Graduate School of Social Work
MSW Course Descriptions
SOWK 4001 Social Work Skills Lab (3 credits)
This course focuses on learning and practicing a wide range of social work skills using a framework of readings, in class and workbook practice exercises, video-taped assignments and follow-up self assessment.
Student role-plays are video- and audio- taped in a clinical classroom equipped with a one-way observation mirror, helping students develop the highest level of clinical skills.
SOWK 4002 Clinical Theories & Prac I (3 credits)
This course helps students develop a multi-dimensional assessment and intervention framework for clinical practice by critically examining, integrating and correctly applying various theoretical lenses to understand interactions among people and their environment. This is the first of a two-course sequence covering meta-frameworks (post-modern constructivism, critical theory and feminist theory), as well as specific assessment and intervention theories including systems theory/ecological perspective, empowerment/strengths perspective, multicultural theory, psychodynamic developmental theories, solution-focused therapy and narrative therapy. Working with individuals is given greater emphasis in this course. Prerequisite: SOWK 4001.
SOWK 4003 Clinical Theories & Prac II (3 credits)
This course applies the same multi-dimensional assessment and intervention frameworks and theories covered in SOWK 4002 to working with families, couples and groups. Prerequisite: SOWK 4002.
SOWK 4007 Community Theories & Prac I (3 credits)
This begins a two-quarter sequence introducing students to macro social work practice and roles. Theories of leadership, community and organizations are covered. These theories are applied to community and organizational practice in community development, social planning, social policy advocacy, community organizing and social work management. Prerequisite: SOWK 4001.
SOWK 4008 Community Theories & Prac II (3 credits)
This is the second half of a two-quarter sequence. This course continues an introduction to macro social work practice and roles. Prerequisite: SOWK 4007.
SOWK 4020 Social Work Practice (3 credits)
This course offers a problem-solving framework for social work practice, including exploration, assessment, goal setting, planning, implementation, evaluation and termination. This course uses an in-depth assessment framework incorporating processes of professional relationship development, communication, role-taking, ethical decision-making and the principle of empowerment in practice with multi-size client systems.
SOWK 4118 History of Social Welfare & SW (3 credits)
History of Social Welfare and Social Work reviews development of social welfare policy and social work practice in the U.S., from the colonial era to the present; analysis of poor law antecedents of U.S. social welfare development; political, social and economic context of values and political decisions affecting government and private-sector social welfare strategies, including professionalization of social work practice; issues regarding the structure, sanction and knowledge base of social work practice; differential effect of the formal response to the needs of the poor, ethnic minorities, disabled, women and elderly; and development of various forms of institutional racism in society.
SOWK 4120 Social Welfare Policy (3 credits)
Social Welfare Policy Analyzes contemporary societal needs and problems, as well as U.S. social welfare programs and policies. Presents frameworks used to define social problems and analyze social policies, and introduces students to the policy-making process, with special emphasis on programs designed to aid the poor and the policies that shape them. Designed to help social workers work effectively within the social welfare system and fulfill their ethical obligations to improve social conditions and promote social justice. Prerequisite; SOWK 4118. 3 qtr. hrs.
SOWK 4132 Multicultural SW Practice (3 credits)
Examines the phenomenon of oppression of diverse populations and its effect on multicultural social work practice. Intended to increase awareness of multi-dimensional aspects of race/ethnicity. gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and disabilities, as well as other multicultural issues in interventions with individuals, families, organizations and communities.
SOWK 4150 Foundation Seminar (1 credits)
Required seminar format used to facilitate the integration of the foundation field practicum and the professional foundation course content; emphasis on linking classroom learning with practice in the field, integrating theory with professional practice; field practicum situations and issues used for discussion and deliberation. Co - requisite: SOWK 4980
SOWK 4201 Research Methods and Design (3 credits)
This introduction to social work research is the first of three required courses in the research sequence and is based on the assumption that social work practitioners must develop an early appreciation for the need and place of scientific inquiry in the resolution of social problems and the specific problems encountered by their clients. Focuses on quantitative research methods and designs and the logic of data analysis in social work research and practice. Examines ethical principles and values used to guide the conduct of social work research.
SOWK 4250 Concentration Seminar (1 credits)
This course is taken (by distance education students only) concurrently with the concentration year field practicum and the concentration year required courses. The purpose of this course is to integrate the concentration field experience and concentration year course work to prepare students for employment as professional social workers. This is also an evolving seminar co-created between faculty and students. Clinical issues and skill development at a more advanced clinical level will also be integrated into the seminar format as well as topics the student and faculty members agree upon that will enhance their first year learning.
SOWK 4299 Advanced Standing Seminar (3 credits)
The seminar reviews knowledge, skills and values that form the basis of GSSW concentration year curricula in clinical practice, community practice and policy practice. The seminar combines content planned by instructors with individualized guided study and planning for field instruction based on student self-assessments. Prerequisite: Admission to advanced standing program.
SOWK 4305 Child Maltreatment (3 credits)
Examines theory and research concerning causes and developmental consequences of child maltreatment, as well as theory and research concerning attachment and the developmental consequences of separation and loss that often follow intervention in child maltreatment. A required course in the Child Welfare Track. Prerequisite: Completion of foundation year curriculum, admission to MSW program with advanced standing or permission of the instructor.
SOWK 4315 Building Resilience (3 credits)
Provides students with knowledge of child and adolescent development with a particular focus on resilience. At each stage of development, risk factors that are deleterious to development, and protective factors that promote healthy development, will be discussed. Along with basic information about theories of resiliency, students will also gain a good working knowledge of cognitive behavior theory. A required course in the High-Risk Youth Track and an elective course in the Child Welfare Track.
SOWK 4320 Theories/Prac Fam Sys Therapy (3 credits)
Introduces family systems, feminist and cultural/contextual models of family therapy, integrating theory, practice and skill development. Content includes current family structures and assessment and intervention from a family systems perspective with couples and families. Family system models covered: intergenerational, structural, strategic, solution-focused brief, narrative and feminist. Analyzes intersecting issues of oppression: sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism and ageism. This is a required course in the Families Track and an elective course in the High-Risk Youth Track. Prerequisite: completion of foundation year course work or permission of adviser and instructor.
SOWK 4330 Assmt Mental Health in Adults (3 credits)
Focuses on the assessment of psychological, social and biological contributors to mental health disorders in adults and the use of this assessment as a guide for treatment/ clinical interventions. Examines the strengths and weaknesses of the DSM-IV classification system in terms of social work values and ethics. Examines symptoms, theories of etiology, treatment interventions and prognosis within each diagnostic category, and reviews a variety of assessment tools in the context of gender, ethnicity, cultural diversity, sexual orientation and historically oppressed and/or disadvantaged populations. Choice of this course of SOWK 4445 required in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Track.
SOWK 4340 Theories of Leadership in SW (3 credits)
Examines major theories of leadership for organizations with an emphasis on transformational leadership models. Focuses on leadership roles and examination of leadership styles and skills for practitioners in community, administrative or policy leadership positions. Content includes futurist thinking and analysis of trends, leadership theories, identification of leadership styles and skills, ethics of leadership, promoting positive organizational culture and changes, analysis of power and empowerment in leadership roles. A required course in the Leadership for Community and Organizational Practice Track.
SOWK 4345 Perspectives on Adulthood (3 credits)
This course examines multiple perspectives on the adult years, spanning the transition from adolescence into young adulthood, through middle adulthood and on into late adulthood, including historical, biological, psychological, social, and cross-cultural theories and related empirical studies of adulthood and aging. Topics include wellness and longevity; work, technology advances, and loss of work due to age discrimination; leisure and retirement; economic status; residence and housing location; education and learning styles; interpersonal relationships with partners, children, aging parents, extended family members and peers; creativity, spirituality and religiosity; political beliefs and ideologies (including the formation of prejudice and racism); the experience of chronic illness, disability, and death; and wisdom attained during adulthood and aging. This is a required course in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Track and an elective course in the Families Track.
SOWK 4410 Preven/Trtmt Adol Subst Abuse (3 credits)
This course examines causal factors and theories that seek to explain why some adolescents develop problems with alcohol and other drugs. Effective substance abuse prevention and treatment approaches are identified at the individual, family, school and community level. This is a required course in the High-Risk Youth Track.
SOWK 4415 Intake & Family-Based Services (3 credits)
This course examines decision-making in child welfare at the point of family referral to the child welfare system, the processes involved in family assessment and service planning, and design, delivery and intervention skills for home-based child welfare services. This course is required for students in the Child Welfare Track. Prerequisite: completion of foundation year curriculum, admission to the MSW Program with advanced standing or permission of the instructor. It is preferred that students have completed SOWK 4305 prior to taking this course.
SOWK 4416 Foster Care and Adoption (3 credits)
This course presents strategies for culturally competent assessment and intervention with children who are in foster care, adoption, or with their families. It focuses on permanency planning, involving extended families in making case decisions and caring for children, family reunification, relinquishment of children for adoption, termination of parental rights, preparing children and parents for adoption or guardianship, working with young adults nearing emancipation, and providing post-adoption/guardianship services. This is a required course in the Child Welfare Track. Prerequisites: SOWK 4305 and SOWK 4600, or permission of the instructor.
SOWK 4420 Strat/Technique Family Therapy (3 credits)
A skill-based class where students learn to apply family systems knowledge to case situations. Teaching strategies include role-play and discussion of actual cases. This is a required course in the Families Track. Prerequisite: SOWK 4320.
SOWK 4430 Drug Dependency Interventions (3 credits)
There is widespread recognition that substance abuse is one of America's most pressing social problems. Social workers increasingly find themselves attempting to help individuals and families resolve substance abuse problems, as well as directly or indirectly related issues. This course introduces students to current and emerging substance abuse treatment approaches, so they can conduct their practices from an informed perspective. This is a required course in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenge Track and an elective course in the Child Welfare Track.
SOWK 4435 Empower Prac w/Diverse Comm (3 credits)
Examines empowerment practice and community organizing as a social work intervention method. Topics include challenges of community practice in today's world and with diverse groups; special tactics and techniques of community organizing and community capacity building models; empowerment of oppressed populations; ethical issues in community practice; social work and social justice. This is a required course in the Leadership for Community and Organizational Practice.
SOWK 4445 Assessment & Interv in Aging (3 credits)
This course focuses on biological, neurological, psychological, social, spiritual, and environmental aspects of late life as a foundation for the delivery of assessments and interventions to older adults. This course presents information on demographic projections, population trends, and theoretical perspectives that inform gerontological social work practice. This class additionally focuses on the unique nature of social work with this diverse population including a continuum of care services for older adults, interdisciplinary nature of helping services, dynamic nature of aging for multiple vulnerable older adults - those facing institutionalized oppression, and specific attention to elder wellness.
SOWK 4500 Mental Hlth Interven w/Childrn (3 credits)
This course offers an integrative framework of theory and research to understand and intervene in the major mental health problems experienced by children. Interventions include both direct work with children and collaborative/conjoint work with parents. Techniques include play therapy, cognitive-behavioral interventions, psychopharmacology, and crisis intervention for suicide. Children's development is considered from a multidimensional perspective, including cultural context, risk and protective factors, and the development of psychopathology.
SOWK 4505 Social Work Practice w/Couples (3 credits)
Focuses on assessment, problem/solution path identification, intervention strategies and outcome evaluation in counseling heterosexual, gay and lesbian couples. Identifies common relationship patterns and explores intervention strategies including behavioral, strategic, structural, narrative, transpersonal and feminist. Covers issues such as conflict management, relationship enhancement, intimacy, power and control, domestic abuse, infidelity and divorce. Analyzes the intersecting issues of oppression: sexism, racism, classism, heterosexism and ageism. This is a required course in the Families Track.
SOWK 4525 Human Serv Prog Dev/Admin Prac (3 credits)
Focuses on the functions of a manager/administrator, including planning processes, organizational structure, staffing, organizing, marketing and inter-organizational collaboration, and how these functions interact in directing the social work organization. Emphasizes program development as a critical component of administrative practice and includes application of skills in strategic thinking and planning, personnel management, teamwork, ethical decision-making and collaboration. This is a required course in the Leadership for Community and Organizational Practice Track.
SOWK 4600 Child Welfare Policies/Service (3 credits)
Examines contemporary U.S. child welfare policies in historical perspective, focusing on prevention, report and investigation of child abuse and neglect, as well as family preservation, out-of-home care, adoption and services for troubled adolescents. Evaluates the impact of policies and proposals for change in policies, considering empirical evidence, values and ethics. Provides a framework to analyze policy choices and encourages students to advocate for needed policy changes. This is a required course in the Child Welfare Track. Prerequisite: SOWK 4120 or admission to advanced standing program.
SOWK 4610 Policies/Prog High-Risk Youth (3 credits)
Examines the history and evolution of social policies and programs targeting high-risk youth. Seeks to critically analyze the effects of current and recent policies in the context of youth offending and other adolescent problem behaviors. This is a required course in the High-Risk Youth Track. Prerequisite: SOWK 4120, admission to advanced standing program or permission of the instructor.
SOWK 4630 Family Policies and Services (3 credits)
Identifies challenges contemporary American families are experiencing and presents strategies for developing policies and services to meet these challenges. Examines specific policies and services that most affect families, as well as broader questions concerning power and its distribution, allocation of resources and the role of government in promoting individual and family well-being. A required course in the Families Track. Prerequisite: SOWK 4120, admission to advanced standing program or permission of the instructor.
SOWK 4640 Mental Hlth & Drug Dep Pol/Sys (3 credits)
Provides a comprehensive understanding of policies related to mental health and/or drug dependency, their historical antecedents and the socio-political forces that influence their development. Also introduces students to emerging controversies concerning these policies. Choice of this course or SOWK 4650 required in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Track. Prerequisite: SOWK 4120 or admission to advanced standing program.
SOWK 4650 Soc Pol/Serv in Health & Aging (3 credits)
Provides an overview of social policy and service delivery issues in health care and gerontology. Includes a critical review of rapidly developing policy issues, as well as an overview of U.S. health care, social service delivery systems and other key issues in the field. Encourages students to participate in critical analysis of issues and to develop and analyze innovative proposals to improve health care and programs for the elderly. Choice of this course of SOWK 4640 required in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Track. Prerequisite: SOWK 4120 or admission to advanced standing program.
SOWK 4660 Social Policy Advocacy (3 credits)
Facilitates student learning within policy-making arenas. Students are paired with health and social service agencies and coalitions to assist in agenda-setting, legislative research, and issue-advocacy development and implementation in the state legislature and bureaucracy. An elective course in the Leadership for Community Organizational Practice Track.
SOWK 4670 Policy Development & Analysis (3 credits)
Focuses on the development and analysis of social welfare policy. Reviews the structure of the policy-making and implementation process, and examines perspectives on the definition of social problems and approaches to the development and analysis of social welfare policies. Students apply the perspectives and frameworks as they analyze a specific social problem and policy directed toward it, identify needed change in policy, select place and strategy for change in policy, and communicate knowledge to central actors in the policy-making and implementation process. An option for the policy course requirement in the Leadership for Community and Organizational Practice Track. Prerequisites: SOWK 4120 or SOWK 4299 or permission of the instructor.
SOWK 4700 Brief Practice Modalities (3 credits)
Explores theory and application of brief practice modalities used in various settings, focusing on strategies for contact, data collection, assessment, intervention, evaluation and termination within the context of short-term models. Applies theory to specific client systems, drawing on knowledge of appropriate techniques, socio-cultural factors and types of problems presented. An elective course in the Families, Child Welfare, High-Risk Youth and Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Tracks.
SOWK 4705 Forensic Orientation/Soc Work (3 credits)
Presents and applies a framework for assessing and intervening with offender populations. This risk and containment framework takes a community safety and victim-centered perspective and focuses on assessing and intervening with multiple systems surrounding offenders. The framework is then applied to specific interventions with domestic violence abuse offenders and with adult and adolescent sexual offenders. An elective course in the Child Welfare Track.
SOWK 4710 Domestic Violence (3 credits)
This is a concentration year practice elective focusing on understanding, assessing, and intervening with domestic violence, understood as violence occurring in the context of intimate relationships. The purpose of this course is to provide students with the theoretical understanding and practice skills necessary to establish a beginning competence in assessing and intervening with domestic violence and in developing community, systemic, and policy responses. A track elective course in the child welfare track and a general elective for all other tracks.
SOWK 4712 Law of Family and Child (3 credits)
Examines legal principles and procedures relevant to social work practice with families and children: structure and operation of American legal system, principles to follow in conducting legal research, basic principles of constitutional law and law related to juvenile delinquency, child protection, child adoption, education and domestic relations. Covers legal aspects of social work practice including licensing, confidentiality and professional liability. Successful completion required for certification as school social worker in Colorado. An elective course in the High-Risk Youth and Child Welfare Tracks.
SOWK 4715 School Base Prevent Hi-Rsk Yth (3 credits)
Designed to give students the ability to identify, understand and apply the varied roles of school social worker. Examines politics of education, the educational organizational structure, special education law and process, collaborative teamwork with school and community professionals and intersystem case coordination. Emphasis placed on meeting the needs of special education populations through assessment, intervention and evaluation and on preventive programs for children and youth at risk for school failure, truancy and dropping out. An elective course in the High-Risk Youth Track.
SOWK 4720 Preven/Trtmt of Youth Violence (3 credits)
Examines causal factors and theories that seek to explain why some adolescents engage in delinquent conduct and/or violent behavior. Effective delinquency and violence prevention and treatment approaches are identified at the individual, family, school and community levels. A required course in the High-Risk Youth Track.
SOWK 4721 Existential Social Work (3 credits)
The problems facing people can be understood in the context of situations and meanings they give to them. This course seeks to identify useful ways to clarify and validate the client's unique "world view", bypassing the many dangers and misuses of diagnostic categorization and empowering clients in relation to themselves and problem definition. An elective course in the Families and Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Tracks.
SOWK 4723 Intervent Strat in Health Care (3 credits)
Taking an epidemiological perspective to psychosocial problems, this course examines social work strategies appropriate to primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care and explores implications of the social worker's role in interdisciplinary teams in secondary settings. Ethical dilemmas for social workers in medical environments are discussed. An elective course.
SOWK 4725 Mind-Body Connections & SW (3 credits)
Health and illness can be regarded within a systems framework that links that person?s physical, mental, and social aspects of self. This course explores the interactions between an individual's thoughts and his/her physical, emotional, and social health. Combines examination of research and theory on various aspects of mind-body connections with practice skills that can be used in working with clients of all types. An elective course.
SOWK 4730 Cognitive Approaches SW Prac (3 credits)
Examines major cognitive approaches to social work practice, suggesting methods focusing of clients' problem-solving abilities, building on client strengths, targeting specific thought patterns that impede clients from reaching goals and assessing outcomes in terms of changes in thinking and behavior. Theory is applied to individuals, dyads, families and groups. Examines relevant research suggesting both indications and counter-indications of approaches. An elective course.
SOWK 4732 Disrupting Privilege (3 credits)
This course, building on the theoretical foundation in SOWK 4132, Multicultural Social Work Practice, examines the barriers to the professional use of self as an ally to historically disenfranchised groups, bother in the context of day-to-day relationships with clients as well as in the context of community and macro-level interventions. The course is intended to assist in understanding the personal, situational, structural, and cultural influences that impede justice-oriented social work practice. The course supports students in developing strategies, skills, and approaches to anti-oppressive practice. Anti-oppressive social work practice is a range of practice approaches that adopt a critical and structural perspective on issues of social inequality, oppression, power, privilege, and domination. It encompasses approaches such as feminist, anti-racist, Afrocentric, disability practice, and critical social work frameworks to name a few (Campbell, 2003). It attends to both process and outcome (Dominelli, 1998), and links the provision of individual assistance to people from marginalized groups with involvement in social movements corresponding to the marginalization (Carniol, 2000). "The [anti-oppressive] framework enables links to be made between individual action and social structures. It informs practice by enabling the worker to evaluate differences that exist at an individual level and within society and how these impact on each other. It provides the means of making accurate assessments by taking into account the inequalities that texture the lives of those denied access to society's resources because of their defined social status and the exclusionary practices of the dominant system. It demands that we consistently engage in the process of critical self examination, which in turn enables us to engage in the process of change." (Dalrymple and Burke, 1995, p. 18).
SOWK 4735 Psychotherap Interven w/Adults (3 credits)
Utilizes the interpersonal model of psychotherapy, drawing upon psychodynamic, cognitive and family systems theories and techniques. Examines recently emerging psychotherapy/counseling theories and techniques, as well as adult development in women and men. Psychotherapeutic interventions are grounded within the values, ethics and standards of practice for clinical social work. An elective course in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Track.
SOWK 4741 SW with Chronically/Term Ill (3 credits)
Introduces the hospice concept of caring for the terminally ill and their family systems and presents social work roles and models for social work assessment, intervention and evaluation. Other topics include chronic and terminal illness, family systems; death and dying; loss, grief and integration, and cultural diversity. An elective course in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Track.
SOWK 4749 SW Interventions w/Latinos/as (3 credits)
Addresses immigration issues, as well as intervention and theoretical approaches for Latinos/as. Covers the selection of interventions and strategies for cross-cultural use in adequately addressing the needs of Latinos/as. A required course for the Social Work with Latinos/as Certificate. This course is conducted in Spanish.
SOWK 4750 Crit Persp Latino Context (4 or 12 credits)
This course provides a framework for culturally relevant social work services designed to meet the needs of the Latino/a community. This is a social work content course taught in Spanish in collaboration with the Department of Languages and Literatures. Students acquire core principles grounded in an understanding of social justice, privilege, and oppression including the interconnection between human and civil rights, globalization, immigration and poverty. Students expand their oral and written Spanish expression as they learn about cultural, social and political theory. Students learn aspects of Mexican culture, community development, historical patterns of oppression, spirituality, and the role of indigenous movements. As a result of this course, students understand how to advocate for nondiscriminatory cultural, social and economic practices within a Latino context and experience. The course is open to both foundation and concentration students. It is designed for students in all tracks who have an interest in understanding issues facing the Latino community. The first option is a paper that investigates a current social advocacy movement in the Denver Latino community. The second option is an experiential learning in Mexico about culture and social movements. Students must select either the paper or the travel option upon registering for the course. Those students in the Latino/a Certificate in Social Work are required to participate in the experiential learning in Mexico in order to fulfill the requirements for the certificate program. Prerequisite: placement is based on language proficiency test results at the intermediate-advanced level.
SOWK 4751 Global Rel & Poverty in Mexico (3 credits)
Provides a mixture of experiential and academic learning based on the community-learning model of Paulo Friere. Taught in Cuernavaca, Mexico, the course covers Mexican culture, community development, historical patterns of oppression, spirituality and liberation theology, global economics and policy, and the role of indigenous movements. Includes discussion on the relationship between poverty in Mexico and the US, and implication for social workers. A required course for the Social Work with Latinos/as Certificate.
SOWK 4753 Social Develop/Latin America (3 credits)
Covers social development in South and Central America, with special emphasis on Mexico. Practice-oriented, it is geared towards a knowledge of policy-making in Latin America and on the skills required for local social development. A required course for the Social Work with Latinos/as Certificate.
SOWK 4754 Trauma & Recovery in SW Prac (3 credits)
Provides an overview of multi-system level definitions of trauma experience - historical, individual, interpersonal, family, organizational, community, and global. Also examines various approaches to trauma response theory. Promotes the unique contribution social workers have to offer through lenses of strength, resiliency, and coping as well as commitments to multicultural and systems factors. A required course for the Trauma Response & Recovery Certificate.
SOWK 4755 Interv for Responses to Trauma (3 credits)
This course is designed from a strengths perspective, in which the study of trauma is approached from a theoretical base that perceives psychological adjustments after trauma as primarily a "response" rather than a "disorder." Includes information on the integration of cognitive, emotional, and somatic approaches to trauma treatment, as well as consideration of when to use a trauma-informed versus a trauma-focused paradigm. At the community level, the course also includes an introduction to mental health reactions and responses to disaster. A required course for the Trauma Certificate. Prerequisite: SOWK 4754.
SOWK 4756 SW from a Chinese Perspective (3 credits)
This course provides students with a unique opportunity to learn first in the classroom the social, cultural, historical, political, and economic characteristics of China and how these characteristics shape social work in China. Then students learn by experiencing social work in China. In Beijing, students participate in lectures given by faculty at China Youth University, discussions with social work students, visits to social work organizations, visits to important cultural landmarks and nightly synthesis of new knowledge and experiences. An elective course.
SOWK 4757 SW & Mexican Culture (3 credits)
This course combines academic classroom instruction with experiential and conversational learning. The goal of the course is to enhance the student's Spanish communication and cultural responsivity skills through dialogue practice and service in Mexico. The course takes place in two cities, Puebla (State of Puebla) and Cuernavaca (State of Morelos) offering both a colonial and urban setting (unless there are State Department travel restrictions). Based on the student's individual skills and interests, and the needs of local field agencies, students become involved in mini field placement-like settings and service learning opportunities preparing them for their concentration field placement at the Graduate School of Social Work where they are expected to demonstrate competency in Spanish. Some of these activities include, but are not limited to, intake and assessment, supportive counseling, program planning and implementation, public policy, community development, and health education. Students learn to identify cultural differences and similarities in attitudes towards community organizing and mental health care in order to better address these cultural differences and similarities in the U.S. This experience also allows students to learn Spanish within a cultural and professional context. Students meet two times, for 3 hours, prior to travel. Minimum proficiency level required to attend is Intermediate Spanish (particularly oral). This course is taught in Spanish and is a required course for Social Work with Latinos/as Certificate students (instructor permission is required for any non-certificate student).
SOWK 4758 SW in Kenya (3 credits)
This course is designed to introduce students to the social, cultural and conservation issues of Kenya and East Africa. This course is field-based with strong emphasis on service learning and direct experiences. Course readings, lectures, classroom discussions, services learning projects and field work in rural Kenya provide participants firsthand experience in the social cultural, historical, political, environmental, ecological and economic realities that exist in Kenya. This course is open to qualified concentration and advanced standing Graduate School of Social Work students. The course meets on campus for four sessions before traveling to Nairobi, Voi, and Kasigau, Kenya. Due to the intensive nature, remote travel logistics and costs for this course, direct communication with the professors is required. Qualifications include: Willingness to sign International Travel Agreement; Willingness to receive required medical authorization and immunization; Academic good standing; Readiness for the physical and emotional demands of traveling in rural and remote Africa.
SOWK 4760 Financial Mgmt & Fundraising (3 credits)
Examines financial management aspects of integrated program planning and budgeting with emphasis on practical explanations of, and skill building in, grant proposal writing, budgeting and fiscal processes common to not-for-profit organizations, from government agencies to community programs. Topics include resource acquisition (fund-raising) and resource expenditure (budget development, fiscal management, cost analysis and related ethical issues). An elective course in the Leadership for Community and Organizational Practice Track.
SOWK 4761 Strategic Planning Human Serv (3 credits)
Focuses in depth on early stages of the problem-solving process: exploration, assessment, goal formulation and planning. Students examine key theoretical bases of social planning and the important issues, methodologies and technologies in relation to strategic and tactical aspects of planning in community social work practice. Social planning is examined both as an early stage in the problem solving process and as the setting for a field of practice. An elective course in the Leadership for Community and Organizational Practice Track.
SOWK 4765 Internatl Social Development (3 credits)
Social development is a process of planned instructional change to bring about a better correspondence between human needs and social policies and programs. This class focuses primarily on the developing work with particular emphasis on transitional economies. Practice-oriented, the class is geared toward a knowledge of policy-making for human security and the skills required for local social development. An elective course in the Leadership in Community and Organizational Practice Track.
SOWK 4770 Social Work Supervision (3 credits)
Focuses on the role and function of the social work supervisor in human service agencies. Social workers in supervisory positions are increasingly accountable for the clinical practices of their subordinates and, in addition, have responsibility for effective and efficient function of the administrative components of their units, departments or groups of employees. Topics include the supervisory relationship and learning styles. An elective course in the Leadership for Community and Organizational Practice Track.
SOWK 4775 Social Work with Groups (3 credits)
Offers preparation for working with groups in clinical and community practice. Focuses on uses of groups to bring about change in individual group members, their social environment and the larger social system. Addresses a range from treatment/growth-oriented groups to task/action-oriented groups, and examines impact of gender, age, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation on groups. Includes issues of practice evaluation. A required course in the Adulthood and Late Life Challenges Track.
SOWK 4780 Conflict Resolution SW Pract (3 credits)
Covers methods of conflict resolution including negotiation, bargaining and mediation. Applies social work role of mediator to families, divorces and child custody, elder care issues, groups and organizations. Examines frameworks and helps students build skills for conflict resolution in practice. An elective course.
SOWK 4790 Human Sexuality (3 credits)
Integrates human sexuality in the thinking and practice of social workers. By viewing sexual behavior from the social work perspective, the student is prepared to assume a significant role in helping clients deal with issues of human sexuality. Focuses on clients experiencing sexual dysfunction and on sexually oppressed client groups including the elderly, the homosexually or bisexually oriented, the physically or developmentally challenged and the sexually abused. An elective course.
SOWK 4795 Animals in Therapeutic Setting (3 credits)
Explores the human-animal bond and potential for therapeutic intervention with the animal as teacher, therapist, facilitator and companion in a number of therapeutic settings. Focuses on core skills for social workers seeking to integrate this clinical approach into their practice. A required course for the Animal-Assisted Social Work Certificate.
SOWK 4796 Animal Assisted SW Practice (3 credits)
This course provides a comprehensive examination of approaches to Animal Assisted Social Work (AASW) and emphasizes clinical application skills utilized with a broad array of persons and in a number of therapeutic settings. Students will learn to design, implement and analyze the efficacy of AASW approaches within their chosen area of specialization, providing an opportunity to practice these approaches in their field internships. Students will learn to clearly articulate, assess, and intervene in "link" violence as it relates to social work practices and AASW implications. A required course for the Animal-Assisted Social Work certificate. Prerequiste: SOWK 4795 or permission of instructor.
SOWK 4820 Family Studies I (1 or 2 credits)
This course aids students in identifying personal strengths and weaknesses which may contribute to therapeutic work with clients.
SOWK 4821 Family Studies II (1 or 2 credits)
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the historical development and basic theory and practice of family therapy.
SOWK 4825 Assessment and Treatment (1 or 2 credits)
This course provides knowledge of assessment concepts that are related directly to strategy and goal planning, which facilitate proceeding with the early phase of family treatment.
SOWK 4826 Applied Ethics (1 or 2 credits)
This class enhances the student's understanding of the professional, legal and ethical issues in systemic, relational, and family therapy.
SOWK 4830 Strat & Tech Family/Play Thera (1 or 2 credits)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the origin theory and use of strategic and narrative methods in marital and family therapy.
SOWK 4831 Couples I (2 credits)
This course concentrates on approaches to couples therapy. Developmental models of couples work are explored.
SOWK 4835 Multi-Problem Families (1 or 2 credits)
This course is offered as part of the cooperative program with the Denver Family Institute. Course focuses on the development of skills needed for working in multi-disciplinary settings. Emphasis is on integrating family therapy theory and practice with individual models.
SOWK 4900 Methods for Eval Practice/Prog (1 to 3 credits)
Provides students with strategies for evaluating social work practice at multiple system levels. Prerequisite: SOWK 4201 or admission to advanced standing program.
SOWK 4901 Applied Practice Eval Research (3 credits)
Provides students with the opportunity to conduct a practice evaluation project in their field setting. Prerequisite: SOWK 4900.
SOWK 4950 Foundation Field Internship (1 to 15 credits)
This required practicum provides foundation students with the opportunity to integrate social work theory and practice for effective professional intervention at clinical and community levels. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: SOWK 4001, 4002, 4003, 4007, 4008. Co-requisite: SOWK 4150.
SOWK 4960 Concentration Field: Clinical (1 to 18 credits)
Concentration students participate in planned clinical practice experience that integrates classroom theory, the learning of practice skills and the continued development of social work attitudes, ethics and values in the clinical practice setting. Prerequisite: completion of foundation year course work and field practicum.
SOWK 4961 Concentration Field: Community (1 to 18 credits)
Concentration students participate in planned community practice experience that integrates classroom theory, the learning of practice skills and the continued development of social work attitudes, ethics and values in the community practice setting. Prerequisite: completion of foundation year course work and field practicum.
SOWK 4965 Int'l Field Practicum (0 to 18 credits)
This international course fulfills partial requirement for a student's concentration year practicum. In an international social work setting the practicum provides students with the opportunity to integrate social work theory and practice for effective professional intervention at clinical and community levels.
SOWK 4971 Experimental Class (3 credits)
Experimental courses allow GSSW to provide a wide variety of course offerings that respond to current issues and themes in the profession as they arise, as well as providing specialized courses that relate to the interests and areas of expertise of our faculty. All experimental courses are offered as electives open to all students. Prerequisite: determined by each instructor.
SOWK 4992 Directed Study (1 to 10 credits)
A permanent catalog course delivered on an individual basis when the course is not offered that term. Directed studies are approved under extenuating circumstances to provide an opportunity to complete a required course. Prerequisite: approval of instructor and MSW director. Credit hours vary according to the catalog course taken.