Social Work Graduate Course Descriptions

6301 Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families (3-0). This course provides a generalist practice overview of social work values, skills, and knowledge from empowerment and strengths-based perspectives. Areas of emphasis include solution-focused, cognitive behavioral, and task-centered approaches in the client contexts of individual and family-based treatment settings.

6303 Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities (3-0). This course provides an overview of macro-level community practice and involves the integration of theory, skills, and techniques in order to intervene with groups, organizations, communities. Issues of social, economic, and environmental justice are integrated as part of macro-level social work practice.

6305 Generalist Practice with Groups (3-0). This course focuses on developing the knowledge, skills, and competencies related to facilitating group work in a variety of generalist social work practice settings. Students will learn a variety of group work aspects including theoretical approaches, stages of the group process, and the impact of member characteristics.

6311 Human Behavior in the Social Environment I (3-0). This foundation course examines the dynamics of human behavior in society from biopsychosocial, systems, and socio-environmental perspectives from birth to young adulthood. Also addressed are diversity issues with a strengths-based emphasis within a variety of client populations across the lifespan.

6313 Human Behavior in the Social Environment II (3-0). This foundation course examines the dynamics of human behavior in society from biopsychosocial, systems, and socio-environmental perspectives from young adulthood to end of life. Also addressed are diversity issues with a strengths-based emphasis within a variety of client populations across the lifespan.

6321 History and Philosophy of Social Work (3-0). This course examines the historical and current development of the social work profession and the social welfare delivery system, primarily in the United States. Course content emphasizes the effect of social policies on client systems at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Students conduct critical analyses of social problems, current policies, and service responses with a particular focus on the mutual relationships of policy, research, and practice when investigating the impact of social policy on diverse and vulnerable groups.

6323 Policy Practice and Advocacy (3-0). This course introduces foundational knowledge and skills in policy practice, including the policy making process and intervention techniques aimed at impacting and changing social welfare and public policies. Course content includes analysis of contemporary social issues, public policy, social welfare programs, and strategies for empowering diverse groups.

6335 Research for Practice (3-0). The course addresses the foundational concepts, principles, and methods of scientific inquiry, focusing primarily on quantitative research designs and data analysis for direct generalist or clinical practitioners. Students will be taught how to apply research methods to the problems of social work practice as well as prepare them to perform practice and program evaluation in their professional work.

6337 Foundation Field Seminar and Practicum I. The seminar facilitates integration of foundation field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Students gain knowledge of and apply models of critical reflective practice, effective use of supervision, and ethical decision making. The course includes a supervised social work field practicum in a community agency or program related to current course work and requires a minimum of 200 clock hours at the agency. Application to field practicum required. Practice experience and demonstration of foundation social work skills in an applied setting.
Prerequisites: Acceptance into practicum and satisfactory completion of Social Work 6301, 6303, 6311, 6313, 6321, and 6323.

6339 Foundation Field Seminar and Practicum II. The seminar facilitates integration of foundation field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Students gain knowledge of and apply models of critical reflective practice, effective use of supervision, and ethical decision making. The course includes a supervised social work field practicum in a community agency or program related to current course work and requires a minimum of 200 clock hours at the agency. Application to field practicum required. Practice experience and demonstration of foundation social work skills in an applied setting.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Social Work 6337.

6360 Case Management in Medical Social Work (3-0). This course examines conceptual frameworks of the health care system and the role of the social worker within that system. Students will receive instruction on important social work perspectives on the health care system, including health care disparities and the impact of historical events on the manner in which contemporary medical health care operates. This course investigates the effects of the health care system from an individual (micro) to societal (macro) range of perspective.

6361 Advanced Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families (3-0). This course takes an in-depth look at advanced practice with individuals, families, and small groups with a focus on assessment and intervention strategies and skills. Emphasis is placed on service delivery and empirically-based interventions using the general intervention model as a guiding framework.
Prerequisite: Completion of all foundation year coursework for traditional track students or advanced standing track students.

6362 Introduction to Direct Clinical Practice (3-0). This course provides a general overview of clinical practice with a focus on assessment, intervention, evaluation strategies, knowledge, skills, and theories needed as a clinical social work practitioner.

6364 Clinical Theory for Direct Practice (3-0). This course examines major psychotherapy and counseling theories applied in clinical social work practice.

6365 Administration, Supervision, and Management (3-0). This advanced practice course provides students with theories and skills needed for administration of direct service staff and management skills across a variety of human service settings with an emphasis on managing competing and limited resources. Course content addresses relevant theories and models of supervision and administration. Key skills are identified which will enable students to effectively manage and create resources, develop and impact organizational policies, and serve as effective administrators and supervisors.

6366 Healthcare Organization and Administration (3-0). Focus on healthcare administration related to a global healthcare system. Topics include, but not limited to, a historical overview, theoretical foundations, and history/policy review of developments. Addresses the application of administration/managerial concepts and practices of healthcare organizations exploring healthcare provider types, cost, access and quality of care, and the future of health services delivery.

6367 Practice and Program Evaluation (3-0). The scientific method in social work research is presented. The methods of empirical research for knowledge building, the role of research in theory construction, research designs and data analysis, and methods of practice and program evaluation are introduced. Students will apply quantitative and qualitative methods and analysis in order to gain knowledge and skills about practice and program accountability and effectiveness. Course content will focus upon evaluation of social work practice and programs including single system design, needs assessments, and process and outcome evaluation. Students will also be exposed to the use of the logic model in program design and evaluation.

6369 Advanced Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations (3-0). This advanced practice course builds on prior course work and presents theories and key practice models of evidence informed social work interventions with diverse individuals and families. Course content focuses on engagement at each stage of the intervention process and will provide experiential learning through participation in case simulations, role plays, and other exercises.

6370 Macro Policy Analysis (3-0). This advanced course builds upon policy practice skills and knowledge and macro community practice techniques. Course content presents frameworks for policy research and analysis. Students will conduct advanced analysis and critique of social welfare policies that affect families and diverse and oppressed populations. Students will develop advocacy and intervention techniques aimed at positively impacting social welfare and public policies. Students will also develop written and verbal persuasion skills.

6372 Clinical Health Policy (3-0). This course focuses on the development and implementation of health and mental health policy.

6373 Advanced Field Seminar and Practicum I. The course facilitates experiential opportunities allowing for the integration of advanced field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Course content includes assignments based upon advanced field social work topics, attendance to a weekly field seminar class, supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting, and includes practice in a community agency or program related to current course work. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced social work skills in an applied setting. Students are required to complete a minimum of 250 clock hours in the agency and must receive a grade of “B” or better.
Prerequisite: Acceptance into practicum.

6374 Advanced Field Seminar and Practicum II. The course facilitates experiential opportunities allowing for the integration of advanced field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Course content includes assignments based upon advanced field social work topics, attendance to a weekly field seminar class, supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting, and includes practice in a community agency or program related to current course work. Students are expected to demonstrate advanced social work skills in an applied setting. Students are required to complete a minimum of 250 clock hours in the agency and must receive a grade of “B” or better.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Social Work 6373.

6375 Integrative Seminar (3-0). Students will demonstrate their knowledge, values, and skills learned in the M.S.W. program by completing a comprehensive exam and integrated paper. Students will have three (3) attempts to successfully pass the comprehensive exam with a score of 70 or higher. Students will have one (1) attempt to pass the integrated paper with a score of 70 or higher. Students must make 70 or higher on both the comprehensive exam and integrated paper to pass the course and to graduate from the M.S.W. program. Grading will be either pass or fail.
Prerequisite: Social Work 6373.

6382 Spirituality and Religion in Social Work Practice (3-0). This course provides a comprehensive framework of values, knowledge, and skills for spiritually sensitive, ethical, and culturally appropriate practice with diverse religious and non-religious clients. It examines spirituality as an integral piece of a strengths-based approach to social work practice with diverse and/or vulnerable clients. Students explore the beliefs, values, and social welfare applications of Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Hinduism, Indigenous spiritual perspectives, Islam, Judaism, Existentialism, and Transpersonal and Deep Ecological Theories. Skills for spiritual assessment and spiritually sensitive practices include mindfulness, meditation, ritual and ceremony, forgiveness, spiritually sensitive administration, and engagement with community-based spiritual support systems. This elective course integrates a contemporary global perspective with critical self-reflection.

6383 Children and Families in Social Work Practice (3-0). This course focuses on the characteristics, strengths, and needs of children and their families. Students will develop assessment and intervention skills needed to work effectively with a variety of issues related to children, parents, and family. Course content includes techniques such as child therapy, play therapy, behavioral contracting, cognitive behavioral interventions, and crisis intervention.

6384 Advanced Practice in Correctional Mental Health (3-0). A study of the interface of social work and the correctional system including offender rehabilitation. Topics include the roles of correctional personnel, crisis intervention, the assessment and treatment of juveniles and adults, justice involved special populations, casework in correctional settings, and the evaluation of treatment and rehabilitation programs.

6385 Mental Health Treatment in Social Work Practice (3-0). This course focuses on assessment and intervention with those experiencing acute and chronic mental health issues and disabilities. Course content addresses the delivery of services to various populations (children, adolescents, and adults), service delivery systems (community, mental health, managed care), and a wide variety of problems. Additional topics include well-being, ethics, case management, treatment planning, DSM, and substance abuse.

6386 Clinical Assessment and Psychopathology (3-0). An examination and application of the diagnostic criteria and epidemiological data found in the most current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The use of initial and ongoing assessment data to formulate diagnostic hypotheses is of primary concern.

6387 Treatment of Addiction and Substance Use Disorders (3-0). This course examines substance addiction and substance use disorders in a variety of client populations. Students will investigate aspects that include (but are not limited to) theoretical approaches (including stages of change and the disease concept of addiction), assessment and diagnosis, best practices in treatment, and the impact of addictions and addictive behaviors on the client and others. Students will take part in experiential exercises to broaden understanding of and empathy for clients dealing with addiction and/or substance use disorder.

6396 Adult and Geriatric Mental Health (3-0). Examines social work practice theories, multidimensional assessment, and intervention approaches and skills as they apply to practice with adults and geriatrics and their families. Diversity among adults and geriatrics will be emphasized, including discussion of the lifelong integration of personal experiences and client populations that range from adulthood to older adults and their families who are facing end-of life issues.

7310 History and Philosophy of Clinical Social Work (3-0). Provides a broad overview of the history and philosophy of the social work profession with a focus on clinical social work. Serves as a professional seminar in clinical social work including the history of the social work profession, contemporary clinical practice philosophy, licensure and certification, the practitioner-scholar model, social work education and accreditation, ethics, professional organizations, and professional writing.
Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program in Clinical Social Work.

7320 Theoretical Frameworks for Clinical Social Work (3-0). An examination of the theoretical foundations for contemporary clinical social work practice. Includes psychoanalytic, psychodynamic, interpersonal, behavioral, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, experiential, humanistic, brief solution-focused, and integrative psychotherapy approaches as applied to individuals, couples, families, and groups.
Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program in Clinical Social Work.

7322 Administration and Leadership in Clinical Social Work (3-0). An in-depth examination of administration and leadership in clinical social work. Topics include, but are not limited to, leadership and management theory, best practices in administration and leadership, problem solving and decision making, motivation , management strategy, accountability, human resource functions, staff supervision, management information systems, financial management, strategic planning, program design, and resource development.
Prerequisites: Social Work 7310, 7320, and 7330, or Instructor permission.

7326 Policy for Clinical Social Work Practice (3-0). Mental health policy, policy making, and the political context of mental health policy are examined. Policies are reviewed and evaluated through value ideals such as service, social and economic justice, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, and human rights. Integrated care as a contemporary practice context is of particular concern.
Prerequisites: Social Work 7310 and 7322, or Instructor permission.

7330 Clinical Social Work Assessment I (3-0). Biopsychosocial assessment and evaluation procedures used in clinical social work across the lifespan. Focuses on clinical interviewing skill development; taking a biopsychosocial history; psychometrics relating to standardized measures; ethical, legal, and professional issues in assessment and evaluation; and measures of cognitive ability and processes, including but not limited to intelligence, achievement, and executive functioning.
Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program in Clinical Social Work.

7331 Clinical Social Work Assessment II (3-0). Biopsychosocial assessment and evaluation procedures used in clinical social work across the lifespan. Focuses on clinical interviewing skill development; taking a biopsychosocial history; psychometrics relating to standardized measures; ethical, legal, and professional issues in assessment and evaluation; and measures of psychopathology and personality.
Prerequisite: Social Work 7330 or Instructor permission.

7332 Psychopathology: Etiology and Differential Diagnosis (3-0). In-depth examination of mental disorders found in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) across the lifespan. Special attention is given to etiology of mental disorders and the process of differential diagnosis.
Prerequisites: Social Work 7310, 7320, and 7330, or Instructor permission.

7334 Planning and Intervention in Clinical Social Work (3-0). Treatment planning and psychiatric rehabilitation strategies used in clinical social work.
Prerequisite: Social Work 7332 or Instructor permission.

7336 Supervision in Clinical Social Work (3-0). An overview and analysis of social work supervision in clinical practice. Educational, administrative, supportive supervision, and clinical supervision are covered. This course is designed to cover the Course Content Guidelines to prepare LCSWs to supervise LMSWs working toward their Licensed Clinical Social Worker License by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners.
Prerequisite: Social Work 7334 or Instructor permission.

7338 Psychopharmacology (3-0). An overview of the fundamental principles of psychopharmacology. Focuses on the use of prescription and nonprescription medications in clinical mental health, classes of medication used in clinical mental health, how medications work, potential adverse reactions of medications, contraindications for medication use.

7340 Research Methods for Clinical Social Work (3-0). An examination of types of clinical research, designs, sampling strategies, instruments used, and data collection procedures. Ethical and diversity issues are explored as considerations in clinical social work research. Of paramount importance is the use of research in evidence-based practice.
Prerequisites: Social Work 7310, 7320, and 7330, or Instructor permission.

7342 Data Analysis for Clinical Social Work (3-0). Data collection, analysis, and interpretation in clinical social work practice. Clinical quality and organizational performance improvement measures and data are covered with a focus on data analysis and interpretation.
Prerequisite: Social Work 7340 or Instructor permission.

7370 Advanced Treatment of Mental Disorders (3-0). A critical examination of assessment and treatment methods for mental disorders across the lifespan commonly seen in clinical social work practice. Empirically supported assessment and treatment methods as well as evidence-based practice covered.
Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program in Clinical Social Work or Instructor permission.

7372 Advanced Treatment of Couples and Families (3-0). A critical examination of assessment and treatment methods for couples and families. Empirically supported assessment and treatment methods as well as evidence-based practice covered.
Prerequisite: Admission into the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program in Clinical Social Work or Instructor permission.

7381 Special Topics (3-0). A seminar in selected clinical social work topics. May be repeated once for credit when topic varies. Departmental permission required.

7383 Research in Clinical Social Work (3-0). A review of contemporary research in clinical social work. Focuses on empirically supported treatments, best practices, and the process of evidence-based practice in clinical social work.

7390 Doctoral Capstone I (3-0). The first course in a two-course sequence representing the final project for the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) program in Clinical Social Work. Includes the D.S.W. qualifying examination.
Prerequisites: Completion of all classroom course work in the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program in Clinical Social Work and D.S.W. Director permission.

7392 Doctoral Capstone II (3-0). The second course in a two-course sequence representing the final project for the Doctor of Social Work (D.S.W.) program in Clinical Social Work. Requires continuous enrollment if the capstone project is not finished by the end of the semester; may be repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: Social Work 7390.

7424 Social Work in Higher Education (4-0). An examination of social work teaching and student learning in higher education including the role and function of social work faculty and field educators. Assessing student learning, teaching, and field education; social work accreditation; as well as ethics in teaching are emphasized. Students are required to serve as a teaching assistant, under the supervision of the course instructor of record, during the duration of the semester.
Prerequisites: Social Work 7310, 7320, and 7330, or Instructor permission.

7480 Doctoral Internship. Doctoral internship in clinical social work. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities as an advanced clinical practitioner, social work educator, or administrator of a clinical program or organization providing clinical services. Documentation of 220 clock hours are required. Maybe repeated for credit.
Prerequisite: D.S.W. Director permission.