CATALOG

The mission of the Social Work Department is to prepare students for entry-level generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The generalist practitioner engages in a multilayered practice within a diverse society. The Social Work Department places a special emphasis on the needs of the multicultural rural constituency and humanistic values. This philosophy respects and supports the rights, the dignity, and the worth of all people regardless of their color, creed, race or national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, economic, social status, political orientation, or disabilities. In addition, this philosophy recognizes the potential of each student and strongly believes that the student’s diverse cultural and ethnic background is an asset to his or her educational process. The program also builds upon the university’s required liberal arts curriculum. The Social Work Department offers a Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.).

DEGREES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED

The Social Work Department offers courses to complete the following degrees and programs:

Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.)
Major: Social Work

Heritage University Social Work Program (Learning) Outcomes:

• Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly
• Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice
• Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments
• Engage diversity and differences in practice
• Advance human rights and social and economic justice
• Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research
• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment
• Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services
• Respond to contexts that shape practice
• Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities

The goals of the Social Work Program are:

• The Social Work Program provides quality educational preparation for entry into beginning generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, with a focus on the specific needs of the multicultural diverse populations in the rural and urban regions of the Northwest.
• The Social Work Program prepares students academically to pursue graduate-level education.
• The Social Work Program fosters commitment to lifelong learning.

The Social Work Program has the following six objectives, which have been derived from the program’s goals:
 

• Prepare graduates for generalist social work practice with client systems of various sizes and types, from micro to macro
• Prepare graduates for generalist social work practice with diverse populations, including human and cultural diversity, with an emphasis on populations at risk
• Prepare graduates who will have the knowledge, values, and skills to do social work practice and to recognize the changing nature of contexts, the behavior of organizations, and the dynamics of change; emphasis is given to social and economic justice, social policy, and developing the ability to evaluate policies/programs utilizing research skills
• Prepare graduates for generalist social work practice within the values and ethics that guide professional social work practice
• Prepare graduates to accept responsibility for continuing their professional growth and development
• Prepare graduates to work in a rural multicultural environment

What jobs are available for social work graduates?

• Social worker or case manager in
• Health care
• Elder care
• Mental health
• Chemical dependency
• Hospitals
• Schools
• Nonprofit organizations

DEGREE AND PROGRAM OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Degree Major: Social Work

1.   General University Course Requirements........................................................................ 43-45 credits
2.   Lower-division Requirements......................................................................................... 18-31 credits
PSY          101        Introduction to Psychology............................................................................... 3
SOWK      101        Introduction to Social Work.............................................................................. 3
SOC          101        Introduction to Sociology.................................................................................. 3
SOC          201        Social Problems.............................................................................................. 3
BIOL         111        General Biology II............................................................................................ 4
POSC       101        Introduction to Political Science
Or
POSC       201W     U.S. Political System...................................................................................... 3
SOC          220        Applied Social Statistics.................................................................................. 3
ENG          351W     Technical and Report Writing............................................................................ 3
HIS           204        Fundamentals of the History of the American People I
Or
HIS           205W     Fundamentals of the History of the American People II....................................... 3
(recommended)
ECON       101        Introduction to Economics
Or
ECON       201        Introduction to Microeconomics........................................................................ 3
(13 credits may be applied to both the GUCRs and the major)
3.   Social Work Major Courses............................................................................................... 45 credits
SOWK      306        Social Justice and Diverse Populations............................................................. 3
SOWK      312        Human Behavior in the Social Environment I**.................................................... 3
SOWK      313        Human Behavior in the Social Environment II**................................................... 3
SOWK      316        Social Policy I**.............................................................................................. 3
SOWK      317        Social Policy II**............................................................................................. 3
SOWK      388        Preparation for Field Practicum**...................................................................... 1
SOWK      430        Ethics in Practice............................................................................................ 3
SOWK      435A      Advanced Issue Series Module 1...................................................................... 1
SOWK      435C      Advanced Issue Series Module 2...................................................................... 1
SOWK      435D      Advanced Issue Series Module 3...................................................................... 1
SOWK      459W     Social Science Research Methods................................................................... 3
SOWK      460W     Social Programs/Evaluation**........................................................................... 3
SOWK      486W     Theory of Practice I**....................................................................................... 3
SOWK      487W     Theory of Practice II**...................................................................................... 3
SOWK      488W     Theory of Practice III**..................................................................................... 3
SOWK      490        Field Practicum I***......................................................................................... 4
SOWK      491        Field Practicum II***........................................................................................ 4
4.   Upper-Division Electives (as needed)................................................................................ 5-20 credits
PSY          321W     Social Psychology.......................................................................................... 3
PSY          325W     Developmental Psychology.............................................................................. 3
SOWK      310A      Survey of Family Violence
Or
      SOWK      310C      Survey of Aging............................................................................................... 3
      SOWK      310D      Survey of Human Services with Indigenous Peoples
Or
      SOWK      310E      Indian Child Welfare Practice
Or
SOWK      310F      Sustainability and Social Work
Or
      SOWK      321        Social Work with Groups
Or
SOWK      322        Practice with Persons with Special Needs
Or
SOWK      323        Spirituality in Social Work Practice................................................................... 3
This degree requires 126 credits, of which 48 must be upper-division.

Initial accreditation for the B.S.W. Program was obtained in June 1998 from the Council on Social Work Education and renewed in 2010.
**These courses are open only to social work majors.
***Special admission requirements apply.

COURSE GUIDE FOR SOCIAL WORK

This sample schedule has 119 credits total, 126 credits are required to graduate
Note: Courses in bold are part of the GENERAL UNIVERSITY COURSE REQUIREMENTS.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Students should consult with the program chair if they are not sure of their preparation for a specific course. Course prerequisites specified are the minimum preparation required. In their first two university years, students need to work closely with their advisors to schedule the necessary General University Course Requirements and lower-division core courses to properly prepare for upper-division studies.

SOWK   101        Introduction to Social Work                                                                                     3 credits
Introduction to the profession of social work in the United States, considering history, principles, methods, and values of the social worker and settings from the generalist perspective. Offered fall and spring semesters.

SOWK   306        Social Justice and Diverse Populations                                                                  3 credits
The purpose of this course is to have students explore social justice and diverse populations. The course will provide the conceptual, theoretical, and empirical knowledge base related to difference, oppression, social justice, and empowerment of culturally diverse at-risk populations. This foundation of knowledge is necessary to social work practice in a multicultural society. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   310        Special Topic Series in Each of Four Topics                                                           3 credits
The Special Topic Series serves as an introduction to four topics: family violence, chemical dependency, gerontology, and indigenous people.

SOWK   310A      Survey of Family Violence                                                                                      3 credits
Introduction to various forms of family violence, with emphasis on child abuse/neglect types and causes, resources, and agencies; examination of adult responses to child abuse/neglect; social psychology of abusers; families; multicultural factors; and professional self-awareness. Prerequisite: SOWK 101. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   310C      Survey of Aging                                                                                                       3 credits
Overview course on generalist social work practice with older adults. Physical, social, mental, and spiritual aspects of aging will be explored to give students a better understanding of the effects of aging on individuals, families, and communities and the delivery of social work practice. Offered TBA.

SOWK   310D      Survey of Human Services w/Indigenous People                                                    3 credits
Overview of the cultural, social, psychological, and political factors affecting “First Nations” peoples. The focus will be on North American Indians, including Mexican and Canadian groups, with global indigenous peoples also addressed. Human services to tribal peoples will be critically examined. Prerequisite: SOWK 101. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   310E      Indian Child Welfare Practice                                                                                 3 credits
This course will focus on knowledge, values, and skills that are needed for effective Indian Child Welfare Act practice.

SOWK   310F      Sustainability and Social Work                                                                               3 credits
Overview of environmental, social, economic, and political sustainability as they interconnect with social justice and social work. Implications for the future of social work practice will be explored.

SOWK   312        Human Behavior in the Social Environment I                                                         3 credits
General systems theory is used as a framework for integrating human development and human behavior knowledge and theory pertaining to micro-systems of society: individuals, families, and informal groups. Taken concurrently with SOWK 316 and SOWK 486. Prerequisites: BIOL 111, PSY 101, SOC 101, SOWK 101. Cross- listed as SOC 312. Offered fall semesters.

SOWK   313        Human Behavior in the Social Environment II                                                        3 credits
General systems theory is used as a framework for integrating human development and human behavior knowledge and theory pertaining to larger systems of society: formal groups, organizations, communities, and society as a whole. Taken concurrently with SOWK 317 and SOWK 487. Prerequisites: SOWK 312, limited to majors. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   316        Social Policy I                                                                                                         3 credits
In-depth examination of the history of public welfare and social work, including the function of social work; its mandates, values, and ethics; and the fields of practice shaped by social welfare policies. Introduction to poverty and the nature of oppression. Taken concurrently with SOWK 312 and SOWK 486. Prerequisites: SOWK 101; ECON 101; HIS 204 or HIS 205W. Cross-listed as SOC 316. Offered fall semesters.

SOWK   317        Social Policy II                                                                                                        3 credits
In-depth examination of social welfare as a social institution, including analysis of society’s structure and its relationship to meet social welfare needs; trends in social welfare; and social welfare policy analysis in relation to social work. Taken concurrently with SOWK 313 and SOWK 487. Prerequisites: SOWK 316, limited to majors. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   321        Social Work with Groups                                                                                         3 credits
This course develops knowledge and skills of social work practice with groups. It prepares students to utilize groups by serving as a helping resource for clients, a member of committees, and a member of other task groups. The practice of group work is presented through lecture, discussions, role-plays, and small group learning experiences. Offered TBA.

SOWK 322           Practice with Persons with Special Needs                                                              3 credits
This course provides the student with practical knowledge and skills to work with individuals, families, and communities with longer-term service needs. The student will be required to apply assessment and to plan effective intervention. Offered TBA.

SOWK 323           Spirituality in Social Work Practice                                                                        3 credits
Spirituality/religion is a significant dimension of human diversity. The purpose of this course is to explore the impact and implications of spirituality/religion diversity on social work practice through the use of vignettes and case studies. Offered TBA.

SOWK   388        Preparation for Field Practicum                                                                               1 credit
Students participate in a 15-hour program designed to focus on readiness for field placement: e.g., résumé/cover letter writing, interviewing skills, dressing for success, stress and time management, ethics and confidentiality, and other topics structured to enhance skills. The course is graded as pass/no pass. Prerequisites: SOWK 312, SOWK 316, SOWK 486, limited to majors. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   390        Advanced Topic                                                                                                    1-3 credits
Independent study of specialized subject matter in social work. Topics vary depending upon current interests and needs. May be repeated for credit with a new topic. Prerequisites: Limited to majors, and with permission of the program chair. Offered TBA.

SOWK   430        Ethics in Practice                                                                                                     3 credits
Deals with issues of ethics for the entry-level generalist social work practitioner in a variety of practice settings. This course also meets requirements of RCW 79.24.310 for chemical dependency counselors. Prerequisite: SOWK 101 or permission of the program chair. Cross-listed as SOC 430. Offered fall semesters.

SOWK   435        Advanced Issues Series
The Advanced Issues Series focuses are divided into three modules (listed below) that last five weeks each.

SOWK   435A      Advanced Issues Series Module 1                                                                             1 credit
The first module provides necessary content in HIV/AIDS education for the generalist social worker.
Co-requisites: SOWK 435C and SOWK 435D. Cross-listed as SOC 435A. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   435C      Advanced Issues Series Module 2                                                                             1 credit
The second module provides necessary content in alcohol and drug abuse education for the generalist social worker. Co-requisites: SOWK 435A and SOWK 435D. Cross-listed as SOC 435C. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   435D      Advanced Issues Series Module 3                                                                             1 credit
The third module gives students a brief introduction to instruments utilized in social work assessment, with special emphasis on the DSM IVR. Co-requisites: SOWK 435A and SOWK 435C. Cross-listed as SOC 435D. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   459W     Social Science Research Methods                                                                          3 credits
Basic research methodologies for the social sciences, including principles of qualitative and quantitative methodologies for collection, and analysis of data and development of research design. This course is the same as SOC 460. Prerequisites: SOC 220 or MATH 221W; senior standing; permission of the program chair. Offered fall semesters.

SOWK   460W     Social Programs/Evaluation                                                                                    3 credits
Basic evaluation methodologies for social programs, including analysis of public and private social programs’ effectiveness and policy design, implementation, and evaluation. Basic practice evaluation skills. Prerequisites: SOC 220, SOC 460, limited to majors, senior standing. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   486W     Theory of Practice I                                                                                                 3 credits
Generalist social work practice with micro-systems. Knowledge and methods to bring about planned change with individuals and client-identified family systems; practice in interpersonal skills. Taken concurrently with SOWK 312 and SOWK 316. Prerequisites: SOWK 101, PSY 101, SOC 101, BIOL 111, limited to majors. Offered fall semesters.

SOWK   487W     Theory of Practice II                                                                                                3 credits
Generalist social work practice with mezzo systems. Knowledge and methods to bring about planned change with families, natural networks, and groups; practice skills in group process. Taken concurrently with SOWK 313, SOWK 317, and SOWK 388. Prerequisites: SOWK 486, limited to majors. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   488W     Theory of Practice III                                                                                               3 credits
Generalist social work practice with macro-systems. Knowledge and methods to bring about planned change in organizations, systems, and communities through planning, administration, evaluation, advocacy, and community organization. Taken concurrently with SOWK 490. Prerequisites: SOWK 487, limited to majors. Offered fall semesters.

SOWK   490        Field Practicum I                                                                                                     4 credits
Through individually appropriate field experiences, students are given opportunities to apply knowledge gained from course work and to integrate theory and practice in professional situations. At least 225 hours of professional work are required. Included in the practicum are 15 hours of professional development seminar discussions. Taken concurrently with SOWK 488 and SOC 460. Prerequisites: SOWK 486, SOWK 487, limited to majors, senior standing, admission to field practicum. Offered fall semesters.

SOWK   491        Field Practicum II                                                                                                    4 credits
Through individually appropriate field experiences, students are given opportunities to apply knowledge gained from course work and to integrate theory and practice in professional situations. At least 225 hours of professional work are required. Included in the practicum are 15 hours of professional development seminar discussions. Taken concurrently with SOWK 460. Prerequisites: SOWK 488, SOWK 490, limited to majors, senior standing, admission to field practicum. Offered spring semesters.

SOWK   497W     Senior Thesis                                                                                                        1-3 credits
An advanced course allowing a student to complete an independent research project or scholarly investigation that demonstrates mastery of methodology appropriate to the student’s field of study. Prerequisites: Limited to majors, senior standing, permission of the program chair. Offered TBA.