Social Work

Course Descriptions

SOWK 500 - Principles and Philosophy (3 cr.)
Knowledge, values, history, and philosophy of social work.

SOWK 510 - Small Systems Theory (3 cr.)
This course examines the practice implications of human behavior and social environment processes in generalist social work practice. The focus is on the application of socio-behavioral practice principles to a variety of social work situations with individuals and families. Students explore theoretical assumptions and applications of the advanced generalist perspective for social work practice.

SOWK 511 - Generalist Practice- Small Client Systems (3 cr.)
This course provides an overview of the generalist social work practice perspective – a practice theory and skills related to intervention at varied sized systems. In this course, most class learning will focus on practice with individuals and families within a social systems framework. Basic practice skills will be introduced including communication skills and techniques, relationship skills, and use of self.

SOWK 512 - Skills Lab (1 cr.)
Practice of social work helping skills related to all facets of the helping process. Emphasis on communication and relationship skills, in the context of working with individuals, families and groups.

SOWK 610 - Large Systems Theory (3 cr.)
The course addresses socio-behavioral practice principles and theories relevant to work with large client systems including groups, organizations, institutions, and communities.

SOWK 600 - Research (3 cr.)
This is the first course of a two semester sequence that introduces students to the types of research methods and data analysis used by social workers. The organizing theme of the two courses is the relationship between social work research and practice. SOWK 600 is an introductory course that examines the purposes of social work research, the methods of quantitative and qualitative inquiry, and the processes involved in conducting research studies. For example, the specification of research problems, utilization of the literature to assist with the generation of research questions, and methodological issues such as research design, sampling, and measurement will be covered in this course. SOWK 600 will feature lectures, small-group discussions, large-group sharing, and class time to work on course assignments.

SOWK 601 - Research II (3 cr.)
This is the second course of a two-semester sequence that introduces you to the research designs, methods, and analyses commonly used by social workers in the field. You will apply quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques and interpret and report research findings as it relates to social work practice. During this course, you will be asked to synthesize all you have learned by writing a research proposal.

SOWK 520 – Policy (3 cr.)
This course aims to help students develop a perspective for understanding social welfare policies and the impact of these policies on people and their families, groups and communities. The course builds on students’ knowledge of social welfare services and provides historical and current analysis of the social welfare institution in the context of the American socio-economic system.

SOWK 588 - Foundation Field (3 cr.)
Being placed in a CSU School of Social Work approved social service agency, students are provided the context to put their social work knowledge, values, methods, and skills to use in professional practice. The MSW foundation field placement is comprised of 268 hours (approximately 16 hours per week) of supervised agency practice experience over one semester plus one week (total of 17 weeks) in the spring semester.

SOWK 611 - Larger Systems Practice (3 cr.)
Practice knowledge and skills related to intervention with large client systems, including groups, organizations and communities.

SOWK 588 - Foundation Field (3 cr.)
Being placed in a CSU School of Social Work approved social service agency, students are provided the context to put their social work knowledge, values, methods, and skills to use in professional practice. The MSW foundation field placement is comprised of 268 hours (approximately 16 hours per week) of supervised agency practice experience over one semester plus one week (total of 17 weeks) in the spring semester.

SOWK 688 - Advanced Field (4 cr.)
Being placed in a CSU School of Social Work approved social service agency, students are provided the context to put their social work knowledge, values, methods, and skills to use in professional practice. The concentration field experience is comprised of 720 hours of supervised advanced generalist practice experience, over two semesters in the fall and spring semesters.

SOWK 630A - Advanced Individual Practice (2 cr.)
The study of advanced social work practice knowledge and skills appropriate for ecological and clinical assessments and interventions with individuals. Students will investigate the assessment and intervention approaches and theoretical constructs currently dominant in the practice community, with an emphasis on systemic and advanced generalist practice principles.

SOWK 632 - Advanced Organization Practice (2 cr.)
Knowledge, values, ethics, skills, and competencies for social work practice in and with organizations. Organizational practice is viewed in relation to internal and external systems and their influences and considers how diversity affects organizational structure and practice.

SOWK 688 - Advanced Field (4 cr.)
Being placed in a CSU School of Social Work approved social service agency, students are provided the context to put their social work knowledge, values, methods, and skills to use in professional practice. The concentration field experience is comprised of 720 hours of supervised advanced generalist practice experience, over two semesters in the fall and spring semesters.

SOWK 630B - Advanced Family Practice (2 cr.)
This course will study advanced generalist social work practice with families. Students will investigate the assessment models and intervention approaches used in work with families. Building upon introductory material in SOWK 511 in this area, students in this course will learn the use of different theoretical and evidenced-based approaches in work with families.

SOWK602A - Program Research (2 cr.)
This two-semester course is designed to introduce students to macro-level practice research methodology. The focus is on the design and implementation of needs assessment, program evaluation or community research. Assignments, when feasible, are related directly to the student's field practice placement and are to be integrated with that agency or community's needs. The CSU Graduate School Research Committee Process is adhered to, with two members from the Department of Social Work and one outside member from another department within the University. Students will normally work in groups of two or more; a petition process is necessary if a student is required to work individually.

SOWK 603A - Direct Research Practice (2 cr.)
This two-semester research course offers students the opportunity to develop skill in selecting and applying techniques for the assessment and evaluation of direct practice interventions. Assignments are to be related directly to the student's practice in the final year agency field placement (SOWK 688).

SOWK 688 - Advanced Field (4 cr.)
Being placed in a CSU School of Social Work approved social service agency, students are provided the context to put their social work knowledge, values, methods, and skills to use in professional practice. The concentration field experience is comprised of 720 hours of supervised advanced generalist practice experience, over two semesters in the fall and spring semesters.

SOWK 630C - Advanced Group Practice (2 cr.)
This course prepares students for advanced application of generalist problem-solving theories and skills to work with both task and treatment groups in the context of their environment. Issues of ethics, diversity, populations at risk and social and economic justice, and evaluation of practice are addressed throughout the course.

SOWK 602A - Program Research (2 cr.)
This two-semester course is designed to introduce students to macro-level practice research methodology. The focus is on the design and implementation of needs assessment, program evaluation or community research. Assignments, when feasible, are related directly to the student's field practice placement and are to be integrated with that agency or community's needs. The CSU Graduate School Research Committee Process is adhered to, with two members from the Department of Social Work and one outside member from another department within the University. Students will normally work in groups of two or more; a petition process is necessary if a student is required to work individually.

SOWK 603A - Direct Research Practice (2 cr.)
This two-semester research course offers students the opportunity to develop skill in selecting and applying techniques for the assessment and evaluation of direct practice interventions. Assignments are to be related directly to the student's practice in the final year agency field placement (SOWK 688).

SOWK 631 - Advanced Community Practice (2 cr.)
Knowledge of practice theory, intervention strategies and techniques at various levels of decision-making for work in and with intermediate systems including natural networks, mutual aid groups, block and neighborhood systems, and grass-roots community organizations.

SOWK 633 - Advanced Policy (2 cr.)
Application of social welfare policy analysis models; normative aspects of policy analysis and assessment skills.

SOWK 688 - Advanced Field (3 cr.)
Being placed in a CSU School of Social Work approved social service agency, students are provided the context to put their social work knowledge, values, methods, and skills to use in professional practice. The concentration field experience is comprised of 720 hours of supervised advanced generalist practice experience, over two semesters in the fall and spring semesters.