23 courses with the subject MSW, 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.
MSW 700The Foundations of Generalist Practice3
This is a foundational (generalist I) course that traditional MSW students must take in the first semester of the MSW Program. It is designed to provide social work foundation knowledge for working with individuals, families, small groups, and macro systems. It is designed to simulate the practice environment and introduces students to essential social work concepts and skills. Students will actively participate in virtual skill labs to practice intervention techniques, prepare written reports, and evaluate generalist practice knowledge and skills.
This foundational (generalist I) course is an introduction to social welfare and public policy. The course will introduce the social welfare institution with an emphasis on understanding the historical development of social work and social welfare as a response to human need, social welfare services, and the philosophical base of social welfare. This course will also help students understand the role of social work practitioners in shaping public policy and policies in social service agencies within the United States.
This is a generalist II practice course that introduces students to ethics and moral decision making related to the field of social work. Students will develop theoretical, conceptual, and practical understanding of ethics through discussions, activities, and assignments. The course will address the history of ethics in social work practice, the NASW Code of Ethics, and current ethical issues in direct and macro practice. Specific concepts such as human dignity, cultural humility, stigma, and modern technology will be explored. The course will also include briefings on broad areas of ethics including healthcare, public health, global bioethics, and human rights will also occur.
Today’s healthcare environments are complex systems in which social workers are core members of interdisciplinary healthcare teams who possess the bio-psycho-social expertise to bridge the gaps between healthcare systems, individuals, families, groups, and communities. This course will foster knowledge about social work practice in healthcare from both direct practice and macro perspectives as well as develop the skills necessary for practice in healthcare. Students will explore the intersections between health, behavioral health, social work, and the other professional disciplines that work collaboratively in today’s healthcare system to gain an appreciation for the value of an integrated approach to care. In this course, students will learn about the foundations of healthcare and social work, social work roles in healthcare, the impact of illness on individuals, families, and communities, the cultural context of health and illness, and cultivate skills related to health literacy, patient advocacy, care coordination, healthcare ethics, medical decision making, and health advocacy
This foundational (generalist I) course is focused on human behavior as understood through the interplay of psychological, biological, and social dimensions of human development. The life cycle of individuals is reviewed in the context of families, groups, and larger social systems including the cultural, social, and physical environment. This knowledge is useful to social workers and other practitioners in understanding social hazards whether created by individuals or by environmental factors. The course explores theoretical perspectives in a holistic approach grounded in the liberal arts. This course requires an in-depth case study analysis in which students demonstrate integrative knowledge and critical thinking in their application of the theories within the multidimensional perspective.
This generalist I course explores human behavior in groups, organizations, and communities to achieve an in-depth theoretical, conceptual, and practical understanding of the workings of the macro social environment. Students take an active role in their learning through engagement with a community, organization, and group. An ecosystem perspective is combined with sociology, group psychology, and organizational theories that promote a working knowledge of the operation and interrelatedness of macro systems and human behavior. Primary consideration is given to concepts of empowerment, diversity, populations-at-risk, and the promotion of social and economic justice at the local, national, and global levels.
This generalist II practice course is designed to introduce MSW students to frameworks for treatment, therapeutic modalities, and specialized clinical, organizational and community issues. Topics covered include social work values, multidimensional assessment, contemporary theories of social work as they relate to practice with diverse client systems, organizations, and communities. Students will gain knowledge and skills related to the theories behind various methods and techniques and continue to build upon them as lifelong learning takes place. In addition, virtual skill-building sessions are included as a key component of the course for students to practice various aspects of knowledge. 3 credits
MSW 721Human Services Management and Grant Writing3
This advanced practice course is designed to prepare advanced generalist practitioners to assume middle management leadership positions and engage in the facilitation of change in contemporary human service practice. As outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics, social workers’ ethical responsibilities in practice settings include the use of supervision and consultation to enhance professional practice, administration within and outside of agencies to advocate for adequate resources to meet clients’ needs, and the assurance that social workers are diligent stewards of the resources of their employing organizations. The course introduces the processes and practices involved in organizational management, program advocacy, and grant writing. Human Services Management and Grant Writing is a course to develop the skills necessary to develop a funding grant proposal and to integrate the administrative responsibilities while working with organizations and agencies. This course is required for MSW students in the macro practice specialization and is an elective option for students in other specializations.
This advanced practice course enhances students’ understanding of mental health and diagnosis in both a micro and macro context. The treatment of mental illness in the US and internationally will be explored, and students will learn about the cultural, psychosocial, and life experiences of those with mental illnesses and other diagnosable behaviors. Students will learn about the full spectrum of mental health disorders and gain skills in best practices for diagnostic assessment. Students will learn about the history of the DSM, navigating the DSM for the process of diagnosis, and be able to apply this process in practice. Students will learn about suicide assessment in both a micro and macro context, as well as tools for working with the suicidal patient in practice. This course is required for MSW students in the direct practice specialization and is an elective option for students in other specializations.
MSW 723Applied Research: Assessment and Evaluation
This generalist II course is a required course for all graduate social work students, whether they are preparing for a career in direct practice, macro practice, or school social work. Scientific methods and principles of logic will be applied to assessment and evaluation of 112
This generalist II practice course is designed to prepare graduate level students for careers in team-based settings and leadership positions. This course focuses on self-reflection as a tool for students to examine their motivations, challenge their biases, and learn how to leverage their strengths when serving in the capacity of a social worker. In addition to self-reflection, this course informs students on transformational leadership practices and skills, clinical supervision, and feminist topics to create added value to their leadership style when serving as leaders in practice settings.
This advanced practice course examines an array of treatment approaches to provide a foundation for direct social work practice. It includes models based on Mindfulness/Person Centered, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Trauma-Informed and other trauma focused treatment approaches with individuals, groups, and communities. Students will apply and practice assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills using these approaches, while comparing their applications. This course is required for MSW students in the direct practice specialization and may be an elective option for students in other specializations.
This advanced macro practice course prepares students to engage in social welfare policy analysis with attention to historical, political, social, economic, and cultural factors that shape social welfare policy environments at the organizational, local, state, national, and international levels. Students apply knowledge, skills, and values needed to create ethical, anti-racist, trauma-informed policy proposals for implementation at the organizational, community, or societal levels. Students learn to use interpersonal communication and evidence to engage with and build the capacity of affected constituencies to participate in advocacy efforts focused on supporting human well- being and social, economic, and environmental justice. This course is required for MSW students in the macro practice specialization and is an elective option for students in other specializations.
This is an advanced direct practice course focused on a specific type of trauma called complex trauma. Complex trauma involves child or adolescent exposure to repeated or chronic traumatic experiences that are severe and pervasive and can have wide-ranging and long- term effects. Students will learn about this type of trauma, the effects, screening and assessment, interventions and evaluations of treatment. This course is required for MSW students in the direct practice specialization and is an elective option for students in other specializations.
MSW 728Interventions in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
This elective course teaches students the foundations of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The course focuses on the applicability of the cognitive-behavioral model to direct practice with individuals, families, and small groups. Students learn skills in applying CBT assessment and treatment methods for a variety of affective, anxiety and substance abuse disorders. The course also focuses on the relevance of cognitive-behavioral practice to direct practice with diverse populations with a focus on inclusivity in treatment.
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK CERTIFICATE Carlow’s 15-credit School Social Work Certificate program adheres to the mission of the MSW Program as it educates and prepares graduate-level social workers for Pennsylvania's School Social Worker Educational Specialist Certification. This program provides post- masters social workers to practice with individuals, families, and communities in school-based practice settings to become qualified for careers within schools, across larger educational programs and systems, and in policy practice as it is related to public and private preschool, elementary, and secondary schools. Students who successfully complete the school social work specialization will be eligible for Pennsylvania's School Social Worker Educational Specialist Certification. *Pennsylvania requires any social worker seeking the Pennsylvania School Social Worker Educational Specialist Certification to be a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of Pennsylvania before this certificate is issued. Requirements: MSW 727 or MSW 752, MSW 741, ED-778, SPED 770 or SPED 773 or SPED 778, MSW-732 or MSW-734** **At least 3 credits of field placement will need to be completed in a school or school-based setting. This requirement may be waived for professionals seeking a post-graduate certificate who are currently working in a school-based setting. A waiver is dependent on the approval of the MSW Program Director and MSW Field Director. COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL WORK COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
The initial segment of the specialization field placement experience, also referred to as field II, is required for all MSW students. Specialization field placement II requires students to complete 300 hours of supervised experience in an agency that provides the opportunity for students to apply and observe the theories, methods, and values of social work in practice in their selected area of specialization. In addition to the placement hours, students will engage with the field faculty liaison and other students in Field II to ensure integration of the field experience with specialized practice skills and theories. Emphasis is placed on promoting advanced levels of competence through strength-based, culturally competent, ethically grounded, trauma informed practice. As such students typically take Field II in the semester prior to graduation from the MSW Program. Field II continues into Field III during students’ final semester of the MSW Program and will continue at the same agency.
The final segment of the specialization field placement experience, also referred to as field III, is required for all MSW students. Specialization field placement III requires students to complete 300 hours of supervised experience in the same agency where Field II was completed to continue applying and observing the theories, methods, and values of social work in practice in their selected area of specialization. In addition to the placement hours, students will engage with the field faculty liaison and other students in Field III to ensure integration of the field experience with specialized practice skills and theories. Emphasis is placed on promoting advanced levels of competence through strength-based, culturally competent, ethically grounded, trauma informed practice. Students typically complete Field III during their final semester in the MSW Program.
MSW 736Advanced Practice Synthesis for Licensure and Career Readiness3
This synthesis course prepares all MSW students for the masters social work licensure exam and your transition into professional practice. Through an interactive seminar, students will integrate classroom learning with field experience while refining their knowledge, test-taking strategies, and professional skills. The course provides comprehensive exam preparation alongside career readiness, including résumé building, interviewing, networking, and job search strategies. Students will also explore workplace expectations, ethics, and long- term career growth. By the end, students will have a solid licensure plan, a strong professional identity, and the tools to confidently enter the job market as a credentialed social worker.
This advanced practice course offers an orientation to social work practice in schools and other educational settings. Students will become familiar with traditional and changing roles and practices of social workers in schools, as well as with larger systemic trends, such as the movement toward school-linked services and education reform. The course addresses prevention and intervention methods with children and youth at risk for school failure, as well as other behavioral and mental health problems. This course presents knowledge and skills for critically analyzing educational programs and policies for preschool, elementary, and secondary schools functioning under public and private auspices. This course is required for MSW students in the school social work specialization and is an elective option for students in other specializations.
This is an MSW elective taught by multiple MSW faculty members and designed to facilitate ethical contemplation as it relates to specific aspects of social work practice. Students will explore various ethically complex topics, examine their ethical implications, and analyze approaches to intervention using the NASW Code of Ethics and ethical frameworks designed specifically for social workers. Examples of topics covered in this 8-week course may include crisis response, eating disorders, urban gentrification, the aging LGBTQ Community, and Alzheimer’s disease.
This course prepares graduate social work students to engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate practice at the community-level using a trauma-informed perspective. While trauma-informed care is widely used and recognized in work with individuals, families, and groups, 114
