600

During this course students examine mental health and psychopathology across the lifespan from a social work perspective. Students study the history of mental illness and prevalent disorders in the field. Applications for clinical practice emphasize assessing and diagnosing mental disorders based on the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Students engage in analysis and synthesis of social work theories and ethicsin relation to treatment options and best practices. Collaboration with interdisciplinary treatment teams is explored.

This course provides an in depth examination of the clinical skills utilized for the Planned Change Process (engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation) of social work practice at the micro systems level. Students utilize supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior, manage personal values, and make ethical clinical decisions. Students examine and implement ethical use of technology in social work practice settings. Learning is assessed through the analysis of case studies.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the clinical skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation on a mezzo systems level. Practice models and theoretical frameworks are examined and applied with diverse groups and families. Ethical decision-making based on knowledge of the NASW Code of Ethics combined with constructive cognitive and affective processing is practiced. Advanced interpersonal skills are practiced and modeled within the cohort through role plays and collaboration on decision cases. Particular emphasis is given to assessing skills in good beginnings (engagement) and endings (evaluation/termination).

In this course students identify and analyze current social welfare policies and programs with regard to service delivery, human rights, and social, economic, and environmental justice. Program development to more effectively meet the needs of clients and constituencies is explored. Students assess the effectiveness of social welfare policies and programs related to clinical social work practice across the lifespan. Plans are created and policies proposed on behalf of marginalized constituents.

This course is a clinical social work field placement in a social service agency accompanied by a seminar designed to apply learning to clinical social work practice. Placement in an agency is arranged collaboratively with the field director. Weekly synchronous seminar provides opportunities for students to discuss and demonstrate application of knowledge, values, skills, critical thinking, and management of emotions in the context of clinical social work practice. Students teach one another about the variety of settings in which clinical practice occurs and provide a support system for one another. Required time spent in the agency is an average of 16 hours per week for eight weeks. The clinical field experience requires a total of 500 hours accumulated over the course of four field and seminar courses. A minimum of 125 hours must be completed in this first advanced field placement course. Prerequisites: SWK-650, SWK-655, and SWK-672

This course is a continuation of the clinical social work field placement and seminar (SWK-666). The weekly synchronous seminar provides opportunities for students to discuss and demonstrate application of knowledge, values, skills, critical thinking, and management of emotions in the context of clinical social work practice. Students teach one another about the variety of settings in which clinical practice occurs and provide a support system for one another. Required time spent in the agency is an average of 16 hours per week for eight weeks. The clinical field experience requires a total of 500 hours accumulated over the course of four field and seminar courses. A minimum of 125 hours must be completed in this second advanced field placement course. Prerequisite: SWK-666

This course is a continuation of the clinical social work field placement in a social service agency accompanied by a seminar (SWK-667) designed to apply learning to clinical social work practice. The weekly synchronous seminar provides opportunities for students to discuss and demonstrate application of knowledge, values, skills, critical thinking, and management of emotions in the context of clinical social work practice. Students teach one another about the variety of settings in which clinical practice occurs and provide a support system for one another. Required time spent in the agency is an average of 16 hours per week for 8 weeks. The clinical field experience requires a total of 500 hours accumulated over the course of four field and seminar courses. A minimum of 125 hours must be completed in this third advanced field placement course. Prerequisites: SWK-667

This course is a continuation of the clinical social work field placement in a social service agency accompanied by a seminar (SWK-668) designed to apply learning to clinical social work practice. The weekly synchronous seminar provides opportunities for students to discuss and demonstrate application of knowledge, values, skills, critical thinking, and management of emotions in the context of clinical social work practice. Students teach one another about the variety of settings in which clinical practice occurs and provide a support system for one another. Required time spent in the agency is an average of 16 hours per week for 8 weeks. The clinical field experience requires a total of 500 hours accumulated over the course of four field and seminar courses. Since this is the final clinical field placement course the required 500 hours must be completed by the end of this course. Final evaluations based on the entire clinical field placement are completed. Prerequisites: SWK-668

This course is the first of four Topics courses designed to take students from their area of passion to the development and dissemination of research to improve advanced clinical practice. Students parallel their individual interests and strengths with an identified population and/or treatment modality to enhance the field of clinical social work. Students will create a team of mentors to guide the focus of their course of study. This course is a process of exploration, discovery, analysis, synthesis, planning, and application of the intersection of personal strengths, temperament, and interests with professional opportunities.

Students engage in practice informed research and research informed practice in their area of specialization as identified in the Topics in Social Work I course. Current research findings are synthesized and integrated with practice, policy and service delivery methods. Gaps in research are identified. Areas of marginalization and oppression are identified contextually with attention given to the impact of difference and diversity. Students must complete Topics in Social Work I (SWK-671) before taking this course.

In this course students conduct research related to their area of specialization as identified in the Topics in Social Work II course. A research project is selected, approved, designed, and carried out in an ethical manner. Statistical measurements are applied as appropriate to the project. Research findings are analyzed and applied to clinical practice, policy, and service delivery methods. Prerequisite: SWK-672

In this final topics course students produce a final research paper and disseminate the results of their project to a relevant audience in advancing clinical social work practice. Students evaluate their project by designing and utilizing an evaluation tool. Dissemination of evaluation findings provides insight toward improved practice effectiveness. Students develop a professional growth plan as they enter clinical social work practice based on insights from their experience through the Topics in Social Work series.