Clinical Courses

Required Clinical Concentration Courses:

SWK 741.02:  Practice with Individuals
The purpose of this course is to increase the student’s knowledge and skills in clinical social work practice with individuals. Course content will be focused on the activity of the practitioner in the assessment, planning and implementation of intervention, termination, and evaluation of the intervention process. It will also focus on the student’s use of self as a clinical social work practitioner working with individuals. The emphasis will be on the process of treatment. It is expected that students will begin to integrate theoretical knowledge of human behavior and social environment as well as psychopathology and deviance in their assessment and treatment process.

SWK 741.05:  Practice with Groups
This course is designed to prepare students for responsible social work practice with a particular competence in the social group work method. Students will be introduced to small group dynamics with emphasis on the role of the worker. Course content will include information on the use of groups for a variety of purposes and in a variety of fields. Special consideration will be given to the unique and specific dynamics associated with differing client populations particularly women and minorities. This is an introductory course in intervention and basic group theory will be taught and the theory will be accompanied by a practice orientation.

SWK 741.03:  Couple and Family Therapy
Family therapy is a treatment model that seeks to alleviate family emotional pain and improve family social functioning. It is a model that focuses upon the family as the client rather than upon the individual. It views family members as forces for growth for the entire family rather than as dangers or stumbling blocks to be avoided while the individual is treated. In this approach to mental and social health a sizable body of knowledge is accruing and gaining the interest of many practitioners. As a treatment model it will undoubtedly continue to increase in its usefulness as we add to and refine our theory and skills across time.

SWK 741.04:  Crisis Intervention
Human crisis is a normal and universal phenomenon. Every human being at some point in his or her life will experience a crisis condition. Crisis and brief intervention modalities have evolved in the past forty years to fill a service gap that emerged at a time when long-term treatment was the standard for creating change and improvement in the lives of clients.

Students will explore the theoretical framework and treatment skills which enable practitioners to intervene effectively during crisis situations. Special attention will be given to (1) case study including problem identification and selection of information; (2) differential diagnosis; (3) treatment planning/problem-solving, (4) implementation of the treatment plan, and (5) the complementary roles of the social worker and client.