SOWK 569 Applied Social Work Research is designed to enable students to understand the rationale for and application of a variety of quantitative and qualitative research techniques commonly used in advanced generalist social work practice at the graduate level. The content in this course presumes that students are in an applied social service field as all examples and activities will be based on social work practice. Students will become more skilled at reading and critically evaluating research studies, including studies that are designed to empirically test theory, as well as in conducting independent research. Students will understand how issues of diversity, including age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, is applicable to conducting and evaluating research and to engaging in effective, culturally competent social work practice. Students will also recognize the values, ethical issues, and social and economic justice issues that underlie research in general and Social Work research in particular. Research at the macro level into community needs and agency effectiveness can provide powerful data needed by populations-at-risk and groups experiencing oppression to change agency and governmental policies in order to promote social and economic justice. Research on practitioner effectiveness at the micro level with individuals and families and at the mezzo level with groups can facilitate client growth and achievement of objectives, as well as ensure that social work practitioners are engaging in effective, evidence-based social work practice.
SOWK 601 Foundations of Generalist Practice I foundation knowledge, values and skills for generalist social work practice at the micro level with individual and families and at the mezzo level with treatment groups. This course provides a basic understanding of the history, purpose, values, scope and focus of the social work profession, emphasizing principles that promote social and economic justice and human well-being. This course introduces student to Strengths Perspective, Empowerment, Task-Centered, Problem-Solving, and Family-Centered approaches for evidence-based direct social work practice. Students develop knowledge of and skills to establish and maintain effective helping relationships, emphasizing strategies to promote client empowerment and strengths and effective practice with diverse population, and to engage in all phases of the helping process, including engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation and termination. This course also provides students with knowledge of and skills for effective communication and interviewing, with some application to effective communication with diverse populations. Students will also develop professional writing skills for micro and mezzo level practice.
SOWK 603 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (HBSE I) begins by introducing general systems theories, strengths perspectives, empowerment theory, and oppression theory which are the primary social work models for understanding the interactions of systems of different sizes. The focus of the course then shifts to understanding individual and family development across the lifespan in the context of these models, examining how larger systems influence the processes of human growth and change. Of particular importance are human diversity, including age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, and the role of oppression in affecting the development of populations-at-risk. The course will provide an overview of human development from birth to old age in the context of family development. Students will learn and critically analyze theories of human development and behavior with consideration of the: 1) social, cultural and economic forces affecting human development, with an emphasis on populations-at-risk, 2) factors that contribute to the enhancement of "well-being" and empowerment of individuals and families, and 3) social and economic injustices experienced by individuals and families that impact human behavior.
Social welfare policy impacts every facet of our personal and professional lives. It is in the social welfare policy arena that issues are addressed and decisions are made regarding resource allocation. The study of social welfare services and policy and the development of policy analysis skills are fundamental attributes of social work education and advanced generalist practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. All social workers must be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to engage in policy practice. SOWK 605 Social Welfare Policy and Services is designed to provide an overview of the historical and contemporary social services system and an exploration of the interconnectedness between social welfare policies, social services and social work practice, with an emphasis on oppressed populations. We will cover three main topic areas this semester. The first area focuses on understanding the social service delivery system, with an emphasis on services for diverse populations, including age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, and populations-at-risk in the United States. The services will be examined in terms of the problems addressed, the societal and social work values that define issues as "problems", and the values and political perspectives that determine policy choices made to address problems. Examples of social service delivery systems and policies from other countries will be examined. The second area focuses on understanding the legislative policy-making process, including the role of social workers in the public policy making process. The third area focuses on learning how to analyze social welfare policy from a social work value base and perspective, with an emphasis on social and economic justice. Students will learn and apply a framework for analyzing social welfare policy to a specific policy issue of their choice.
SOWK 607 Professional Competence Seminar I prepares social work graduate students to meet the challenges of advanced generalist social work practice at the micro, mezzo and macro systems levels in an increasingly ethically complicated and diverse world. This course focuses on two broad content areas: 1) social work values and ethics and 2) aspects of diversity, including age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Students will learn about the social work values and ethics that guide advanced generalist social work practice, including examining the NASW Code of Ethics. Students will also learn about other international ethical codes. Students will learn how to utilize an ethical-decision making framework for resolving ethical dilemmas encountered in social work practice. Aspects of diversity will be examined, including an exploration of the historical and current economic, social, cultural and political forces that affect various groups, including recent immigrants and refugees, and impact the utilization of social service delivery systems and social work services. Students will examine models for "culturally competent" advanced generalist social work practice and begin to review the literature pertaining to aspects of diversity in order to enhance their knowledge of and skills in culturally competent evidence-based practice.
The SOWK 611 Foundations of Generalist Practice II course presents foundation knowledge, values and skills for generalist social work practice with task groups, organizations and communities, with an emphasis on rural and small community issues. Because macro level social work practice often entails working with others to achieve desired change, students will enhance their knowledge of and skills in working in task groups. Organizations provide the setting for most social work practice. Social workers practice at all levels within public, private, and not for profit agencies. This course provides an introduction to the knowledge, values, ethics, skills and application of theory needed to understand advanced generalist social work practice within the context of organizations. The course will emphasize community level social work practice, focusing on strategies for community assessment, community development and community change, including changing social welfare and other policies to ensure the well-being of all members of society. SOWK 611 will also examine community development from a global perspective. Students will explore and develop knowledge and skills for conducting community assets and needs assessments, as well as examine strategies for community development and change from the context of rural and small community environments. Students will also examine ethical issues impacting macro level advanced generalist social work practice.
SOWK 613 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (HBSE II) maintains the focus on general systems theories, the strengths perspective, empowerment theory and oppression theory developed in SOWK 603 (HBSE I) while expanding the vision to include mezzo and macro theories explaining the behavior of larger systems. The HBSE sequence provides the graduate students with basic concepts of human development across the lifespan, plus theories applied to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, while simultaneously examining the social forces that affect the relationships between people and their environments. SOWK 613 HBSE II, will build on the overview of human development reviewed in SOWK 603, but broaden the focus to social behavior within the context of mezzo level theories of groups and macro level theories of organizations, and communities. Students will critically analyze theories of human behavior, including empirically tested theories, focused on implications for evidence-based generalist social work practice with task groups, organizations and communities, especially in rural and small area. Macro level theories will be examined in relation to human diversity, populations-at-risk, and social and economic justice. Students will also examine the value base of the social work profession in relation to the theories of organization and community behavior that guide advanced generalist social work practice.
SOWK 615 Foundation Practicum & Seminar I will allow students the opportunity to integrate social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values through advanced generalist social work direct practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and or communities. In addition, student will apply the social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values learned at a foundation level to engage in culturally competent direct social work practice with people representing diversity of age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Each student will work with the field coordinator to locate agencies with opportunities for master's level practice and supervision commensurate with their learning goals. This course is required for all students admitted into the Traditional (2-year) MSW program. Students will be placed in agencies, for a total of 460 hours during spring and summer semesters, that can provide appropriate practice experiences and supervision. Some students may seek a field placement in their place of employment and that is permissible, with approval of both the field coordinator and field supervisor and or the agency administrator, for either the foundation OR the advanced practicum, although significant opportunity must exist for new assignments that support the educational objectives of the student. Students are expected to apply the advanced generalist practice perspective to their experiences with individual clients, families, groups, agencies, and or communities while in their practicum setting. Seminar will provide an additional 27 hours for student opportunities to share with their student colleagues their experiences and challenges for problem-solving, consultation, feedback, and support. Specific foundation objectives appear in this document but will be more fully discussed in the MSW Field Practicum Manual. Students will be expected to actively engage with their field supervisor for at least one hour per week.
SOWK 625 Foundation Practicum & Seminar II is a continuation of SOWK 615 Foundation Practicum and Seminar I taken during the preceding Spring semester. The courses provide students the opportunity to integrate social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values through advanced generalist social work direct practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and or communities. In addition, students will apply the social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values learned at a foundation level to engage in culturally competent direct social work practice with people representing diversity of age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Each student will work with the field coordinator to locate agencies with opportunities for master's level practice and supervision commensurate with their learning goals. SOWK 625 Foundation Practicum & Seminar II is required for all students admitted with traditional standing to the MSW program. Students will be placed in agencies, for a total of 460 hours during spring and summer semesters, that can provide appropriate practice experiences and supervision. Some students may seek a field placement in their place of employment and that is permissible, with approval of both the field coordinator and the practicum supervisor and or agency administrator, for either the foundation OR the advanced practicum, although significant opportunity must exist for new assignments that support the educational objectives of the student. Students are expected to apply the advanced generalist social work practice perspective to their experiences with individual clients, families, groups, agencies, and or communities while in their practicum setting. Seminar will provide an additional 27 hours for student opportunities to share with their student colleagues their experiences and challenges for problem-solving, consultation, feedback, and support. Specific foundation objectives appear in this document but will be more fully discussed in the MSW Field Practicum Manual. Students will be expected to actively engage with their field supervisor for at least one hour per week.
SOWK 650 Advanced Standing Preparation Seminar is required for all students admitted to the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at Minnesota State Mankato. Such students have already attained an undergraduate degree in social work from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited program, thereby completing their foundation content. This seminar is designed to review and extend these students' preparation for advanced generalist graduate-level social work, while also building a strong cohort of classmates. The Advanced Standing Preparation Seminar helps students refine their professional self-identity as advanced generalist social workers while ensuring that they are ready to enter the concentration year of the advanced generalist MSW program. The course content will focus on the CSWE foundation areas: 1) Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 2) Social Welfare Policy, with an emphasis on social and economic justice and populations-at-risk 3) Values and Ethics, 4) Diversity distinguished by age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, 5) Micro, Mezzo, and Macro level Practice, and 6) Research. SOWK 650 will also provide students with an introductory orientation to issues impacting advanced generalist social work practice in rural and small communities.
SOWK 651 Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals presents knowledge and skills for competent and ethical advanced generalist social work direct practice with individuals - children, adolescents, and adults — from diverse backgrounds. As an advanced direct practice course, content centers on assessment of psychosocial functioning of individuals. Students will examine psychosocial problems and their causes, processes, consequences, and clinical presentation. Emphasis will be placed on current, evidence-based models of psychosocial intervention used in clinical social work practice. The course utilizes ecological as well as strength-based perspective to help students develop an advanced understanding of individual problems, including mental illness, within a social context. Issues facing populations at risk will be covered with consideration of the diverse factors involved. This course presents information on intervention and treatment approaches to broaden the student's repertoire regarding children, adolescents, and adults. The course presents a framework for comparing, contrasting, and differentially applying these models to direct practice in various field settings, particularly in the rural context. Students are expected to learn to select and apply theories and approaches with regard to the unique characteristics of micro-systems within their contexts.
SOWK 655 Social Welfare Policy Practice builds upon the knowledge and skills learned in SOWK 605 Social Welfare Policy and Services. Social welfare policy impacts every aspect of our personal and professional lives. It is in the social welfare policy arena that issues are addressed and decisions are made regarding resource allocation. The study of social welfare policy and services, the development of comparative policy analysis skills, and knowledge of agency and governmental policy practice are fundamental attributes of social work education and advanced generalist social work practice. This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, values and skills to engage in macro level advanced policy practice in organizations and communities in order to promote social and economic justice. This course will focus on issues adversely impacting populations-at-risk, with an emphasis on rural and small community issues. Students will examine in greater depth several of the social welfare policy issues covered in the foundation policy course, with an emphasis on understanding issues of diversity, including age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, within a rural and small community context. Examination of issues and policies from other countries will be infused throughout the course. Students will research and conduct a comparative policy analysis of an issue of significance to rural and small community advanced generalist social work practice. In order to develop competencies for becoming an effective policy advocate, students will learn, analyze, design and implement strategies for promoting policy change within an organization, community, or public policy making body. Students will learn how research, in particular collecting data to support effective, evidence-based practice, can be utilized to influence policy makers and enact policies that promote social and economic justice. Finally, students will examine the values and ethical issues related to policy practice.
SOWK 657 Professional Competence Seminar II builds on the content in SOWK 607 Professional Competence Seminar I and will utilize a case study approach to develop advanced skills in applying principles of ethical decision-making and cultural competence to advanced generalist social work practice. The course will focus on enhancing knowledge and developing skills for culturally competent micro level practice with individuals and families and mezzo level practice with groups across the spectrum of diversity, including age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Students will apply models for "culturally competent" advanced generalist social work practice and delve deeper into the literature pertaining to aspects of diversity in order to enhance their knowledge of and skills in culturally competent evidence-based practice with individuals, families, and groups. Students will expand their understanding of personal, professional, agency, and rural and small community values, including the extent to which social and economic justice is valued. Students will also examine the predominant values espoused in the countries of origin of recent immigrant and refugee groups who have settled in Minnesota. Student will explore how values from multiple perspectives affect their practice and use advanced decision making models to develop and maintain ethically grounded advanced generalist social work practice.
SOWK 660 Advanced Social Work Practice with Couples, Families & Groups provides students with advanced generalist knowledge, values, and skills for evidence-based direct practice with couples, families, and treatment groups. Students will develop, analyze, integrate and apply advanced knowledge and skills in diagnostic assessment and differential application of treatment approaches and intervention strategies in social work practice at the micro level with couples and families and at the mezzo level with treatment groups. This course presents a framework for comparing, contrasting, and differentially applying these models to direct practice with diverse populations and in a variety of field settings, with an emphasis on practice in a rural and small community context. Theories and intervention approaches covered in this course include, but are not limited to, systems theory, brief and solution-focused treatment models, cognitive behavioral treatment models, and multi-systemic therapy. Students are expected to analyze, select and differentially apply strengths-based, culturally competent, ethically appropriate, evidence-based intervention approaches with regard to the unique characteristics of the target system and within the context of larger systems. Students will broaden and deepen their understanding and identification as an advanced generalist social work practitioner individually and within the context of clinical supervision and consultation.
SOWK 661 Advanced Social Work Administration provides students with advanced generalist social work practice knowledge, values, and skills for mezzo and macro level administrative practice. It is expected that students who successfully complete this course will understand the role of social workers as supervisors, managers, administrators, policy makers, and leaders in developing, enhancing, promoting and administering effective, culturally competent, and ethical social services to diverse groups, including diversity of age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation, and populations-at-risk which promote social and economic justice. Students develop knowledge of and skills in personnel management and professional development, grant writing, resource development, budgeting, leadership, and other aspects of administering effective, evidence-based social service agencies. Students develop an understanding of how organizational theories and social welfare policy practice are applicable to social service administration and service delivery. Students examine strategies for maximizing the use of agency personnel and other resources to achieve agency mission. This course also focuses on strategies for maximizing client involvement, strengths, and empowerment in social service delivery and for ensuring the delivery of culturally competent social services within a rural and small community context.
SOWK 665 Advanced Practicum & Seminar I experiences will allow students the opportunity to integrate and apply at a more sophisticated level social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values through advanced evidence-based direct practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In addition, student will apply the social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values learned at an advanced level to engage in culturally competent direct social work practice with people representing diversity of age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation and populations-at-risk in order to promote social and economic justice. Each student will work with the field coordinator to locate agencies with opportunities for advanced generalist social work practice and supervision commensurate with their learning goals. Advanced Practicum & Seminar I is required of all students admitted to the MSW program. Some students may seek a field placement in their place of employment and that is permissible, with approval of both the field coordinator and the agency administrator, for either the foundation OR the advanced practicum, although significant opportunity must exist for new assignments that support the educational objectives of the student. Students will be placed, for a total of 500 hours during the spring and summer semesters, in an agency where they can demonstrate advanced generalist social work skills and practices with some balance between clinical engagement and administrative functions, with an emphasis on rural and small community practice (where applicable). Seminar will provide 27 additional hours for the opportunity for students to share with their student colleagues their experiences and challenges for problem-solving, consultation, feedback, and support. Specific concentration objectives appear in this document but will be more fully explored in the MSW Field Practicum Manual. Students will be expected to actively engage with their supervisor for at least one hour per week.
SOWK 669 Advanced Social Work Evaluation builds upon previous research and practice coursework. Social and behavioral research and evaluation is an integral part of advanced generalist social work practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. The purpose of SOWK 669 Advanced Social Work Evaluation is to teach the knowledge, skills, values, and ethics of both direct practice evaluation and program evaluation at the advanced generalist social work level. Approximately half of the course will focus on each of these two areas. This course focuses on understanding and utilizing systematic research methods, both quantitative/positivist and qualitative/interpretive, to inform social work practice. This course explores research within the context of the social work profession and the delivery of social welfare services to diverse populations and populations-at-risk. Further, the course requires students to develop a capstone project that integrates content from foundation and concentration course and is designed to be taken in conjunction with their final practicum. Advanced generalist social work practice is informed by theory, data, experience, observation, critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and reflection-in-action all based in the core values and ethics of the social work profession. The purpose of direct practice evaluation is to evaluate the effectiveness of direct social work interventions at the micro level with individuals, couples and families and to develop evidence-based, culturally competent practice. Direct practice evaluation is broadly defined as the collection and analysis of data for the purposes of 1) problem assessment of the client system, 2) monitoring client progress, 3) understanding the processes of direct practice, and 4) evaluating the client outcomes of interventions. The purpose of program evaluation in social work is to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of social work interventions. In this part of the course, students will learn about the important elements of a social welfare program's logic model derived from the mission, goals, objectives, and activities of the program. Students will also learn how to utilize various research methods to carry out both formative and summative program evaluations with particular consideration of the measurement of client outcomes and the delivery of services in rural and small communities.
SOWK 675 Advanced Practicum & Seminar II is a continuation of SOWK 665, taken the previous semester, which provides students the opportunity to integrate and apply at a more sophisticated level social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values through advanced evidence-based direct practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In addition, student will apply the social work theory and practice knowledge, skills, ethics and values learned at an advanced level to engage in culturally competent direct social work practice with people representing diversity of age, class, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation and populations-at-risk in order to promote social and economic justice. Each student will work with the field coordinator to locate agencies with opportunities for master's level practice and supervision commensurate with their learning goals. The SOWK 675 Advanced Practicum & Seminar II is required of all students admitted to the MSW program. Some students may seek a field placement in their place of employment and that is permissible, with approval of both the field coordinator and the agency administrator, for either the foundation OR the advanced practicum, although significant opportunity must exist for new assignments that support the educational objectives of the student. Students will be placed, for a total of 500 hours during the spring and summer semesters, in an agency where they can demonstrate advanced generalist social work skills and practices with some balance between clinical engagement and administrative functions, with an emphasis on rural and small community practice (where applicable). Seminar will provide 27 additional hours for the opportunity for students to share with their student colleagues their experiences and challenges for problem-solving, consultation, feedback, and support. Specific foundation objectives appear in this document but will be more fully explored in the MSW Field Practicum Manual. Students will be expected to actively engage with their supervisor for at least one hour per week.
Students in the MSW program must take one 3-credit elective course. It can be taken when a student can fit it into their schedule, usually in the fall of the Concentration/AS Year or during the summer. While only one of these courses is required, students may take more than one if they so choose. Courses may be selected by the student to enhance their education in a particular area of practice. Students interested in becoming licensed independent clinical social workers (LICSW) are encouraged to take clinical content courses.
The Department of Social Work offers several of the elective options, but courses may be selected from other departments as long as the course is on the list approved by the MSW program faculty. Furthermore, while these courses are approved for use electives in the MSW program, they are subject to enrollment caps, availability, and scheduling conditions that may change. Additionally, not all of these courses will have the same per-credit tution rate. Some will cost less and those in the College of Business will cost more. For descriptions of these specific courses you need to contact the department offering the courses. For a listing of all graduate course offerings, go to the Graduate Studies Bulletin.
