Social Work and Gerontology

Social Work Program Description

The Social Work Program is nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. Social work is a profession committed to collaborating with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and the community to maximize the potential and well-being of all of these client systems and to help resolve and/or prevent challenges in living. In order to achieve this, social work prepares students to become agents of change so that they can change the world in a myriad of ways, including, but not limited, to the following:

  • social and economic justice advocacy
  • peacebuilding and conflict resolution
  • healthcare and medical social work
  • behavioral health
  • social services administration
  • community organizing and education
  • child, family, and school social work
  • international/global social work
  • restorative education, corrections, and criminal justice
  • practice with immigrants and refugees
  • social work with veterans
  • gerontological social work
  • community mental health
  • addiction and recovery
  • policy and planning
  • case management
  • crisis intervention
  • group counseling

Graduates of the Social Work Program possess theoretical and practice competencies required of the professional social worker and have integrated the underlying values of the profession. Content areas emphasized within the social work curriculum include:

  • human behavior and the social environment;
  • research;
  • values and ethics;
  • diversity;
  • populations at risk;
  • social, economic, and environmental justice;
  • social welfare policy and services;
  • practice approaches;
  • field practicum, and
  • peace studies.

The degree offered is a Bachelor of Social Work.

Gerontology Program Description

The gerontology minor at Saint Mary’s College educates students about complex issues that equip them to respond constructively to the individual, family, community, societal, and global challenges of aging. Due to dramatic increases in the older population, graduates with a minor in gerontology have an advantage in the job market and are well prepared to make a difference in the world. This minor requires 15 credit hours and integrates well with requirements for most majors. A portfolio is required for completion of the minor.

Study Abroad

Saint Mary’s has a long history of providing quality international programs as an essential part of our educational mission—forming women leaders who will make a difference in the world. As this world becomes increasingly interdependent, the College offers an expanding range of semester, year, semester break, and summer study and service programs in a wide variety of countries, and encourages students to take advantage of them. Learn more about the various Study Abroad opportunities.

Double Majors/Minors

Courses taken outside the major may be chosen to complement the Social Work major or to provide the student with a second area of concentration. When considering double major(s) or minor(s), please consult advisors from both disciplines.

Licensure for Social Work Practice

The Social Work Program at Saint Mary’s College is accredited as a baccalaureate degree program by the Council on Social Work Education that qualifies students for state licensure examinations.

Advanced Standing in M.S.W. Graduate Programs

Students are encouraged and recommended to pursue the M.S.W. and a doctoral degree in Social Work (Ph.D. or DSW). By completing the Social Work major, students may be eligible for advanced standing in nationally recognized graduate schools that actively recruit graduating Social Work seniors from this professional program. Advanced standing in M.S.W. programs allows student to complete their graduate M.S.W. degrees in one instead of two years through completing two to three semesters of graduate M.S.W. education.

Social Work Field Placements

The Social Work Program mentors women into career trajectories for leadership in a variety of fields, including psychotherapy with children and families, medical social work, law and social policy, administration, global/international social work, organizational social work, gerontology, community social work, school social work, government social work, peace building, and forensic social work/criminal justice. The field practicum in completed in the senior year at a local social service organizational setting. Practicum placements may include:

  • AIDS Ministries
  • Battel School
  • Beacon Health System
  • CASA
  • Catholic Charities
  • Congressional Office
  • Dismas House
  • Family Justice Center
  • Goodwill Industries
  • Healthwin
  • Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame
  • Howard Ellis School
  • Juvenile Justice Center
  • Local school corporations
  • Mayor’s Office
  • Memorial Prenatal Clinic
  • Oaklawn Hospital and Mental Health Center
  • Ombudsman Program
  • REAL Services, Inc.
  • Riley High School
  • River Bend Cancer Services
  • Ryan’s Place
  • Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center
  • South Bend Heritage Foundation
  • Success Academy
  • U.S. Senate Office
  • Youth Service Bureau
  • YWCA

Governmental Requirements for Some Professions

Some professions (e.g. nursing, teaching, social work, speech therapy, accounting, etc.) require specific requirements for licensure and/or hiring (e.g. acceptable criminal background check, sex offender check, drug and alcohol testing, citizenship or permanent resident status documentation, valid immigration status for non-­US citizens, valid social security number, etc.). Such requirements may also apply to required clinical and fieldwork, or other out-­of­-class room experience necessary to complete degree requirements in the majors related to these professions. These requirements are determined by laws and regulations at both the state and federal levels and are subject to change. Saint Mary’s College strongly urges all admitted and current students to research and understand the appropriate requirements for their intended course of study and profession. Compliance with these requirements is the responsibility of the student and the graduate. You should become informed and continue to monitor such requirements as laws and other legal requirements are subject to change.

Department Chair

Leonard Sanchez
27 Spes Unica Hall, Rm 257 E
574-284-4546

Faculty

F. Kominkiewicz, K. Lyndes, L. Sanchez

Social Work Student Learning Outcomes

  • 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.
  • Engage in policy practice.
  • Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
  • Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Note: Visit www.cswe.org for more information.

Gerontology Student Learning Outcomes

  • Articulates and applies an understanding of aging processes, including: ­
    • Demographic changes
    • Diversity in later life
    • Normal physical and psychological changes with aging
    • Preventive health care
    • Treatment of major age-­related diseases.
  • Explain and apply the following:
    • The various models and theories in gerontology ­
    • Practical implications of theories
    • Healthcare and social policies related to aging.
  • Analyze and apply knowledge of policy and practice issues related to ethics and values in settings serving older adults and their families.
  • Articulate an awareness of professional opportunities in gerontology.

Social Work Courses

SW 202  Introduction to Social Work  (3)  

This course is an introduction to the knowledge and skills of the generalist practice of social work. It includes an examination of the history, principles, practice, research, and literature in the social welfare field. Theoretical and professional foundations, diverse client systems, areas of practice, contemporary social policies, and social work values are examined. The student is given opportunities to dialogue with community agency representatives.

SW 235  Human Behavior and the Social Environment I  (3)  

This course examines human behavior and the social environment using the generalist social work theoretical framework to explain the interactions of individuals, families, and groups. Special emphasis is given to the biological, social, psychological, and cultural factors that affect human behavior within these micro and mezzo systems.

SW 236  Human Behavior and the Social Environment II  (3)  

This course examines human behavior and the social environment using the generalist social work theoretical framework to explain the interactions of communities, organizations, and society. Special emphasis is given to the biological, social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual factors that affect human behavior within these macro systems. Pre or corequisite: SW 235.

SW 238  Introduction to Peace Studies: Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution  (3)  

Peace Studies seeks to understand and address persistent conflict and violence in the world. Peace Studies integrates knowledge from the thought traditions of multiple disciplines. It engages in building understanding of how those involved in the violent conflict and those external to the violent conflict can build stable peace. This course is designed to provide a cross-disciplinary examination of violence and Peace Studies to develop a firm grounding in addressing violence of a direct physical and structural kind by policymakers, professional peacebuilders, and peace researchers. This leads us to focusing more on peace than on violence so that we deal with the patterns of violence assessed in global, national, and local environments.

SW 331  Social Work Practice I: Micro Methods: Individuals and Families  (3)  

The basic class in social work helping methods, this course applies the generalist approach to social work practice with individuals and families. Discussion of case studies with emphasis on systems theory and the ecological method. While this course focuses on micro level practice, the methods introduced are applicable to all types of social work practice. Prerequisite: social work major; pre or corequisite: SW 202 and SW 235.

SW 332  Social Work Practice II: Mezzo Methods: Small and Large Groups  (3)  

This focus of this course is the generalist approach to problem solving and inter­vention practices at the small and large group levels, introducing the function and role of the social worker in these settings. The class examines the dynamics that occur when clients with common concerns are brought together for the purpose of helping one another. Prerequisite: social work major and SW 202; pre or corequisite: SW 238.

SW 333  Social Work Practice III: Macro Methods: Communities, Organizations, and Societies  (3)  

This course introduces the function and role of the social worker in organizations, communities, and societies. While many of the processes used in micro, mezzo, and macro practice are similar, there are unique features involved in the macro context which are examined and illustrated. Organizational and community theories are linked to practice applications. Prerequisites: social work major and SW 202; pre or corequisite: SW 238.

SW 334  Social Welfare Policy and Service  (3)  

Development of social welfare policy and service in response to changing social conditions. Focuses on the theory, history, scope, nature, organization, and implementation of current programs on local, state, and federal levels and in the private sector. Prerequisite: social work major or permission of instructor.

SW 340  Working with Diverse Populations  (3)  

This course is designed to increase student knowledge of diversity in individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and societies. Addressing issues and exploring values necessary for successful interaction with diverse individuals, their families, and the communities and organizations with which they interact. Groups to be addressed include ethnic, racial, cultural, religious; socioeconomic/class distinctions; individuals with physical, mental and emotional challenges; women; older adults and youth; and sexual orientation. Designated theoretical frameworks that explain the interaction in the social systems of diverse individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, and societies will be discussed. The course also focuses on the relationship between diversity issues and human behavior, including prejudice and discrimination. Specific frameworks will be explored to understand the relationship between diversity and cultural, historical, biological, social, psychological, and spiritual variables.

SW 341  Relationships, Intimacy and Sexuality Across the Lifespan  (3)  

This course is designed to increase student learning in relationships through a discussion of sexuality and intimacy. Students will address these topics through knowledge of the biological, social, spiritual, and psychological aspects of relationships, sexuality, and intimacy. Knowledge of and competence in understanding populations-at-risk who are experiencing issues with intimacy, sexuality, and relationships will be explored.

SW 342  Intercultural Leadership Development  (3)  

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop leadership skills using a community based learning model. Students will participate in leadership learning experiences in community social service organizations. Leadership skills will be increased through actively participating with community leaders involved in a wide variety of programs that target services for populations at risk and diverse groups.

SW 343  Living Fully, Dying Well: Exploring Loss, Grief and Death Across the Lifespan  (3)  

Loss, grief, and death are universal and inescapable aspects of the human experience. Loss occurs throughout life from minor daily occurrences to life changing events. Death is a primary loss, but other events in life are losses too; divorce, job loss, disaster, loss of security/safety as a victim of a crime and many others. These experiences are frequently complex and affect how one lives. We learn about loss, grief and death so that we can know better how to live. Personal awareness, experience, and attitudes about loss, grief, and death influence how social workers care for the bereaved and those at end of life. It is important that conscious and thoughtful study is given to these topics. This interdisciplinary course examines the biopsychosocial, spiritual, and cultural aspects of loss, grief, dying, and death within the context of historical and current grief and loss theory, human development, culture, and types of loss. Examples of losses examined include perinatal loss, death of a child, spouse, parent, friend, and others. The impact of how one dies, such as suicide, violent death, terminal illness and the impact on survivors is also examined. Practice models of coping with chronic and terminal illness are also considered.

SW 360  Health and Human Services Administration  (3)  

This course is a real world introduction to the administration of health and human service organizations. Learn how to effectively manage interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, and inter-organizational situations in and among health and human services organizations through real life and applicable learning techniques, such as case scenarios. Examine the principles and practices of health and human services administration including ethics and values, leadership styles, theories of health and human services administration, and policies related to the management of health and human services are examined. Diverse client systems and developing sensitivity and understanding of various cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and spiritual backgrounds of individuals and groups in health and human services are emphasized.

SW 361  Budgeting and Financial Management for Health and Human Services Administration  (3)  

This is an introductory module designed for students who have little or no background in budgeting and financial management. The focus of this course is on the budget process for health care and human service organizations. Participants are exposed to specific techniques of health care and human service organization budgeting and variance analysis. The objectives for this course are for participants to improve their understanding of the budget process as it applies to health care and human service organizations and to learn valuable specific techniques of budgeting and variance analysis. Students learn to create, execute and analyze the basic types of budgets used in public, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. The course will teach specific tools using the case method and exercises. The course covers budget analysis, budget formulation, budget execution, budget strategies, evaluation of operating and capital budgets, and cost accounting. Special emphasis is placed on gerontological health and human services financial management.

SW 362  Perspectives in Gerontology  (3)  

This course provides an overview of issues related to older adults and their families and constitutes a core course for the interdisciplinary course of study of gerontology at this College. It examines the nature of the aging process, the ways in which persons adapt to changes, and the ways in which the interventions/services may assist with these adaptations. Special emphasis is given to the ways in which physical, social, and psychological factors interact to impact how persons age. The needs and issues encountered by older persons both within the community and in institutional settings will be examined. Work with caregivers will be considered. Students will examine ways to work with individuals, families, and groups. The course includes material addressing special populations and ethical issues.

SW 363  Grant Writing for Health and Human Services Administration  (3)  

This is an introductory module designed for students who have little or no background in grant writing. The focus of this course is on the grant writing process for health care and human service organizations. Specific techniques of health care and human service organization grant writing are presented. The objectives for this course are for participants to improve their understanding of the grant writing process as it applies to health care and human service organizations and to learn valuable specific techniques of grant writing. Students learn to research, create, and analyze the grant writing process in health and human service organizations.

SW 365  DSM-5 and Mental Health Issues Across the Lifespan  (3)  

This course will focus on the application of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DMS-5) for assessing and understanding mental health issues affecting human behavior across the lifespan with children, adolescents, adults, and families. Students will learn models of DSM-5 assessment to evaluate human functioning across the lifespan with emphasis on women and gender, vulnerable and diverse populations, and mezzo-macro issues.

SW 370  Family Violence and Sexual Abuse Issues  (3)  

This course introduces students to issues of family violence and sexual abuse across the lifespan. The different types of family violence and sexual abuse will be discussed, including domestic violence, global/international violence against women, rape, courtship violence and date rape, sexual assault, cultural issues related to abuse, bullying, school violence and abuse, child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, abuse against parents, elder abuse, sexual harassment, and abuse among vulnerable populations. Ethics and values, as well as criminal justice issues regarding family violence and sexual abuse, are emphasized. The history, policy, effects, and practice regarding family violence and sexual abuse will also be examined.

SW 379  Interviewing Methods  (3)  

A workshop course designed to assist students in learning interviewing techniques. Discussion and practical exercises will be used as well as video and audio facilities. Identification, observation, understanding, knowledge, demonstration, and student practicing of interviewing methods are utilized. Prerequisite: junior or senior status or permission of the instructor.

SW 390  Special Topics in Social Work  (3)  

A seminar focusing upon a selected area of interest in social work. Topics may include such areas as social stress, poverty, mental health, substance abuse, women in society, occupations and professions, conflict, peace studies, social psychiatry, criminal justice, homelessness, and veterans. May be repeated for credit with a different topic and the consent of the advisor. Prerequisite: SW 202 or permission of the instructor.

SW 397  Independent Study in Social Work  (1-3)  

Independent readings and seminar discussions in selected areas of interest. This course is not intended as a substitute for an existing course. May be repeated with a different topic for a maximum of six hours, only three of which apply to the hours required for the social work major. Prerequisites: Nine hours in SW, junior or senior status, and permission of the instructor and the Social Work program director.

SW 484  Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts I  (3)  

Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts I is designed to provide a foundation for research competencies and statistics in social work practice. The course focuses upon knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, a significant component of practice knowledge. Practice and program effectiveness, imperative in social work practice, will be addressed. Students will learn to understand and apply social work research and basic statistical concepts in order to analyze the quality of research studies, to evaluate their own practice, and to conduct evidence-based research. SPSS is introduced. Ethical aspects of research are considered in terms of the values of the social work profession. Corequisite: SW 332 and SW 333.

SW 485  Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts II  (3)  

Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts II helps students achieve basic research methodology and statistics skills to achieve social work competence in research design, data collection, and data analysis. SPSS is applied. Students learn to analyze exemplary social work research and present research projects that build theoretical and methodological knowledge appropriate for social work education. Students will review basic statistical methods (descriptive and inferential statistics; measures of association), and become familiar with basic parametric and nonparametric techniques. Prerequisite: SW 484 with a grade of C or better; corequisite: SW 486 and 488.

SW 486  Social Work Field Practicum I  (1-6)  

Professionally supervised agency placement for the student so she may relate classroom learning to the practice setting. This experience provides the student with an opportunity to integrate knowledge, values, and practice, to deepen her understanding, and to develop proficiencies for beginning professional practice. A minimum of 480 hours of direct field experience is required for the major in social work. Graded S/U. Corequisite: SW 485 and SW 488. Prerequisites: SW 331, SW 332, SW 333, and SW 334. Fee: $10 per credit hour.

SW 487  Social Work Field Practicum II  (1-6)  

Professionally supervised agency placement for the student so she may relate classroom learning to the practice setting. This experience provides the student with an opportunity to integrate knowledge, values, and practice, to deepen her understanding, and to develop proficiencies for beginning professional practice. A minimum of 480 hours of direct field experience is required for the major in social work. Graded S/U. Corequisite: SW 489. Prerequisites: SW 486 and SW 495. Fee: $10 per credit hour.

SW 488  Social Work Practicum Seminar I  (2)  

A seminar designed to help the student integrate knowledge, practice approaches, and social work values and ethics from course work and field experience. The field placement is the focus for discussion and analysis. Growing self-awareness and a beginning frame of reference for professional practice are emphasized. Corequisite: SW 485 and SW 486. Prerequisites: SW 331, SW 332, SW 333, SW 334.

SW 489  Social Work Practicum Seminar II  (2)  

A seminar designed to help the student integrate knowledge, practice approaches, and social work values and ethics from course work and field experience. The field placement is the focus for discussion and analysis. Growing self-awareness and a beginning frame of reference for professional practice are emphasized. Corequisite: SW 487. Prerequisites: SW 488 and SW 495.

SW 495  Integrative Seminar  (1)  

The social work program comprehensive seminar providing the student an opportunity to examine, in detail, her integration of the knowledge, values, and skills of the profession. Seminar presentations, discussions, and papers are required of each student. Prerequisites: Declared Social Work major, junior status, and permission of the Social Work program director.

SW 497  Independent Research in Social Work  (1-3)  

Specialized research in social work supervised in a tutorial setting. Only six hours in independent work, including SW 397, may apply to the hours required in social work for the major. Prerequisite: Nine hours in SW, junior or senior status, and permission of the instructor and Social Work program director.

Gerontology Courses

GERO 201  Gerontology: Services and Policies  (3)  

An overview of programs and policies designed to enable older adults to obtain necessary services, enhance their health, improve or maintain their economic well-being, and provide support to families of the aging. Trends in the aging programs, services, and policies are discussed. Topics include work, retirement, and income maintenance; delivery and regulation of health care; and social or community services that promote well-being in older adults. Depending on current health and safety regulations, visits are made to providers serving older adults and their families, and an experiential learning component is integrated into the course.

GERO 320  Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias  (3)  

An introduction to the factors affecting the quality of life of people with dementia and their caregivers: the cultural, social and physical environments, social support, societal attitudes and intervention, and management strategies. Attention is given to the diagnosis of dementia; types, prevalence and course of the illness; behavioral, cognitive, and physical symptoms; ethical and legal issues; professional management and treatment issues; family care-giving issues; and implications for health and social policy.

GERO 397  Independent Study  (1-3)  

May be repeated.

Four Year Plan for BSW in Social Work

The following form is a guide for planning your Social Work curriculum with your advisor.  Indicate semester/year for all courses planned to be taken. Note that some courses may not be offered each semester.  The required Social Work courses during junior and senior years are noted in the planner. It is highly recommended that all your Sophia Requirements be met by the end of your junior year.

The Social Work Major requires a student to complete a total of 59-60 credit hours comprised of required courses, supporting required courses and electives to receive a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Due to this high number of credits, it is necessary to consider at least the required courses that include Sophia attributes to fulfill both the required course and Sophia course requirements.    

The four-year planner below illustrates the Social Work required courses only that satisfy the Sophia requirements. For example, the LO1 Professional Arts, and LO3 Social Responsibility A and LO3 Social Responsibility B is included in the following SW required courses: SW 202, SW 235 and SW 340. This would count as both a required course and a Sophia requirement. In addition, the SW 202 also includes the LO2 Women’s Voices, and if taken in the first semester of your first year, it is a Critical Thinking course as well. The SW 340 also satisfies the LO3 Intercultural Competence A as well.

Courses may overlap with some of the same Sophia attributes, but there are others that meet the Global Learning A, Social Science II, or the Academic Experiential Learning requirements.  The SW 238 course includes the LO1 Professional Arts, LO3 Social Responsibility A and LO3 Global Learning A, while the SW 334 includes the LO1 Social Science II, LO3 Social Responsibility A, and LO3 Social Responsibility B. Senior Year, the SW 487 course counts as a LO3 Academic Experiential Learning, too!

The examples above include the Sophia requirements from the Social Work required courses, yet there are Social Work elective and Supporting Required courses that also include Sophia requirements that should be considered.

If you intend to double major, please meet with advisors from both disciplines as some courses could conflict with each other that may allow altering decisions to make.

Please contact Dr. Frances Kominkiewicz, Social Work Program Director, at kominkie@saintmarys.edu if you have any questions.

REQUIRED COURSES: SOPHIA ATTRIBUTES LISTED AFTER COURSE NAME BELOW:

REQUIRED Major Courses:

SW 202Introduction to Social Work (Suggest taking 1st or 2nd year (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B, LO2: Women's Voices and a CTS course if taken first year, first semester)3
SW 235Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (Suggest taking 1st or 2nd year (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B))3
SW 238Introduction to Peace Studies: Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (Offered spring only (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Global Learning A))3
SW 331Social Work Practice I: Micro Methods: Individuals and Families3
SW 332Social Work Practice II: Mezzo Methods: Small and Large Groups3
SW 333Social Work Practice III: Macro Methods: Communities, Organizations, and Societies3
SW 334Social Welfare Policy and Service (Junior year (LO1: Social Science II LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B))3
SW 340Working with Diverse Populations (Offered spring only (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Intercultural Competence A LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B))3
SW 484Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts I3
SW 485Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts II3
SW 486Social Work Field Practicum I1-6
SW 487Social Work Field Practicum II (Senior year (LO3: Acad. Experiential Learning))1-6
SW 488Social Work Practicum Seminar I2
SW 489Social Work Practicum Seminar II2
SW 495Integrative Seminar1

REQUIRED SUPPORTING COURSES: SOPHIA ATTRIBUTES LISTED AFTER COURSE NAME BELOW (ONE (1) PSYC AND ONE (1) BIO COURSE REQUIRED).

PSYC 156Introduction to Psychology: Culture and Systems (LO1: Social Science)3
or PSYC 157 Introduction to Psychology: Science for the Citizen
BIO 110 Understanding Women’s Cancers (LO1: Natural Science LO3: Social Responsibility A LO2: Women’s Voices)3-4
or BIO 112 or Evolution for Everyone: (LO1: Natural Science (no lab) LO3: Social Responsibility)
or BIO 120 Human Genetics and Society: (Natural Science (no lab)
or BIO 141 Human Anatomy and Physiology I: (Natural Science (lab))
or BIO 142 Human Anatomy and Physiology II: (Natural Science (lab))
or another BIO course substituted with permission from Social Work Program Director

Social Work Electives

 Choose two of the following as required Social Work electives, it is highly encouraged to take more than two SW electives; Sophia attributes listed after course name below:

SW 236Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B)3
SW 341Relationships, Intimacy and Sexuality Across the Lifespan (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B GERO Elective, GERO Minor, Gender & Women’s Studies, GWS Electives, GWS Intersectionalities)3
SW 342Intercultural Leadership Development3
SW 343Living Fully, Dying Well: Exploring Loss, Grief and Death Across the Lifespan3
SW 360Health and Human Services Administration (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility B)3
SW 361Budgeting and Financial Management for Health and Human Services Administration (LO1: Professional Arts)3
SW 362Perspectives in Gerontology (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B)3
SW 363Grant Writing for Health and Human Services Administration (LO1: Professional Arts LO3: Social Responsibility A)3
SW 365DSM-5 and Mental Health Issues Across the Lifespan (LO1: Professional Arts LO2: Women’s Voices LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B)3
SW 370Family Violence and Sexual Abuse Issues (LO1: Social Science I LO2: Women's Voices LO3: Social Responsibility A LO3: Social Responsibility B Gender & Women's Studies, GWS Electives, GWS Gendered Body)3
SW 390Special Topics in Social Work3

Major in Social Work Planner

This planner is a suggested guide for planning your Social Work curriculum. 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
First SemesterCredits
Sophia Language I
Sophia CTS or W
SPLL 101 First-Year Common Course
SW 202 Introduction to Social Work (recommended as a CTS course, 3 cr., must be completed by second semester, second year. Sophia: Professional Arts, Social Responsibility A, Social Responsibility B, Women’s Voices and CTS course.)
Sophia
Sophia
Required Supporting Course (Recommend to be completed by second semester, second year; Sophia attributes):
PSYC 156
Introduction to Psychology: Culture and Systems
or Introduction to Psychology: Science for the Citizen
or Understanding Women’s Cancers
or Evolution for Everyone
or Human Genetics and Society
or Human Anatomy and Physiology I
or Human Anatomy and Physiology II
3
 Credits3
Second Semester
Sophia Language II
Sophia CTS or W
Sophia
Sophia
Sophia
Required Supporting Course (Recommend to be completed by second semester, second year; Sophia attributes):
BIO 110, BIO 112, BIO 120, BIO 141, BIO 142 3-4
 Credits3-4
Second Year
First Semester
Sophia
Sophia
SW 202
Introduction to Social Work (SW 202: Must be completed by second semester, second year. Sophia: Professional Arts, Social Responsibility A, Social Responsibility B, and Women’s Voices or SW 235: Must be completed by second semester, second year. Sophia: Professional Arts, Social Responsibility A and Social Responsibility B)
or Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
3
Social Work elective 3
Required Supporting Course (Recommend to be completed by second semester, second year; Sophia attributes):
PSYC 156, or PSYC 157, or BIO 110, or BIO 112, or BIO 120, or BIO 141, or BIO 142
 Credits6
Second Semester
Sophia
Sophia
SW 235
Human Behavior and the Social Environment I (SW 235: Must be completed by second semester, second year. Sophia: Professional Arts, Social Responsibility A and Social Responsibility B; SW 202 (Must be completed by second semester, second year. Sophia: Professional Arts, Social Responsibility A, Social Responsibility B, and Women’s Voices)
or Introduction to Social Work
3
SW 238 Introduction to Peace Studies: Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution ((must be completed by the end of the second semester of junior year) Sophia: Professional Arts, Social Responsibility A and Global Learning A) 3
Required Supporting Course if not yet taken:
SW 340 Working with Diverse Populations: (recommended to be completed by the end of second semester junior year) Sophia: Professional Arts, Intercultural Competence A, Social Responsibility A and Social Responsibility B
Required Supporting Course: (Recommend to be completed by second semester, second year; Sophia attributes): PSYC 156, or PSYC 157, or BIO 110, or BIO 112, or BIO 120, or BIO 141, or BIO 142
 Credits6
Third Year
First Semester
Sophia
SW 331 Social Work Practice I: Micro Methods: Individuals and Families 3
SW 334 Social Welfare Policy and Service (Sophia: Social Science II, Social Responsibility A and Social Responsibility B) 3
Social Work elective 3
 Credits9
Second Semester
Sophia
SW 332 Social Work Practice II: Mezzo Methods: Small and Large Groups 3
SW 333 Social Work Practice III: Macro Methods: Communities, Organizations, and Societies 3
SW 484 Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts I 3
SW 495 Integrative Seminar 1
SW 340 Working with Diverse Populations (recommended to be completed by the end of the second semester junior year) 3
SW 238 Introduction to Peace Studies: Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (must be completed by the end of the second semester junior year. Sophia: Professional Arts, Social Responsibility A and Global Learning A)
 Credits13
Fourth Year
First Semester
SW 485 Social Work Research Methods and Statistical Concepts II 3
SW 486 Social Work Field Practicum I 6
SW 488 Social Work Practicum Seminar I 2
 Credits11
Second Semester
SW 487 Social Work Field Practicum II (Sophia: Acad. Exp. Learning) 6
SW 489 Social Work Practicum Seminar II 2
 Credits8
 Total Credits59-60