Foundation framework for generalist social work practice, including the problem-solving process, social work values/ethics and social work roles as they apply to varying size client systems. Develops specific intervention skills, such as interviewing, assessment, contracting, goal setting and evaluation for diverse client systems with the emphasis on rural and small communities. Prerequisite: program admission. (3 crs.)

Continues foundation for generalist social work practice and builds on SWK 701, with a focus on the community/rural content of practice. Explores basic intervention/advocacy, management and evaluation. Provides examples from a variety of practice areas, including practice with populations throughout the lifespan. Prerequisite: SWK 701. (3 crs.)

This course provides the foundation for working with individuals, families, groups and communities. Basic concepts of human development throughout the life cycle are presented within the person-in-environment perspective. The framework is multidimensional, considering the impact of ability, age, aging, class, exploitation, ethnicity, gender, oppression, political belief system, race, religion, sexual orientation and the social environment on human behavior and development. Examples from social work practice integrating individual, family, groups, community and organizational assessment and intervention strategies are taken from local, national and international rural and small communities. Prerequisite: program admission or program director approval. (3 crs.)

This course provides foundation knowledge about human diversity and an understanding of the emphasis of the social work profession on culturally competent social work practice. Students develop skills to identify strengths, bicultural adaptation, patterns of oppression and both change and continuity during the aging process, with particular emphasis on rural and small town communities. The course assists students in understanding the impact of oppression on human growth and development and social functioning for the integration of individual, family, group, community and organization level interventions to promote or enhance social justice. Prerequisite: program admission or program director approval. (3 crs.)

Examination of the history and value base of the social work profession and U.S. social policy with a framework for policy analsis from the definition of a social problem, through legislative adoption to actual program development. Special emphasis on the impact of these policies, and related services on small towns, rural communities, and diverse populations. Prerequisite: Program admission (3 crs.)

This course examines: the logic of scientific inquiry; the social work research process with an emphasis on problem conceptualization, measurement options, and research design; the use of descriptive and inferential data analyses and; the development of skills needed for understanding and conducting ethical qualtitative and qualitative research related to social work practices and programs serving small towns, rural communities and diverse populations. Prerequisite: program admission. (3 crs.)

Use of research designs to inform and evaluate practice and policy in small town and rural contexts. Development of knowledge and skills for understanding and conducting applied research, with emphasis on research related to social work practices and programs serving small towns, rural communities and diverse populations. Prerequisite: advanced standing. (3 crs.)

This course examines: the logic of scientific inquiry; the social work research process with an emphasis on problem conceptualization, measurement options, and research design; the use of descriptive and inferential data analyses, and the development of skills needed for understanding and conducting ethical quantitative and qualitative research related to social work practices and programs serving small towns, rural communities and diverse populations.

MSW supervised placement in a social agency that provides opportunities for generalist social work practice with individuals, families and groups of all ages from rural and small communities, including advocacy skills to enhance social justice. The minimum hours required in a field placement is 240 for SWK 729. Prerequisite: Program admission (6 crs.)

MSW supervised placement in a social agency that provides opportunities for generalist social work practice with individuals, families and groups of all ages from rural and small communities, including advocacy skills to enhance social justice. The minimum hours required in a field agency are 240 for SWK 730, equally a total of 480 hours for SWK 729 and SWK 730 combined. Prerequisites: SWK 701,705 and SWK 729. (6 crs.)

Builds on the generalist practice skills, knowledge and values taught in Generalist Practice I and II. Integrates the use of advanced individual, family, group and organizational skills within the agency and community settings that serve diverse rural and small town client systems. Addresses practice concerns such as acquiring sanction for work, assessing needed resources, supervision, certification and evaluation of practice. Prerequisites: SWK 702 and 705 or advanced standing. (3 crs.)

Students in this course learn how to work with clients and client systems to help them identify needs and assess problems as well as strengths. A number of different assessment methods are explored with particular emphasis on those appropriate for diverse populations across the lifespan from local, national and international rural and small communities. Prerequisites: Program admission, SWK 705 and 707 or program director approval. (3 crs.)

Explores the design, function and impact of community and family policies. Historical development of specific policies and the effects of policy on rural family and community institutions and organizations. Skills in analyzing and synthesizing policy are applied to rural situations and change strategies. Prerequisites: SWK 705, 709, 710 and 713 or advanced standing. (3 crs.)

Advanced use of research to evaluate social work practices and programs, particularly those serving small towns, rural communities, aging and diverse populations. Includes single system design and program evaluation. Skills developed for assessing and adding to the knowledge base of social work practice. Prerequisite: SWK 714. (3 crs.)

Integration of knowledge about aging, rural aging, services for the aging and the principles of social work and practice with various diverse populations in rural environments. Prerequisite: second year standing or program director approval. (3 crs.)

Supervision, management and control in human service organizations. Theoretical and functional models to assist staff to grow and function competently as professionals. Understanding the elements of programming, budgeting, staffing, communications and control within the organization. Identifying formal and informal systems, the impact of human diversity and how all of this functions in the rural setting. Prerequisite: SWK 701 and SWK 702 or program director approval. (3 crs.)

Examines roles of the social worker and the place of social work values and practice in health care planning, modern medical ethics and professional practice. Prerequisite: second-year standing or program director approval. (3 crs.)

Overview of MH/MR policies and services; issues of rehabilitation, advocacy and case management; and how treatment approaches (crisis behavioral and chemical) are related to social work roles and values in the context of community needs. Prerequisite: second-year standing or program director approval. (3 crs.)

Overview of the juvenile and adult criminal justice system in urban and rural communities. Places emphasis on the development of an understanding of the ever-changing philosophies that undergird the criminal justice system. In addition, the focus of the course will include an examination of the relationship between human diversity and aging in the criminal justice system. Prerequisites: SWK 701 and 702 or program director approval. (3 crs.)

Examines the major problems and legal and clinical issues encountered when working with children. Special concern for victimized and at-risk children in rural settings. Prerequisites: SWK 701, SWK 702 or program director approval. (3 crs.)

This course provides students with a substantive knowledge base and critical skills for planning to work in the addictions fields as well as for those who will encounter chemical dependency problems in their work with different age groups in the variety of arenas in which they practice. Prerequisite: second-year standing or program director approval. (3 crs.)

First semester advanced MSW supervised placement in a social agency setting for three days a week, requiring advanced generalist practice with varying sizes and types of client systems, working in rural and small town communities. Students are required to complete a minimum of 330 hours. Prerequisites: second-year standing, SWK 729 and SWK 730. (6 crs.)

Second of a two-semester advanced MSW supervised placement in a social agency setting for three days a week, providing an opportunity for advanced generalist practice with varying sizes and types of systems for working in rural environments. Students are required to complete a minimum of 330 hours. Prerequisites: second-year standing and SWK 829. (6 crs.)

Study of selected topics of significance or current importance and interest to the social work profession. Prerequisite: instructor permission. (3 crs.)