44 courses with the subject SWK, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
SWK 145Introduction to Social Work (3) elective
This course provides students with a beginning practical experience in social work career options, professional identity of a social worker and will explore community social service agencies. Students will hear from a variety of guest speakers and may local social service agencies throughout the semester. The class emphasizes the Social Work Mission a, NASW Code of Ethics and social worker roles within agencies. Class meetings are used to discuss observation experiences and professional issues and to integrate learning.
SWK 242Introduction to Social Welfare as a Social Institution3
This course is designed to introduce students to the historical development of professional social work. In addition, it provides an overview of contemporary social work practice, the need for 180
Examines the social, psychological, and institutional implications of race and culture as dynamic forces influencing human service delivery. This course will familiarize students with a theoretical overview of race and racism, historical and current manifestations of racism, racial identity formation, fundamentals of cultural competence, and effective strategies for promoting anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice.
Provides students with knowledge of contemporary social problems. The selected social problems chosen for this course may change from year to year. Identified social problems will be studied from ecological, historical and social work perspectives. Topics will include ethical implications of these problems, governmental role in setting policies, and the impact of these problems on individuals, families, groups, and communities. Students will develop potential strategies for addressing these problems with a focus on micro, macro, and mezzo practice.
Examines the policies, programs, issues, and problems that social service workers confront. Encourages the student to develop critical and analytical skill in examining our present policies and in considering possible alternatives. Prerequisite: SWK 242.
This course provides the foundation for generalist social work practice and is the first in a four- course intervention methods sequence for social work majors. It introduces students to the conceptual framework of generalist practice, emphasizing that the choice of intervention methods must be responsive to the needs and preferences of client systems, as well as the competencies of the social worker. Students are introduced to core micro, mezzo, and macro practice skills, with a strong focus on developing professional identity, ethical awareness, and self-reflection. Through case analysis, interactive exercises, and classroom discussion, students begin to operationalize key social work values and competencies, including relationship-building, interviewing, and planned change processes with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The course also explores the unique features of the social work profession by examining how research, policy, history, and theoretical paradigms shape practice. As part of social work education’s signature pedagogy, students engage in an introductory field experience consisting of 100 supervised hours at an approved agency. This internship prepares students for their senior field placement and corresponding seminars (SWK 445 and SWK 446).
This undergraduate course is focused on the ethical principles that are central to professional social work practice. Students will engage with the NASW Code of Ethics, explore ethical 181
SWK 351Gender Based Violence: Issues, Society, and Policy (3) elective
Provides the student with knowledge of gender-based violence in today’s society and historically. Includes perspectives and issues surrounding types of victimization commonly experienced by women; intimate partner violence, sexual violence, commercial sexual exploitation, dating violence, and stalking. Topics will include governmental roles in setting policies at the state and federal level, as well as the impact of these problems on individuals, families, groups, and communities. In addition, students will study current government systems and the legal and emotional implications of victimization.
Examines the role and the systematic process of research in the social work profession; includes a review of relevant research in the field and instructs students in the evaluation of their own practice of social work.
This course addresses the theoretical framework of human loss and grief from a culturally and philosophically diverse perspective. It seeks to provide information about why and how humans grieve and how grieving is affected by type of loss, socioeconomic and cultural factors, individual personality and family functioning. Attention is focused on life span development and the meaning of death and loss at different ages. Various types of loss are discussed from an individual, family and socio/cultural perspective. The importance of understanding trauma and its relationship to grief and loss will be addressed. Coping and resiliency in loss are explored, emphasizing the diversity of human response and focusing on the significance of social groups in integrating loss. The formation and practice of rituals, and diversity in religious and spiritual experience as a component of coping with loss will be discussed.
Continues the development of the general skills required to intervene on an advanced level. The integration of theory and practice in working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and institutions. Open to social work majors only. Prerequisite: SWK 344.
This course includes 425 hours of practical experience in a social work setting and a weekly one- hour seminar to integrate theory and practice. Students will gain knowledge through reflective discussion and experiential learning. Prerequisite: SWK 344, 345.
This is an advanced social work course for the senior social work student in field placement. Students in this seminar should have completed the majority of departmental requirements, including SWK 345 preparation for the field, SWK 401 Research Methods, SWK 445 Social Work Internship I, SWK 344 Social Work Methods I, and SWK 445 Social work internship-I. This course includes a weekly sixteen-hour placement in a community setting and a ninety- minute seminar. Students learn to integrate theory and practice through reflective discussion and experiential learning.
This course develops the general skills required to intervene on the advanced level, stressing the integration of theory and practice. The course covers interactional models of practice in the context of social work with groups, the group as a mutual aid system, and principles of group formation with the beginning phase of group work practice. These topics are presented within the context of social work with families, focusing on family counseling, and family support functions. Prerequisite: SWK 344
SWK 449Practice with Communities and Organizations3
This course provides the student with an understanding and appreciation of macro social work practice with organizations and communities. Students will learn the social worker’s role and responsibility in solving problems and promoting change in the communities and organizations. A broad range of topics will be covered, including community organization, advocacy, policy analysis, supervision/administration, and grant writing. 183
This course focuses on the integration of theory and practice and provides the student with the opportunity to select and explore, with the aid of the instructor, special topics that supplement, correlate, and synthesize the content presented throughout the sequence. As the capstone course of the Social Work Sequence at Anna Maria College, this seminar combines the in-class review of social work course material with practical opportunities to participate in community events while operationalizing recently learned social work skills and competencies. Students examine their own professional identity and mastery of social work knowledge, values and skills through advanced level readings, in depth discussion, creative expression, and class presentations, culminating with the Social Work Senior Project. Notes: Some major requirements can be applied to the explorations general course requirements Additional general electives may be required to earn the minimum number of credits necessary for graduation Students majoring in Social Work must receive minimum grades of C+ or higher to successfully pass all SWK courses. Formal Declaration of a Major in Social Work Commencing Their Junior Year Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program Admission The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Program at Anna Maria College offers two distinct admission pathways designed to support both traditional undergraduates and transfer students entering the degree completion track. Both pathways prepare students for professional social work practice grounded in the College’s mission and the core values of the social work profession. Admission with 60 or More Transfer Credits (Degree Completion Track) Students who have completed 60 or more transferable college credits may apply for direct admission into the BSW Degree Completion Program. This track is designed for students entering at the junior or senior level who have satisfied general education requirements and wish to complete the final two years of the BSW curriculum. Applicants are encouraged to have prior coursework in the liberal arts and social sciences, including introductory courses aligned with foundational social work knowledge. Transfer credit evaluations are completed by the Office of Admissions to determine eligibility and placement within the program. Only coursework completed at regionally accredited institutions with grades of C or higher will be considered for transfer credit. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Applicants must complete the Anna Maria College undergraduate admissions application, available online at www.annamaria.edu, and submit the following materials: Personal Statement (400–500 words): Introduces the applicant’s professional interests and demonstrates written communication skills. 184
This is the first of the two required social work courses for the foundation year, which examines the history and development of Social Work and U.S social welfare programs and policies as they pertain to marginalized individuals. In addition, it provides the conceptual framework of generalist social work practice. This first course in the methods sequence introduces the concept that practice methods to be used in a given situation depend on the needs and preferences of the client, as well as on the skills of the social worker. It teaches the basic macro and micro intervention skills, techniques, and processes required for sound social work practice at the beginning of the professional level. The course focuses on professional and personal values and knowledge of self.
SWK 502Ethical Theory, Diversity and Social Justice3
This course content addresses specific core areas. The core content areas include the history and evolution of values and ethics in social work; ethics theories (e.g. Abramson, Gilligan, Levy, Keith-Lucas, Loewenberg, Reamer, etc.), social justice, and the professional standards of social work practice, as described in the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. The course expands the knowledge of students in terms of race, ethnic identity, and various disenfranchised populations.
This course examines the policies, programs, issues, and problems that social workers confront. Students are encouraged to develop critical and analytical skills in examining our present policies and in considering possible alternatives. Present day policies are analyzed through the lens of history and contemporary economic, social, political, value, and spiritual milieus. Using professional ethics and values, and cross-cultural knowledge as foundations, as well as the rich contribution and strengths of a diverse range of individuals and groups, particularly women and people of color, are brought to bear in evidence-based analyses of historical and contemporary policies.
SWK 505/510 Field Work and Seminar I and II (per semester) these courses build on the4
knowledge, and skills gained in the foundation fieldwork education placement. Students beginning experience working with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations within the political, social, and cultural context of the setting. Issues of social and economic justice within organizational and community context and how they are addressed through policy or program development and evaluation. Students must complete 200 field placement hours per semester for a total of 400 hours. This course focuses on the development of applied social work skills, knowledge, values, cognitive and affective processes for generalist practice in a diverse population setting. As such, it provides students with an experiential learning experience consistent with an advanced field course. This course consists of 400 hours of practicum experience. Students are expected to attend all hours of practicum and training, demonstrating appropriate social work skills and use of self. The course emphasis is on the development of beginning social work skills and the application of these skills to the practice setting. Skills include the application of all the generalist curriculum content combined with the concurrent first semester social work generalist course content. This content encompasses an understanding of human behavior and social theories along with a commitment to the profession and an adherence to social work values and ethics. It also includes specific practice skills such as effective communication and professional use of self within the rural practice milieu as well as an understanding of and respect for persons who may not be from the same background, and respect for human diversity. This course requires the use of Tevera- an online platform that will be used to manage documentation required for your field experience. There is a one-time fee for students to purchase Tevera which provides life-time access to the product. Tevera can be purchased in the Anna Maria College Bookstore or directly through Tevera.(* there are processing fees that are applied by both Tevera and Bookstore)
This course builds on the first course- Social Work and practice (SWK 501) content. Students gain generalist practice skills. This course is an integration of theory and practice in working with clients as direct practitioners. Students gain knowledge of generalist practice at the micro level. This is one of the foundation courses of social work for MSW students. It is recommended to be taken concurrently with Fieldwork in the foundation year.
SWK 507Generalist Practice with Families and Groups3
This is the third of the foundation practice course. It prepares students to assess larger systems such as groups, and families. The course covers interactional models of practice in the context of social work with groups, the group as a mutual aid system, and principles of group formation with the beginning phase of group work. The course covers these topics within the context of families and special attention is paid to social work practice with diverse groups, those oppressed and at-risk, and to institutional patterns of discrimination. This course is taken concurrently with 342
SWK 508Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations3
This course provides the student with an understanding and appreciation of macro social work practice with organizations and communities. Students will learn the social worker’s role and responsibility in assisting consumers to solve problems and promote change in the communities and organizations. A broad range of topics will be covered, including community organization, advocacy, policy analysis, supervision/administration and grant proposal writing.
This course examines the role and the systematic process of research in the social work profession; it includes a review of relevant research in the field and instructs students in the evaluation of their own practice of social work. Students will be oriented to statistics and utility in the social work profession. This is one of the foundational courses for the MSW student. It is generally taken in the second semester or in the summer of the first year.
SWK 510Field Work and Seminar II (per semester) this course is a continuation of SWK4
505 and continues to build on the knowledge, and skills gained in the foundation fieldwork education placement. Students will continue to experience working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations within the political, social, and cultural context of the field setting. The course explores issues of social and economic justice within organizational and community context and how they addressed through policy or program development and evaluation. Students must complete 200 field placement hours per semester for a total of 400 hours. This course requires the use of Tevera- an online platform that will be used to manage documentation required for your field experience. There is a one-time fee per student to purchase Tevera which provides life-time access to the product. Tevera can be purchased in the Anna Maria College Bookstore or directly through Tevera. (* there are processing fees that are applied by both Tevera and Bookstore) Advanced Generalist Practice Year Upon completion of the generalist practice year of 10 required courses, students will be allowed to move into the concentration year of Advanced Generalist Practice. During this period, students are required to complete 30 credits, of which 24 are required courses. This includes a 620-hour field placement at the advanced level under a clinical supervisor. Students will continue to participate in the social work forum and six required courses at the advanced generalist level, which includes a two-part applied research component. The following are the course descriptions of the courses that students will take. In addition, students during the program are required to take two electives to make up a total of 62 credits in the program. The electives may be taken in the MSW program or in another graduate program at Anna Maria College or at another institution.
Social Workers in any setting need to demonstrate facility with client diagnosis. This course helps student assess individuals in the context of mental disorders using the person-in- environment approach. The evolution and assumptions of the DSM- V systems are examined in terms of strengths and limitations. Students will be oriented to the various disorders at the advanced generalist level. It will help students develop competence and critical thinking in the diagnostic process, while also considering diagnosis in a way that is consistent with social work values and principles.
This course is an advanced generalist practice course at the macro level. The first part of this course will focus on social work practice from an administrative perspective and the second part will focus on supervision in social work practice, including theories and principles of culturally competent management and organizational issues in administration within the context of professional social work. It will include consideration of social and economic justice and ethical imperatives and influences of funding patterns, legislation, organizational culture, and structure on program planning, and implementation. The second part of the course provides the requisite knowledge and skills for assuming basic responsibilities of being a supervisor. The part of the course examines the purpose, principles, and methods of supervision applicable to many social work settings and the demands upon the supervisor and supervisee. The emphasis is on the supportive, educational, and administrative elements of supervision. Issues specific to women and other minority groups are also addressed. This course is taken concurrently with Fieldwork and Seminar -III
This is the first half of a year-long course that serves as a capstone to the full MSW learning experience. Students will design and conduct human rights-based research projects that integrate the key concepts of the MSW program’s curricular themes and course work, and develop an integrative project proposal for a study that contributes to the knowledge, skills, and values of justice-based social work practice. Prerequisites: completion of foundation year courses. Offered fall or winter break Extended course description Students apply scientific methods of knowledge development for social work clinical practice; ethical standards for scientific inquiry; quantitative and qualitative research methods; and research designs to critical evaluation of research in the clinical concentration and to development of a plan for research project implementation. Students will engage in an advanced research practice experience that enables them to demonstrate the capacity to plan, conduct, and evaluate a research project in an agency or other approved venue. 344
SWK 605/610 Field Work and Seminar III and IV (per semester) these courses build on the4
knowledge, and skills gained in the foundation field work education placement. Students gain additional experience working with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations within the political, social, and cultural context of the setting. Issues of social and economic justice within organizational and community context and how they addressed through policy or program development and evaluation are also studied. Students must complete 250 clock hours per semester. Taken concurrently with the practice course in the concentration Standing MSW program. This course requires the use of Tevera- an online platform that will be used to manage documentation required for your field experience. There is a one-time fee per student to purchase Tevera which provides life-time access to the product. Tevera can be purchased in the Anna Maria College Bookstore or directly through Tevera. (* there are processing fees that are applied by both Tevera and Bookstore)
Completion of all required 500 level MSW courses or admission to the Advanced
SWK 606Advanced Practice with Couples, Families, and Groups3
This course provides students with advanced generalist theories, knowledge, values, and skills for evidence-based direct practice with couples, families, and treatment groups. Students develop, analyze, integrate and apply advanced knowledge and skills in the comprehensive assessment and the differential application of treatment approaches and intervention strategies in social work practice at the micro level with couples and families and at the mezzo level with treatment groups. This course presents a framework for comparing, contrasting, and differentially applying these models to direct practice with diverse populations and in a variety of field settings, with emphasis on practice in a multicultural community context.
This is the second half of the year-long integrative project course. Students complete the human rights action project begun in the fall. Projects focus on advancing human rights and social and economic justice for children, families and communities, through education, social action, and policy. Projects integrate the concepts learned in previous courses and reflect the curricular themes and justice-based focus of the program. Prerequisites: completion of foundation year courses and SWK 604.
Student Professional and Academic Evaluation Academic and Professional Review Process The MSW Program at Anna Maria College employs a structured process for evaluating both academic and professional performance to ensure that students meet the program’s standards for graduate-level scholarship and professional competency. All matters of concern—academic, behavioral, or professional—are addressed through the Academic and Professional Review Committee, which serves as the central review and decision-making body. This committee provides consistency, fairness, and transparency in all processes related to academic progress, professional development, and due process. The MSW Program continuously monitors student academic performance through both informal and formal processes to ensure successful progression toward degree completion. At biweekly program meetings, “student concerns” are a standing agenda item, allowing faculty and staff to address any emerging issues related to academic performance—such as low grades, incomplete assignments, or difficulty meeting course expectations. This early intervention process allows faculty to connect students with appropriate support and resources, such as advising, tutoring, or skill development.
