Orien Levy Woolf Division of Social Work

Website: https://twu.edu/social-work/

Director: Nila Ricks, PhD, LCSW-S
Location: OMB 410/CFO 708
Phone: 940-898-2071
Fax: 940-898-2068
E-mail: socialwork@twu.edu

The Division of Social Work is a place where academic excellence, ethics, diversity, and the pursuit of social justice are embraced by faculty and students to enhance the lives of vulnerable and oppressed populations. The department is a reflection of social work’s historic commitment to human rights, cultural complexity, and social, economic, and environmental justice. Our overarching goal is to educate and graduate diverse, ethical, competent social work students who are able to think critically and use evidence-based practice approaches to effectively serve culturally-diverse, vulnerable individuals, families, and communities in a wide variety of practice areas as practitioners, leaders, and social justice advocates.

The division offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares students for generalist social work practice. Based on the generalist model, the program includes theoretical concepts, values, and skills taught through participation in the classroom, laboratory, and field settings.

 The M.S.W. is considered to be one of the most recognized and marketable social services degrees. The M.S.W. program prepares students for advanced generalist professional practice in a variety of practice settings. Graduates are eligible to sit for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and, with two years of supervision, become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

For information about Social Work, please visit our Social Work Website.

Graduate Degrees Offered

Faculty

*FELDERHOFF, BRANDI, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.S.W., University of North Texas; M.S.W., Texas A&M University Commerce; Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
*KELLY-RICKS, NILA N., Professor of Social Work; Director of School of Social Work, Psychology, and Philosophy, B.S., Oklahoma State University; M.S.W., University of Oklahoma; Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
*NAHAR, SHAMSUN, Assistant Professor of Social Work, B.S., The University of Dhaka; M.S.W., University of Texas-Arlington; Ph.D., University of Texas-Arlington
*ROSA-DAVILA, EMARELY, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Puerto Rico-Humacao; M.S.W., University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras; Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
*RUNNELS, RATONIA C., Associate Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.S., University of Texasat Austin; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
*TILTON, ABIGAIL C., Professor of Social Work; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, B.S.W., University of North Texas; M.S.S.W., University of Texas at Arlington; Ph.D., University of North Texas

Courses

Contact hours identified in the course descriptions are based on a 15-week term.  Students who enroll in Summer or mini-terms are expected to meet the same total number of contact hours as a 15-week term.

SOWK 5103. Human Behavior in the Social Environment I. Examines the dynamics of human behavior in society, families and groups, from a wide range of perspectives including biological, psychological, systems and social/environmental. With an emphasis on strengths, focuses on developmental theories and practical knowledge covering populations from birth to young adulthood. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5113. Human Behavior in the Social Environment II. Analyzes bio-psycho-social developmental theories and practical knowledge of people from young adulthood to end of life. Concentrates upon a strengths-oriented perspective of diversity issues impacting individuals, families, groups and society, including race, gender, sexual orientation, class, culture, age and others, and the oppression of minorities and populations at risk. Prerequisite: SOWK 5103. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5203. Social Work Practice I: Individuals and Systems. Promotes competence in micro practice skills with individuals. Covers engagement at each stage of the intervention process. Focuses on solution focused, cognitive behavioral and task-centered approaches. Introduction to assessment of individuals in family and environmental contexts. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5213. Social Work Practice II: Organizations and Communities. Focuses on macro community practice at the foundation level. Integration of theory, skills and techniques in order to intervene with groups, organizations, communities and advance social, economic and environmental justice. Emphasis on strengths-based approaches and participatory models which empower communities. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5223. Social Work Practice III: Groups. Focuses on developing knowledge, skills and competency in facilitating small groups in a variety of practice settings. Covers theoretical approaches, each stage of the group process, including group dynamics and impact of member characteristics. Analyzes ethics and confidentiality issues in relation to group practice. Experiential learning includes role-playing and simulation exercises. Prerequisites: SOWK 5203 and SOWK 5213. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5233. Social Work Advanced Practice I. Focuses on biopsychosocial perspectives about mental health and disorders across the lifespan. Introduces major diagnostic classification systems with a primary focus on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Includes assessment skills and the diagnostic process utilizing the DSM. Emphasis upon facilitating a holistic multidimensional assessment inclusive of strengths. Analysis of diagnostic systems in relation to social work values and ethics. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5243. Social Work Human Diversity and Multicultural Practice. Analysis of human diversity in the context of social work practice. Addresses related theoretical frameworks and the negative impact of power, privilege, oppression, and stigma upon diverse individuals and groups. Promotes knowledge and skill development to work effectively with diverse populations and protect human and civil rights. Enhances self-awareness to increase sensitive practice. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5253. Social Work Advanced Practice II Interventions. Advanced practice course that builds on prior course work and presents theory and key practice models of evidence-informed social work interventions with diverse individuals and families. Focuses on engagement at each stage of the intervention process. Experiential learning includes participating in case simulations and other exercises. Co-requisite: SOWK 5233. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5303. Social Work History and Social Welfare Policy. Examination of the historical and current development of the social work profession and US social welfare delivery system. Critical analysis of social problems and policy and service responses. Emphasis upon the mutual relationships among policy, practice and research. Investigation of the impact of social policy upon diverse and vulnerable groups. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5313. Social Work Policy Practice. 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. Analysis of contemporary social issues, public policy and social welfare programs. Examination of global influences that affect US social policy. Prerequisite: SOWK 5303. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5323. Social Work Administration and Management. Addresses administration and management leadership across a variety of human service settings with an emphasis on managing competing and limited resources. Examines organizational theory and knowledge and skills for effective administration and management including planning, supervision, developing agency policy and procedure, working with boards, budgeting, fund raising and grant writing. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program.Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5333. Social Work Advanced Policy Analysis. Builds upon policy practice skills and knowledge and macro community practice techniques. Presents frameworks for policy research and analysis. Advanced analysis and critique of social welfare policies that affect families and diverse and oppressed populations. Advocacy and intervention techniques aimed at positively impacting social welfare and public policies. Focus upon legislative research and written and verbal persuasion skills. Prerequisite: SOWK 5323. Three lecture hours a week.

SOWK 5403. Social Work Research Methods. Covers foundational concepts, principles, and methods of scientific inquiry, focusing on quantitative and qualitative designs and analysis and use of existing research in practice and policy. Examines evidence-based practice as a process of inquiry. Explores cultural and ethical considerations and the role of research in advocating for under-served and special populations. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5413. Social Work Program and Practice Evaluation. Builds upon quantitative and qualitative methods and analysis in order to gain knowledge and skills about practice and program accountability and effectiveness. Focuses upon evaluation of social work practice and programs including single system design, needs assessments, and process and outcome evaluation. Covers use of logic model in program design and evaluation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5503. Death, Dying and Bereavement. Examines services for individuals and families experiencing end-of-life issues and addresses concepts and skills for effective practice in a variety of settings. Integration of theory, research and practice in relation to grief processes. Exploration of societal and cultural factors in the practice context. Application of ethical and legal issues to practice. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5513. Practice in Mental Health. Presents theory and methods of assessment and intervention for working with persons with diagnosed serious mental illness with an emphasis upon recovery-oriented evidence informed practices. Explores complex legal and ethical issues. Analysis of cultural and gender appropriate methods which promote social justice and human rights. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5533. Theories and Interventions with Children. Focuses on theory and interventions with children and parents with an emphasis upon attachment, development, ecosystems, trauma and cultural context. Covers practice with children individually and in groups, parent/child dyad approaches, and family interventions. Demonstrates expressive therapies and parent/child art therapy techniques. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5543. Child Maltreatment: Assessment and Intervention. Addresses theory and research of the etiology and developmental consequences of child maltreatment. Analyses the dynamics of child physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological maltreatment, neglect and indicators of risk. Covers evidence informed assessment and interventions. Explores the effects of child abuse and neglect across the lifespan. Prerequisite: SOWK 5233. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5553. Foster Care, Adoption and Permanency Planning. Focuses on engagement, assessment and intervention with children who are in foster care, adoption and/or permanency planning in public, tribal or private child welfare systems. Covers key social work, legal and judicial processes from each domain. Addresses implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Explores themes of attachment, identify, grief and loss. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5803. Social Work Foundation Field Seminar and Field 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. Includes a supervised social work field practicum in a community agency or program related to current course work. Application to field practicum required. Practice experience and demonstration of foundation social work skills in an applied setting. Requires a minimum of 200 clock hours at the agency. Prerequisites: Acceptance into practicum and satisfactory completion of SOWK 5103, SOWK 5203, SOWK 5213, SOWK 5303, and SOWK 5403. Co-requisites: SOWK 5113, SOWK 5223, and SOWK 5313. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5813. Social Work Foundation Field Seminar and Field Practicum II. The seminar facilitates integration of foundation field practicum and all foundation level classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Students gain knowledge of and apply evaluation of practice. Includes practice in a community agency or program related to current course work, which is a supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting. Practice experience and demonstration of foundation social work skills in an applied setting. Requires a minimum of 200 clock hours at the agency. Prerequisites: SOWK 5803. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5833. Social Work Advanced Field Seminar and Field Practicum I. The seminar facilitates integration of advanced field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Assignments based upon advanced field social work topics. Supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting. Includes practice in a community agency or program related to current course work. Practice and demonstration of advanced year social work skills in an applied setting. Requires a minimum of 250 clock hours in the agency. Prerequisite: Acceptance into practicum and permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5843. Social Work Advanced Field Seminar and Field Practicum II. The seminar facilitates integration of advanced field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Assignments based upon advanced field social work topics. Supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting. Includes practice in a community agency or program related to current course work. Practice and demonstration of advanced year social work skills in an applied setting. Requires a minimum of 250 clock hours in the agency. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor and satisfactory completion of SOWK 5233, SOWK 5323, SOWK 5413, and SOWK 5833. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5903. Special Topics. Seminars on social work theory, research methods, or selected substantive areas. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5911. Independent Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected areas of social work. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 5912. Independent Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected areas of social work. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Two hours.

SOWK 5913. Independent Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected areas of social work. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5973. Advanced Integrative Seminar. Advanced seminar course in which students integrate concepts from across the curriculum and demonstrate cumulative knowledge gained from all areas of the program in one focused assignment, within the context of the student's chosen concentration. Required of all non-thesis students in their final semester of coursework. Prerequisite: SOWK 5833. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5983. Thesis. Open to students who chose the thesis option. Independent, applied research that addresses a significant issue in social work supervised by a member of the joint social work graduate faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5993. Thesis. Open to students who chose the thesis option. Independent, applied research that addresses a significant issue in social work supervised by a member of the joint social work graduate faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Three hours.