Course Descriptions

S710    Social Work Theories of Human and Social Behavior (3 credits)  This seminar focuses on the converging forces that have shaped the development, dissemination, and utilization of the human behavior knowledge base of social work.   It specifically examines the social and behavioral science theory and research that provide the foundation for social work practice across a variety of system levels.

S712    International Social Development in a Global Context (3 credits) This course is an advanced seminar for students interested in developing an in-depth understanding of complex social problems in a global world.  Students will have the opportunity to learn theories of development; critically analyze international agreements; and to explore and appropriately use social development models.

S718   Intermediate Statistics for Social Work (3 credits) Students will learn selected parametric and non-parametric statistics to examine research problems. Included in the learning process are hand computations of statistics, development of skills in using a comprehensive computer statistics package, and selection of statistical techniques based on levels of measurement and analyses of the assumptions of statistics.

S720    Philosophy of Science and Social Work (3 credits)  This course examines the nature and sources of social work knowledge and considers a range of epistemological issues involved in the selection, development, evaluation and use of knowledge for social work.

S721    Preparing to Publish: Seminar in Advanced Scholarship Skills (3 credits)  This course prepares doctoral students for academic scholarship.  Topics include expectations and standards for scholarly discourse, critical and analytic thinking skills, logical argument, scholarly writing for publication, and development of a research agenda.  Web-based peer and instructor review of successive drafts of writing assignments culminate in a synthesized review of literature.

S724    Theory, Practice and Assessment of Social Work Teaching (3 credits)  This course prepares doctoral students to effectively and competently teach social work courses. Content includes teaching philosophies; curriculum and syllabus development; teaching methods; technology related to teaching; assessment, testing, evaluation of students; and research related to teaching.  Students will learn accreditation standards for bachelors and masters social work education.  Course goals will be accomplished using readings, written assignments, guest speakers, demonstrations of teaching, and class discussion. 

S726    Advanced Social Work Research: Qualitative Methods (3 credits)  This advanced research methods seminar is designed around an epistemological paradigm that combines both quantitative and qualitative methods of knowledge building.   It explores the methodological similarities and differences between the logical positivist and grounded theory perspectives as they relate to practice focused research and requires students to develop and justify a viable research proposal.

S727    Advanced Social Work Research: Quantitative Methods (3 credits)  P: S720  and Foundation Statistics Course. This advanced quantitative research methods course prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage in independent research, including: literature review, theory development, hypothesis testing, research design, data analysis and report writing.  It includes related computer applications and use of online data sources.

S728    Advanced Statistics for Social Work (3 credits)  Students in this course learn how to evaluate statistical assumptions and select, compute, and substantively interpret a variety of multivariate statistics using SPSS analysis of actual social work research data.  Online resources WEB-based material and model applications of the statistics support students' learning.  Prerequisite: S718 or Foundation Statistics.

S725    Social Work Research Internship (6 credits) P: S720, S726 or S727,  Foundation Statistics course, and at least one of the following:  S710, S730, or S740.  This supervised field internship provides practical experience in conducting research relevant to social work practice.  Students participate in a new or ongoing, faculty supervised research project involving the design and implementation of a study, including the collection and analysis of data, and the development of appropriate research reports.  May be registered for up to three times.

S730    Pro-Seminar on Social Work Policy Analysis (3 credits)  This seminar focuses on the development and application of analytical tools necessary to critically examine and evaluate social policy theory and research germane to social work, including the values and ideologies that under grid social problem construction, social policy creation, and social program design.  Specific attention is devoted to the application of these schemata for diverse populations.

S740    Social Work Practice: Theory and Research (3 credits)  This seminar provides scholars with opportunities to develop and refine the knowledge, skill, and judgment necessary for competent analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of various aspects of social work practice.  Students conduct a systematic review and evaluation of the practice effectiveness of social services to a distinct at-risk population affected by a contemporary social problem.

S790    Special Topics: Independent Study.  (Var: 1-3 credits) P:  Approval by appropriate instructor.  This course provides students with an opportunity to engage in focused study of a substantive area of social work practice directly related to the student's identified area of theoretical and research interest.  It is completed with the approval and under the guidance of a member of the Ph.D faculty.

S791    Integrative Seminar I  (1.5 credits) This course acquaints incoming doctoral students with campus resources for graduate students and with the expectations for doctoral education, including the policies, procedures, and academic standards of the Graduate School and of the School of Social Work. Students register for this seminar in their first semester.

S792    Integrative Seminar II  (1.5 credits) This course is intended to support PhD students as they finish up doctoral coursework and prepare for their qualifying paper, dissertation, and subsequent professional careers. Students register for this seminar in their last semester of coursework.

S800    Dissertation Research (12 credits)  Students must be continually registered for dissertation credits every Fall and Spring semester once they are admitted to candidacy up to a total of 12 credits of S800. Students do not need to register for dissertation credits in the summer unless they graduate in the summer.  You are considered graduated when you deposit your final bound dissertation with the Graduate School.

S805    Special Topics in Social Work

G901   Advanced Research  Students who have completed all requirements for the Ph.D. except the dissertation are eligible to enroll in G901 for a flat fee of $100 per semester for 6 credit hours, limited to a total of 6 semesters.

In addition to the required courses, all students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours outside the School of Social Work related to their area of specialization.  All students enroll for 6 elective credits that may be taken within or outside the School of Social Work with the approval of the student's advisory committee.