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Social Work

Social Work | Social Work Course Listing

Professor: Dr. Kledaras (Chair)

Assistant Professor:   Dr. Tina Hancock

Adjunct Instructors: Ms. Murphy, Ms. Kane

The social work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The social work major is designed to prepare students for entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Academic credit for life or previous work experience will not be given in lieu of courses prefixed SOWK nor for the social work field practicum. The major leads to the Bachelor of Social Work degree.

Transfer of social work courses from social work programs accredited by CSWE may be allowed after review and with the permission of the Program Chair.

All candidates for a major in social work must be officially admitted to the social work program. The standards for admission to the program include:

1. Satisfactory progress and completion of the general college curriculum requirements, Social Work 201 and 290 with a grade of "C" or better.
2. Minimum grade point average of 2.25 on all work attempted.
3. Approval of faculty in the social work program.

Continuance in the social work program requires that students maintain at least a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average on all social work courses.

Termination from the social work program may occur for academic, as well as for non-academic, reasons.

Requirements for a Major in Social Work (CIP 44.0701)
Social Work 201, 290, 320, 321, 330, 340, 341, 350, 351, 480, 481, 490, and 491; Biology 111, Biology 221; Sociology 225, 340, and 345; and Psychology 222, 364, and 461. The required mathematics course is Math 160. Sociology 340 may be counted as Religion 340. One Restricted elective.

Upper level courses in social work are open only to normally admitted majors. Electives should be supportive of the major and approved in consultation with the social work faculty adviser.

201 Introduction to Social Work (3)
A course offering students, who think they would like to work with others, an opportunity to explore the field of professional social work and to assess their own aptitude and interest in a major in social work. Students planning careers in related professions such as criminal justice, ministry, or allied health may wish to learn about social work, as well. The course includes a brief history of the profession and an overview of major social welfare needs and services in the U.S. Problems which social workers encounter in their practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities are presented and a generalist problem-solving perspective is introduced. Students visit social work agencies and meet professional social workers. Offered in the fall and spring.

290 Early Field Experiences in Social Work (3)
A course designed for students exploring social work as a career choice. It is coupled with Introduction to Social Work (201) to provide an opportunity to observe the people, places, and processes of helping. Students are assigned to a human service agency for a minimum of 65 hours during the semester. Written requirements include a journal and descriptive agency analysis. Field faculty and students complete a written evaluation of performance in the agency setting. Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA, and permission of the Field Coordinator. Students must apply by March 15th for the fall semester and by October 15th for the spring semester. It is recommended that SOWK 201 be taken and completed with a grade of C or better prior to taking SOWK 290. Offered in the fall and spring.

320 Social Work Practice Methods I (3)
A course for exploring the dynamics of the helping process, with opportunities to practice skills, gain knowledge, and integrate personal and professional values in the helping relationship. A problem-solving model is presented for generalist practice with individuals and families. Prerequisite: Formal admission to the major. Offered in the fall.

321 Social Work Practice Methods II (3)
A course providing opportunities for students to become knowledgeable about and skillful in professional helping relationships with groups, organizations, and communities. The problem-solving method is utilized in depth and skills for working with diverse populations are strengthened and expanded. Prerequisites: Formal admission to the major and completion of SOWK 320 and SOWK 350. Offered in the spring.

330 Research Methods in Behavioral and Social Science (4) (Psychology 330)
A course providing an introduction to basic research methods. Emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to locate and understand scholarly articles, and to conduct elementary research for social work practice, including single case system designs, brief surveys, and simple program evaluation, as well as the preparation of the research report. This is a laboratory course. Prerequisites: Formal admission to the program and completion of Mathematics 160. Offered in the Spring.

340 Social Welfare History and Systems (3)
341 Social Welfare Systems and Services (3)
Two courses focusing on historical, economic, political, and philosophical foundations of American social welfare policy. In the first semester the origins of social welfare and the history of social welfare and social work in the United States are presented. Concepts important to understanding social welfare policy and delivering services to clients of various backgrounds and differing life experiences are studied, including that of social justice in the light of our Judaeo-Christian heritage. The impact of discrimination in American history is assessed, with a consideration of how societal inequities might be remedied. In SOWK 341 students engage in social policy analysis, in the study of social welfare systems and services, and formulate social policy recommendations in the form of written legislative testimony. Social welfare services are studied, with application to specific case situations. Students are introduced to an overview of the legal system, and to the legislation and regulations pertinent to social work generalist practice. Prerequisite: Formal admission to the program, and completion of Sociology 225. Offered in the fall and spring respectively.

345 Human Diversity (3) (SOCI 345)
A study of the biological, psychological, social, and cultural dimensions of human diversity. All elementary and middle grades education majors must complete this course. Offered in the spring.

350-351 Human Behavior in Social Environment (3,3)
Two courses presenting an ecological perspective on the development and functioning of individuals, families, structured groups, communities, and organizations. The dual perspective of the developing individual over the life course and the environmental processes provides the framework for understanding human behavior. Emphasis is placed on life transitions and events, diverse social environments, contexts that support or inhibit human development, functioning, and variations in development, and functioning which arise from cultural processes, race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, and rural/urban differences. Prerequisites: Formal admission to the program, and completion of Biology 221, Sociology 225 and Psychology 222. Offered in the fall and spring respectively.

360 Topics in Social Work (1-3)
An upper-level elective open to majors and to selected junior or senior non-majors with approval of the instructor. Topics vary from semester to semester and the course may be repeated for credit with different topics. Topics in the past have included social work with older persons, social work with women, and social work with alcohol and drug dependent clients and families. Offered as needed.

480-481 Practice Seminar (3,3)
A practice seminar directed toward helping the student integrate field and classroom experiences and to strengthen understanding and application of generalist practice, social work research knowledge and skills, and ability to work with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Enrollment must be concurrent with SOWK 490 and SOWK 491. Offered in the fall and spring respectively.

490-491 Field Practicum I and II (6,6)
Social work practice in an approved agency under MSW supervision for a minimum of 450 clock hours, 225 hours each semester. Students are responsible for expenses and must possess a valid North Carolina driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance. A completed request for placement must be turned in to the Field Coordinator by midterm of the semester prior to placement. Prerequisites for SOWK 490 and 491: Completion of all Social Work courses. Offered in the fall and spring respectively.

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