The undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program and graduate level Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program are both fully accredited by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE). The principal educational objective of the B.S.W. program is to prepare students for beginning, generalist and justice-oriented social work practice with diverse individuals, families, small groups, organizations, and communities. The principal educational objective of the M.S.W. program is to prepare students for advanced social work practice within an area of specialization.
Courses
SWSS 1010. Ldrship for Racial Justice. 3 Credits.
Seminar on creating racial justice through leadership. The 7 C's of leadership development are explored: consciousness of self, congruence, commitment, collaboration, common purpose, controversy with civility, and citizenship. These concepts are applied to explorations of racism and racial justice. Catamount Core: D1, S1.
SWSS 1020. Foundations of Social Work. 3 Credits.
An introduction to the profession of social work, its functions, values, knowledge, and the problems it addresses. Methods include: speakers from human service organizations, case examples, a field trip and unique final exam using a community experience and reflection. Catamount Core: S1.
SWSS 1040. Working with Refugees. 3 Credits.
Provides students an interdisciplinary, entry-level opportunity to learn about the social construction of refugees, the experiences and circumstances of people who become refugees and the apparatus set up to support them using social work/social justice approach. Catamount Core: D2, GC2.
SWSS 1090. Soc Just, Pov, & Inequ in Amer. 3 Credits.
Designed to provide an exploration of the social construction of poverty and the discourses and practices that surround it, in both popular and academic work, and the impact of that construction on the lives of those who experience poverty, as well.
SWSS 1600. Racism & Contemporary Issue. 3 Credits.
Study of perception, conceptualization, and comprehension of racism. Strategies, techniques, and procedures to identify and decrease many facets of racism. Catamount Core: D1, S1.
SWSS 1990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
Designed so that its content and structure may accommodate special issues not offered within the boundaries of an existing course. Open to First-Year and Sophomore students.
SWSS 1991. Internship. 1-3 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 1993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 2990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Course for specific title.
SWSS 2991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion. Pre/co-requisite: Social Work major; Instructor permission; pre-arrangement.
SWSS 2993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 2994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 2995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 3470. Theories in Social Work I. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of traditional and contemporary theories of social work and human behavior and their application in generalist direct practice social work. Prerequisite: SWSS 1020. Catamount Core: D2.
SWSS 3480. Theories in Social Work II. 3 Credits.
Critical examination of traditional and contemporary theories of social work and human behavior and their application in generalist group and macro practice contexts. Catamount Core: D2, S1.
SWSS 3630. Theory & Integration Prep Sem. 3 Credits.
This course is a bridge between theories studied in pre- and co-requisite courses and senior year. It prepares the student for their field practicum. Prerequisites: SWSS 1020, SWSS 3470, SWSS 3670, SWSS 3650. Co-requisites: SWSS 3480, SWSS 3660. Pre/Co-requisites: SWSS 1040, SWSS 1600.
SWSS 3650. Iss & Pol in Social Welfare I. 3 Credits.
An introduction to economic, political, historical, and social forces that influence the development and implementation of social welfare policy. Prerequisite: SWSS 1020.
SWSS 3660. Iss & Pol in Social Welfare II. 3 Credits.
In-depth examination of social welfare policy and accompanying social services in the U.S.; major policy analysis models presented and used. Prerequisite: SWSS 1020, SWSS 3650. Co-requisites: SWSS 3480, SWSS 3630.
SWSS 3670. Intro Social Work Research. 3 Credits.
Introduction to models and methods of social research from a social work perspective. Prerequisite: SWSS 1020.
SWSS 3800. Perspectives on Social Work. 4 Credits.
Taking a social constructionist stance, students explore guiding concepts of the MSW curriculum and their application to social work practice, policy, human behavior and research. Pre/co-requisite: MSW standing.
SWSS 3990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.
SWSS 3991. Internship. 1-18 Credits.
On-site supervised work experience combined with a structured academic learning plan directed by a faculty member or a faculty-staff team in which a faculty member is the instructor of record, for which academic credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 3993. Independent Study. 1-18 Credits.
A course which is tailored to fit the interests of a specific student, which occurs outside the traditional classroom/laboratory setting under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 3994. Teaching Assistantship. 1-3 Credits.
Undergraduate student service as a teaching assistant, usually in an introductory level course in the discipline, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 3995. Undergraduate Research. 1-18 Credits.
Undergraduate student work on individual or small team research projects under the supervision of a faculty member, for which credit is awarded. Offered at department discretion.
SWSS 4680. Social Work Practice I. 3 Credits.
Social work theory and practice methods employed by social workers in providing services to individuals, families, and small groups. Prerequisite: Senior Standing. Co-requisites: SWSS 4710, SWSS 4730.
SWSS 4690. Social Work Practice II. 3 Credits.
Social work theory and practice methods employed by social workers in providing services to groups, organizations, and communities. Prerequisites: SWSS 4680; Senior standing. Co-requisites: SWSS 4720, SWSS 4740.
SWSS 4710. Field Experience Seminar 1. 3 Credits.
Weekly integrative seminar; discussion of practice within field agency. Co-requisites: SWSS 4680, SWSS 4730.
SWSS 4720. Field Experience Seminar II. 3 Credits.
Weekly integrative seminar; discussion of practice within field agency. Prerequisites: SWSS 4710. Co-requisites: SWSS 4690, SWSS 4740.
SWSS 4730. Field Experience I. 6 Credits.
Supervised field-based learning of 15-20 hours per week. Students are placed in human service agencies and organizations and learn the application of social work, theory, ethics and skills. Prerequisite: Senior standing. Co-requisites: SWSS 4680, SWSS 4710.
SWSS 4740. Field Experience II. 6 Credits.
Supervised field-based learning of 15-20 hours per week. Students are placed in human service agencies and organizations and learn the application of social work, theory, ethics and skills. Prerequisites: SWSS 4730; Senior standing. Co-requisites: SWSS 4690, SWSS 4720.
SWSS 4990. Special Topics. 1-18 Credits.
See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.