Social Work (SW) < Oregon State University

SW 201, INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK, 4 Credits

Introduces the values base of the social work profession and its ethical standards. Traces the history and development of the social work profession. Emphasizes principles of human rights and application toward realizing social, racial, economic, and environmental justice. Applies frameworks of ethical decision-making as a social worker in simulated settings.

SW 411, SOCIAL WORK ETHICS AND LAW, 4 Credits

Provides a comprehensive overview of professional ethical codes and legal responsibilities as they relate to the practice of social work and the development of a professional identity as a social worker. Focuses on professional boundaries, fiduciary responsibilities, confidentiality, dual relationships, ethical decision making, professional disclosures, power differentials, and professional communication. Applies frameworks of ethical decision-making as a social worker in simulated settings.

SW 412, RESEARCHING PROBLEMS OF PRACTICE, 4 Credits

Appraises quantitative and qualitative designs to address social issues. Learners identify practice and research gaps, develop research designs and questions, formulate ethical and culturally affirming strategies for data collection, and critique research findings from an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens. Learners develop the skills necessary to interpret and evaluate research studies to inform social work practice in clinical and community settings.

SW 413, TRANSFORMING SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SYSTEMS, 6 Credits

Examines U.S. social welfare policy through a critical and analytic lens, exploring how policies impact individuals and communities at the micro, meso, and macro levels. Emphasizes disparities based on class, race/ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, and gender. Analyzes policy history, processes, and theory while developing the skills to assess and advocate for meaningful policy change, addressing social justice issues in practice and within the political process.

SW 416, GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, 6 Credits

Prepares social workers with generalist knowledge and skills required for direct practice. Develops clinical interviewing skills through labs and role-play demonstrations. Trains social workers in assessing readiness for change, empathy and cultural humility, planning evidence-based interventions to achieve client goals, and suicide risk assessment. Explores anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and culturally affirming approaches to serving individuals and families throughout all stages of client engagement, assessment, and intervention.

SW 417, GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH CLIENT SYSTEMS, 6 Credits

Applies project-based learning collaboration with a real community nonprofit organization seeking program development support to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and drive social change. Employs cultural humility to assess current practices and programs, identify action plans and outcome measures to achieve organizational goals, and suggest adjustments as part of continuous quality improvement. Emphasizes systems theory and related macro topics of organizational development, implementation science, and community partnerships and organizing. Reviews systemic issues such as child welfare and interpersonal violence.

Corequisites: SW 491

SW 418, GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH GROUPS, 3 Credits

Fosters the development of effective group work skills for diverse practice settings. Examines theories and principles of group dynamics, leadership, and group facilitation. Evaluates cultural considerations and ethical issues impacting group processes. Learners design interventions to address group challenges and assess the effectiveness of group practices. Features synchronous weekly experiential group meetings, complemented by asynchronous online materials and assignments.

SW 491, +SOCIAL WORK PRACTICUM SUPERVISION, 1-8 Credits

Integrates field experience and supervision seminar to prepare students for post-graduate employment as social workers. Trains students for providing direct client services under the supervision of a site supervisor and faculty instructor. Incorporates instructor and peer feedback on case presentations and directed readings to support and enhance field experiences.

Attributes: CSC1 – Core Ed - Beyond OSU Career Preparation; CSC2 – Core Ed - Beyond OSU Career Engagement

Prerequisite: SW 411 (may be taken concurrently) with B- or better and (ED 100 [D-] or ED 300 [D-] or CORE 100 [D-] or CORE 300 [D-] or BA 100 [D-] or BA 300 [D-] or ENGR 110 [D-] or ENGR 310 [D-] or LA 100 [D-] or LA 300 [D-] or SCI 100 [D-] or SCI 300 [D-])

This course is repeatable for 30 credits.

Recommended: SW 416

SW 511, SOCIAL WORK ETHICS AND LAW, 4 Credits

Provides a comprehensive overview of professional ethical codes and legal responsibilities as they relate to the practice of social work and the development of a professional identity as a social worker. Focuses on professional boundaries, fiduciary responsibilities, confidentiality, dual relationships, ethical decision making, professional disclosures, power differentials, and professional communication. Applies frameworks of ethical decision-making as a social worker in simulated settings.

SW 512, RESEARCHING PROBLEMS OF PRACTICE, 4 Credits

Appraises quantitative and qualitative designs to address social issues. Learners identify practice and research gaps, develop research designs and questions, formulate ethical and culturally affirming strategies for data collection, and critique research findings from an anti-racist and anti-oppressive lens. Learners develop the skills necessary to interpret and evaluate research studies to inform social work practice in clinical and community settings.

SW 513, TRANSFORMING SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES AND SYSTEMS, 6 Credits

Examines U.S. social welfare policy through a critical and analytic lens, exploring how policies impact individuals and communities at the micro, meso, and macro levels. Emphasizes disparities based on class, race/ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, and gender. Analyzes policy history, processes, and theory while developing the skills to assess and advocate for meaningful policy change, addressing social justice issues in practice and within the political process.

SW 516, GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES, 6 Credits

Prepares social workers with generalist knowledge and skills required for direct practice. Develops clinical interviewing skills through labs and role-play demonstrations. Trains social workers in assessing readiness for change, empathy and cultural humility, planning evidence-based interventions to achieve client goals, and suicide risk assessment. Explores anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and culturally affirming approaches to serving individuals and families throughout all stages of client engagement, assessment, and intervention.

SW 517, GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH CLIENT SYSTEMS, 6 Credits

Applies project-based learning collaboration with a real community nonprofit organization seeking program development support to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion and drive social change. Employs cultural humility to assess current practices and programs, identify action plans and outcome measures to achieve organizational goals, and suggest adjustments as part of continuous quality improvement. Emphasizes systems theory and related macro topics of organizational development, implementation science, and community partnerships and organizing. Reviews systemic issues such as child welfare and interpersonal violence.

Corequisites: SW 591

SW 518, GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE WITH GROUPS, 3 Credits