with SWK 485. Graded on a pass/fail basis. Prerequisite(s): Formal acceptance into the social work program, submission of the Field Education Practicum application (missouriwestern.edu/social-work/social-work), a minimum of 2.5 overall GPA and a grade of C or higher in SWK 250, SWK 320, SWK 330, SWK 350, SWK 360, SWK 415, SWK 420 and SWK 430, and a grade of C or higher in all other SWK courses.

SWK 485  Social Work Practicum Seminar     Credits: 2

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Focuses on the development and enhancement of the student's practice skills and the integration of practicum and class content. Taken concurrently with SWK 480. Prerequisite(s): Declared social work major, formal acceptance into the Practicum Program; a minimum of 2.5 GPA, a grade of C or higher in SWK 250, SWK 320, SWK 330, SWK 350, SWK 360, SWK 415, SWK 420 and SWK 430, and a grade of C or higher in all other SWK courses.