Courses

This foundation course is the first of two required courses during the foundation year. The two Social Work Practice Courses (I and II) provide the basic knowledge and skills of generalist Social Work practice needed to serve as the foundation for the advanced practice curriculum. This course explores social work history, theory, ethics, problem solving, and diversity and difference as they relate to social work practice with diverse individual client systems. Students will also gain skills in constructing professional relationships and using interpersonal skills to engage diverse client systems. (3 Units)

This foundation course is the first of two required human behavior courses that provide a foundation for advanced generalist practice. While both courses focus on how human behavior is shaped by the social environment, this course focuses on human development across the lifespan. Multidisciplinary frameworks for understanding human development and human behavior are presented and applied to Social Work practice situations on micro levels. This course highlights the person-in-environment perspective and addresses how diversity and difference shape the human experience. (3 Units)

This foundation course provides an overview of the history of case management and provides an in-depth analysis of case management from a strengths perspective. Client engagement, assessment, intervention, advocacy, evaluation, and termination are addressed in depth on micro through macro levels. Key concepts of practice, including but not limited to evidence-based practice, supervision and consultation, crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, and professional ethics are discussed and applied throughout the course. (3 Units)

Students take Field Practicum concurrently each semester with their social work courses. Students must complete 900 hours in a social service or community agency under the supervision of a specified Field Instructor and meet once a week with their Faculty Liaison. The Field Practicum will tie all of the coursework to real life applications in the field. Students will apply their coursework and demonstrate all of the CSWE competencies under the supervision of a Field Instructor through application of coursework in the field. (3 Units)

This course addresses what it means to be marginalized and presents information on the history and current status of various vulnerable populations domestically and globally. The course highlights the economic, political, and environmental factors that impact marginalization on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. Dimensions of diversity, as well as theories of marginalization are examined. In addition, cultural competence in engaging, assessing, and intervening with client systems are applied through case studies. (3 Units)

This course is the second foundation practice course that provides the basic knowledge and skills in generalist Social Work practice needed to serve the foundation for the advanced practice curriculum. In this course, professional ethics, problem solving, and engaging diversity and difference in practice are further explored and applied to client systems on all levels, but specifically with families and groups. Building on the knowledge and skills of engaging client systems learned in Social Work Practice I, interventions, assessment, and evaluation with diverse client systems are addressed and applied in cases. (3 Units)

This is the second foundation human behavior course which presents and critiques theories of human behavior as they relate to mezzo and macro systems, such as family, groups, organizations, and communities. Students will apply knowledge of person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to macro client systems. The effects of marginalization, social injustice, and oppression are examined in relation to human development, culture, and diversity. Students may only earn credit for SWK 515 or SWK 515G. (3 Units)

This foundation course addresses the principles and methods of social research and prepares students to become competent consumers and producers of research. The course examines qualitative and quantitative research methods, research ethics, evidence-based practice, and focuses on translating research into practice to improve service delivery. Seminal studies, as well as current research in the field, and gaps in research for at-risk populations are examined. (3 Units)

This foundation course examines the history and philosophy of social work and social welfare policy in the United States as it relates to poverty, oppression, and marginalized groups. The course focuses on policy analysis and addresses the role of policy in effective service delivery for vulnerable, marginalized populations. In addition, the course examines the social, cultural, economic, and global influences that affect social policy. Policy practice, as well as the historical role of social work in policy development and advocacy, are highlighted. (3 Units)

Students take Field Practicum concurrently each semester with their social work courses. Students must complete 900 hours in a social service or community agency under the supervision of a specified Field Instructor and meet once a week with their Faculty Liaison. The Field Practicum will tie all of the coursework to real life applications in the field. Students will apply their coursework and demonstrate all of the CSWE competencies under the supervision of a Field Instructor through application of coursework in the field. (3 Units)

Students will become familiar with theories and clinical interventions to work with individuals, families, and groups in direct practice settings. The course focuses on legal and ethical considerations in direct practice and theory-based assessment, planning, and the therapeutic alliance with individuals, families, and treatment groups. Various assessment strategies including spiritual assessments and theoretical case conceptualizations will be covered. Students will learn and demonstrate competency in identifying and implementing appropriate evidence-based interventions. Students will engage in self-reflection as related to the termination and evaluation phases of clinical work with diverse populations. Particular attention will be given to cultural responsiveness, human rights, and social justice issues that impact the clinical process. (3 Units)

This course provides an in-depth examination of mental health and psychopathology from a social work perspective. Students will examine the history of mental illness, common mental disorders and current research. The course will also address differential diagnosis and differences between the biopsychosocial model and the medical model. Students will examine how environmental factors interact with genetic predispositions in some populations and examine effective treatment options, as well as current issues in the field of mental health. (3 Units)

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate competence in advanced social work practice by applying all of the CSWE competencies to a client system (micro, mezzo, or macro). This course has two primary purposes: 1) help students understand and apply program evaluation concepts and methods and 2) equip students with program evaluation leadership skills based on biblical principles. (3 Units)

Students take Field Practicum concurrently each semester with their social work courses. Students must complete 900 hours in a social service or community agency under the supervision of a specified Field Instructor and meet once a week with their Faculty Liaison. The Field Practicum will tie all of the coursework to real life applications in the field. Students will apply their coursework and demonstrate all of the CSWE competencies under the supervision of a Field Instructor through application of coursework in the field. (3 Units)

This course equips students with advanced community practice skills, grounded in macro social work theory, which prepares them to engage, assess, and intervene in organizational and community practice. This class explores multidisciplinary practice models of community change with vulnerable populations, with special attention given to the role and significance of faith based organizations. Students will emerge from this course with advanced skills to facilitate community change through strengths-based and empowerment paradigms, with a special focus on marginalized populations. The course emphasizes the importance of utilizing anti-oppressive social work practice by understanding social diversity in community assessment, engagement, and intervention. (3 Units)

This course increases students' knowledge and skills for social work macro practice in organizations, particularly in the areas of administration and leadership. Students are prepared for leadership positions as an administrator, manager and supervisor. Students are challenged to consider how an organization should organize and deliver services and manage its diverse human and financial resources in a manner consistent with strengths, empowerment, and global perspectives. (3 Units)

Students take Field Practicum concurrently each semester with their social work courses. Students must complete 900 hours in a social service or community agency under the supervision of a specified Field Instructor and meet once a week with their Faculty Liaison. The Field Practicum will tie all of the coursework to real life applications in the field. Students will apply their coursework and demonstrate all of the CSWE competencies under the supervision of a Field Instructor through application of coursework in the field. (3 Units)

Human sexuality focuses on the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction with an overview of physiology. It further examines the clinical, social and ethical issues in counseling persons with AIDS-related problems. (3 Units)

An examination and explanation of current laws and ethical issues affecting psychotherapists. (3 Units)

This course provides the student with an overview of the addictive process, including substance dependency and behavioral compulsions. The course emphasizes the etiology of addiction, the systemic impact of co-occurring disorders, the standard of care treatment modalities, and concepts of resiliency and recovery. (2 Units)

This course provides an in depth examination of the unique and growing social service needs of the aging population. The physical, psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of aging are examined and various theories of social work practice with older adults are addressed. The course focuses on the development of assessment and intervention skills for advanced practitioners in obtaining and improving services for older adults. A key feature of the course includes understanding dementia and best practices in communicating with clients with dementia. (3 Units)

This course focuses on understanding, identifying, assessing, intervening, and preventing elder abuse and neglect. Forms of abuse and neglect, theories of elder abuse and neglect, as well as the epidemiology of abuse are examined on local, state, national and global levels. Clinical interventions with victims and survivors of elder abuse are presented. California state law on elder abuse and neglect is examined in depth, elder advocacy and prevention programs and policies are evaluated from a social work perspective. (3 Units)

This course examines grief and loss from a cross-cultural perspective. Theories of grief and loss, types of loss, and how grief impacts individual and family functioning are addressed, as well as current strategies to intervene with clients dealing with various types of loss. Specific attention is given to assessing and intervening with geriatric clients and their families suffering from loss in any form (loss of loved ones, abilities, youth, autonomy, etc.). Evidence-based practices are reviewed and applied and current research examined. (3 Units)

This course is designed to foster critical thinking about the welfare of children and their families. Students will be exposed to historical and current policies and perspectives on child maltreatment and empirical literature on the causes and consequences of different forms of child maltreatment. Different child maltreatment system responses and issues unique to particular subgroups in the Child Welfare system (e.g. families who live in poverty and families of color) will be explored. Additionally, the course will focus on assessing child maltreatment and family needs and developing culturally appropriate and theoretically grounded treatment plans. The course will also focus on understanding and applying individual, family, and system-level prevention and intervention models. Special focus will be given to trauma-informed practices and examining child and family welfare through a social justice lens. (3 Units)

This course is designed to be an in-depth seminar on a selected topic within social work practice. (3 Units)

This course focuses on the changing structure of family systems, the diversity of family systems and how to help serve families in transition as an advanced social work practitioner. Family systems theory, as well as other theories are examined and applied to diverse, relevant cases/scenarios. Evidence-based practices are examined. (3 Units)

This course focuses on the identification, assessment, intervention, and prevention of intimate partner violence (IPV). Theories of IPV, prevalence, risk factors and the physical, psychological, social, economic, and spiritual consequences on children and families are examined. Laws, intervention strategies and evaluation of preventions on state, national and global levels are addressed. (3 Units)

This course provides an in-depth look at human trafficking and other forms of modern day slavery in the United States and around the world. The course specifically examines the scope of the problem domestically and globally, as well as the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual trauma that victims experience. The role of social workers in working with this vulnerable population is examined in depth. The role of various government, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations in addressing this issue is also examined. (3 Units)

This course examines the unique needs of displaced populations, specifically refugees and immigrants. Social work interventions specific to refugee trauma, adaption and integration are addressed, with a focus on strengths-based, empowerment theory. The course also addresses the diversity of the immigration experiences, acculturation, ethnic identity, and many issues facing immigrant and refugee families and youth, as well as best practices for culturally competent Social Work practice. Students may only earn credit for SWK 576 or SWK 576G. (3 Units)

This course examines the unique needs of displaced populations, specifically refugees and immigrants. Social work interventions specific to refugee trauma, adaption and integration are addressed, with a focus on strengths-based, empowerment theory. The course also addresses the diversity of the immigration experiences, acculturation, ethnic identity, and many issues facing immigrant and refugee families and youth, as well as best practices for culturally competent Social Work practice. Students registered in this section will participate in a global practicum experience during which the skills learned throughout the semester will be applied in an international setting. Students may only earn credit for SWK 576 or SWK 576G. (3 Units)

This course examines human rights on domestic and global levels, with an emphasis on international human rights and the role of the international social worker. The course outlines the history of various human rights issues in the global community and the current human rights crisis in various regions. The role of faith-based organizations, as well as the role of the micro and macro social worker are explored and cases examined. A key feature of the course is understanding human rights from a Christian worldview. Students may only earn credit for SWK 578 or SWK 578G. (3 Units)

This course examines human rights on domestic and global levels, with an emphasis on international human rights and the role of the international social worker. The course outlines the history of various human rights issues in the global community and the current human rights crisis in various regions. The role of faith-based organizations, as well as the role of the micro and macro social worker are explored and cases examined. A key feature of the course is understanding human rights from a Christian worldview. Students registered in this section will participate in a global practicum experience during which the skills learned throughout the semester will be applied in an international setting. Students may only earn credit for SWK 578 or SWK 578G. (3 Units)

This is an advanced clinical practice course to introduce social work students to the direct practice of integrated behavioral health in primary care. Students will become knowledgeable of the roles of behavioral health providers working in primary care settings, theories and models of care, and cross-cultural issues. They will develop skills in engagement, assessment, intervention planning and implementation, and practice evaluation. Because the populations served in primary care settings span the spectrum of severity in both the physical and behavioral health dimensions, students will develop competencies in engaging and supporting patients across a range of health conditions. (3 Units)

This is an advanced social work course that prepares students to understand and address health care policy as it relates to community social work practice in healthcare settings. Students will understand, review, and analyze how policies, such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Car Act (PPACA), impact the delivery of patient care. Students will also evaluate the impact of Medicare and Medicaid systems, as well as employer-sponsored and individually-purchased health insurance on the quality and delivery of patient care. This course will prepare students to examine how legislation can be used as the vehicle to change healthcare and behavioral healthcare systems through integration of services. Students will be prepared to conduct policy analysis, policy implementation, evaluation, and compliance in a variety healthcare settings. (3 Units)