Social Work (S W)

S W 100S - Introduction to Social Welfare. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Overview of human services, programs and problems in meeting social welfare needs, with emphasis on the complexity of social services and their historical development. Analysis of the value, attitudinal, economic and political factors that condition the provision of these services.

Gen Ed Attributes: Social Sciences Course (S)

S W 198 - Internship. 1-3 Credits.

(R-3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instructor. Application of classroom learning in off campus internship placements. Prior approval must be obtained from the School of Social Work practicum coordinator and from the Center for Work-Based Learning. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 398,) may count toward graduation.

S W 200 - Intro to Social Work Practice. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., S W 100, sophomore standing. Introduction to social work as a profession, including an examination of goals, guiding philosophy and basic assumptions. Emphasis on a generalist framework of social work practice and the development of beginning analytical and practice skills.

S W 291 - Special Topics. 1-6 Credits.

(R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

S W 300 - Human Behavior & Social Environment. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., on introductory writing course, one intermediate writing course, S W 200, junior standing in Social Work and consent of instructor. Using the ecological-social systems framework, the integration of knowledge and concepts from the social and behavioral sciences for analysis and assessment of problems and issues relevant to professional social work practice.

Gen Ed Attributes: Writing Course-Advanced

S W 310 - S W Policy & Services. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., S W 300. Social welfare history, program planning and analysis with review of selected policies on the national level. Includes international comparisons. Upper-division writing course.

S W 323 - Women & Social Action in America. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Prereq., one of S W 100, SOCI 101S, or ANTY 101H or consent of instr. Focus on womens experiences of and contributions to social change in North, South and Central America in the mid to late-20th century. Through case studies, testimonials, discussions with activists and Internet connections examine social constructions of gender, compare forms of social action in diverse cultural, political and historical contexts, link practice to theories of social participation, and reflect on lessons learned from womens experiences.

S W 350 - Social Work Intervention Methods I. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., S W 200 and consent of instructor. The study and application of the generalist model of social work practice and related techniques and procedures for the assessment, intervention and prevention of problems in social functioning. Emphasis on individuals and families.

S W 360 - Social Work Intervention Methods II. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., S W 300 and S W 350.The study and application of the generalist model of social work practice and related techniques and procedures for the assessment, intervention and prevention of problems in social functioning. Emphasis on groups and team meetings.

S W 391 - Special Topics. 1-12 Credits.

(R-12) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

S W 398 - Internship. 1-3 Credits.

(R-3) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., consent of instructor. Application of classroom learning in off campus internship placements. Prior approval must be obtained from the School of Social Work practicum coordinator and the Center for Work-Based Learning. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 398) may count toward graduation.

S W 400 - Social Work Research. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., S W 350. Utilization of social research findings in social work practice. Techniques for the collection and analysis of clinical data. Special emphasis on research methodology for the assessment of practitioner and program effectiveness.

S W 410E - Social Work Ethics. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., S W 350. Analysis of specific ethical dilemmas from personal, professional and policy perspectives. Focus on ethical issues common to the helping professions and utilizing codes of ethics as guides to decision-making. The relationship between professional ethical issues and the development of social policy.

Gen Ed Attributes: Ethical & Human Values Course

S W 419 - Adverse Childhood Development. 2 Credits.

Offered autumn. Prereq., admission to the program or consent of instructor. This is an online one credit course that is required for students enrolled in the Child Welfare Certificate Program. The course provides students with knowledge of how such socially adverse experiences as substance abuse, poverty, discrimination, and family violence can impact cognitive, emotional, and psycho-social development. Students will learn how these environmental stressors can negatively impact childrens academic achievement, health, mental health, and social functioning. Level: Undergraduate and Graduate

S W 420 - Child Abuse/Child Welfare. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn. Prereq., junior standing or consent of instr. Signs and symptoms of physical and sexual abuse and neglect, family dynamics in abuse and neglect, the legal context, programs of prevention and intervention, foster care, special needs adoptions and related issues in child welfare.

S W 421 - Interventions with High-risk Families. 2 Credit.

Offered spring. Prereq., admission to the program and consent of instructor. This is an online one credit course that is required for students enrolled in the Child Welfare Certificate Program. The course provides students with knowledge about the effects of significant life events (substance abuse, violence, death) on families and how to develop effective strength-based practice skills to assess parents and/caregivers abilities to provide care and to participate in treatment planning.

S W 423 - Addiction Studies. 3 Credits.

Offered spring. Examination of chemical dependency and behavioral compulsions, including alcohol and other drugs, gambling, eating disorders, sexual addictions. Ecosystems perspective on etiology, treatment, prevention, family dynamics, community response, and societal contributors. Students engage in a service learning community project which is integrated into the classroom through initial training, regular reflection, and other activities.

S W 424 - Professional Skills Lab. 2 Credits.

An online two credit course that is required for students enrolled in the Child Welfare Certificate Program. The course provides students with the practice skills needed to successfully enter the child welfare field and include: conducting assessments, interviewing children, adults, and families, family engagement, documentation, case management, crisis intervention, and preparing and testifying in court.

S W 426 - Substance Use Disorders and Social Work Skills Sets. 3 Credits.

Offered spring and summer. Prereq., S W 423 and consent of instr. This course is designed to help Licensed Addiction Tract social work students build on the knowledge and theories introduced in SW 423, while building competencies in core skill- sets required for working directly with populations impacted by substance use disorders. Students will participate in curriculum designed to meet current State of Montana Behavioral Health Licensing standards to satisfy LAC curriculum requirements while demonstrating SAMHSA competencies at their degree level and appropriate within their BSW or MSW scope of practice.

S W 427 -Motivational Interviewing. 2 Credits.

This blended course will provide foundations for proficiency in understanding and use of Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI will be taught through an inter-professional education (IPE) model as an evidence-based interview practice to support behavior change and enhance the delivery of best practice approaches between client and practitioner in various allied health and human service fields.

S W 450 - Children and Youth at Risk. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn or spring. Focus on the aspects of society that pose a threat to todays youth and the ramification of those threats on youth development and behavior. Resilience and protective factors for youth at risk and strategies to work with those youth. Attention to related systems in Missoula and Montana, including juvenile justice, mental health, child protection, substance abuse, and education.

S W 452 - Systems of Care. 2 Credit.

Offered autumn. Prereq., admission to certificate program or consent of instructor. This is an online one credit course that is required for students enrolled in the Child Welfare Certificate Program. The course provides students with knowledge of the social service, juvenile justice, mental health, health, and education systems and their role in promoting success among high-risk children and youth.

S W 455 - Social Gerontology. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn. Examination of the field of social gerontology, including an examination of the major bio/psycho/social/cultural/spiritual theories of aging, the service system, social and health issues, family and care-giving dynamics, social policy, and end of life concerns.

S W 463 - Social Justice in Indian Country. 2 Credits.

Offered autumn. This provides the senior undergraduate/graduate student with an overview of the history and context of the social and political issues impacting tribal communities. This course also provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with the strengths, values, and cultural paradigms of North American tribes while also providing the foundation for understanding the health, education, and environmental disparities of AI/AN people.

S W 464 - Cultural Humility in Social Work Practice: Valuing Diversity. 3 Credits.

Prereq., S W 300. A required diversity course specific to social work to be offered once or twice per year, depending on need; delivery method will vary to meet student needs.

S W 465 - Social Work Global Context. 3 Credits.

Offered spring even-numbered years. Prereq., upper-division or graduate standing. Examination of globalization, human rights, poverty, international aid, and gender issues; their relationship to social work and social justice, and strategies for action.

S W 472 - Relational Development. 3 Credits.

Offered autumn and spring. This course covers strategies to help children whose early experiences deprived them of the nurturing needed to develop the essential capacity to connect with others. Emphasis is on significant discoveries in the fields of neuroscience, childhood trauma, grief and loss, child development, and family systems that have fueled the evolution of the Attachment Treatment philosophy to a broader method of caring for emotionally distress children, the Relational Development treatment approach.

S W 475 - Death, Dying and Grief. 3 Credits.

Offered intermittently. Examination of death, dying and grief from an ecological perspective, focusing on the processes of dying and theories of grief. Emphasis on physical, social, psychological, spiritual, and cultural influences that surround death and grief. Consideration of cultural norms, attitudes toward death, medical, legal and ethical issues of dying. Focus on normal and complicated grief.

S W 487 - Advanced Practice I. 2 Credits.

Offered every term. Prereq., S W 350 and Coreq., S W 495 and admission to the practicum program. Consideration and discussion of practicum-related matters, professional development, and issues confronting the profession.

S W 488 - Advanced Practice II. 2 Credits.

Prereq., S W 350 and Coreq., S W 495 and admission to the practicum program. Consideration and discussion of practicum-related matters, professional development, and issues confronting the profession.

S W 491 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

S W 492 - Independent Study. 1-10 Credits.

(R-10) Offered intermittently. Prereq., 10 credits in social work. Independent work under the University omnibus option. See index.

S W 495 - Field Work Practicum. 5 Credits.

(R-10) Offered every term. Prereq., S W 350 and approved application to practicum coordinator. Practicum must be taken over two consecutive semesters for a total of 10 credits. Minimum of one credit per semester. Cumulative grade average of 2.75 or above in S W 100, S W 200, S W 300, S W 350 and S W 360 and a 3.0 grade average for S W 200, S W 350 and S W 360 are required. Supervised field work in public and private agencies and institutions. Successful completion of the field work practicum requires a passing performance on the school administered professional social work competency examination.

S W 500 - Orientation. 1 Credit.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program. Seminar introducing M.S.W. students to program philosophy and social works theory and value base. Level: Graduate

S W 505 - Foundations of Social Work Practice. 2 Credits.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program. Introductory practice course that examines generalist social work practice, dominant theoretical influences, and forces shaping social work over time. Level: Graduate

S W 510 - Human Behavior and Social Environment I. 3 Credits.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program. Introduction to and critical consideration of social work perspectives on human behavior as influenced by the social environment. Particular attention is paid to biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual influences. Level: Graduate

S W 511 - Human Behavior and Social Intervention II. 3 Credits.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program and S W 510 or consent of instr. Advanced course on human behavior and social environment that addresses difference and diversity, histories and mechanisms of discrimination and oppression, and frameworks for thought and practice that recognize diversity and promote social justice. Level: Graduate

S W 515 - Practice with Individuals & Families. 3 Credits.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Practice-oriented course building on students developing knowledge of engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation and the application to practice with individuals and families in context of community. Level: Graduate

S W 520 - SW Research Methods. 3 Credits.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Introduction to principles, methodologies, technologies, and statistical approaches of human service research. Emphasis on beginning capabilities in evaluation of social work practice and skill development regarding use of published research. Level: Graduate

S W 521 - Advanced Research. 3 Credits.

Prereq., S W 515. The use of research within the integrated practice model of social work through evaluation of practice and program evaluation. Advanced statistical concepts are applied to direct practice and five types of program evaluation. Level: Graduate

S W 525 - Practicum in Groups & Communities. 4 Credits.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Practice oriented course addressing theories, frameworks, principles, and skills of group and community work. Dynamics of group work and examination of modalities such as mutual aid and social action groups. Level: Graduate

S W 530 - History of Social Policy. 3 Credits.

Prereq., admission to M.S.W. program or consent of instr. Foundation in social welfare policy and services; examination of relationship between history social welfare policy and emergence of social work profession. Introduction to frameworks for policy analysis. Level: Graduate

S W 531 - Social Policy Analysis. 3 Credits.

Prereq., S W 530. Focus on the analysis of existing or proposed policies specific to oppressed populations, rural areas and isolated communities. Level: Graduate

S W 532 - Indian Child Welfare Act. 1 Credit.

Prereq., Prerequisites include admission into the MSW program. This course will provide students with an understanding of the Indian Child Welfare Act including the historical events leading to its passage and contemporary issues surrounding implementation of the law. Students will apply knowledge of the law to practice and build skills on working across cultural differences in order to promote the best interest of American Indian children and families.

S W 535 - Advanced Practice. 4 Credits.

Prereq., consent of instr. Builds on the skills, knowledge, and values of the foundation generalist and practice courses. Level: Graduate

S W 545 - Organizational Leadership. 3 Credits.

Prereq., consent of instr. Advanced training in professional leadership and how to effectively conceive, plan, design, implement, manage, assess, and change contemporary organizations. Level: Graduate

S W 551 - Couples and Family Therapy. 3 Credits.

Offered spring. Prereq., admission to the MSW program, S W 505, or consent of instructor. Course explores family-centered methods of clinical social work interventions with couples and families that can be applied in a variety of settings. Level: Graduate

S W 552 - Psychopathology & S W. 3 Credits.

Prereq., admission to the MSW program, S W 505, or permission of instructor. Focus on current problems of children, adolescents, and adults of all ages that can be classified as a mental disorder under the DSM of the system. Includes information on theories within the bio-psycho-social paradigm of causality of disorders/conditions; on methods of assessment, including DSM; and an understanding of how social injustice, oppression and poverty impacts healthy growth and development across the life span. Level: Graduate

S W 553 - Social Work Addictions. 3 Credits.

Offered spring semester. Prereq., admission to MSW program or by permission of instructor. The course examines historical and contemporary models of direct practice, and current ideological, political, policy and systemic challenges to the practice of social work in the addictions. Level: Graduate

S W 576 - Found Integrative Seminar I. 1 Credit.

Prereq., admission to MSW program. Seminar accompanying first semester foundation practicum in which students discuss experience with goal of integrating theory and practice. Level: Graduate

S W 577 - Found Integrative Seminar II. 1 Credit.

Prereq., admission to MSW program, S W 505, S W 587. Seminar accompanying second semester foundation practicum in which students discuss experience with goal of integrating theory and practice. Level: Graduate

S W 578 - Advanced Seminar I. 1 Credit.

Prereq., SW 587. Critical analysis of how predominant social work theories and professional values and skills are being incorporated into the practicum. Level: Graduate

S W 579 - Advanced Seminar II. 1 Credit.

Prereq., S W 578. Critical analysis of how predominant social work theories and professional values and skills are being incorporated into the practicum. Advanced portfolio development. Level: Graduate

S W 586 - Foundation Practicum I. 2 Credits.

Prereq., admission to MSW program. First semester foundation field practicum experience in a supervised setting designed to provide opportunities to integrate classroom learning and field experiences. Course graded only on CR/NCR basis. Level: Graduate

S W 587 - Foundation Practicum II. 2 Credits.

Prereq., admission to MSW program, S W 505, S W 587. Second semester foundation field practicum experience in a supervised setting designed to provide opportunities to integrate classroom learning and field experiences. Level: Graduate

S W 588 - Concentration Practicum I. 3 Credits.

Prereq., S W 587, Coreq.,S W 578. Advanced supervised field work in public and private agencies and institutions. Course graded only on CR/NCR basis. Level: Graduate

S W 589 - Concentration Practicum II. 3 Credits.

Prereq., S W 588. Advanced supervised field work in public and private agencies and institutions. Level: Graduate

S W 593 - Professional Portfolio. 1 Credit.

Prereq., foundation courses. Summative and in-depth written analysis of course work and practicum experience. Level: Graduate

S W 594 - Graduate Seminar. 3 Credits.

(R-9) Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., admission to MSW program or consent of instr. In-depth analysis of a current social work issue. Level: Graduate

S W 595 - Special Topics. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered autumn and spring. Prereq., admission to MSW program or consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Level: Graduate

S W 596 - Independent Study. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., admission to MSW program or consent of instr. Work on selected problems by individual students under direct faculty supervision. Level: Graduate

S W 597 - Research. 1-9 Credits.

(R-9) Offered autumn or spring. Prereq., admission to MSW program or consent of instr. Directed individual graduate research and study appropriate to background and objectives of the student. Level: Graduate