Social Work (MSW)

SSWO 502  |  3 credit hours

HSBE explores different theories about how human beings develop, understand, and participate in social relationships that include societal structures and distributions of power and resources necessary for healthy human development; how we formulate and act on basic assumptions about ourselves and others; and how the identity and experience of individuals is affected by class, gender, race or ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, and other factors as these are reflected in different political-economic and cultural contexts. Students explore how these different contexts are embodied in people’s physical, mental, and relational lives.

SSWO 503  |  3 credit hours

Social Work Research I provides an orientation to the history of science and the range of methods for informing evidence-guided social work practice. Knowledge generation and its application to social work research will be examined critically from a paradigmatic level. Students will explore the continuous relationship between research, theory development, and practice principles and will develop an understanding of the context of research, ethics and values, use of research resources, problem formulation, measurement, sampling, and research design.

SSWO 504  |  3 credit hours

This course will build upon the knowledge, methods, and skills provided in the foundation research course. Students will continue to learn how to critically assess research from ethical, multicultural, and social inclusion perspectives with an emphasis on community-engagement and how to translate findings into meaningful action steps. Students will explore the role community-engaged research can play in their future roles as social work practitioners. The content of this course heavily integrates other elements of the MSW curriculum.

SSWO 505  |  3 credit hours

Social Policy and Advocacy examines social welfare policy and practice with a primary focus on the role professional social work plays in the development, implementation, and evaluation of social welfare policy as well as the impact social welfare policy has on the social work profession. This course provides a historical overview of social welfare policy and social work as a profession. Course content includes identification of the values and ideologies that have informed the evolution of social work and public social welfare policy—including, but not limited to, how systemic oppression and social justice emerge in social welfare policy and community settings. This course includes a semester-long project in which students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of policy analysis and advocacy strategies.

SSWO 509  |  3 credit hours

Developing an anti-oppression social work practice requires an understanding of diversity and difference, power and privilege, and oppression–as well as understanding one’s self within these systems. In this course, students will engage in courageous conversation as they unpack Social Work’s history, both past and present, moving into an inclusive and anti-oppressive future. The themes of deconstructing systems of oppression, cultural wellness, intersectionality and practice strategies are infused through the course. A wide range of diverse populations will be discussed, reflecting the varied populations impacted by oppression, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and physical differences. Additionally, students will examine the role, function, and effects of oppression in society as it relates to social and economic justice. Assumptions underlying theory and research methodologies from which basic constructs of human behavior are drawn will be examined to understand how power and other dynamics manage and sustain oppression at the individual and institutional levels. Also of interest here is how oppression affects service delivery at micro and macro levels, particularly social policies and strategic planning, which drive the shape of services.

SSWO 510  |  3 credit hours

SSWO 510 is the initial practice course for MSW students at UNE. This course is designed to be sequenced with SSWO 511 Practice II. In this course sequence students will gain an in-depth exploration of generalist social work practice with an emphasis on the integration of theory and practice skills. Students will delve into foundational and contemporary theories, ethical principles, and practice methodologies. This course sequence utilizes simulated client engagement experiences that support students learning and mimics real-world scenarios. In SSWO 510 students will cover key topics such as ethical decision-making, cultural considerations, relationship building, client assessment, collaborative community partnerships, generalist practice intervention strategies, and evaluation techniques.

SSWO 511  |  3 credit hours

SSWO 511 is the second practice course for MSW students at UNE. This course is designed to be sequenced with SSWO 510 Practice I. In this course sequence students will gain an in-depth exploration of generalist social work practice with an emphasis on the integration of theory and practice skills. Students will delve into foundational and contemporary theories, ethical principles, and practice methodologies. This course sequence utilizes simulated client engagement experiences that support students’ learning and mimics real-world scenarios. In SSWO 511 students will cover key topics such as generalist practice with families, groups, and communities.

SSWO 521  |  3 credit hours

Integrating Seminar & Practicum I & II is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised generalist social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organizational setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level generalist social work skills. The seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication and critical thinking skills as well as discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Students use seminar class to monitor their own learning experience and progress in attaining educational and professional goals. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply, and discuss classroom learnings into their practicum setting. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility. SSWO 521 provides a venue for students to establish, broaden and deepen their generalist social work practice. Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers in their practice with clients and agencies/organizations.

SSWO 523  |  3 credit hours

Integrating Seminar/Practicum I & II is a two-semester, sequenced course designed to provide students with a supervised generalist social work practice experience in a social service organization. Students complete 400 hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organizational setting in which they learn generalist social work skills for multi-level and multi-sector practice. The integrating Seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication and critical thinking skills as well as discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues from their practicum experience. Students use seminar class to monitor their own learning experience and progress in attaining educational and professional goals. Students have opportunity to explore their experiences with applying classroom learning into the practicum setting, develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility. Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers.

SSWO 585  |  3 credit hours

The focus of this course is to examine the biopsychosocial-spiritual context of substance use/misuse through the intersection of multiple individual, family, organizational, societal and political systems that contribute to risk and healing. We will explore the impact of social dislocation, trauma, and neurobiology as it relates to those who are experiencing substance use disorders. Students will learn to identify through a person-centered, strength based, biopsychosocial lens toward how substances became a way of coping with life’s challenges and how substance use is a process of dis-ease through a sociocultural context. Students will be introduced to introductory evidence-based treatment modalities and explore resources to aid in prevention and intervention with individuals, families, organizations and policy makers by investigating their communities for recovery readiness.

SSWO 552  |  3 credit hours

This is the initial Advanced Clinical Practice course for MSW students at UNE. This course is designed to be sequenced with SSWO 553 Advanced Clinical Practice II. In this course sequence, students engage in intense experiential learning, practicing clinical intervention skills and methods with clients. Students will also explore ethical challenges that arise in client work. This course sequence utilizes simulated client engagement experiences that support students’ learning and mimic real-world scenarios.

SSWO 553  |  3 credit hours

This is the second Advanced Clinical Practice course for MSW students at UNE. This course is designed to be sequenced with SSWO 552 Advanced Clinical Practice I. In this course sequence students engage in intense experiential learning practicing clinical intervention skills and methods with clients. Students will also explore ethical challenges that arise in client work. This course sequence utilizes simulated client engagement experiences that support students’ learning and mimics real-world scenarios.

SSWO 565  |  3 credit hours

This course explores the roles of social workers in various leadership and supervisory capacities. Students will gain an understanding of the importance that leadership, organizational culture, teamwork, collaboration, and interprofessional perspectives have on an organization, its employees, and its clients.

SSWO 597  |  3 credit hours

This course is designed to prepare social work students with the Diagnostic Statistical Manual used routinely in the mental health field. It incorporates social work practice skills of assessment while developing diagnostic skills needed in a clinical setting. The use of the DSM and learning material further develops one’s practice skills in an ethical, culturally humble manner including race, culture, sexual identity and medical disorders while identifying psychiatric disorders that clients present when seeking assistance. The learning material includes required textbooks, scholarly literature, case studies and videos representing symptoms aligned with the DSM criteria to promote student obtaining working knowledge for use in clinical practice applicable in the mental health field.

SSWO 581  |  3 credit hours

Practicum & Integrating Seminar III & IV is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised advanced social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organization setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level integrated clinical social work skills. The integrating seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication, critical thinking and case formulation as well as to discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply and discuss advanced practice theories and concepts learned in the classroom into the practicum setting. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility in an integrated clinical social work setting. SSWO 580 provides a venue for students to deepen, broaden and further ground their experience of specialized social work practice and prepare to transition to professional social worker. Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers in their practice with clients and agencies/organizations.

SSWO 583  |  3 credit hours

Practicum & Integrating Seminar III & IV is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised advanced social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organization setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level integrated clinical social work skills. The integrating seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication, critical thinking and case formulation as well as to discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply and discuss advanced practice theories and concepts learned in the classroom into the practicum setting. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility in an integrated clinical social work setting.

SSWO 581 provides a venue for students to deepen, broaden and further ground their experience of specialized social work practice and prepare to transition to professional social worker.

Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers in their practice with clients and agencies/organizations.

SSWO 552  |  3 credit hours

This is the initial Advanced Clinical Practice course for MSW students at UNE. This course is designed to be sequenced with SSWO 553 Advanced Clinical Practice II. In this course sequence, students engage in intense experiential learning, practicing clinical intervention skills and methods with clients. Students will also explore ethical challenges that arise in client work. This course sequence utilizes simulated client engagement experiences that support students’ learning and mimic real-world scenarios.

SSWO 553  |  3 credit hours

This is the second Advanced Clinical Practice course for MSW students at UNE. This course is designed to be sequenced with SSWO 552 Advanced Clinical Practice I. In this course sequence students engage in intense experiential learning practicing clinical intervention skills and methods with clients. Students will also explore ethical challenges that arise in client work. This course sequence utilizes simulated client engagement experiences that support students’ learning and mimics real-world scenarios.

SSWO 565  |  3 credit hours

This course explores the roles of social workers in various leadership and supervisory capacities. Students will gain an understanding of the importance that leadership, organizational culture, teamwork, collaboration, and interprofessional perspectives have on an organization, its employees, and its clients.

SSWO 597  |  3 credit hours

This course is designed to prepare social work students with the Diagnostic Statistical Manual used routinely in the mental health field. It incorporates social work practice skills of assessment while developing diagnostic skills needed in a clinical setting. The use of the DSM and learning material further develops one’s practice skills in an ethical, culturally humble manner including race, culture, sexual identity and medical disorders while identifying psychiatric disorders that clients present when seeking assistance. The learning material includes required textbooks, scholarly literature, case studies and videos representing symptoms aligned with the DSM criteria to promote student obtaining working knowledge for use in clinical practice applicable in the mental health field.

SSWO 581  |  3 credit hours

Practicum & Integrating Seminar III & IV is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised advanced social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organization setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level integrated clinical social work skills. The integrating seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication, critical thinking and case formulation as well as to discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply and discuss advanced practice theories and concepts learned in the classroom into the practicum setting. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility in an integrated clinical social work setting. SSWO 580 provides a venue for students to deepen, broaden and further ground their experience of specialized social work practice and prepare to transition to professional social worker. Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers in their practice with clients and agencies/organizations.

SSWO 583  |  3 credit hours

Practicum & Integrating Seminar III & IV is a two-term sequenced set of courses designed to complement student’s agency supervised advanced social work practice. Students complete their required hours of experiential learning in an approved social service organization setting in which they learn, practice, and receive feedback on their multi-level integrated clinical social work skills. The integrating seminar provides students with opportunities to practice ethical communication, critical thinking and case formulation as well as to discuss and reflect on professional social work practice issues that arise in their practicum experience. Through mixed learning methods, students have the opportunity to explore, connect, apply and discuss advanced practice theories and concepts learned in the classroom into the practicum setting. Students also have the opportunity to develop skills for self-reflection, self-awareness and reflexivity, and to broaden and deepen their understanding of social work’s inherent values such as honoring dignity and worth of each person, clients’ right to self-determination, social justice, equity and inclusion, honor and respect for diversity, and cultural humility in an integrated clinical social work setting.

SSWO 581 provides a venue for students to deepen, broaden and further ground their experience of specialized social work practice and prepare to transition to professional social worker.

Students are expected to abide by The Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers in their practice with clients and agencies/organizations.

SSWO 571  |  3 credit hours

This course will examine policy, varying service delivery systems, funding and the role of social workers in the areas of partner abuse, child abuse and elder abuse. This course will help students understand the context in which domestic violence practice occurs. The course will also focus on the role of the social worker in assessing for domestic violence with their clients. Culturally sensitive practice issues will be discussed and their impact on individuals seeking services. The course will also focus on developing student’s abilities in assessment and intervention techniques with both survivors and individuals that batter. The course focuses on developing students’ abilities to identify and explore ethical issues in domestic violence practice.

SSWO 574  |  3 credit hours

This course will provide the graduate student with a general understanding of the roles and responsibilities when working in primary educational settings. It will focus upon the roles the school social worker has when addressing the micro/mezzo and macro social problems and resources when assisting their pupil population. Areas such as safety, homelessness, diversity, and disabilities will also be explored. Additionally, the course will inform the student of the interdisciplinary structure of the school system as well as the external structures (statutes and regulations) that can influence educational policy and practice. Students will become knowledgeable of their state educational laws pertaining to school social work certification.

SSWO 575  |  3 credit hours

This course will provide the graduate MSW student with a general understanding of social work roles and responsibilities when working in Health Care settings such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and clinics. Students will learn and demonstrate gained knowledge and practice skills when assisting others of all ages in these settings.

Areas to be addressed include medical terminology, biopsychosocial assessment for health care settings, treatment planning, professional interdisciplinary team collaboration, leadership and social work ethics.

SSWO 585  |  3 credit hours

The focus of this course is to examine the biopsychosocial-spiritual context of substance use/misuse through the intersection of multiple individual, family, organizational, societal and political systems that contribute to risk and healing. We will explore the impact of social dislocation, trauma, and neurobiology as it relates to those who are experiencing substance use disorders. Students will learn to identify through a person-centered, strength based, biopsychosocial lens toward how substances became a way of coping with life’s challenges and how substance use is a process of dis-ease through a sociocultural context. Students will be introduced to introductory evidence-based treatment modalities and explore resources to aid in prevention and intervention with individuals, families, organizations and policy makers by investigating their communities for recovery readiness.

SSWO 603  |  3 credit hours

This course is open to all MSW students, generalist and specialization year.

It is considered a clinical elective for licensing requirements. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma and various psychological and behavioral health issues. Psychologists for psychology students develop most CBT training programs. This course is unique because its development is by clinical social workers, specifically for clinical social work students. Classic CBT theory and interventions are adapted and re-framed to provide a strengths-based perspective, considering “person-in-environment” and the effects of trauma on human health and wellness. Upon completing this course, MSW students will have the knowledge and skills to integrate a CBT approach in clinical practice that aligns with social work principles and values and trauma-informed care systems.

SSWO 609  |  3 credit hours

Building on the SSWO 585 Substance Use: A Social Work Perspective course, this course further prepares students for direct clinical practice with individuals and their families experiencing substance use disorder through a co-occurring treatment lens. Students will be introduced to the ASAM Assessment criteria as it relates to the biopsychosocial – spiritual perspective of social work practice using a mental health and addictions focused lens to inform their assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning and interventions. Students will integrate the foundational content of prerequisite 585 while examining the 12 core competencies of addiction counseling as they relate to co-occurring clinical practice. Students will explore best practices for co-occurring treatment and engage in practical applications of evidence-based theories and treatment modalities that utilize a mind body approach to healing through role play, case studies, discussions and reflections.

SSWO 611  |  3 credit hours

This course will examine policy, varying service delivery systems, funding and the role of social workers in the areas of partner abuse, child abuse and elder abuse. This course will help students understand the context in which domestic violence practice occurs. The course will also focus on the role of the social worker in assessing for domestic violence with their clients. Culturally sensitive practice issues will be discussed and their impact on individuals seeking services. The course will also focus on developing student’s abilities in assessment and intervention techniques with both survivors and individuals that batter. The course focuses on developing students’ abilities to identify and explore ethical issues in domestic violence practice.

SSWO 613  |  3 credit hours

This course explores working with survivors in a trauma-based practice which validates the experience, respects the survivor, and helps her/him to become empowered. An examination of personal beliefs and definitions of trauma will serve as a first step toward the study of advanced trauma based practice. Using Trauma Theory as a foundation, students will learn practice methods and approaches that may be helpful in working with survivors. Case presentations will allow students the opportunity to discuss alternative practice approaches, understand the trauma survivor’s experience, and support & critique peers.

Addendum: This course provides a general understanding of trauma and its effect on the brain caused by various types of trauma experiences and the differences of outcomes of trauma upon people especially those of diverse backgrounds. It will provide opportunity for the examination of personal beliefs with regard to trauma and consideration of practice in an anti racist, diverse, equitable, and inclusive manner. The use of a Trauma Informed approach and various treatment modalities are presented and will assist students to learn social work practice interventions that will be helpful for survivors of trauma experiences.

This course addresses traumatic events, exposure and outcomes that social workers will most likely assess and provide practice interventions for clients throughout their career. As we learn through the course about trauma and the negative effects, it is important that students recognize how this material may also affect them. Do be mindful of your own needs. There is no requirement to share or discuss in the Discussion Boards or Reflective Journals any personal information that can result in your discomfort. It is more important that you engage in the course with peers and faculty in a meaningful manner that promotes your learning and while not triggering discomfort. The course faculty is available to assist if such situations arise.

SSWO 618  |  3 credit hours

Homelessness and Social Work: Voices from the Street. This course is aimed at increasing student awareness of contemporary social welfare policies, programs and practice issues relevant to providing social work services to homeless and other poor people. The homeless experience is examined in the context of societal oppression and political resistance.

SSWO 621  |  3 credit hours

This course provides a foundational understanding of working affirmingly with individuals across the LGBTQIA+ community. Through exploration of key terminology, identity development models, and historical milestones, students will deepen their cultural awareness and clinical sensitivity. Topics include risk and protective factors, health care disparities, the impact of bias and microaggressions in practice, and the importance of affirming language, pronouns, and allyship. Designed to strengthen competence and confidence, this course equips social work students and other allied health professionals with essential tools to provide inclusive and client-centered care to members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

SSWO 622  |  3 credit hours

This course builds upon foundational knowledge to deepen students’ clinical competencies and ethical practice skills when working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and groups. Emphasis is placed on affirming assessment and diagnostic processes, including a historical review of the DSM’s treatment of sexual orientation and gender identity, the exploration of common and complex clinical presentations, and the behavioral health disparities impacting LGBTQIA+ communities. Students will critically examine practice theories relevant to LGBTQIA+ populations, including trauma-informed, strengths-based, and minority stress frameworks, and apply evidence-based and evidence-informed interventions across practice settings. The course also presents information on the harmful and unethical practice of conversion therapy, including its historical roots, contemporary manifestations, and professional consensus opposing its use. Ethical considerations—including confidentiality, informed consent, documentation, dual relationships, and navigating value conflicts—are explored with particular attention to best practices in documentation for services provided to LGBTQIA+ clients. Students will also review key highlights of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care as they relate to ethical, affirming practice with clients seeking medical transition-related services. Designed to support the development of clinical judgment and professional confidence, this course prepares social work students and allied health professionals to deliver ethically sound, culturally responsive, and clinically effective care with LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and groups.

SSWO 623  |  3 credit hours

Description coming soon

SSWO 627  |  3 credit hours

This course examines concepts in psycho-pharmacology, neurophysiology, psychoactive drug classification. Physiological, and psycho-logical aspects of psychopharmacological agents used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders are presented. Psychopharmacology with the geriatric population is explored. The parts of the brain affected by alcohol, marijuana, opiates, cocaine, and other street drugs are discussed.

SSWO 628  |  3 credit hours

This course relates the application of creative arts, including music, literature, theatre, art, poetry, movement, and dance, to increasing self-awareness, working directly with clients, enhancing social awareness of core social issues, and enhancing civic dialogue. Includes presentations by diverse community artists.

SSWO 633  |  3 credit hours

This specialization year elective focuses on developing clinical skills specifically for social work practice with children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Methods of building relationships with children, adolescents and caregivers are explored, as are specific child-centered interventions and techniques. Additionally, there is a focus on interdisciplinary models of practice, including wrap-around services and the overall development of networks and partnerships between social workers and other child-centered professionals.

SSWO 635  |  3 credit hours

This course is a progressive overview of the field of aging beginning with the history and theories of gerontology and transitioning to the methods providers use with older consumers to maintain wellness and high functional levels in the later years. The latest research on exercise, nutrition and alternative and complementary health care for an aging population is emphasized.

SSWO 642  |  3 credit hours

This advanced practice course provides students with the opportunity to learn the theory and practice of Narrative Therapy. The UNE School of Social Work Mission and Values state; “the School embraces a comprehensive definition of health as a state of complete physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being… teaching empowering theories for practice and developing collaborative relationships based on mutuality and respect”. Narrative Therapy is one such empowering theory. Students will have the opportunity to explore the historical development of this contemporary theory and to observe and practice Narrative Therapy through interactive role-plays and video-taped sessions with classmates and the instructor.

SSWO 643  |  3 credit hours

This course focuses on one of today’s popular therapeutic approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, commonly referred to as ACT. The course uses a case-based learning approach to provide student-learners with hands-on experiential learning opportunities to practice the specific skills and therapeutic strategies being presented.

“ACT is based on a philosophy of science, functional contextualism, that focuses on the behavior of individuals within their historical and situational contexts. ACT draws on a comprehensive theory of language, relational frame theory (RFT), which accounts for the influence of culturally shaped language processes on learning and human behavior. ACT and RFT are supported by a growing body of research that supports ACT’s efficacy with a wide variety of problems and suggests that ACT works by its theorized mechanism of change. ACT can be delivered in an array of formats and is easily accessible for those seeking training, and ACT offers a non-stigmatizing, universalizing approach to alleviating suffering that positions social workers and clients as subject to the same, normally occurring processes of human behavior” (Boone et al., 2015).

Enjoy the journey through this empowering approach to healing, recovery, and growth!

SSWO 650  |  3 credit hours

This course will prepare students to become practitioners and leaders versed in Adverse Childhood Experiences, resiliency, historical and intergenerational trauma, and trauma-informed theory. Students will explore these trauma-informed principles and apply them on micro and macro levels through a focus on implementation science for trauma-informed organizational and individual practice change. This course provides a strong foundation that complements clinical electives such as Advanced Trauma Practices.

SSWO 652  |  3 credit hours

Motivational Interviewing is a way of collaborating with clients empathetically and in a person-centered way that helps clients to find their own motivations for change. In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of motivational interviewing and will have the opportunity to practice intensively within the context of any helping profession. Students will learn core principles of motivational interviewing including expressing empathy and dancing with discord, developing discrepancy, and supporting self-efficacy. We will explore enhancing strategies for promoting individual change in primary healthcare settings and the use of motivational interviewing in achieving better health outcomes.

SSWO 657  |  3 credit hours

This course examines how social, political, and contextual factors influence mental health, psychosocial, and behavioral outcomes and treatment-seeking behaviors among military personnel, veterans, and their families. Students will examine the military from a variety of perspectives, including its background and organization, social systems, core values, artifacts, language and socially acceptable practices as these practices impact soldiers. This course addresses the needs of active duty, deployed service members, veterans, and their families at different developmental phases of the military life course. A range of physical, mental, and psychosocial issues including deployment stressors and post-deployment mental health (i.e., physical challenges, posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, anxiety and depressive symptoms, substance use/abuse, suicidal ideation, and interpersonal conflicts) will be addressed in this course.

SSWO 670  |  3 credit hours

An interdisciplinary course on death and dying, we will explore the death system, funerals, economic considerations of death, care of the dying and the bereaved of all ages, psychological dynamics dealing with the death, and ultimate questions in relationship to death and bereavement. The course will examine the basic principles of palliative care, bereavement and grief in all age groups, suicide and grief, issues around refugee and immigrant experience with death, various philosophical and religious understandings of death, meaning of life, ethical issues related to the care of the dying and the bereaved. We will explore the nature of grief and loss, the personal characteristics of effective practitioners, communication skills used in practice, the goals and techniques of practice with people who are grieving, approaches to helping those who are dying, and specific interventions that are helpful to bereaved clients in cases of prolonged grief, mourning a child or those whose deaths were stigmatized or unanticipated. Students will explore their own personal, cultural, and spiritual experiences, beliefs and values around death and dying.

SSWO 673  |  3 credit hours

This course, “Social Work Practice and the Law” is designed to introduce students to the various components of law and how the exchanges between legal professionals and a social worker coincides when an individual, family, or group is faced with legal issues. It provides an introductory examination of historical frameworks of both law/social work and how the two systems interact with one another within all of the legal and social work domains. This course showcases the systems perspective as well as practice techniques in communicating and collaborating across professional fields. The goal of this course is to understand the context of law, social work, and their continuing relevance to understanding and meeting a client’s legal needs.