2008-09 CATALOG

 

MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK

Director:  Sherry Edwards

Program Description

The mission of the Social Work Program at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke seeks to prepare students to become leaders in enhancing the quality of life and seeking solutions to rural problems. It is particularly concerned with the consequences of injustice, and thus focuses on the empowerment of populations-at-risk and the advancement of economic, political and social justice in all communities. Additionally the mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke is to prepare students for professional social work practice within an advanced generalist model. Social workers prepared using a generalist model have the capacity to practice in varied settings with diverse client populations. They are equipped to utilize resources available in rural areas and prepared for challenges faced when working with indigenous communities. They have an awareness of both historical and contemporary social issues that are embedded in a framework of a larger, more global reality.

 

Program-Specific Admissions Standards

Applications are welcome at any time during the year, but the MSW program will not admit new students for spring semester.  All admissions will be for summer or fall terms.

Request your recommendations from professional supervisors or university faculty who are not members of the UNCP Social Work Department.

Submit an essay which incorporates both autobiographical information and discussion of a social problem.  Detailed directions are available on the Graduate School website and must be carefully followed.

Complete a criminal background check.  Directions and a link to the URL are available on the Graduate School website.

 

 

 

 

 

COURSES

SWK 5000. Human Behavior and the Social Environment I

This course, which is the first semester of a two-part sequence (SWK 5000 and 5150), reflects a critical perspective on understanding individuals, families, and their interpersonal and group relationships; lifespan development; theories of well-being, stress, coping and adaptation. The emphasis within this course is on knowledge about individuals and small social systems and the implications of this knowledge for all domains of social work practice. Major components will be concerned with the processes of oppression, privilege, and discrimination and factors that help people and small social systems change. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School.

SWK 5050. Foundations of Social Work Practice

This course provides the context for advanced generalist social work practice. Students will learn about the historical development of the social work profession. The course offers an overview of contemporary social work practice and the need for social services in a modern society. It reviews social work methods and fields of practice with an emphasis on professional values and ethics. The objectives are realized through an Ethical Dilemma Paper, a person model of advanced generalist social work practice paper, class discussions, and experiential exercises. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School; Co-requisite: SWK 5000.

SWK 5060. Social Work Practice With Individuals

This course emphasizes social work concepts and fundamental skills of practice with individuals and their families. Students will learn a problem solving process that includes problem identification, needs and strengths assessments, planning, intervention, termination, and evaluation. Skills in relationship building, interviewing, and recording and documentation will be reviewed. Knowledge and skills relevant to practice with populations at risk including women, people of color, those who are gay and lesbian, and/or are economically impoverished will be emphasized. Issues of oppression, diversity, social justice, values, and ethics will be integrated throughout the course. Attention will also be given to the evolution of social work practice from an historical perspective. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisites: Admission to Graduate School and SWK 5050.

SWK 5070. Social Welfare Policies and Programs

This course provides students with an overview of the history and development of social policy and programs in the United States. Students will learn how to analyze contemporary social policy issues and social programs and to understand the relationship between social policy and law. The course focuses on political, economic, and other social conditions that influence policy and law with an emphasis on social justice. Students will learn basic legal research and will become familiar with laws that provide the foundation for many social policies. Students will develop skills necessary to function within the legal system on behalf of various vulnerable populations. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School; Corequisites: SWK 5000 and 5050.

SWK 5100. Social Work Research

The purpose of this course is to increase students’ knowledge of various research and evaluation methods that can be used in social work settings across a number of populations and modalities. The course will focus on how ethics apply to research and evaluation, research problems are formulated, how hypotheses or research questions are derived, and the specific designs that researchers may use in addressing specific research topics. Students will learn the processes involved in carrying out social work research, examine social work research issues, evaluate research findings, and assess research Credit, 3 semester hours. Prerequisites: SWK 5050, 3600, and 3910.

SWK 5150. Human Behavior and the Social Environment II

This course stimulates student thinking about the role of privileged and oppressed statuses and their influence on human development. This emphasis is supported by the NASW Code of Ethics, which states: “Social workers should obtain education about and seek to understand the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, political belief, religion, and mental or physical disability” (NASW Code of Ethics, 1.05c). Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisites: Admission to Graduate School and SWK 5000.

SWK 5200. Social Work in a Diverse Community

This course is designed to present students with an overview of the complex issues surrounding social work with diverse populations. Students will explore the impact of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, ability, and/or gender, and examine the consequences of marginalizing members of oppressed groups. Students will play an active role in their own learning through the use of writing, electronic discussion groups, and other experiential exercises. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Co/Prerequisite: SWK 5050.

SWK 5300. Field Instruction I and Seminar

This is the first course of four field experiences that enable students to apply master’s level coursework in a generalist practice setting. Students, agency supervisors, and faculty field instructors plan activities that will support the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning contracts. Students will be exposed to a variety of social work roles and responsibilities. The graduate field instruction includes a seminar that will meet four times throughout the semester. The purpose of the seminar will be for students to share field experiences and to relate them to real world experiences. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Open to MSW students only. Co/Prerequisite: SWK 5050.

SWK 5320. Community Development and Social Planning in Rural Communities

This course examines methods of organizing people for social and political advocacy on their own behalf or on behalf of others to bring about change in rural communities. Rural community advocacy is an empowering process to bring together underrepresented groups to generate power and create a more socially just society. This course builds on the foundation course work. Credit, 3 semester hours. 

SWK 5400. Field Instruction II and Seminar

This is the second course of four field experiences that enable students to apply master’s level coursework in a generalist practice setting. Students, agency supervisors, and faculty field instructors plan activities that will support the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning contracts. Students will be exposed to a variety of social work roles and responsibilities. The graduate field instruction includes a seminar that will meet four times throughout the semester. The purpose of the seminar will be for students to share field experiences and to relate them to real world experiences. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Open to MSW students only. Prerequisites: SWK 5050, 5300; Corequisite: 5060.

SWK 5410. Management and Supervision in Diverse Settings

The purpose of this course is to equip students to perform a variety of management functions in a broad range of human service organizations. The course will focus on areas that include the role of the manager, theories of management, specific approaches to management of the organization, motivating workers, management of data, information and budgets, and supervision. Emphasis will be on the integration of theory and the practical application of management tools and techniques for effective functioning of the organization. This course builds on the foundation course work. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisite: Admission to the Graduate School

SWK 5430. Advanced Practice with Individuals and Families

This course examines practice with individuals and families. Mastery of tasks that enhance social functioning will be examined. Students will learn effective strength-based interviewing skills. This course builds on the foundation course work. Credit, 3 semester hours.

SWK 5450. Program Evaluation

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the research design techniques necessary to evaluate the effects of services on clients, community needs, and address the needs for accountability. The themes of diversity and social work values and ethics are addressed in relation to macro research methods, program evaluation, and community-based research. Attention is placed on diversity concerns related to indigenous populations. This course covers the applications of research design techniques to data collection in human service agencies and communities, including the use of statistical analysis for program evaluation and needs assessment. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisite: Admission to Graduate School; Corequisite: SWK 5500.

SWK 5500. Field Education III and Seminar

The graduate Field Practicum III is the third of four field experiences that enables students to apply master’s level coursework in a generalist practice setting. Students, agency supervisors and faculty field instructors plan activities that will support the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning contracts. Students will be exposed to a variety of social work roles and responsibilities. Open to MSW students only. Credit, 4 semester hours. Prerequisites: SWK 5300 and 5400; Corequisite: SWK 5570  

SWK 5570. Advanced Social Work Practice with Families in Rural Settings

This course builds on the core frameworks and competencies acquired in the foundation classes to help students develop specialized knowledge and skills for working with families. The emphasis of the course is on family- and community-centered assessment and intervention within an ecological framework. Special attention is given to the needs of families affected by poverty and oppression. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisites: SWK 5580, 5050, 5060.

SWK 5580. Social Work Practice with Groups and Organizations in Rural Communities

This advanced generalist course builds on the content presented during the foundation year. It focuses on the processes of intervention in task and individual change groups. Particular attention will be given to the recruitment and composition of group members, leadership structure of small groups and organizations, phases of group development, and such group processes as decision-making, tension reduction, conflict resolution, goal setting, contracting, and evaluation in the rural setting. Organizational theories will be covered as well. Theories that support social justice will be emphasized. The course will also consider how gender, ethnicity, race, social class, sexual orientation, and different abilities will impact on various aspects of group functioning such as purpose, composition, leadership, selection of intervention strategies, and group development. A variety of experiential assignments and exercises will be used to help students enhance their leadership knowledge and skills. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisite:  Admission to the Graduate Program. 

SWK 5600. Advanced Clinical Assessment and Intervention Methods

An advanced course in the assessment skills required for professional social work practice in mental health and other clinical settings. The course will focus on clinical assessment as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM IV-TR. Students will be expected to become conversant with the clinical descriptions used in mental health diagnosis and to master the basic assessment skills required of social workers in clinical settings. Students will apply assessment knowledge and skills in planning practical and effective treatment strategies. Clinical assessment skills are not only necessary for the social worker in many areas of direct practice but are of use to all social workers as they deal with other helping professionals (i.e., psychiatrists, psychologists, school counselors, etc.). This may be particularly true in rural settings where the social work generalist may be called upon to function in multiple roles and fields of practice. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisites: SWK 5430 and 5570.

SWK 5700. Child Welfare (Rural/Indigenous Communities)

This course is designed to provide practice knowledge and skills for students preparing for positions in public child welfare. The competencies taught in the course will also give social workers in a variety of settings that serve children a better understanding of the child welfare system and its services in North Carolina. The course is designed to acquaint the student with the tools and techniques necessary to enhance their ability to think critically in a variety of situations and experiences. Credit, 3 semester hours.  Prerequisites: Admission to the MSW Program and SWK 5050.

SWK 5800. Field Education IV and Seminar

The graduate Field Practicum IV is the fourth of four field experiences that enables students to apply master’s level coursework in a generalist practice setting. Students, agency supervisors, and faculty field instructors plan activities that will support the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning contracts. Students will be exposed to a variety of social work roles and responsibilities. Credit, 5 semester hours.  Open to MSW students only. Prerequisites: SWK 5300, 5400, 5500; Corequisite: SWK 5600.