Areas of Emphasis for Social Work Majors
The Social Work
Department offers 7 Areas of Emphasis: Child Welfare, Developmental
Disabilities, Early Intervention: Birth - Five, Child and Adolescent Mental
Health, Gay and Lesbian, Women and Aging. Students may select one of
these areas or choose "No Area of Emphasis" Either way, Social Work
majors complete 9 credit hours of upper division Social Work electives, in
their area or of their choice, and complete their Professional Field
Experience in their Area of Emphasis.
Click here to
download entire Social Work Department
Information Packet for Majors
* Must be completed in an approved public or
private agency serving the developmentally disabled.
** Major papers and/or assignments will reflect area of emphasis.
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Child Welfare - Social workers assume primary roles in providing intake and ongoing services in all areas of child welfare. The child welfare emphasis is designed for students choosing a career as a caseworker and/or supervisor in child welfare services. (Non- majors must have permission of the Social Work Department Chair before enrolling in these courses.)
Emphasis Courses:
SWK3100 Child Welfare and the Law 3
SWK3150 Child Maltreatment 3
SWK3200 Urban Families
3
TOTAL ELECTIVES 9
SWK479A Prof Field Exp I *
5
SWK481A Prof Field Exp II *
5
Developmental Disabilities - Families with children and/or parents with developmental disabilities are often in need of ongoing family supports. Parents with developmental disabilities or who have children with developmental disabilities may come to the attention of social services because of a lack of ongoing supports. Family support, family-centered service planning and coordination are needed as families negotiate a complex and fragmented service delivery system. This emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in the area of developmental disabilities services.
Emphasis Courses:
SWK3000 Applied Legal Issues** 1
SWK3020 Case Management,** SWK3400 Macro Practice**, OR SWK3450 Mutual Aid
Groups** 4
SWK3250 Social Work and Developmental
Disabilities
3
SWK3300 Parents with Developmental Disabilities
1
TOTAL ELECTIVES 9
SWK479B Prof Field Exp I *
5
SWK481B Prof Field Exp II *
5
Early Intervention: Birth - Five - This emphasis recognizes the importance of providing, safe, nurturing and stimulating environments during the early, crucial phases of child development and the key role social workers have in assisting families in achieving these goals. This emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in the area of infant stimulation, early intervention and early education services.
Emphasis Courses:
SWK3000 Applied Legal Issues** 1
SWK3020 Case Management,** SWK3400 Macro Practice**, OR SWK3450 Mutual Aid
Groups** 4
SWK3700 Early Intervention: Birth - Five 4
TOTAL ELECTIVES 9
SWK479C Prof Field Exp I *
5
SWK481C Prof Field Exp II *
5
Child and Adolescent Mental Health - Social workers often support families and
provide services to children and adolescents with an array of emotional and
behavioral problems. Mental health policies and practices including
assessment, diagnosis, intervention and evaluation of mental health services
for children and their families will be presented from a social work
perspective. This emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in
the area of mental health services for children and adolescents.
Emphasis Courses:
SWK3000 Applied Legal Issues** 1
SWK3020 Case Management,** SWK3400 Macro Practice**, OR SWK3450 Mutual Aid
Groups** 4
SWK3010 Social Work Services for Children and Adolescents 4
TOTAL ELECTIVES 9
SWK479D Prof Field Exp I *
5
SWK481D Prof Field Exp II *
5
Gay and Lesbian - There are many challenges facing gay and
lesbian individuals, families and groups in today’s society. The strengths,
stresses and life style choices of this population at risk and the role of
social workers with individuals, families, groups, organizations and
communities are the major themes of this area. The gay and lesbian emphasis
is designed for students choosing a career in gay and lesbian health, mental
health and community services.
Emphasis Courses:
SWK3000 Applied Legal Issues** 1
SWK3020 Case Management,** SWK3400 Macro Practice**, OR SWK3450 Mutual Aid
Groups** 4
SWK3500 Social Work w Gays and Lesbians 4
TOTAL ELECTIVES 9
SWK479E Prof Field Exp I *
5
SWK481E Prof Field Exp II *
5
Women - In today’s society, there is an increasing
awareness of the need for specialized generalist social work training and
commitment to assisting women in overcoming barriers, identifying strengths
and supporting goal attainment in a patriarchal society. Social policies
and common issues facing women today are explored. Current social work
strategies are evaluated from a feminist social work perspective. This
emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in the area of women’s
mental health and welfare services.
Emphasis Courses:
SWK3000 Applied Legal Issues** 1
SWK3020 Case Management,** SWK3400 Macro Practice**, OR SWK3450 Mutual Aid
Groups** 4
SWK3600 Social Work w Women 4
TOTAL ELECTIVES 9
SWK479F Prof Field Exp I *
5
SWK481F Prof Field Exp II *
5
Aging - Social workers provide a variety of supports and services to elderly individuals and their families. Individual needs, strengths, family supports, use of community resources and knowledge of social policies that impact this population are the major themes. This emphasis is designed for students choosing a career in aging, health, mental health, home health, and long term care services.
Emphasis Courses:
SWK3000 Applied Legal Issues** 1
SWK3020 Case Management,** SWK3400 Macro Practice**, OR SWK3450 Mutual Aid
Groups** 4
SWK3030 Social Work w the Aging 4
TOTAL ELECTIVES 9
SWK479G Prof Field Exp I *
5
SWK481G Prof Field Exp II *
5
No Area - Students with no area of emphasis will take 9 credit hours of upper
division Social Work electives of their choice.
TOTAL
ELECTIVES
9
SWK4790 Prof Field Exp I 5
SWK4810 Prof Field Exp II 5