Social Work (SWK)

SWK 5013. Human Behavior and Social Environment:. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor or graduate advisor. This generalist course focuses on building students’ understanding of individual and family life span development with an emphasis on diversity and social justice issues. Ecological systems and cross-cultural development provide the organizing framework for this course. Attention is given to increasing students’ understanding of individual and family dynamics by developing their abilities to understand, evaluate, and differentially apply multiple paradigms and theories. Emphasis is placed on the social construction of knowledge of human development. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5103. Social Problems and Social Welfare Policy Analysis. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor or graduate advisor. This generalist course examines the overall structure of the American social welfare system from a historical multidimensional contextual perspective that emphasizes the diversity of clients/client systems, problems, needs, and injustices. It also considers the parallel historical development of the profession of social work, including the ways it has responded to the demands of social problems across key periods of the American social welfare experience. An emphasis is placed on policy analysis as a foundation for advocacy on behalf of clients/client systems. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5113. Generalist Social Work Practice. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor or graduate advisor. This course is taken the semester before students enter their first semester generalist field practicum. It focuses on the development of beginning knowledge, skills, and values needed to practice generalist social work within a community context. The course socializes students to the social work profession, with emphasis on the ecosystems perspective as an organizing framework for understanding clients/client systems and the strengths and empowerment perspectives. Professional values and the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics are introduced, as well as the importance of self-reflection that incorporates an understanding of one’s own personal values. Attention is given to practice skills applicable in work with diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, with emphasis on beginning relationship skills in engagement and assessment. Students will apply knowledge and skills learned by working in task groups to conduct an assessment of a neighborhood or community. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5203. Social Work Research. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of instructor or graduate advisor. This generalist research course explores the role of research in culturally competent social work practice that emphasizes the diversity of clients/client systems, strengths, problems, needs and injustices. The course focuses on research methods and the use of ethical scientific methods used by social workers for evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5233. Global Context of Social Work. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist social work courses or consent of graduate advisor. This course, particular to the mission of the UTSA Department of Social Work, examines the historical, political, and cultural contexts of contemporary global social issues and the mutually reinforcing relationship between the local and the global. The course critically examines the economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of globalization and the upheavals they produce for nations and people. Specific models of intervention and select approaches to social development seen as more compatible with social work’s commitment to social justice are examined to determine their respective strengths and weaknesses in response to contemporary social issues. In addition, the course raises critical questions about social work’s past and present ability to address the growing challenges of an increasingly complex integrated and interdependent world. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18; DL01 $75.

SWK 5243. Specialized Social Work Research: Practice and Program Evaluation. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist courses. This specialized research course prepares students to integrate research methods in the assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of practice/program effectiveness. Attention is given to the conduct, ethics, and application of research and evaluation principles when addressing social and economic justice issues with clients/client systems. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5303. Foundations of Social Work I. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of SWK 5013, SWK 5103, and SWK 5113, and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5403. This generalist course is the second course in a three-course sequence that focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, and values needed to practice generalist social work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The course is taken concurrently with SWK 5403 Generalist Field Practicum I and Integrative Seminar. This course incorporates ecosystems, strengths and empowerment perspectives, focusing on knowledge and skills needed to facilitate generalist practice with diverse clients/client systems, with an emphasis on engagement, assessment, evaluation, problem formulation, and contracting. Students apply concepts and skills learned in this course in work with clients/client systems in their field practicum setting. Specific attention is given to understanding human service agencies within a community and diversity context and planning a client group. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5313. Foundations of Social Work II. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing in social work, completion of SWK 5303 and SWK 5403, and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5413. This generalist course is the third course in a three-course sequence that focuses on the development of knowledge, skills, and values needed to practice generalist social work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Building upon the ecological systems, strengths, and empowerment perspectives, the course focuses on knowledge and skills needed to facilitate work with diverse clients/client systems, with an emphasis on middle and end stages of the helping process. Specific attention is given to evaluating practice, planning and implementing an organizational or community change effort, and facilitating a client group. Students apply concepts and skills learned in this course in work with clients/client systems in their field practicum settings. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5403. Generalist Field Practicum I and Integrative Seminar. (2-8) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of SWK 5013, SWK 5103, and SWK 5113, and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5303. This generalist field practicum course is designed to serve as the integration of professional knowledge, values, and skills in real-world practice. It is a practice course based on supervised assignments designed to facilitate the student's ability to develop and demonstrate independent learning competencies from a generalist social work perspective which includes skill in working with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations. The student completes a minimum of 225 clock hours at an assigned field practicum site affiliated with UTSA. The student will continue in this same practicum setting for SWK 5413. An integrative seminar that emphasizes integration of theory and practice meets weekly. Students must earn a minimum grade of "B" in both the field and the integrative seminar components to pass this course; the field practicum and the integrative seminar each contribute 50 percent toward the final grade. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5413. Generalist Field Practicum II and Integrative Seminar. (2-8) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of SWK 5303 and SWK 5403, and concurrent enrollment in SWK 5313. This generalist field practicum course builds on knowledge and skills gained in SWK 5403, with a focus on demonstrating competencies from a generalist social work perspective and skill development with diverse clients/client systems. The student's assignment from SWK 5403 continues at the same setting. The student completes a minimum of 225 clock hours. An integrative seminar that emphasizes integration of theory and practice meets weekly. Students must earn a minimum grade of "B" in both the field and the integrative seminar components to pass this course; the field practicum and the integrative seminar each contribute 50 percent toward the final grade. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5423. Specialized Field Practicum III and Integrative Seminar. (2-8) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist coursework and the majority of specialized courses. Building on generalist or BSW field experiences, this specialized field practicum course provides a supervised practicum at an assigned practicum site and a weekly integrative seminar, with an emphasis on specialized culturally competent practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The minimum 225-clock-hour internship addresses the continued independent learning and application of theory to culturally competent practice at the specialized curriculum level. The internship may be designed as a block with all hours completed in one semester (450 clock hours) when taken concurrently with SWK 5433 Specialized Field Practicum IV and Integrative Seminar. The integrative seminar is designed to integrate classroom theory and real-world practice. It also serves as the bridge between program goals and specialized competencies. Students must earn a minimum grade of "B" in both the field and the integrative seminar components to pass this course; the field practicum and the integrative seminar each contribute 50 percent toward the final grade. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5433. Specialized Field Practicum IV and Integrative Seminar. (2-8) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist coursework and all specialized courses other than those taken concurrently with SWK 5433. Taken during the student's last semester in the MSW Program, this course serves as the capstone course for the social work program. Building on field experiences in SWK 5423, this course provides a continuation of a supervised practicum at the same assigned practicum site as in SWK 5423 as well as a weekly integrative seminar. The minimum 225-clock-hour internship addresses the continued independent learning and application of theory to culturally competent practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities at the specialized curriculum level. The internship can be designed as a block of one semester (450 clock hours) when taken concurrently with SWK 5423 Specialized Field Practicum Ill and Integrative Seminar. The integrative seminar is designed to integrate classroom theory and real world culturally competent practice. It also serves as the bridge between program goals and specialized competencies. Students demonstrate program competency mastery through completion of an independent capstone course paper. Students must earn a minimum grade of "B" in both the field and the integrative seminar components to pass this course; the field practicum and the integrative seminar each contribute 50 percent toward the final grade. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5443. Specialized Social Work Methods: Individuals. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of all generalist courses; concurrent enrollment in SWK 5423 is recommended. This specialized practice methods course covers the differential application of contemporary practice paradigms, theories, and approaches in relation to multidimensional contextual practice with individuals. The aim of this course is to develop students' practice knowledge, skills, and capacity for autonomous culturally competent practice. Using this framework, students develop knowledge and skills in the differential selection, adaptation, application, and evaluation of select practice strategies and techniques for working with diverse individuals who are experiencing problems, needs, and injustices of varying onset, magnitude, and duration. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5463. Specialized Social Work Methods: Groups. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist courses. This specialized practice methods course covers the differential application of contemporary practice paradigms, theories, and approaches in relation to multidimensional contextual practice with groups. The aim of this course is to develop students' practice knowledge, skills, and capacity for autonomous culturally competent practice. Using this multidimensional contextual framework, students develop knowledge and skills in the differential selection, adaptation, application, and evaluation of select practice strategies and techniques for working in groups with diverse individuals across the life span. The course emphasizes the ways that setting, age, diversity, and problems inform the differential selection of group type and format, membership, time limits, and practice approaches. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5473. Specialized Social Work Methods: Policy Practice and Advocacy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist courses or consent of instructor or graduate advisor. This specialized course in social welfare policy is for students who have already achieved a basic understanding of the history, mission, and philosophy of the profession and the historical and contemporary patterns of service provision. The course focuses on the knowledge, values, and skills needed to be an effective social welfare policy advocate. Students develop and analyze alternative strategies for culturally competent social welfare policy advocacy, incorporating a multidimensional contextual perspective with a focus on social justice, diversity and underserved populations. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5483. Multidimensional Assessment. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of all generalist courses, or consent of instructor or graduate advisor. This specialized selective course on the multidimensional assessment of the functioning of children, adolescents, and adults gives emphasis to students learning to critically evaluate and adapt assessment approaches and methods that are congruent with the cultural experiences of clients. The multidimensional framework incorporates biological, genetic, physical, developmental, social, cultural, and environmental factors, and social justice issues in the assessment process. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5493. Specialized Social Work Methods: Community Practice. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist courses. This course in specialized community practice is for students who have already achieved a general understanding of the structure and dynamics of organizations and communities. The course focuses on the knowledge, values, and skills needed to engage in effective community practice, incorporating a multidimensional contextual perspective with a focus on social justice, diversity, and underserved populations. The course incorporates content on organizations within a community practice context. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5513. Culturally Competent Practice with Diverse Populations. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and consent of graduate advisor; must be completed prior to enrollment in the generalist field practicum. Advanced standing and transfer students complete this course during their first semester in the program. This course examines the dynamics of diversity and social justice and their relationships to social work practice with diverse and oppressed populations. Critical self-reflection about one’s own intersecting cultural identities and the impact on discourse and work with others is emphasized. Frameworks for understanding populations served by social workers, incorporating strengths, resiliency, oppression and discrimination are also explored. The course incorporates ethnographic perspectives in working with clients/client systems. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5523. Specialized Social Work Methods: Children and Families. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisite: Completion of all generalist courses. This specialized practice methods course covers the differential application of contemporary practice paradigms, theories, and approaches in relation to multidimensional contextual practice with children and families. The course examines pertinent ethical issues, varying approaches used in contemporary social work intervention, and current research in working with children and families. Factors leading to family systems change, goal setting, intervention applicability, the structure of the intervention process, the social worker's role, and techniques of couples/family interventions and interventions in working with children and adolescents are incorporated in this course. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 5633. Transformational Leadership in Social Work. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Completion of all generalist courses or consent of graduate advisor. This course focuses on the social responsibility of social workers who have specialized in cultural competence to serve as transformational leaders as they collaborate across disciplines within an interprofessional context in order to better serve families and communities. The course introduces students to transformational models of leadership, with an emphasis on the specialized knowledge and skills needed for effective culturally competent practice in human service organizational settings. The course incorporates coverage of management theory and organizational management functions, including providing leadership for a diverse workforce. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 6951. Independent Study. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing, successful completion of 6 semester credit hours of social work graduate courses, and permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, graduate advisor, and department chair. Independent course of study in a special topic of interest in the areas of research, field practicum, or other social work related topic under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular social work course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fees: GHC1 $25; LRHC $10; STHC $6.

SWK 6953. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing, successful completion of 6 semester credit hours of social work graduate courses, and permission in writing (form available) from the instructor, graduate advisor, and department chair. Independent course of study in a special topic of interest in the areas of research, field practicum, or other social work related topic under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular social work course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.

SWK 6961. Comprehensive Examination. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.

Prerequisite: Approval of the appropriate Graduate Program Committee Chair to take the Comprehensive Examination. Independent study course for the purpose of taking the Comprehensive Examination. May be repeated as many times as approved by the Graduate Program Committee. Enrollment is required each term in which the examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination). Course Fees: GHC1 $25; LRHC $10; STHC $6.

SWK 6973. Special Topics in Culturally Competent Practice. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing and consent of instructor or graduate advisor. This is an organized course offering the opportunity for specialized study in culturally competent practice not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. Special Topics courses may be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 semester credit hours, regardless of discipline, will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fees: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.