These descriptions are taken from the graduate catalog.
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SW 520 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I: A Life Cycle Perspective (3 credits)
This is the first of four HBSE courses that will examine human behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective. HBSE I will examine the biological, psychological, cognitive, spiritual, social, economic, racial, and cultural variables that influence human development from conception to late adulthood. Using a spiritually enriched ecological systems approach, the course is designed to present a variety of theories and knowledge about the range of social systems in which individuals live including families, social groups, organizations, institutions, and communities. Special attention will be given to the social systems that exist in rural settings and small towns.
SW 522 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II: A Life Cycle Perspective Continued (3 credits)
This is the second of four HBSE courses which will examine human behavior from a biopsychosocial perspective. HBSE II will examine the spiritual, cultural, social, age, and gender variables that influence human development from conception to late adulthood. Pre-requisite: SW 522 or permission of the instructor
SW 530 Social Welfare Policy and Services (3 credits)
This course is designed to help students understand what drives social welfare policy, how welfare policy affects people’s lives, and the ways in which social workers can influence the development and implementation of social policy. Three general areas will be covered in this course. In area 1, the student will be introduced to the fundamental concepts, theories, and history of social welfare policy. In area 2, a description of social welfare policies and programs that are key to both the immediate and future development of rural and small town communities in the Northwest will be discussed. Finally, in area 3, social welfare policy practice techniques will be delineated with significance on the role of social workers in effecting change.
SW 540A Introduction to Research Methodology (1.5 credits)
This course focuses on knowledge of social scientific research philosophies and methodologies with respect to their evolution and application to social work theory and practice. It introduces students to research content, including research ethics, literature review, development of hypothesis and research questions, problem formalization, conceptualization and operationalization of both quantitative and qualitative levels of measurement, and construction of measures.
SW 540B Introduction to Research Methodology (1.5 credits)
This course is a continuation of SW 540A and builds upon previously discussed concepts. Specific content covered includes the logic of sampling, causal inference and group design (including validity and reliability), single-case evaluation designs, quantitative and qualitative modes of observations, quantitative and qualitative research methods. Students are introduced to the beginning concepts of SPSS in order to provide them with a foundation for future and more advanced research methodology and computer use.
SW 551 Practice II: Organizations/Community Development (3 credits)
This course examines current issues and methods related to organizing for change in human services organizations and communities. The special needs, challenges, and contributions of rural populations and small towns will be addressed. Students are introduced to theories of human service organizations, community organizations, organizational and community dynamics, task group leadership, and strategies for planned change. Emphasis is on understanding the role of the social worker in a macro setting and on developing the macro skills required to effectively work for organizational and community development, planning, and change.
SW 561 Practice I: Individuals/Families/Groups (3 credits)
Social Work Practice I is the first course in the foundation sequence of practice courses. The course provides students with an introduction to generalist social work practice and prepares them to provide direct services to client systems of various sizes including, individuals, families, and small groups. Case studies will focus on the challenges of rural service delivery and the changing social patterns in rural areas and small towns. A spiritually enriched ecological systems model of practice will be presented.
SW 570 Field Instruction I (3 credits)
This course is the first part of the foundation practice supervised field experience. The purpose of field instruction is to provide students with an opportunity to integrate theory with practice in a supervised setting. The course includes a concurrent field seminar that is designed to support and supplement the student’s field instruction. Pre-requisite: SW 561 Co-requisite: SW 571, SW 551
SW 571 Field Instruction Seminar I (1 credit)
Emphasis in the foundation field instruction seminar will be on the organizational context of practice, the community context of practice, the planned change process, the strengths perspective, and the professional context of practice. Co-requisite: SW 570
SW 572 Field Instruction II (3 credits)
This course is the second part of the foundation practice supervised field experience. The purpose of this course is to enable students to continue to develop skills, clarify values, and engage in practice in a supervised setting. The course includes a concurrent field seminar that is designed to support and supplement the student’s field instruction. Co-requisite: SW 573
SW 573 Field Instruction Seminar II (1 credit)
Emphasis in the foundation field instruction seminar will be on the organizational context of practice, the community context of practice, the planned change process, the strengths perspective, and the professional context of social work practice. Co-requisite: SW 572
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SW 610 Social Work Electives (1–2 credits) NOTE: 3 credits required
Each semester members of a student's cohort will select an elective topic (from a group of 4–6 choices) to be offered during that term. Elective offerings will be assigned either 1 or 2 credits, and students may complete as few as two or as many as three or four electives during the course of their program.
SW 622 HBSE III: Social Work & Religion: Justice/Values/Ethics (3 credits)
This is one of four required HBSE courses. It is designed to build upon a student’s liberal arts undergraduate education and to offer a more in-depth examination of Christian faith and Social Work practice. Religion often has a profound influence on the lives of clients seen by social work practitioners as well as on social workers themselves. This course considers the role of religion in the socialization process of both the client and the professional. It will examine religious values, ethics, and principles of justice as influences on personal, societal, and professional interactions.
SW 624 HBSE IV: Multicultural Perspectives in Rural Social Work (3 credits)
This course provides a preparation for students to engage in sensitive cross-cultural and cross-ethnic rural social work practice. It is designed to provide students with a positive environment in which to explore their attitudes, beliefs, and values with regard to human diversity in rural and small town practice. The identification and implications of the core factors of discrimination and racism that apply to all minorities are addressed along with those factors that are unique and specific to minority/ethnic groups present throughout the Northwest. Theories of oppression and discrimination are addressed, and the sociohistorical, familial, economic, and political roots of prejudice and discrimination towards certain disadvantaged and unprotected groups are identified. A continual focus throughout the course will be on the application of awareness, knowledge, and techniques of cultural and ethnic sensitivity to social work practice.
SW 630 Policy Issues in Rural America (3 credits)
This course examines, from an historical perspective, the interrelated forces (sociological, political, economic, and philosophical) that have shaped rural American social welfare policies and the social work profession. Different perspectives and models for interpreting and analyzing social policy will be presented in an effort to enhance the understanding of the American societal response to poverty and social need. Emphasis will be placed on the essential social work role and responsibility in analyzing, affecting, and implementing social policy changes in rural America.
SW 631. Practice III: Clinical Theories on Maturing and Aging (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding (both cognitive and empathic) of the various kinds of physical, social, and mental health challenges that maturing and older adults experience. Issues such as diabetes, cancer, sleep disturbance, depression, chemical dependency, suicide, anxiety disorders, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease will be addressed. A variety of theoretical models utilized in assessing and treating the biopyschosocial needs of older adults will be explored (and practiced in field settings).
SW 632. Practice IV: Selected Issues in Social Work Practice with Mature and Older Adults Living in Rural and Small Town Communities (3 credits)
This course examines critical issues related to social work practice with mature and older adults (and their families) living in rural and small town communities. Topics will include current and future demographics on aging, work, leisure, and retirement activities, grandparents raising their grandchildren, middle age children caring for frail parents, elder abuse and neglect, institutional living, the provision and accessibility of health care services for the elderly, the identification of effective health care delivery systems for older adults, and a review of relevant local, state, and federal policies related to the elderly living in rural and small town communities.
SW 633. Practice V: End of Life Issues in Rural and Small Town Communities (3 credits)
This course is designed to examine the multiple factors that impact individuals and families as they encounter end of life issues. The course will include content on hospice care, end of life directives, loss and grief, spiritual perspectives concerning death and dying, and the influences of ethnicity, culture, gender, and socioeconomic status on the death and grieving process. Major ethical and legal issues associated with the above topics will also be considered.
SW 639 Introduction to SPSS Software (1 credit)
This is a lab-style course designed to introduce the student to the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The course will focus on understanding basic use of the SPSS computer program. This will include a review of research terminology as it relates to basic data analysis, knowledge of how to identify appropriate statistical tests, and the ability to read them.
SW 640 Advanced Research Design (2 credits)
This course is designed to support students in identifying a thesis topic of interest within their area of concentration, initiate a literature review on that topic, determine the feasibility of continuing with the selected topic, and, when feasible, establish a finalized research question or hypothesis, and review both qualitative and quantitative research designs to determine which will best fit the student's research project. Note: It is expected that students will have completed a solid working draft of chapters one and two of their thesis by the completion of this course.
SW 641 Advanced Research Methodology (2 credits)
This course provides students with an opportunity to continue working on a research problem within their area of concentration, complete their literature review, identify a sample population, design a research tool, select an appropriate data analysis approach, collect, measure, and establish a "decision plan" related to accepting or rejecting their hypothesis (or research question), and complete a formal written research proposal. Note: It is expected that students will have completed a solid proposal document, which includes Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of their thesis project, by the end of this course.
Please note that students who do not complete their research thesis project within two semesters will be charged a fee equivalent to the cost of one credit each succeeding semester the project remains incomplete.
SW 651 Practice III: Current Issues in Rural and Small Town Management and Practice (3 credits)
This course focuses on current management and community practice trends as they impact the delivery of human services (in rural and small town communities) and the requisite knowledge and collaborative skills needed to address them. Students will analyze the extent to which current trends, such as funding and the transfer of responsibilities from the federal to state and local levels, the emergence of managed care in various arenas of physical and mental health venues, growing cultural diversity in the United States (and internationally), computer technology and information management, privatization, contract services, the aging of the population, changes in migration patterns, rural industrialism, and numerous other economic and political shifts, are transforming the need for and delivery of human services to rural and small town America.
SW 652 Practice IV: Leadership Skills and Management Practices in Rural and Small Town Settings (3 credits)
This course focuses on social work management and leadership skills required in the development and management of human service delivery systems in rural and small town America. It is the second required course for advanced management and community practice students. The course is based on the social welfare management perspective that individuals and groups use to transform agency policies into the delivery of social services. The content builds on both the macro social work practice foundation course and the first advanced macro course, which focuses on group, organizational, and community theory and strategies for change. Course content includes theories of leadership, communication, conflict, motivation, power and influence, ethics, diversity issues, strategic management, human resource management, evaluation, and financial management in rural and small town environments.
SW 654 Practice V: Financial Management and Resource Development in Rural and Small Town Social Welfare Administration (includes required lab) (3 credits)
This course examines administrative decision making related to financial planning and resource allocation in rural and small town human service organizations. Technical aids to budgeting and other aspects of financial management are considered. Knowledge and skills in budgeting, allocating, expenditure control, fundraising, grant writing, marketing, and evaluation will be studied. Traditional as well as innovative resource management and development strategies will be discussed with the realization that while rural and small town communities face many unique economic challenges, technology is now increasing the interdependence of urban and rural areas making it possible for rural and small communities to embrace the world economy.
SW 661 Practice III: Mental Health Theories: Emphasis on Rural and Small Town Populations (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills for assessment, intervention, and evaluation with client systems in various types of public and private settings with a focus on the special needs of rural and small town populations. A variety of mental health theoretical models utilized in advanced social work practice will be explored. Issues related to cultural/ethnic diversity, the impact of economic discrimination/oppression on client populations, and the role of values and ethics will also be covered.
SW 662 Practice IV: Clinical Assessment/Intervention/Evaluation in Rural and Small Town Communities (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding (both cognitive and empathic) of the various kinds of disorders that social work clients in physical and mental health settings may experience. It will help students define those clinical entities, explore their etiology and natural courses, and learn how to link diagnosis and intervention. Emphasis will be placed on the concepts of labeling and stigmatization and employing an empowerment approach with clients who suffer from mental or emotional disorders. The complexity of the intersection between the mental/emotional and physical selves will be explored.
SW 664 Practice V: Group Treatment in Rural and Small town Communities (includes required lab) (3 credits)
This course focuses on the development of knowledge and skills in the use of group methods in social work practice. The historical development of the use of groups in social work will be traced and current trends in group work will be reviewed. The classroom will serve as a laboratory for students to practice and develop their group leadership skills. Emphasis will be placed on forming the group, assessing member needs, setting goals, structuring group tasks, activities, and experiences, understanding and enhancing group functioning, enabling collaborative processes, facilitating transfer of change, evaluating individual and group change, and terminating the group.
SW 670 Field Instruction III (3 credits)
This is the first of two concentration field placements. Building upon the content and skills learned in the foundational/baccalaureate program in social work, this course is designed to guide students in an evaluation of their mastery of generalist knowledge and theory, values, ethics, and practice skills. Pre-requisite: SW 651 or SW 661; Co-requisite: SW 652 or SW 662 and SW 671
SW 671 Field Instruction Seminar III (1 credit)
Seminar will require students to begin the process of integrating social work knowledge and skills from their earlier experiences in practicum/employment with the advanced knowledge, theories, and skills they are currently gaining and apply this learning (with supervision) to the provision of human services in their community. In this process emphasis is placed upon assisting students in identifying with the profession of social work and increasing their awareness of the professional use of self. Students will attend a seminar designed for their area of concentration. Co-requisite: SW 670
SW 672 Field Instruction IV (3 credits)
Students will continue their instruction in a selected, organized field setting and seek to integrate and apply the knowledge, theories, and concepts of social work practice they are developing by building on previous educational, life, and work experiences to develop new areas of professional competence. Co-requisite: SW 673
SW 673 Field Instruction Seminar IV (1 credit)
Seminar will encourage the student to bring together and to integrate for professional growth and use: cognitive learning, professional competence, values and ethics, life experience, and learning/work activities which will enhance critical thinking, the processing of theory, and the utilization of professional skills for social work practice. Co-requisite: SW 672
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