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Social Work

Course Code
SW 250  Credits
Title Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Overview of social welfare and social work, including fields of practice, institutions, populations served, special issues, and an introduction to some social work methods and theories. 



Course Code
SW 308  Credits
Title Social Gerontology 
Prerequisite SOC 110 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course introduces students to the field of social gerontology for providing an overview of the significant sociological perspectives, social issues, and empirical social science research pertaining to the phenomenon of aging in society. The main goal of the course is to foster an understanding of aging as a process that is characteristic of both individuals and societies through a focus on social factors that shape the individual's experience of aging and the consequences of an aging population for social institutions. Same as SOC 308



Course Code
SW 330  Credits
Title Human Behavior and the Social Environment 
Prerequisite PSY 113 OR SOC 110 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Overview and application of systems theory. Assess the interactions among individuals and between individuals and social systems. Includes an integration of bio-psycho-social variables that affect human development and behavior. Prior or concurrent enrollment in SW 250, PSY 202, and BIOL 104 is required. 



Course Code
SW 390  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Social Work 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course covers various topics from the discipline of Social Work. The course may be repeated when topics vary. 



Course Code
SW 400  Credits
Title Research Methods in Social Work 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description Study of research methods (designs) and processes including assessing problems, analyzing and presenting data, and monitoring and evaluating intervention and services in social work practice. Admission to the Social Work program is required. 



Course Code
SW 402  Credits
Title Child Welfare Services 
Prerequisite SW 250 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Problems, policies, and practices in the area of child welfare. Content includes: children's guardianship, the juvenile court system, children's out-of-home care, child protection services, foster care and adoption. The listed prerequisite can be waived with consent of instructor. 



Course Code
SW 410  Credits
Title Gerontology: Policy and Practice 
Prerequisite SOC 308 OR SW 308 or WS 308 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course is a senior seminar for gerontology majors. Four to six hours a week will involve field experience working in a facility involving elderly care. Two hours a week will involve in-class discussions of the field experience as well as an examination of social policies relating to the elderly, including Social Security, Medicare, the Older Americans Act and Medicaid. Same as SOC 410



Course Code
SW 411  Credits
Title Chemical Dependency 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Exploration of chemical use, abuse, and addiction, with emphasis on alcohol as the drug of choice. Prevention, intervention, special problems of women, youth, elderly, and minority populations are examined. The listed prerequisite can be waived with consent of instructor. 



Course Code
SW 420  Credits
Title Generalist Practice: Individuals 
Prerequisite SW 405 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Generalist social work practice utilizing the problem-solving model with focus on the knowledge, values and skills for working with individuals. Prior or concurrent registration in SW 400 is required. 



Course Code
SW 431  Credits 1-3 
Title Readings in Social Welfare 
Prerequisite SW 405 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Reading in-depth in selected areas of social work under faculty supervision and consent. Credits determined by the extent and depth of the readings. 



Course Code
SW 435  Credits
Title Generalist Practice: Families/Groups 
Prerequisite SW 330  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description This course is designed to give students beginning competency skills and knowledge in generalist social work practice using the Generalist Intervention Model with the mezzo systems families and groups as the target area of practice. An ecological perspective and systems view of practice is used. Intervention theories and practice skills are studied and applied to both the family and the group as the target areas of intervention. The course builds on knowledge grounded in the liberal arts studies, including courses such as Developmental Psychology (PSY 202), Introduction to Sociology (SOC 110), Social Psychology (SOC 120), Human Biology (BIOL 104), American Multicultural Studies (AMCS), and Women’s and Gender Studies (WS) courses. This course draws from the knowledge and skills learned in SW 330 and SW 400, as well as interviewing and assessment skills from SW 420



Course Code
SW 450  Credits
Title Generalist Practice: Communities and Organizations 
Prerequisite SW 420 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Generalist social work practice utilizing the problem solving model with focus on the knowledge, values and skills for working with organizations and communities. Prior or concurrent enrollment in SW 460 is required. 



Course Code
SW 460  Credits
Title Social Policy and Policy Practice 
Prerequisite POL 120 OR ECON 100 OR SW 420 OR SW 415 OR SOC 350 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Writing Intensive Yes  
Description Development of social welfare policies and current policy structures, and policy practice, advocacy, analysis, and evaluation used in agency, community, and legislative settings. Admission to the Social Work program is required. Prior or concurrent registration in POL 470 is also required. 



Course Code
SW 468  Credits
Title Integrative Orientation to Internship 
Prerequisite SW 415 and SW 420  
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Social Work 468 students will examine and integrate field theory with field experience preparation as students learn about the expectations and parameters of the social work internship experience, the diversity of local and regional human services agencies, emerging trends in practice, and the development of professionalism and social work identity. Students will actively engage in internship preparation and finalization and explore methods for professional self-care. A key element in the concept of seminar is participation and discussion. The willingness and ability of students to actively participate in every class is essential to the successful completion of this course.  



Course Code
SW 469  Credits 12 
Title Internship 
Prerequisite SW 432 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Required field experience under agency and departmental supervision. Opportunity to practice/integrate social work core competencies and practice behaviors (knowledge, value, and skills) obtained in class. Planning must occur one semester prior to internship. Students must have completed 90 hours of human service experience, have a minimum cumulative MSUM GPA of 2.5, and be concurrently enrolled in SW 492. Student must also have completed all major restricted electives and other electives. 



Course Code
SW 490  Credits 1-3 
Title Topics in Social Work 
Prerequisite SW 250 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Selected topics of concern to social work students and human service professionals. May be repeated to 6 credits. Listed prerequisite can be waived with consent of instructor. 



Course Code
SW 492  Credits
Title Field Supervision and Integrative Seminar 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Seminar during internship to promote integration of academic knowledge and field learning with a focus on professional and ethical issues. Must be concurrently enrolled in SW 469. The instructor will also be the primary liaison between the university and field setting. The instructor will coordinate and conduct site visits for the internship experience.  



Course Code
SW 497  Credits 1-3 
Title Independent Study 
Prerequisite SW 400 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Individual study, project, or research of special interest. Repeatable to 6 credits. May apply to the social work elective requirement for the major. Listed prerequisite can be waived with consent of instructor. 



Course Code
SW 499  Credits 1-3 
Title Social Work Workshops 
Course Outline Course Outline 
Description Workshops in the Department of Social Work to meet specific needs of students and agency personnel in the community.