Social Work Department

- - - Family Support in Social Work - - -
Minor/Certificate of Completion Program
Course Descriptions

SWK1010 - Introduction to Social Welfare and Social Work. (3) Historical and philosophical perspectives of Social Work generalist practice and social welfare programs in response to human need and societal problems. Overview of Social Worker's role in the fields of health, mental health, family and child welfare, corrections, and on behalf of special groups such as the aged and developmentally delayed.
SWK1020 - Introduction to Agency Experience. (1) (Prerequisite -SWK 1010, or permission of instructor.) Introduces student to Social Work roles in social service agencies. Concurrent volunteer experience in Social Work agency is required.
SWK2100 - Introduction to Family Social Work (3) This course will examine family systems theory and family life developmental models. Traditional and nontraditional families will be discussed from an ecological perspective. Introduction to the role and work of the family social worker at the beginning and generalist practice levels will be examined. Stages of family social work will be presented, including culturally and gender-sensitive practice, family-centered practice, home-based support and crisis intervention.
SWK 2150- Social Work: The Helping Process (3) This course will discuss social work as a helping process from a beginning social work perspective. The basic components of social work with diverse individuals and groups will be examined, including observation, assessment, communication and intervention. Avoiding professional burnout will be discussed.
SWK 2160 - Record Keeping in Public and Private Agencies (1) This course is designed to assist beginning and generalist social workers and other professionals with client and agency record keeping. A full range of records used by social workers and other agency staff will be presented. A balanced view of accountability, efficiency and privacy will be illustrated through numerous examples and writing exercises.
SWK 3000 - Applied Legal Issues in Social Work (1) This course will examine the legal basis for social work practice. It will apply specific laws that govern social work practice in a variety of service delivery areas.
SWK3010 - Social Work Services for Children and Adolescents. (4) (Prerequisite - SWK 1010, or permission of the instructor.) Policy issues and Social Work practice in the fields of child welfare, school Social Work and services for youth in trouble with the legal system are examined. Needs and rights of children are significant themes. Field visits to child serving agencies are arranged.
SWK3020 - Case Management in Social Work Practice. (4) (Prerequisite - SWK 1010, or permission of the instructor.) Case Management is a coordinating service applicable to clients with multiple needs in any setting. The planning, organizing, motivating, evaluating functions and skills of the case manager are major foci.
SWK3030 - Social Work with the Aging. (4) (Prerequisite - SWK 1010, or permission of the instructor.) The status, needs, problems, and potentials of adults, aging and their families are examined. Social policies and Social Work practice with the elderly are analyzed.
SWK 3250 - Social Work and Developmental Disabilities (3) (Prerequisites: SWK 1010, SWK 1020 or permission of instructor) This course takes a life-span approach to issues related to children and adults with developmental disabilities, and their families. Students will learn the history of societal treatment of people with developmental disabilities, current trends, philosophies and service delivery models. Students will also learn laws, regulations and eligibility issues related to services in Colorado, and to recognize their own biases and stereotypes about this population. The roles of beginning and generalist social workers in supporting people with developmental disabilities in the community will be presented.
SWK 3300 - Social Work with Parents with Developmental Disabilities (1) (Prerequisites: SWK 1010, SWK 1020 or permission of instructor) This course focuses on the unique learning styles and challenges of adults with developmental disabilities as parents. The roles of beginning and generalist social workers will be applied to this population.
SWK 3500 - (WMS 3500) Foundations for Social Work Practice with Gays and Lesbians (4) (Prerequisites: SWK 1010, SWK 1020 or permission of instructor) This course explores concepts and methods useful in assessing and addressing the strengths, status, developmental needs, and social issues of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Relationships to families, groups, organizations, community and culture are explored and examined. Concepts of diversity and conflicts within this population-at-risk in both urban and rural settings will be presented. Issues of empowerment, support, equality, social justice, social policy and practice will be reviewed and discussed.
SWK 3600 - (WMS 3600) Social Work with Women (4) (Prerequisites: SWK 1010, SWK 1020 or permission of instructor) This course views social work practice from a feminist social work perspective. It examines issues of equality, social justice, social policy, and practice for women in a patriarchal society. The role of beginning and generalist social workers with women will be examined in the areas of mental health, health, child welfare, welfare, and gerontology.
SWK 3700 - Social Work and Early Intervention: Children Birth Through Five (4) (Prerequisites: SWK 1010, SWK 1020 or permission of instructor) This course focuses on parents as initial teachers and recognizes the importance of the early stages of development and the impact that the environment has upon children ages 0–5. Family supports, the early intervention system, and service coordination will be examined. The role of beginning and generalist social workers with this population will be illustrated throughout the identification, assessment, intervention, and evaluation stages of family social work practice.
SWK 3800 - Family Preservation in Social Work (3) (Prerequisites: SWK 1010, SWK 1020 or permission of instructor) Family Preservation is the current model of practice used throughout child welfare and child protection services. This course focuses on the principles and practices of culturally sensitive, family preservation as it relates to the beginning professional. Knowledge and skills related to building family partnerships, family assessment, planning, and support through in-home services, life skills models, specialized responses to difficult populations, and service coordination are emphasized.
SWK 3990 - Agency Experience II (1 + 3) (Prerequisites: SWK 1010, SWK 1020, SWK 2100, SWK 2150, SWK 2160 and SWK 3000) This course provides students an opportunity to experience working in a social work agency. Students will observe social work in action and experience themselves in helping roles under direct supervision. This course is designed for non-majors.

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