Academic Catalog 2025-2026

SWK - Social Work

SWK 6006  Social Research Basics  (3 Units)  

This course is designed to provide students with the practical tools of doing social science research, and the theoretical background for critiquing and designing research on social issues.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6015  Understanding Trauma  (3 Units)  

Students develop an understanding of the basics of psychological trauma and its impact in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Students will learn to identify various types of trauma, including various forms of abuse, methods to support healing, and how to advocate for trauma recovery in communities and organizations.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6016  Sociology of Aging  (3 Units)  

Analysis of aging within social contexts: the aging process, death, and dying, and the impact of psychological, economic, physiological, and social factors.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6030  Social Welfare Policy  (3 Units)  

A study of the theories and methods of professional social work practice with large groups, organizations, neighborhoods, communities, and governments.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6040  Child Welfare  (3 Units)  

Analysis of the effects of family breakdown with special emphasis on children of divorce, single parent families, HIV and drug-exposed children, children of minorities, and children of poverty.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6050  Race and Ethnicity  (3 Units)  

An introduction to the sociological analysis of race and ethnicity. The course will assess the historical and social factors relating to various ethnic, racial,and status groups.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6065  Human Behavior and the Social Environment  (3 Units)  

This course seeks to expose students to theories, knowledge, and content of human development across the life-span. Particular attention will be paid to the bio-psycho social-spiritual development. Human development will be considered from the systems perspective, with emphasis on factors that promote or deter health and well-being among individuals, families, and groups.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6070  Social Work Practice I  (3 Units)  

A study of the theories and methods of professional social work practice. The focus is on generalist practice with individuals, families, and small groups.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6071  Social Work Practice II  (3 Units)  

A study of private and public programs and services that make up the American welfare system. A study of policy analysis and development with focus on the needs of special populations.

Letter grade.  
SWK 6170  Foundation of Social Work Practicum I  (2 Units)  

In this practicum, students will apply course-based knowledge and skills by working in a social service setting.

A minimum of 200 clock hours are required. Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): SWK 6070 and SWK 6172  
SWK 6171  Foundation of Social Work Practicum II  (2 Units)  

In this practicum, students will apply course-based knowledge and skills by working in a social service setting.

A minimum of 200 clock hours are required. Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): SWK 6173  
SWK 6172  Seminar in Social Work I  (1 Unit)  

Provides opportunity for students to develop their basic social work skills through integrating social work knowledge and theory into field practice. Several aspects of field will be discussed. This course is taken concurrently with the student's field placement.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): SWK 6170  
SWK 6173  Seminar in Social Work II  (1 Unit)  

Provides opportunity for students to develop their basic social work skills through integrating social work knowledge and theory into field practice. Several aspects of field will be discussed. This course is taken concurrently with the student's field placement.

Letter grade.  
Corequisite(s): SWK 6171  
SWK 6501  Advanced Social Work Practice I  (3 Units)  

Develops interpersonal practice skills on an advanced level. The course gives special consideration to developing proficiency in cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6070 or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6502  Advanced Social Work Practice II  (3 Units)  

Develops practice skills on an advanced level. The course gives special consideration to Social Work leadership as it relates to human and financial resource management.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1 courses or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6505  Advanced Clinical Assessment  (3 Units)  

Advanced assessment theories and research into the causes of mental disorders. Emphasis on developing differential diagnostic skills and holistic assessment from strengths and trauma-informed perspectives.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6070 or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6506  Advanced Social Research/Evaluation of Practice  (3 Units)  

Prepares students to examine their own practice's quality. Attention given to selecting appropriate measurement tools. The latest evaluation techniques are presented, offering students resources for 21st-century practice.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6006 or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6520  School Social Work  (3 Units)  

Required for students who wish to practice social work in a school setting. Various aspects of practice included: the students, the community, the school staff, and innovative social-work-practice techniques.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1 courses or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6524  Evidence-Based Therapy  (3 Units)  

This survey course will explore evidence-based practice models that are commonly used in clinical settings. Students will have opportunities to observe and practice these models in a classroom setting in preparation for application in field settings.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1 courses or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6525  Medical Social Work  (3 Units)  

Introduces and develops the skills needed for social work in health care settings: hospitals, hospices, homecare and nursing homes. Skills include case management, discharge planning, medical terminology, documentation, advocacy, understanding cultural diversity, individual and family interviewing, and understanding psychosocial issues related to each setting.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1 courses or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6530  Advanced Social Welfare Policy  (3 Units)  

Students explore theory and apply it to community organizing, coalition building, and advanced-policy analysis; assess existing policies within various systems and study the impact of these policies; and plan and implement a social-action project.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6030 or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6533  Mental Health Treatment  (3 Units)  

Examination of common adult mental disorders taking a life span approach with focus on primary clinical goals of assessment, diagnosis and treatment. In addition, this course will survey the ways that mental health professionals view the use of psychotropic medications and provide information on the effects and interaction of psychotropic and mood-altering chemicals in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders. Specific treatment techniques for each diagnosis are explored, including trauma-informed perspectives. Emphasis placed on cultural and psychosocial context of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1 courses or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6550  Justice, Equity, and Inclusion  (3 Units)  

An analysis of the origins of justice, antiracism, diversity, and inclusion. Particular attention will be paid to assessing and addressing patterns of injustice and inequity at the individual, organizational, and community levels.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6050 or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6558  Community Organization and Problem Solving  (3 Units)  

Community change, consensus organizing model, environmental social work, problem solving, and strategies for serving socioeconomically under-served communities for future community organizers and human services administrators.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): Completion of all Year 1 courses or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6570  Advanced Social Work Practicum I  (2 Units)  

In this practicum, students will apply advanced course-based knowledge and skills by working in a social service setting.

A minimum of 250 clock hours is required. Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6171 and SWK 6172 or Advanced Standing.  
Corequisite(s): SWK 6501 and SWK 6572  
SWK 6571  Advanced Social Work Practicum II  (2 Units)  

In this practicum, students will apply advanced course-based knowledge and skills by working in a social service setting.

A minimum of 250 clock hours is required. Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6171 and SWK 6172 or Advanced Standing.  
SWK 6572  Advanced Seminar in Social Work I  (1 Unit)  

This seminar builds on the student's generalist foundational knowledge. It is designed to help the student further integrate social work knowledge and theory to field practice. Several aspects of field will be discussed. The course is taken concurrently with the student's field placement.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6172 and SWK 6173 or Advanced Standing.  
Corequisite(s): SWK 6570  
SWK 6573  Advanced Seminar in Social Work II  (1 Unit)  

This seminar builds on the student's generalist foundational knowledge. It is designed to help the student further integrate social work knowledge and theory to field practice. Several aspects of field will be discussed. The course is taken concurrently with the student's field placement.

Letter grade.  
Prerequisite(s): SWK 6712 and SWK 6173 or Advanced Standing.