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For a list of the current course offerings and all courses at MU, visit the MU Registrar Schedule of Courses Page.

Course Descriptions

Undergraduate Courses

1101 Topics in Social Work (1-3)

Special and emerging topics in social work and social welfare. Subject, content, and credit varies, depending on available faculty and student interest. For undergraduate students only.

1110 Introduction to the Social Work Major (1)

Students examine their interest in social work and other human service professions; learn of career possibilities in their interest area; and develop an educational plan to reach their goal. Prerequisite: freshman or sophomore standing.

1115 Social Welfare and Social Work (3)

Survey course that examines the history and development of social welfare in the United States and the profession of social work, as well as contemporary social issues. Fall, Spring.

2000 Exploration in Social and Economic Justice (3)

This course explores issues of fairness and equality in economic, political and social systems, and applies social justice principles to major problems. Graded on A/F basis only. Course may be repeated two times for credit.

2101 Topics in Social Work (1-3)

Special and emerging topics in social work and social welfare. Subject, content, and credit varies, depending on available faculty and student interest. For undergraduate students only.

2220 Human Behavior and the Environment (3)

The first of two required courses providing an introduction to selected theories, multidisciplinary knowledge, and perspectives into human development and behavior. Prerequisite: English 20 and Social Work 25 or sophomore standing. Graded S/U basis only.

3101 Topics in Social Work (1-3)

Special and emerging topics in social work and social welfare. Subject, content, and credit varies, depending on available faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: consent required.

3310 Comparative Social Policy (2-3)

A comparative study of social policy aspects in the framework of international development. Policy areas include South Asia, as well as other regions relevant to such study. Prerequisite: consent required.

3320 Understanding Personality in a Social Context (3)

Introduces students to diverse personality theories and examines background, key concepts, motivation, structure, development dynamics and applications in a social context. Required of all undergraduate social work majors.

3330 Medical Social Problems (2)

Interrelations of biological, psychologocial, and social factors in understanding people with common physical illnesses. Prerequisite: junior standing; consent required.

3340 Dynamics of Interviewing (3)

Analysis of interviewing techniques employed in communciation for securing reliable, valid data to modify behavior in accordance with professional objectives. Prerequisite: junior standing; consent required.

3350 Problems in Social Work (1-3)

Research and independent study projects offered on a tutorial basis to undergraduate social work students. Prerequisite: consent required.

4310 Social Statistics (3)

No credit for graduate social work students. Descriptive, analytic techniques applied to qualitative and quantitative social data. Prerequisite: senior standing.

4320 Rural Human Services (3)

A study of the effect of rural and small community environments on the planning and delivery of social and health services. Emphasis on policy and program analyses relevant to rural issues and concerns.

4330 Addiction Treatment and Prevention (3)

Provides knowledge generic to social work and other disciplines involved in substance abuse treatment. Integrated approach to problems of substance abuse and development of self-awareness are emphasized. didactic and experiential methods employed.

4360 Working with Minority Youth (3)

Develops awareness and understanding of social/psychological and cognitive realities influencing the behavior of minority youth. Content draws upon theories, research and practice skills relevant to understanding and counseling minority youth.

4370 Delinquency, Corrections and Social Treatment (3)

Focuses on problems and causative factors in developing and maintaining delinquent and criminal behavior and attitudes; addressing critical and comparative understanding of social change strategies employed in this field.

4380 Social Work Practice with Minorities: African-American Emphasis (3)

Provides students with an appreciation of the African-American experience in the United States on a knowledge and feeling level.

4390 Helping Strategies with Children and Adolescents (3)

Theory and practice of work with children and adolescents. Focus on youth in transition, protective services and permanency planning, and special needs populations.

4400 Domestic Violence (3)

(same as Women's and Gender Studies 4400). This 3-hour course covers history of battered women's movement, violence theories, policy issues, prevention and intervention practice models for working with battered women, their children and abusers. Prerequisite: junior standing.

4410 Law and Social Work Practice (3)

Legal processes relevant to social work practice and court procedures, and study of decisions affecting social work across specializations. Prerequisite: senior standing; consent required.

4450 Introduction to Child Welfare Practice and Services (3)

Introductory course designed to develop the student’s awareness, understanding and appreciation of the field of child welfare and specifically of its most critical function: child protection.

4455 Latino/a Immigrants and Receiving communities(3)

This interdisciplinary couse is designed to educate students about the Latino/a immigrants seeking better lives and the communities that receive them. Special attention is given to social justice issues; micro, mezzo, and macro systems will be used to explore content.

4710 Social Justice and Social Policy (3)

Based on the concepts of human need and social justice, an historical and analytical approach to social welfare policies and programs. Prerequisite: first semester professional program standing; consent required. Fall.

4720 Variations in Human Behavior (3)

Basic concepts and principles regarding psychological/social dynamics of deviance; implications for social welfare policy and social interventions. Prerequisite: second semester professional program standing; consent required. Spring.

4730 Introduction to Social Work Practice (3)

Introductory, generalist practice theory course promoting students’ understanding of professional social work practice as holistic, identifiable, unique configuration of knowledge, values and skills. Prerequisite: first semester professional program standing; consent required. Fall.

4740 Introduction to Community and Organizational Processes (3)

Introduction to contextual framework of social work practice with particular emphasis on community and organization as social systems. Prerequisite: first semester professional program standing; consent required. Fall.

4750 Interaction Skills Workshop (3)

Interaction skills for generalist practice at individual, group and community levels. Group communication and social influence theories address generic and unique aspects of interaction across systems. Uses laboratory instruction. Prerequisite: second semester professional program standing; consent required. Spring.

4760 Theory and Practice of Social Group Work (3)

Focuses on small group dynamics and models of group work practice suitable in all social work fields. Emphasizes practice theory and skills. Prerequisite: second semester professional program standing; consent required. Spring.

4770 Strategies of Direct Practice (3)

Examines social structures, processes underlying assumptions/concepts of social change, client constellation, organizational arrangements, role relationships by which social workers define professional intervention. Prerequisite: 4730 and 4750; third semester professional program standing; consent required. Co-requisite: 4971 and 4970. Fall.

4951 Research for Social Work Practice (3)

The first course of a two-semester research sequence in the BSW Core. Students conceptualize the research process as it applies to social work and prepare a research proposal in an area of interest. Research concepts and skills useful in developing the knowledge base of social work practice are taught, as well as developing the ability to read and understand journal articles. Students gain hands-on experience with data collection and analysis. Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: consent required.

4952 Research Methods for Social Work (3)

Survey of research methods germane to the development of the knowledge base of social work practice. Prerequisite: second semester professional program standing; consent required. Spring.

4960 Special Readings (1-3)

Extensive readings in selected area or intensive reading in a special field. Prerequisite: consent required.

4970 Senior Professional Seminar (3)

Integrative professional practice seminar for BSW students, focusing on the principles of generic social work and its application to direct practice in diverse fields, career planning and responsibilities. Prerequisites: 2220, 4710, 4720, 4730, 4740, 4750 and 4760. Co-requisite: 4770 and 4971.

4971 Undergraduate Field Practicum (6)

Supervised social work practice in a school-approved agency focusing on development of direct practice skills. Fall semester, three days per week. Prerequisite: third semester professional program standing; 2220, 4710, 4720, 4730, 4740, 4750 and 4760. Co-requisite: 4770 and 4970. Graded on a S/U basis only.

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Graduate Courses

7085 Problems in Social Work (1-6)

Intensive study of an area of social welfare related to special interest of student. Prerequisites: graduate standing, consent required.

7101 Topics in Social Work (1-3)

Special and emerging topics in social work and social welfare. Subject, content, and credit vary depending on available faculty and student interest. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

COURSES LISTED AS 7101.X ARE PENDING PERMANENT NUMBER ASSIGNMENT.

7101.1 Women, Poverty & Mental Health

Focuses on the mental health of low-income women with a particular focus on women making the transition from welfare to work. The goal of the course is to impart knowledge about the mental health of women in general, specifically poor women who are both breadwinners and nurturers. This brings into question the extent to which current social welfare policy impacts poor women positively compared to past social policies. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a policy elective or free elective.

7101.3 Cognitive Behavior Practice

This is a course on the theory, concepts, and techniques of cognitive behavior therapies, with a particular emphasis on intervention methods that may be used by the social worker to help clients with specific problems. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work & 7770; Counts as a clinical selective.

7101.4 Deaf Culture & Social Work Perspectives

This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth examination into the world of the Deaf. The Deaf community is a multifaceted, complex and often misunderstood population. Historical perspectives, cultural identity, educational avenues, civil rights issues and disability legislation will be covered. This course will include didactic, experiential, and interactive methods. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a diversity elective or free elective.

7101.5 Community Organizing for Social Change

Skill and knowledge building in advanced social policy analysis in community organization. Focus on planning, organizing, and developing communities, engaging diverse population in social change, and participative political advocacy. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a policy elective or free elective.

7101.6 Disability Rights Advocacy

Skills and knowledge building in advanced social policy analysis. Focus on the legal rights of people with disabilities, history of disability policy in the United States and the role of community activism and other forces in policy development and systems change. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a policy elective or free elective.

7310 Social Statistics (3)

Descriptive, analytic techniques applied to qualitative and quantitative social data. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7320 Rural Human Services (3)

A study of the effect of rural and small community environments on the planning and delivery of social and health services. Emphasis on policy and program analyses relevant to rural issues and concerns. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7330 Addiction Treatment and Prevention (3)

Provides knowledge from social work and other disciplines involved in substance abuse treatment. Integrated approach to problems of substance abuse and development of self awareness are emphasized. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7360 Working with Minority Youth (3)

(same as Black Studies 4360) Develops awareness and understanding of social/psychological and cognitive realities influencing the behavior of minority youth. Content draws upon theories, research and practice skills relevant to understanding and counseling minority youth. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a diversity elective or free elective.

7370 Delinquency, Corrections and Social Treatment (3)

Focuses on problems and causative factors in developing and maintaining delinquent and criminal behavior and attitudes: addressing critical and comparative understanding of social change strategies employed in this field. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7380 Social Work Practice With Minorities: African-American Emphasis (3)

(same as Black Studies 4380) Provides students with an appreciation of the African-American experience in the United States on a knowledge and feeling level. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a diversity
elective or free elective.

7390 Helping Strategies With Children and Adolescents (3)

This course is an introduction to social work practice with youth. Content draws on theories, policies, research and practice skills relevant to understanding and helping children and adolescents. In addition, SW4390/7390 assists the student in applying the core values and ethics of the social work profession to practice in the contemporary systems of care for children and adolescents. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a diversity elective or free elective.

7400 Domestic Violence (3)

(same as Women's and Gender Studies 7400) This 3-hour course covers history of battered women's movement, violence theories, policy issues, prevention and intervention practice models for working with battered women, their children, and abusers. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a diversity elective or free elective.

7410 Law and Social Work Practice (3)

Legal processes relevant to Social Work Practice and Court procedures and study of decisions affecting social work across concentrations. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7420 Social Work and Disasters (3)

Focuses on social work practice, policy and research related to response, recovery and mitigation of technological and natural disasters. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7450 Critical Issues in Child Welfare (3)

Intensive seminar on current developments in child welfare practice. Addresses controversies in assessment, intervention, and policy making for children and their families. Examine intervention for prevention, protection, placement and reunification for children in high-risk situations, Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7455 Latino/a Immigrants and Receiving Communities (3)

This course is designed to educate students about the Latino/a immigrants who come to communities America to work and to seek better lives for themselves and their families whether in the U.S. or in their sending communities. It is also designed to examine the impacts of this immigration on long-time residents of these receiving communities. Special attention will be given to rural areas and social justice issues as they pertain to the newcomers as well as the long-term residents. It will examine the historical and current issues related to Latino/a immigration in the U.S. and in receiving communities in particular. The content will draw on research, policy, and practice theories and skills relative to the social and environmental context of this phenomenon. This course will address issues related to micro, mezzo, and macro systems pertaining to the Latino/a immigrants and their receiving communities. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a diversity elective or free elective.

7460 Advanced Social Group Work (3)

An intensive exposure to the theories and models of social group work practice through cognitive, affective and experiential (laboratory) methods of teaching/learning. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7470 Organizational Issues in Social Work Practices in Child Welfare (3)

Intensive seminar in meso-level practice in the field of child welfare. Examines communication theory, team building, and inter-organizational dynamics as they affect professional practice in child welfare. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a policy elective or free elective.

7480 Helping Strategies with Older Persons (3)

Focus on interdisciplinary methods of assessment and intervention strategies designed to optimize healthy functioning for older persons and their families. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a diversity elective or free elective.

7490 Family Treatment (3)

Comparative study of theories and methods required for work with problems of family functioning. Both conjoint and subsystem approaches to family treatment are examined. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work and 7770; counts as a clinical selective.

7500 Child Custody and Visitation Mediation in Social Work (3)

The course will focus on the social work skills and knowledge required for effective mediation in child custody and visitation. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

7510 Supervision, Consultation and Staff Training (3)

Philosophy, objectives, principles and methods of social work supervision, staff development and consultation with emphasis on the commonality of the teaching-learning-evaluating functions. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work; Counts as a free elective.

7710 Social Policy and Service Delivery in Social Work (3)

Covers historic and contemporary issues in social welfare policy. Focuses on relationships among social problems, public policies, private actions, poverty, racism, sexism and social work practice/values. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work; Foundation level course.

7720 Foundations of Human Behavior (3)

Substantive sources from behavioral sciences used in social work toward understanding the biosocial processes and constraints of human development. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work; Foundation level course.

7730 Generalist Social Work Practice (3)

This course develops the generalist approach to social work knowledge, values, systems and processes with emphasis upon the generic aspects of intervention at several levels of social organization. Prerequisite: graduate standing in Social Work; Foundation level course.

7740 Community and Organization Dynamics (3)

Examination of social environment in which social work is practiced with particular emphasis on development of analytic framework for understanding formal organizations and communities. Prerequisite: graduate standing in Social Work; Foundation level course.

7750 Advanced Interaction Skills Workshop (3)

Advanced class in social processes and interaction skills basic to generalist social work practice. Learning in cognitive, behavioral and affective domains: including group dynamics, communication and social influence theory. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work; Foundation level course.

7760 Foundations of Social Justice (3)

This class will examine the impact of power, oppression and discrimination upon individuals, families, communities, and cultures within a historical and contemporary context and will assist students in examining personal and professional values and ethics related to justice. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work; Foundation level course.

7770 Strategies of Clinical Social Work Intervention (3)

Strategies of social treatment with individuals and small groups applicable to practice in public and private social agency settings. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work; Clinical concentration course.

7780 Fundamentals of Social Work Administration (3)

Basic managerial skills which social workers need for supervision, planning, staff development and administrative positions in social agencies; focus on individual management functions and skills associated with them. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work; PP&A concentration course.

7820 DSM IV & Psychopathology: A Social Work Perspective (3)

Examines psychopathology of human behavior within social work context, prevailing diagnostic models (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV), and historically oppressive categorizations. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work; Clinical concentration course.

7920 Advanced Foundations of Human Behavior for Administrators (3)

Examination of relevant theoretical and behavioral foundations in order that students can acquire the knowledge to function as a social work administrator. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work; PP&A concentration course.

7952 Research Methods in Social Work (3)

Examines research methodology and design as applied to the study of social work techniques and problems. Emphasizes differential uses of scientific observation and techniques for developing knowledge and improving practice. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work; Foundation level course.

7971 Graduate Field Practicum I (3)

Supervised social work practice in a school-approved agency providing a full range of intervention experiences. Winter semester, two or three days per week. Graded on S/U basis only. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work; 7710, 7720, 7730, 7750, 7760; Prerequisites or Co-requisite: 7740, 7770 or 7780, 7820 or 7920; 7952; consent required; Foundation level course.

8000 Issues in Health Care Policy (3)

Graduate seminar focusing on development of skills in social policy analysis. Emphasizes knowledge and analytical perspectives about social policies and health and impacts on various populations. Prerequisites: second year graduate standing; Counts as a policy elective or free elective.

8010 Child Abuse and Neglect Assessment and Intervention (3)

In-depth exploration of identification of and interventions with abused/neglected children and their families. Examines roles for social work with both victims and perpetrators. Examines how environmental factors affect successful intervention. Prerequisite: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

8020 Children's Mental Health and Social Services in Schools (3)

Focuses on diagnosis and assessment of childhood disorders in the DSM-IV-R and appropriate intervention strategies for these disorders. Focuses on interventions in educational settings. Prerequisites: graduate standing; Counts as a free elective.

8030 Client Case Management, Networking, and Advocacy (3)

Examines the key role of clinical case management across all social work client populations. Models of case management for and techniques applicable to those populations will be developed for effective practice. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work and 7770; Counts as a clinical selective.

8040 Narrative Approaches to Social Work Practice (3)

This class will enable students to gain knowledge of theory and basic practice skills grounded in narrative therapy. The use of narratives with vulnerable and oppressed populations and creative strategies to evoke narratives are highlighted in this course. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work and 7770; Counts as a clinical selective.

8050 Resiliency and Solution-Focused Practice (3)

Focuses on brief therapy approaches to dealing with clinical problems in a time-efficient, clinically effective method. Various approaches to solution-oriented work based in resiliency theory are presented. Stresses client empowerment across the lifespan. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work and 7770; Counts as a clinical selective.

8060 Trauma Practice and Crisis Intervention (3)

Focuses on clinical techniques for social work with trauma survivors. Addressing effects of disasters, personal violence and war are included. Resiliency in survivors is presented as basis for interventions. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work and 7770; Counts as a clinical selective.

8350 Management of a Social Agency (3)

Basic resource management and control techniques common to social agencies with emphasis on personnel management, information and data management, and fiscal management. Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work; PP& A concentration course.

8952 Evaluative Research in Clinical Social Work Practice (3)

Develop ability to systematically evaluate effectiveness of intervention strategies designed to produce positive change in clients' environment and/or cognitive, affective and behavioral functioning. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work and 7952; Clinical concentration course.

8953 Evaluative Research in Social Work Planning and Administration (3)

Develop ability to design and implement appropriate evaluative research methods and strategies employed in social and human service program planning and management. Prerequisite: graduate standing in social work and 7952; PP& A concentration course

8955 Independent Study in Social Work (1-6)

Intensive investigation of phenomena germane to area of concentration carried out with guidance of faculty. May include data collection; leads to a written report in publishable format. Prerequisite: graduate standing; counts as a policy, diversity, or free elective; consent required.

8970 Professional Practice Seminar I (3)

Provides integrative learning experience in social work practice in an area of beginning specialization in autonomous social work practice. Prerequisites: graduate standing; consent required. Co-requisite: 8971.

8971 Graduate Field Practicum II (cr.arr.)

Field instruction tailored to concentration interests, developing depth in clinical skills in direct service or in planning and administration. Graded on S/U basis only; Prerequisites: graduate standing in social work; successful completion of all required graduate coursework except 8970; Co-requisite: 8970.

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Doctoral Courses

9100 Knowledge Building I (3)

Advanced systemic review of theories requisite for study and implementation of practice and policy centered research in social welfare and social development; emphasis placed on critical analysis of theories needed for research and study of integrated social development.

9200 Knowledge Building IIA (3)

Building on the foundation laid in Social Work 9100, in depth examination of human development and social environment theories appropriate to scientific examination of social welfare practice with individuals, families, formed and natural groups.

9300 Research Methodology and Design Seminar (3)

Review of historical development of social welfare and social work research with emphasis on critical analysis of seminal studies; examination of “state-of-the-art” social welfare and development initiatives, designs and methodology. Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9400 Knowledge Building IIB (3)

Building on the foundation laid in Social Work 9100, in depth examination of human development and social environment theories appropriate to scientific examination of social welfare practice with formal organizations, interorganizational combinations, communities and large political entities. Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9500 Pro Seminar I (3)

Joint student-faculty exercise in intellectual discovery focusing on current and emerging issues in the field of social work and social development; emphasis on integration of multi-disciplinary perspectives. Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9600 Pro Seminar II (3)

Continuation of intellectual discovery opportunities begun in SW 9500. Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9700 Social Welfare Policy Seminar (3)

Critical examination of comparative models of social policy development; preparation of a professional social work policy analysis in the student’s area of interest/specialization that is suitable for submission to an appropriate refereed journal. Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9800 Research Application I (3)

Field experience in research and/or program evaluation in an area agency or organization; choice of the setting will be based on the student’s research interest; two days per week for one semester (256 clock hrs). Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9850 Research Application II (3)

Continuation of field experience in research and/or program evaluation in the same or different setting as appropriate to the student’s area of specialization; two days per week for one semester (256 clock hrs). Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9890 Dissertation Seminar (3) (may be repeated a second time for credit)

This course will assist doctoral students in planning and writing their dissertation. Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

9900 Research in Social work (cr.arr.)

Graded on S/U basis only.

9990 Doctoral Dissertation Research in Social Work (1-6)

Independently conducted research that includes concept development, data collection, statistical analysis and social policy implications prepared in a format suitable for publication. Graded on S/U basis only. Prerequisite: graduate standing; consent required.

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