Social Work

This is an archived copy of the 2021-22 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.ewu.edu.

Amanda Reedy, Chair and Director
department web page

Faculty

Bipasha Biswas, Edward C. Byrnes, Gerry R. Charvat, Stacey L. Chay, Kathryn DePaolis, Mansura Dopico, Margaret Duffy, Beth Halaas, Timothy Hilton, Andrew Israel, Angie Keith, Rie Kobayashi, Vernon Loke, Kara Lopez, Melisa Majnarich, Cindy Nover, Amanda Reedy, Kara Rozeboom, Sarah Shears, Deborah Svoboda.

Deborah Svoboda, MSW Program Director
Kathryn DePaolis, BASW Program Director
Sarah Featherly, Director of Field Education and Training
Christine Babcock, Student Services Coordinator
Colleen Mastel, Program Support Supervisor

Degrees

BA–Social Work Major

MSW–Social Work
MSW–Social Work, Advanced Standing Program

Required courses in this program of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.

Admissions Requirements for High School Students

Students planning to major in social work should have a strong college preparatory background. Volunteer or employment experience with a social service agency is also strongly recommended.

Admissions Requirements for Transfer Students and Students Completing AA Degrees

Early planning is highly advantageous to the student. Transfer students should make an appointment to see the Coordinator of Undergraduate/Graduate Student Services 509.359.6482 to assist in the transfer.

Application Procedures

There are two separate application procedures for admission. Students must be admitted to EWU and be admitted to the School of Social Work. Students seeking admission to the social work program must submit application materials prior to beginning the junior year, normally the winter or spring quarters. Pre-major advising is available through the School by calling 509.359.6482. Applications are available on our web page. Please visit this web page for application deadline information.

Admissions Criteria–students must be admitted to EWU (EWU Admissions) and be admitted to the School of Social Work.

Applicants must have no more than two breath area core requirements (BACRs) to be completed at the time of their application.
Courses that are in progress during the spring quarter in which the student is applying may be counted toward meeting the preceding criterion.
Applicants must have completed ENGL 201 or an equivalent course at another college or university with a minimum grade ≥B- at the time of their application.
Applicants must have completed MTHD 104 with a minimum grade of ≥C at the time of application.
Students shall be advised at the time of application and admission that all BACR or EWU Graduation Requirements, except Senior Capstone, must be completed before a student may begin their practicum during the second year of the program.
A minimum GPA ≥2.5 is required to apply.
Previous Life or Work Experience cannot be substituted for course credit.

Professional Readiness Criteria

Students must have spent a minimum of 40 hours in a volunteer or paraprofessional capacity working in one agency or organization where the applicant's primary responsibilities directly involved working with others in a helping process.
Students must include verification, through one of their references being the person who had direct supervisory responsibility over them and their volunteer or paraprofessional work.
Students must provide two professional or academic references and one MUST be from volunteer or Human Services work experience supervisor.

Transfer Students/Direct Transfer Degrees

Applicants must have either one of the following:

A completed Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) from a community college in Washington, an Associate of Arts Oregon Transfer (AAOT) from a community college in Oregon or a transfer degree from specific community colleges in Idaho and Montana. List of degrees that meet the DTA requirements.

Those who have not completed a transfer degree and/or who are transferring from another university/college must have their credits evaluated on a course-by-course basis for approval of admission for the following requirements.

≥90 quarter credits or ≥60 semester credits, completed
Intermediate Algebra with a grade ≥C (MTHD 104)
English College Composition; Analysis, Research and Documentation with a grade ≥B- (ENGL 201)
two years of high school or one year of college foreign language

Undergraduate Programs

Mission of the School of Social Work

The School is dedicated to promoting leadership in engaging individuals, families, and communities; policy-making; research; and, education for social work professionals. The School prepares its graduates to be ethical and effective change agents at the intersection of families, cultures, communities, and organizations. We are especially committed to educating first-generation college students and those from underserved communities. Graduates will practice with mindfulness about historical oppression and hopefulness in fostering a more socially just world.

Vision

The School prepares social work professionals for practice in the public sector or in those private agencies which address the needs of oppressed and disadvantage populations. Students are provided with the necessary values, knowledge and skills to practice within a rural/regional/small urban service delivery system environment.

Graduates assume key professional practice roles in human service agencies, community organizations, collaborative networks and change focused coalitions.

The curriculum prepares students to engage in processes aimed at empowering individuals to improve their life situation and to modify the organizational, community and societal conditions that prevent oppressed populations from obtaining a basic quality of life.

Through the combined commitment of the practice community and faculty, the School prepares students at the undergraduate and graduate levels for professional social work practice; serves place-bound individuals by providing structured part-time, off-campus, programs; responds to the needs of practitioners through the provision of continuing education, staff development and consultation; and undertakes research activities which contribute to the creation and dissemination of knowledge relevant to the profession.

Accreditation

The School of Social Work at Eastern Washington University is accredited at the baccalaureate and master’s levels by the Council on Social Work Education.

Graduates of the School’s BASW Program will be able to:

identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly;
apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice;
apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments;
engage diversity and difference in practice;
advance human rights and social and economic justice;
engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research;
apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment;
engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services;
respond to contexts that shape practice;
practice professionally with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities through effectively engaging, assessing, intervening and evaluating.

School of Social Work Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to meet the goals of the program within a framework that includes a broad liberal arts education and focused professional social work education and socialization.
Credit for life experience cannot be given for any social work course.

Grades

Social work classes and support classes with a grade <C are not acceptable for graduation.

The Field Practicum

The field practicum experience in the social work program is considered a vital element of the curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. It is the major vehicle that permits the student to discover abilities and areas of growth, integrate theory with practice and explore the world of social welfare services. Students with prior volunteer or work experience will need to seek placements that offer new learning, different tasks, new contacts and opportunities for personal growth.

To enter the practicum, students must have completed all of the social work courses up to the point of practicum entry with a minimum average GPA ≥2.7. The field practicum is open to majors only. Application for the practicum is completed in spring quarter of the student’s junior year. Based upon their learning objectives, students are carefully matched with public or private agency settings in diverse areas of service. Students with prior volunteer or work experience are urged to seek placements that offer different tasks, new contacts and opportunities for personal growth

Graduate Program

The Master of Social Work Program was established in 1974, following authorization by the state government to meet the need for graduate professional education in social work in the Inland Northwest. The first class of graduate students was admitted in 1975, at which time the program was granted accreditation candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Full accreditation was conferred in 1977, reaffirmed in 1984, 1993, 2001 and again in 2008.

The generalist foundation or first half of the MSW program focuses on the CSWE Core Competencies:

demonstrate ethical and professional behavior;

engage diversity and difference in practice;

advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice;

engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice;

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engage in policy practice;
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engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities;

assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities;

evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

The advanced or second half of the MSW program focuses on Advanced Generalist Practice. Advanced generalist practice builds on the generalist foundation and increases the depth and breadth for practice from a multi-level and theoretically sound perspective. We are striving for a deep understanding and application of the “spirit” of social work that embraces social justice in all areas of practice.

Specifically, advanced general practice for the EWU School of Social Work prepares the student for self-directed and autonomous practice through:

advanced knowledge and skills in assessment and intervention methods of research informed practices within a generalist framework;
readiness for leadership in a variety of arenas and practice settings, including program development, coordination, administration and supervision;
social action knowledge and skills in policy analysis, development, legislation action, and community development;
integrated research knowledge and skills that prepare students to evaluate their own practice, programs, and the evidence supporting specific interventions;
elective content, advanced knowledge and skills in specific areas of practice, such as aging, palliative care, disabilities, public health, mental health, addiction, school social work, and child welfare.

MSW Choices

The School Provides Two Options for the MSW: Campus full-time study and community-based part-time study. Advanced Standing programs are available in both campus and community based settings. The GRE is not required for the full-time, part-time or Advanced Standing.

Full-time Campus Program: Students are admitted to the campus program every fall quarter. They follow standard academic-year calendars and complete their degrees within six quarters, excluding summers, in a program of full-time study. Because of the demands of the full-time program, full-time employment is not recommended while a student is in the program.

Part-Time Community-Based Programs: These structured outreach programs have been designed for people who cannot leave job and family to return to school on a full-time basis for a graduate education. Everett and Spokane offer coursework in a hybrid format. Everett courses meet in person every other week and complete coursework online the alternate weeks. Spokane courses are held at the Spokane University District campus three weekends per quarter and the rest are online.

All part-time programs are based on a cohort model that begins once every three years. The sequencing is the same for both PT programs for FT and for Advanced Standing. The curriculum requirements for graduation are the same as those for the on-campus program; however, courses are taken over a three-year period, including summers. These programs charge differential tuition; therefore, there is a higher per-credit fee than the on-campus program to cover faculty travel, use of off-campus facilities and program coordination.

Advanced Standing Program: This program allows qualified BSW graduates to complete their MSW degree within three quarters and one summer term in the full-time program or in seven consecutive quarters in the part-time program. Students are admitted to the full-time campus program every fall quarter. The sequencing is the same for both PT programs for FT and for Advanced Standing.

Admission to the MSW Program is based on the following:

successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
a cumulative GPA ≥3.00 in the most recent undergraduate degree; b. upon recommendation of the Graduate Program Director, the Dean of Graduate Studies may admit a limited number of students, with a GPA <3.00, based upon considerations which includes performance in relevant graduate courses and faculty evaluations.

Admission to the MSW Advanced Standing Option is based on the following:

admission requirements are similar to those of the full-time program,requiring a GPA ≥3.00 in a bachelor’s degree in social work awarded no longer than seven years before the application date. The degree must be from a CSWE accredited undergraduate social work program. No exceptions are made to policies regarding Advanced Standing;
applicants who have questions concerning these criteria are advised to contact the School for further information.

Application Procedures: Applications for each academic year are available the prior Fall. Early application is advised. The School reviews applications when all materials are received. Approved applicants are then pooled and final decisions are made by the MSW Admissions Committee. (Stronger applicants may be informed of the admission decision prior to the decision deadlines.) Please check the website for decision deadlines.

Transfer Students from other CSWE Accredited MSW Programs: Up to 45 credits of foundation year MSW course work can transfer. Check with the graduate director for additional information.

MSW Degree Requirements

Overview of the Curriculum: The MSW program prepares professional social workers to engage in advanced generalist practice across multiple systems and provides leadership for social justice. The curriculum consists of a foundation for generalist practice and an advanced curriculum for advanced generalist practice.

FOUNDATION CURRICULUM: The foundation curriculum focuses on social work practice, social welfare policy and theories of human behavior in the social environment. Courses include Foundations of Social Work Practice, Social Work Assessment and Practice with Individuals and Families, Introduction to Social Welfare and Policy, and Human Development in Contemporary Environments. Social Work Practice in a Diverse Society develops knowledge of diverse populations with whom and on behalf of whom, social workers practice. The course also explores practice principles for working in an increasingly diverse society. Social Work Intervention and Evaluation with Individuals and Families and Social Work Groups continue the development of practice knowledge and skills.

The foundation continues to prepare students for generalist practice with systems of different sizes through the course Organizational and Community Context of Practice. Students learn to critically evaluate and use research in their practice in the course Research Methods for Program and Practice Evaluation. Students also begin field practicum and integrative seminar near the middle of the foundation curriculum. Students are expected to take a total of 16 elective credits for the full and part-time programs, and 12 elective credits for students in the Advanced Standing program (full or part-time programs). Electives can begin to be taken during the end of the foundation year or over summer term.

The MSW program requires a field practicum and accompanying integrative field seminars sequenced over the course of the program. Before beginning the foundation practicum, students participate in the course Field Preparation. After completing this course, each student is placed in a social service agency or other public or private organization related to the welfare of people, community, environment, or society. Direction and instruction are provided by a faculty member of the School of Social Work (FFI or FFL), working collaboratively with a designated agency supervisor(AFI or ATI) in the organization. The faculty member, the agency supervisor and the student negotiate a contract specifying student learning goals, potential field learning experiences and the means for evaluating the field learning. Agencies and organizations throughout the state of Washington and neighboring states in rural, urban and regional settings are used as field placements.

Full time students complete 320 hours (160 hours per quarter; approx. 16 hours per week) in Foundation Practicum and 10 hours per quarter in Foundation Seminar for a total of 340 hours in two quarters;
Part-time students complete 320 hours (106 hours per quarter) in Foundation Practicum and 9 hours per quarter in Foundation Seminar (27) for a total of 347 hours in three quarters (New cohorts starting 2020).

Students who wish to complete practicum requirements within their current or former workplace must indicate this desire to the School at the time of admission. This indication does not automatically ensure a practicum in the workplace. Consideration will be given to each request individually. Practicum placements in the workplace must conform with all of the School’s existing field practicum requirements.

ADVANCED CURRICULUM: Courses in the advanced portion of the curriculum prepare students for advanced generalist practice with systems of all sizes. Students develop leadership skills working with clients and communities to advance social justice, particularly for socially excluded, at-risk or marginalized populations. Courses such as Clinical Diagnosis and Evidence Based Treatment and Leadership and Management in Human Service Organizations present theoretical models and specific skills in engagement, assessment and intervention with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Proseminar in Social Welfare Policies and Programs examines the political context for decisions that affect the lives of clients. Research Methods II covers advanced research and evaluation methodologies. Students will complete the 16 credits of elective courses to focus their learning to meet their professional goals. The required advanced practicum and its related seminar continue throughout each quarter of the advanced portion of the curriculum.

Full time students complete 600 hours (200 hours per quarter; approx. 20 hours per week) in Advanced Practicum and a total of 10 hours per quarter in Advanced Seminar for a total of 630 hours in three quarters;
Part-time students complete an average of 10 hours per week in Advanced Practicum (580 total hours) and a total of 9 hours per quarter in Advanced Seminar (45 total hours) for a total of 625 hours in five quarters (New cohorts starting 2020).

The Curriculum Delivery Plan

The MSW curriculum comprises sequenced foundation and advanced coursework. On-campus, full-time students complete the curriculum in two years or six quarters. Off-campus, part-time students complete the program in a sequenced manner over the course of three years or 12 quarters, including a summer 10 week quarter.

Innovative Program Options

The School of Social Work offers several ways in which students can focus their programs of study to meet their professional goals. Certificates typically require 12 credits. In some circumstances, such as the MPA Certificate, all 12 of these elective credits may be used in lieu of Social Work electives. For other certificates only 8 credits can be used in lieu of Social Work electives. Interested students should contact the MSW Program Director, for additional information and/or individuals associated with programs listed below.

Certification for School Social Work

The state of Washington requires certification to qualify for employment in the public school system. EWU does not manage the certification process. The School of Social Work offers the course School Social Work and School Law. While a practicum is no longer required for certification, we do offer field placements in school settings.

Addication Studies Certificate and Degrees

Many program options in Addiction Studies complement the MSW. See https://cpac.ewu.edu/ps/sw/addiction-studies/#graduatetext for additional information.

Disability Studies
Ryan Parrey, DSST Director, 509.359.6487

This three course certificate addresses disability and people with disabilities as contributing members of a diverse society. Disability is approached from a social model rather than a medical model. Students learn to apply principles of universal access to benefit all people, majority and minority. (8 credits count toward social work elective credits).

Social Work Palliative Care Certifcate 
Rie Kobayashi, Professor and Interim Director of Aging Studies, 509.828.1335

This 12-credit certificate of completion in Palliative Care addresses the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual suffering generated by chronic, life-limiting, life-threatening, and terminal illness. Courses include: Grief & Loss, Death & Dying, and Introduction to Palliative Care.

MSW/MPA Dual Degree Program and MPA Graduate Certificate

For the dual degree see https://cpac.ewu.edu/us/ps-pp/public-administration-mpa/ For the certificate in Public Policy and Administration. See https://cpac.ewu.edu/us/ps-pp/public-policy-administration-certificate/

Dual degree: MSW/MPA - Master Degree in Social Work and Public Administration

This degree allows students to prepare for professional employment in both social work and public administration. There are 122 total credits required for the MSW/MPA for two year and part time students and 83 total credits for MSW/MPA Advanced Standing students. Students must be accepted into both programs before graduating from one in order to qualify for the Dual Degree Program.

Center for Studies in Aging

Rie Kobayashi, 509.359.1335
The Center provides interested students an opportunity to focus their coursework and practicum experience in the growing area of practice with older adults. Many of the community-based internships offer a stipend to qualified students. The Center sponsors a Scholar-in-Residence and has established strong community and organizational linkages to develop programs that better meet the needs of our aging population.

MSW/JD (Law) Degree
Amanda Reedy, PhD, 509.359.6486,

This degree is offered in collaboration with Gonzaga University Law School. Candidates must apply and be admitted to both Gonzaga School of Law and EWU School of Social Work via each school’s established admissions process; before they will be considered for admission to the dual degree program (Law candidates must complete the LSAT exam.) For information about admission to the dual degree program, candidates should contact the admission offices of both Gonzaga Law School and Eastern Washington University School of Social Work, simultaneously, and go through the admission process for each school.

Student Organization

Graduate students are encouraged to become members of the School of Social Work committees and other university and community committees and organizations.

MSWSA – Master in Social Work Student Association: The mission of the MSWSA is to be a voice for graduate students in the School of Social Work program at EWU, to promote student leadership in the affairs and concerns of the School by assisting in the development of curriculum and policies. The MSWSA acts as a liaison between faculty, students, and the University and surrounding communities. It serves as a support for students and a clearinghouse of information about the School, the University, professional associations, and opportunities for volunteer and career pathways. The organization seeks to operate while abiding by the Social Work Code of Ethics and the EWU Student Conduct Code. Anyone enrolled in the Eastern Washington University graduate social work program at any School of Social Work site is a member of the MSWSA. Graduate students are encouraged to be active members of the MSWSA. Additional information about the MSWSA is available at https://inside.ewu.edu/mswsa/.
IOTA BETA Chapter of the PHI ALPHA Honor Society for Social Work: The purpose of the National Honor Society is to recognize the academic achievement of undergraduate and graduate students of social work as well as to honor local practitioners who have made significant contributions to the field of social work. The Iota Beta Chapter supports and conducts local events, activities, and initiatives to further social work values at EWU and to contribute to the surrounding community. Students (BASW and MSW) are invited to join the Iota Beta Chapter after each quarter (fall, winter, and spring) is they have earned a GPA that is in the top 35% of the program after completing a set number of credits in the program. The students must be in good standing with the SSW program and the University. To learn more about the International Honor Society, Phi Alpha, and the School’s Chapter, Iota Beta, visit the webpage at https://www.ewu.edu/cpp/social-work/social-work/iota-beta/.

Social Work Courses

SOWK 273. SOCIAL WORK HISTORY AND ETHICS. 5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: ENGL 101.
This course provides students with an introduction to the history, structure, and process of the institution of social welfare and its relationship to the profession of social work and to society. The course introduces students to social work values, ethics, roles, theories, perspectives, and practices, as well as the diverse fields of practice within social work. It will introduce students to the experiences and perspectives of those who are clients of the human services delivery system.

SOWK 320. AFRICAN AMERICAN FAMILY. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: AAST 320.
The African American Family as a social system influenced by institutions of the larger American society.

SOWK 378. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT OVER THE LIFESPAN. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
A cell to society approach is used to understand human behavior from the smallest levels of biological organization to the largest levels of social and physical system organization. Major conceptual and theoretical frameworks are presented. Students will identify how multisystemic factors influence human behavior and how social workers can intervene.

SOWK 379. HUMAN BEHAVIOR IN THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
A continuation of the approach to understanding the biopsychosocial influences on development and behavior taken in SOWK 378.

SOWK 381. DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL WORK. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW Major.
This course emphasizes the development of a knowledge base and skills for working in a diverse society at both the direct and indirect practice levels. Diverse populations refers mainly to major ethnic/racial groups although other oppressed populations will be addressed. While brief descriptive materials are explored for each population, a primary critical task is the examination of one's own attitudes and values. Models of evidence-based practice with diverse populations will be presented.

SOWK 395. EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING. 1-15 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Individualized learning and career development through an off-campus internship. Designed to help students develop beginning knowledge of agency work. Does not substitute for Field Practicum but gives added preparation to students with minimal work experience.

SOWK 399. SPECIAL STUDIES. 1-15 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.

SOWK 415. INTRODUCTION TO PALLIATIVE CARE. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 415.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Palliative care is an interdisciplinary and holistic approach for those with a life threatening illness. It aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families through prevention, psychological and spiritual care. This course will focus on identifying gaps in end of life care and emerging models of palliative care, assessing the psychological, medical, and spiritual needs of someone living with illness, while emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in service delivery.

SOWK 418. FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT IN SOCIAL WORK. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 518.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Building financial capability for all is one of the grand challenges for social work. This course equips students with financial knowledge and skills to empower themselves and their clients to move along the path of financial stability and economic security.

SOWK 422. SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM. 2-4 Credits.

This overview of spirituality and social work provides a framework of knowledge, values and skills for spiritually sensitive social work practice and prepares students to respond competently and ethically to diverse spiritual perspectives through a comparative, critically reflective approach.

SOWK 424. INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be repeated for credit when title varies.
Pre-requisites: permission of instructor.
This variable topic course will provide students with a cross cultural experience in which they will learn about another culture, social development and various ideologies of social welfare. Students will learn about social development strategies intended to address specific social problems and social justice issues.

SOWK 425. FAMILY VIOLENCE. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: GWSS 425.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
This interdisciplinary course addresses contemporary concerns about family violence and discusses feminist perspectives on violence in the family. Theories about the historical and socio-cultural context of family violence and other explanatory theories provide frameworks for understanding personal and societal responses to family violence. Discussions include dynamics of trauma and recovery and all forms of family violence. Treatment approaches are discussed.

SOWK 429. SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH CARE. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 539.
Pre-requisites: seniors and graduate students in the School of Social Work and related fields.
This course will provide knowledge and understanding of direct social work practice in various health care settings. The effect of managed care and other current macro practice issues will be explored along with the continuum of health care. Advances in biotechnology and bioethics perspectives will be examined. The roles that diversity play in social work health care practice is emphasized. Self-awareness as a medical social worker is explored.

SOWK 437. INDIAN CHILD WELFARE. 5 Credits.

Cross-listed: IDST 437.
Notes: The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (ICWA, United States Code Title 25, §1901-1963) is central to this course and child welfare practice.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 101.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–diversity.
This course meets diversity criteria by examining movements that shape or challenge systems of power, privilege, oppression, and colonization. American Indians challenged state removal of their children resulting in federal law affirming tribal rights to protect families and children. Indian Child Welfare (ICW) covers legal, historical, and cultural issues applying to work with American Indian and Alaska Native families. Tribal and state child welfare perspectives are needed to understand ICW.

SOWK 445. BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: SOWK 475.
This course introduces participants to the theory and practice of behavioral and cognitive behavioral intervention. This course facilitates participants understanding of key concepts of applied behavior analysis, including behavioral assessment, behavioral interventions methods for monitoring the efficacy of behavioral approaches with individual cases. This course will also enable participants to become better acquainted with how to apply cognitive behavioral (CB) principles in assessment and intervention, including identifying self-defeating cognitions and cognitive restructuring. Participants should come to understand behavioral and cognitive behavioral interventions as individualized approaches to practice. The applied nature of this course requires a commitment from participants to attend all class sessions during this course.

SOWK 449. GRIEF, LOSS AND RESILIENCE. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 449.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 549.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Grief and loss are woven throughout the human experience. Helping professionals must be ready to deal with their own grief and loss as well as that of their clients. Losses may accompany forms of addictions, disability, divorce, job loss, moves, placement disruptions, relationship breaks and death. Grief is a spectrum of emotions experienced in response to loss. Students will learn about the varied presentations of grief, theories of grief, what supports can be employed for healthy grief.

SOWK 452. GENDER AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: GWSS 452.
Pre-requisites: ENGL 201.
This course addresses contemporary concerns about sexual assault, primarily, but not exclusively, against women. Feminist perspectives on gender socialization and sexual violence provide frameworks for understanding personal and societal responses to sexual violence. Dynamics of trauma and recovery, treatment, prevention and change strategies will be discussed.

SOWK 456. THE OLDER WOMAN. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 456, GWSS 456.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This course examines the research and practice knowledge on the social, economic and health problems confronting older women. Older women’s needs and potential for change are considered. The course explores U.S. social policy and program alternatives that work to improve the status and quality of life for a growing and diverse population of older women.

SOWK 457. CLINICAL ASSESSMENT IN MIDLIFE AND OLDER ADULTS. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 457.
Pre-requisites: junior standing or permission of the instructor.
An introduction to the assessment skills required for professional social work practice in mental health and other clinical settings dealing with the elderly. The course is intended for social work practitioners.

SOWK 458. PERSPECTIVES ON DEATH AND DYING. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 458.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 574 or AGST 574.
This course is designed to assist students in the helping professions who wish to work with the terminally ill. Focus will be on an increased ability to deal with one’s own mortality; the development of beginning skills for working with the terminally ill and their families; an understanding of the complex social system which surrounds death in modern America; as well as the current moral, ethical and philosophical issues in the field.

SOWK 459. SURVEY OF MICROSYSTEMIC PRACTICE THEORIES. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
This course prepares students for professional agency roles using theories and methods common in micro systemic social work practice. Students will describe and analyze theories through the practice lenses of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Students will distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based and anti-oppressive knowledge, to prepare for effective service delivery.

SOWK 464. SOCIAL WORK CASE MANAGEMENT. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW Major.
This course provides students with the skills and knowledge to practice professional, strengths-based, and social justice-focused social work case management It will define case management and introduce a broad range of interventions with corresponding evaluations across diverse populations and the development of culturally-informed strategies and practices. The course highlights the importance of communication and relationship building.

SOWK 467. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW Major.
This is a practice-oriented course that seeks to empower social workers to engage in the policy arena. It will demonstrate how social workers can impact policy development, implementation, and analysis in partnership with their clients and other human services advocates. The course will include an overview of civics with students learning policy research and analysis skills and strategies to advocate for fair and just policy change within the human services delivery system.

SOWK 468. SOCIAL WORK RESEARCH. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
Prepares students to evaluate research findings and to engage in evidence based social work practice.

SOWK 469. DATA ANALYSIS FOR SOCIAL WORK. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW Major.
This course covers descriptive and inferential statistics. Students are introduced to software for data analysis.

SOWK 470. SOCIAL POLICY ANALYSIS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
This is an applied practice-oriented course that builds on policy practice concepts introduced in the first year policy course (Introduction to Social Welfare Policy). In this course students will work in groups to advocate for policy change(s) pertaining to a social welfare issue impacting the communities they serve. Students will directly engage policymakers and other policy advocates—locally, statewide and/or nationally—while offering assistance in promoting policy change efforts.

SOWK 471. HUMAN RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: GWSS 471.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
The course examines the history of human rights and dignity using the declaration of rights by the United Nations, research and initiatives by the World Health Organization and other international human rights groups. The course covers topics on the human rights of women and children including health, food insecurity, economic status, housing, education, violence, war crimes and residency/citizenship status. It examines strategies for furthering human rights on the global stage.

SOWK 472. SOCIAL WORK WITH VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 564.
Due to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, there is an increased need for social workers to be prepared to work with veterans and military service members. Over a million soldiers have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and nearly half of those soldiers are National Guard or Reserve members. As soldiers continue to deploy and return from service overseas, they and their families’ needs for professional social work services will continue to increase. Furthermore, only a proportion of military service members who seek services will seek them through the Department of Veterans Affairs. This means that social workers in all areas of practice need to be educated about working with military service members and their families. This course includes content on military culture, strengths and needs of military families, and interventions for military service members and their families.

SOWK 473. SOCIAL WORK IN ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW Major.
This course introduces students to mezzo and macro practice in human services organizations and communities including theories, engagement skills and methods, and assessment processes. In addition, this course provides the framework for social work practice within public or private organizations. Students will learn to apply theories and models of practice to local and regional communities and organizations.

SOWK 475. SOCIAL WORK ENGAGEMENT. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
In this first of a two course sequence relationship building skills are emphasized to begin gathering and interpreting biopsychosocial data on the interactions between individuals, families, and other groups and their environments. Emphasizes culturally competent, strengths-based and systems oriented assessment. Demonstrates how social work values and the generalist perspective guide engagement. Explores the role of self in helping process.

SOWK 476. SOCIAL WORK ENGAGEMENT AND ASSESSMENT. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
In this course, relationship building skills are emphasized to begin gathering and interpreting biopsychosocial data on the interactions between individuals, families, and other groups and their environments. Emphasizes culturally competent, strengths-based and systems-oriented assessment. Demonstrates how social work values and the generalist perspective guide engagement. Explores the role of self in helping process.

SOWK 477. SOCIAL WORK WITH COMMUNITIES. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
This course prepares students to engage with, assess the needs and assets of and plan for action with communities. This course also guides students in experiences of direct assessment and action in the context of community. Students will learn to apply Asset Based Community and Social Development models in their work with communities toward social justice and sustainable change in communities and services.

SOWK 478. SOCIAL WORK WITH INDIVIDUALS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
Applies the assessment information obtained in SOWK 475 and SOWK 476 to social work interventions with individuals. Emphasizes culturally competent interventions which build on strengths and resources in multiple environments. Continues examination of self in role of change agent.

SOWK 479. SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: BASW major.
This course focuses on the social work skills for working with groups. Values, use of self, cultural competence, strengths and resources continue to be important practice skills within this new context. Critical thinking and effective communication are additional foci for knowledge and skill development.

SOWK 480. FIELD PREPARATION. 1 Credit.

Notes: graded Pass/Fail.
Pre-requisites: BASW Major.
This course prepares students to enter the social work practicum/seminar. Students will learn how to create a résumé, be interviewed for an agency placement and learn how to be a student worker within a social service environment. Students will integrate their knowledge and skills with practices in the agency.

SOWK 481. PRACTICUM SEMINAR II. 1 Credit.

Integrates classroom knowledge and skills with real world social agency tasks and processes student experiences in the practicum. Because the student will be asked to perform different tasks at this stage in practicum learning, the content of the seminar will likewise change. Continued emphasis on application and fit of social work values in the real world.

SOWK 482. PRACTICUM/SEMINAR. 1-6 Credits.

Notes: Graded Pass/No Credit. Must be repeated three times for a total of 15 credits.
Pre-requisites: BASW major in good standing and SOWK 480.
Students integrate coursework in a practice setting and process agency experience in a seminar setting. In a social work agency, students, agency field instructors and faculty field instructors plan activities which support the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning agreements.

SOWK 483. PRACTICUM II. 7 Credits.

In Block Practicum II, students integrate course work in a practice setting. In a social work agency, students, agency field instructors, and faculty field instructors plan activities which support the development of generalist skills as specified in individualized learning contracts.

SOWK 485. HOMELESSNESS: SERVICES, POLICIES AND NEW DIRECTIONS. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 585.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This course will examine the issue of homelessness in America while highlighting demographics, causes and regional variations. Special attention will be paid to homelessness and related services within the state of Washington. Various service approaches will be examined, including: shelter and other supports designed to assist individuals and families cope with homelessness, transitional and other supportive housing programs, and homelessness prevention.

SOWK 490. SOCIAL WORK SENIOR CAPSTONE. 4 Credits.

Notes: this course should be taken in the student's final quarter in the BASW program.
Pre-requisites: senior and in good standing as a BASW major.
Satisfies: a university graduation requirement–senior capstone.
This course further develops students’ applied knowledge and skill in the domains of critical, integrative, multidimensional and contextual thinking; cultural competence; social work practice with populations at risk; civic mindedness; professional identity; problem solving; the ability to understand the connection between social policy, social problems and social work practice; and evidence based social work practice.

SOWK 492. CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. 5 Credits.

The function and purposes of child welfare programs, public and private; child welfare legislation; trends in child welfare services. Elective.

SOWK 496. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-6 Credits.

Experimental course, title and credits vary.

SOWK 497. WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.

Short duration programs of contemporary significance in societal-cultural behavior areas. The range and scope of topics are essentially interdisciplinary, and students from all academic areas are eligible to participate.

SOWK 498. DEPARTMENTAL SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.

Notes: may be repeated once for credit.
Readings and evaluations in contemporary issues in social welfare. Elective.

SOWK 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Independent study in selected areas of social work. Open to seniors and graduate students from any department. Elective.

SOWK 515. INTRODUCTION TO PALLIATIVE CARE. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 515.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
Palliative care is an interdisciplinary and holistic approach for those who have a life threatening illness. It aims improve the quality of life of patients and their families through prevention, psychological and spiritual care, etc. This course will focus on identifying current gaps in end of life care and emerging models of palliative care, assessment of the psychological, medical, and spiritual needs of someone living with illness, the importance of cultural sensitivity in service delivery.

SOWK 518. FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT IN SOCIAL WORK. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 418.
Building financial capability for all is one of the grand challenges for social work. This course equips students with financial knowledge and skills to empower themselves and their clients to move along the path of financial stability and economic security.

SOWK 525. RESEARCH METHODS FOR PROGRAM AND PRACTICE EVALUATION. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
An overview of methods and procedures for conducting research in social work. Attention is given to research designs for evaluating social work practice with small systems and social welfare programs. Students learn to critically evaluate and utilize research, select research instruments, and design applied research projects.

SOWK 526. RESEARCH METHODS II. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: SOWK 525 or SOWK 561.
This course facilitates the integration of foundation year research knowledge into a form that readily applies to professional social work practice. Students will learn how to apply and utilize research data through an exploratory best practice model and other models by deconstructing existing research.

SOWK 529. SOCIAL WORK IN HEALTH CARE. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 429.
Pre-requisites: open to seniors and graduate students in the School of Social Work and related fields.
This course is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of direct social work practice in various health care settings. The students will examine the impact of illness, disease, trauma/disability, and death and dying from ecological and systems perspectives. Roles, functions, and administrative responsibilities of the social worker as case manager, health educator, advocate and a member of interdisciplinary teams will be reviewed. The effect of managed care and other current macro practice issues will be explored along with the continuum of health care. Advances in biotechnology and bioethics perspectives will be examined. The roles that diversity (ex. age, gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion/spirituality, etc.) play in social work health care practice is emphasized. Self-awareness as a medical social worker is explored.

SOWK 530. ORGANIZATIONAL AND COMMUNITY PRACTICE. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
This course explores the nature of community organizations and social service delivery systems and their relationships to other community systems. Attention is given to understanding the dynamics of power, economics, politics, and social policies impacting the life of organizations and communities. Students are introduced to ways of assessing organizations and communities with a particular emphasis on community collaborative networks and partnership projects that impact services.

SOWK 531. INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WELFARE AND POLICY. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
The impact of the political economy on the social welfare system and the pursuit of social justice is the focus of this course. Social welfare history, social values, social policies, social institutions, and basic services and programs are explored, especially those that affect populations-at-risk. The course develops understanding of the ways in which the social welfare system is both shaped by and influences political, economic, social, environmental and cultural forces.

SOWK 532. FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
This course provides a framework for understanding the mission and purpose of social work practice, the historical roots and ethical foundations for the profession and emerging themes and models of practice. The course highlights required theoretical knowledge for informed practice, advanced generalist practice principles and the specific roles in day-by-day professional practice.

SOWK 533. SOCIAL WORK ASSESSMENT AND PRACTICE WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
Examines individual and family intervention within American social systems across ethnic, social, class and gender differences. Students learn effective strengths-based interviewing processes with individuals and families and build communications skills. The organizing framework for intervention is ecological systems and a strengths perspective. Current practice models that incorporate the organizing framework are reviewed for their application to specific problem situations.

SOWK 534. HUMAN RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS. 4 Credits.

This in an interdisciplinary course for students in social work and women’s studies, who are interested in how human rights standards can be understood and applied in social work and civic life. The purpose of this course is to explore how the promotion of human rights relates to the mission of social work and women’s studies and how this knowledge can affect social change efforts and promote civil society.

SOWK 536. SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE. 4 Credits.

SOWK 537. INDIAN CHILD WELFARE. 4 Credits.

This course provides an introduction to Indian child welfare with an emphasis on understanding legal, historical and cultural issues applying to work with American Indian and Alaska Native youth. This course emphasizes Indian child welfare issues relevant to the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana).

SOWK 538. INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: special permission of the instructor.
International Social Work provides students with a cross-cultural experience in which they will learn about various cultural norms, social development and ideologies of social welfare from the unique perspective of the area visited. Students will learn about social development strategies intended to address specific social problems and social justice issues relevant to the native population of the region.

SOWK 540. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN CONTEMPORARY ENVIRONMENTS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
Research and theory about contexts and interactions influencing human development over the life course. Emphasis on understanding life course development in oppressed, vulnerable, and underserved populations. Critical attention is paid to the use and limits of research and theory in relation to these populations.

SOWK 541. SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
The course emphasizes bridging gaps between people through modeling of discourse and idea-sharing. The course emphasizes the development of a knowledge base and skills for promoting social justice for vulnerable and oppressed individuals and populations. A primary critical skill is the examination of one’s own attitudes, biases and values, which students will be asked to demonstrate on a weekly basis and in every assignment.

SOWK 542. SOCIAL WORK IN CHILD WELFARE. 4 Credits.

SOWK 544. SPECIAL PROBLEMS: FAMILY VIOLENCE. 4 Credits.

Students will identify factors related to stress in families, socioeconomic and cultural patterns, historical traditions and societal values and investigate how these may relate to violent behavior.

SOWK 545. BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS. 4 Credits.

This course will introduce participants to the theory and practice of behavioral and cognitive-behavioral intervention. The course will facilitate participants understanding of (1) key concepts of behavior modification, including reinforcement, punishment and extinction; (2) key concepts of behavioral assessment, including target behaviors, antecedents and consequences, as well as dimensions of behavior (frequency, intensity, duration); (3) types of behavioral interventions, including conditioning, shaping and behavior-maintenance schedules; and (4) methods for monitoring the efficacy of behavioral approaches with individual cases. This course will also enable participants to become better acquainted with how to apply cognitive behavioral (CB) principles in assessment and intervention, including (1) behavioral self monitoring, successive approximation, identifying self-defeating cognitions, cognitive restructuring and working with cognitive schemata; (2) implementing CB principles in a group setting using the Adolescent Coping with Depression Course (CWD-A) as a model; and (3) supporting and monitoring the progress of the clients in CB intervention through the use of CWD-A homework assignments. Participants should come to understand behavioral and cognitive-behavioral interventions as ideographic, as opposed to homothetic, approaches to practice.

SOWK 546. MINDFULNESS AND ACCEPTANCE APPROACHES IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: current MSW student or by permission of instructor.
This intensive course will introduce participants to the theory and practice of acceptance and mindfulness applications in cognitive behavioral interventions. The course will facilitate participants understanding of; (1) key concepts of cognitive behavioral therapy, including acceptance and mindfulness approaches, (2) key concepts of assessment, including value inventories, (3) types of acceptance and mindfulness CBT interventions, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and (4) in-session activities and interventions to facilitate change with individuals and groups.

SOWK 547. MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING. 4 Credits.

Motivational Interviewing (MI0 is an effective evidenced-based approach to overcoming the factors that keep people from making desired changes in their lives even after seeking or being referred to professional treatment. This course reviews the conceptual and research background supporting MI and the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change-SOC) and provides practice in implementing the skills involved in their approaches.

SOWK 549. GRIEF, LOSS AND RESILIENCE. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 549.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 449.
Grief and loss are woven throughout the human experience. Helping professionals must be ready to deal with their own grief and loss as well as that of their clients. Losses may accompany forms of addictions, disability, divorce, job loss, moves, placement disruptions, relationship breaks and death. Grief is a spectrum of emotions experienced in response to loss. Students will learn about the varied presentations of grief, theories of grief, what supports can be employed for healthy grief.

SOWK 550. SOCIAL WORK WITH GROUPS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
The course develops knowledge and skills for social work practice with groups and natural helping systems. Prepares students to utilize mutual aid groups as a helping resource for clients, facilitate treatment groups, and participate effectively as a member of committees, interagency teams, and other task groups. The practice of work with groups is presented through lecture and discussion, observational assignments, role plays, and participation in small group learning experiences.

SOWK 551. WOMEN AND SOCIAL CHANGE. 4 Credits.

This course examines the historical and contemporary role of women as leaders and participants in U. S. social movements. The course critiques the models and strategies used to organize communities and groups to improve the status of marginalized people.

SOWK 553. SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTION AND EVALUATION WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of the instructor.
This course focuses on intervention and ongoing assessment as well as the evaluation phases of generalist social work practice. It provides didactic and experiential learning experiences relative to communication strategies, counseling/ therapy skills, practice evaluation strategies, and supervision/consultation. At the completion of the course, students will have the ability to engage in generalist social work practice with individuals and families.

SOWK 558. GAY/LESBIAN ISSUES FOR SW. 4 Credits.

This course is designed to assist professionals who may encounter lesbians, gays, bisexuals, persons questioning their sexuality and transgendered as clients. Students in the course will be encouraged to deal openly with their feelings and attitudes about homosexuality. Class members will be allowed to explore their motivations and resistance to working with this client group and those hostile to them and will be helped, where possible, to resolve blocks to effective social provision. Additionally, this course is designed to educate and suggest counseling approaches that might be most helpful to this client population and to explore available support systems. Issues that will receive special attention include health, problems of rural lesbians and gay men, the aging, child welfare, homophobia, the "coming out" process and societal attitudes toward gays, lesbians, questioning and transgendered populations.

SOWK 559. SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK AND SCHOOL LAW. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: baccalaureate degree.
This course will review Federal and State legislation as well as local policies which affect the role of the social worker in the public school. We will review how the school system functions as a part of our total society. The course will describe how social work knowledge, skills, and values provide an ecological approach to preventative, crisis, and remedial care for school children and their families.

SOWK 560. TOPICS OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE. 1-6 Credits.

Selected and variable content around topics related to social work and social welfare.

SOWK 561. ADVANCED STANDING SEMINAR. 6 Credits.

Pre-requisites: admission into advanced standing MSW program or permission of MSW Director.
This course provides Advanced Standing students with an overview of the foundation requirements for advanced study in the MSW program. It prepares students with additional problem formulation, sampling, data collection, measurement and research designs to complete the advanced year applied research project.

SOWK 562. SUICIDE ASSESSMENT, TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: ADST 562.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
This course explores the theoretical foundation in the clinical assessment, treatment and management of suicidal risk over time through case management with suicidal persons. Additionally, we will review instructions in “evidenced-based” and “best practices” for the treatment and case management with the suicidal person within the scope of practice. We also have role play exercises that include therapeutic interventions, initial treatment planning including case notes, coordination of services and referral.

SOWK 564. SOCIAL WORK WITH VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES. 4 Credits.

This course includes content on military culture, strengths and needs of military families, and interventions for military service members and their families. The course goal is to prepare social workers to work with veterans and military service members. As soldiers continue to deploy and return from service, they and their families’ needs for professional social work services will continue to increase. This means that social workers in all areas of practice need to be educated about working with this population.

SOWK 568. PROSEMINARS IN SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: SOWK 525, SOWK 531 and 2 credits of SOWK 571; or SOWK 561.
This course examines social work as a policy-based profession and social workers as policy practitioners. Advanced seminars on current policy and program developments in contemporary areas of social welfare that impact populations at-risk, e.g. health care, aging, mental health and services to children and families. Seminars provide research and theory pertaining to social problems and institutional responses. Three domains of institutional response—legal, professional and program—are covered.

SOWK 571. FOUNDATION PRACTICUM/SEMINAR. 1-4 Credits.

Notes: graded Pass/No Credit.
Pre-requisites: SOWK 531, SOWK 532, SOWK 553. (A total of 4 credits distributed over 2 qtrs for the full-time program and over 3 qtrs.
for the part-time programs.) Students in Foundation Practicum/Seminar utilize the agency setting for integration of coursework knowledge and for the development of professional practice skills. The placement agency is the laboratory for the application of classroom learning. Practicum is a supervised experience which allows students to learn to use supervision as a professional development process and to receive feedback concerning their professional functioning. The seminar is the forum in which students share, compare and analyze the field experience and participate in learning activities focused on application of curriculum content to practice. It is designed to assist in the integration process to provide support for students in discussion of practice issues and learning experiences and to engage students in utilizing course content to enhance their professional practice.

SOWK 574. PERSPECTIVES ON DEATH AND DYING. 4 Credits.

Cross-listed: AGST 574.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 458 or AGST 458.
This course explores issues related to death, dying, grief and loss as well as their relevance and application to social work practice. The content draws from an interdisciplinary knowledge base and emphasizes the acquisition of practice skills. Topics include loss events throughout the life span; psychological and sociological theoretical perspectives in death, dying, grief and loss.

SOWK 576. ADDICTION: A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH. 4 Credits.

This course applies the biopsychosocial perspective to the addiction field. The emphasis is on an examination of the reciprocal interaction between the individual experiencing addiction and the various systems that impact misuse, addiction, treatment and recovery. Topics will include harm reduction, the biology of addiction, the psychology of addiction, co-existing disorders and social aspects of addiction, including family risks and resilience, racial and ethnic issues, gender and sexual orientation, the nature of mutual help groups and public policy issues. The content of the course will draw heavily on current research and emphasize critical thinking and analysis of the current controversies in the addiction field. The overall framework of the course rests on the foundation of the strengths perspective and client-centered practices. Although alcohol and drug problems will be emphasized, the course will also address other related disorders, including eating disorders, pathological gambling and compulsive shopping.

SOWK 577. CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK ASSESSMENT. 4 Credits.

Examination of the assessment skills required for professional social work practice in mental health and other professional settings. Application of mental health diagnosis and clinical assessment techniques to case situations.

SOWK 579. GENDER AND SEXUAL ASSAULT. 4 Credits.

This course addresses contemporary concerns about sexual assault primarily, but not exclusively against women. Theories about the sociocultural context of gender socialization and other explanatory theories will provide a framework for understanding personal and societal responses to sexual violence. The course will survey all forms of sexual violence and discuss dynamics of trauma and recovery. Treatment approaches will be discussed as well as the importance of prevention and change strategies on both the personal and the societal level.

SOWK 580. FIELD PREPARATION. 1 Credit.

Notes: graded Pass No Credit.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing in the MSW program or permission of instructor.
This course serves as an introduction to field practicum and to a community agency setting. It provides the students with the necessary information, skills and practices to maximize their success in their field practicum.

SOWK 585. HOMELESSNESS: SERVICES, POLICIES AND NEW DIRECTIONS. 4 Credits.

Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 485.
This course will examine the issue of homelessness in America while highlighting demographics, causes and regional variations. Special attention will be paid to homelessness and related services within the state of Washington. Various service approaches will be examined, including: shelter and other supports designed to assist individuals and families cope with homelessness, transitional and other supportive housing programs, and homelessness prevention.

SOWK 596. EXPERIMENTAL COURSE. 1-5 Credits.

SOWK 597. WORKSHOP, SHORT COURSE, CONFERENCE, SEMINAR. 1-5 Credits.

Notes: only one workshop course for up to 3 credits may be used to fulfill graduate degree requirements.

SOWK 599. INDEPENDENT STUDY. 1-5 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Students take intensive and independent study of some special area in social work or social welfare.

SOWK 600. THESIS. 1-15 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Elective course.

SOWK 601. RESEARCH PROJECT. 1-15 Credits.

Pre-requisites: permission of the instructor, department chair and college dean.
Individually supervised research work.

SOWK 602. CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS AND EVIDENCE BASED TREATMENT. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: SOWK 553 or currently enrolled in SOWK 561.
This course examines evidence-based treatments across the lifespan from a social work perspective, with a specific focus on the most common mental disorders and evidence-based treatments. Students will demonstrate application of the most current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and become critical consumers of evidence-based treatment research with diverse populations. The course emphasizes strengths and ecological systems perspectives, risk and resiliency.

SOWK 603. LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT IN HUMAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. 4 Credits.

Pre-requisites: SOWK 530 or SOWK 561.
This course is designed to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of human service organizations and to provide approaches for designing and managing human service programs effectively. Organizational and management theories and principles are applied to a range of human services. The course focuses on the knowledge, values, and skills needed for successful leadership in creating a meaningful work environment, managing organizational outcomes, and engaging the community.

SOWK 671. ADVANCED PRACTICUM/SEMINAR. 1-6 Credits.

Notes: graded Pass/No Credit.
Pre-requisites: SOWK 571 or SOWK 561.
(A total of 13 credits distributed over three quarters for the full-time program and over five quarters for the part-time programs). Advanced Practicum/Seminar is the laboratory for application of classroom learning. In practicum, students utilize the agency setting for integration of advanced course content. In seminar, students focus on the integration of theory and practice, the facilitation of skill development, and the articulation of competencies in practice.

SOWK 695. INTERNSHIP. 1-5 Credits.