Students will engage in independent work for one credit through one of three pathways: state of the art study, participate in research, or complete additional practicum hours. Restricted to Majors of MSW.

Department: Social Work

1 Credit Hour
5.333 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
5.333 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Introduction to human service delivery systems in the U.S. with an emphasis on the social work profession, its mission, philosophy, ethics, and diverse fields. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Requires that students apply knowledge of the research process through active participation in an original research project under the direction of the course instructor. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

An introduction to competency-based assessment of psychological disorders, substance abuse disorders, the ecological perspective on mental health and the bio-psychosocial framework for assessment and intervention. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

This course covers emerging trends in cultural competence and adaptation, and the culturally-grounded perspective from a standpoint of intersectionality. Students will examine the impact of discrimination, oppression, and economic deprivation on disenfranchised populations and theoretical and historical perspectives on racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, ageism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination and powerlessness with an emphasis on social work in the U.S.-Mexico Border region. Students will develop awareness of their own culture and attitudes, beliefs, and responses to diversity within the context of professional social work values and culturally responsive practice.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This course will assist students in developing knowledge, values, and skills in the application of theory and practice, including the use of professional communication skills in engagement, assessment, intervention, and termination in work with diverse individuals. Prerequisite: Departmental approval required. Restricted to majors of SOWK.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This course continues to build on the series of theory and practice courses to advance their knowledge and skills in family social work practice. This course will focus on specific interventions in the assessment and treatment of family problems within a border context. Students will examine theories related to family systems and family therapy. Prerequisites: SOWK 5331 with a grade of "B" or better; may be taken concurrently. Departmental approval also required. Restricted to majors of SOWK.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Prerequisite(s): (SOWK 5333 w/B or better)

This course builds upon the generalist practice course series to expand student's knowledge and practice skills in social work group theory and practice. Using an evidence based practice lens, students will expand their group practice skills and knowledge with clients in various social work settings. Students will critically examine how race, culture, gender, class, and stressors influence the group process. Prerequisites: SOWK 5332 with a grade of "B" or better; may be taken concurrently. Departmental approval also required. Restricted to majors of SOWK.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Prerequisite(s): (SOWK 5331 w/B or better)

Foundation Practicum I (0-1-15) The first foundation practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and integrative seminar that integrates knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics and values in social work practice in the border region. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

Foundation Practicum II (0-1-15) The second foundation practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and an integrative seminar that integrates knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics and values in social work practice in the border region. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

Advanced Practicum I (0-1-15) The first advanced practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and an integrative seminar that integrates advanced social work knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics and values in the border region setting. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

Advanced Social Work Practicum II (0-1-15) The first advanced practicum course in which students participate in planned direct practice experience and an integrative seminar that integrates advanced social work knowledge of theory, practice skills, continued development of social work perspective, attitudes, ethics and values in the border region setting. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
16 Total Contact Hours
1 Lab Hour
0 Lecture Hours
15 Other Hours

Course is designed to provide students with the ability to analyze contemporary social welfare policy issues and programs to understand the relationship between social policy and social work practice. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

This course focuses on the process and analysis of social policy development, including identification, selection, implementation, and evaluation. The course will include advanced content on policy advocacy. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Presents an overview of evidence-based social work practice, including assessing, evaluation, and use in practice of existing, original research data and processes for designing and conducting research projects. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Using a bio-psychosocial approach in assessment and intervention with the elderly. The course presents social work roles and models for assessment and intervention with the client and his/her support system. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Students will engage in independent work through one of three pathways: state-of-the-art study, participate in research, or do additional practicum hours. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
0 Lecture Hours
3 Other Hours

An introduction to social work in a multi-cultural, international region, with emphasis on social work with Hispanic families. A review of social development on the U.S.-Mexico border. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

This second of a two-semester course sequence builds on the generalist foundation, providing advanced knowledge and skills in macro-level practice to prepare for leadership roles in communities and organizations. The second semester focuses on two of the major domains of practice (Community Organizing and Human Services Management), applying knowledge and skills in the first semester to practice in these domains. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

The course provides advanced knowledge and skills to prepare social workers for practice within human service organizations. The content is framed within a strengths perspective that recognizes the importance of social work values and our mission of promoting social and economic justice in the US-Mexico Border region. Students will examine social work roles within organizations, examine how values and ethics undergird organizational practice, and develop skills in assessment and intervention strategies at the organizational level of practice. Prerequisite: SOWK 5333 with a grade of "C" or better. Departmental approval also required. Restricted to majors of SOWK.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

Prerequisite(s): (SOWK 5333 w/C or better)

An introduction to social work supervision and administration. Emphasis on leadership and oversight of agencies and social work staff. Theory and practice of social work supervision. Restricted to MSW students.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours

Major Restrictions:
Restricted to majors of SOWK

The first of two foundation courses in which students have the opportunity to integrate social work theory and practice for effective professional intervention in generalist practice with individuals, families, groups and human service agencies and organizations.

Department: Social Work

3 Credit Hours
3 Total Contact Hours
0 Lab Hours
3 Lecture Hours
0 Other Hours