Social Work Assistant (SW12)  Diploma

Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.

Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions decimals percents ratios and proportions measurement and conversion formula manipulation technical applications and basic statistics.

Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior thinking and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science the nervous and sensory systems learning and memory motivation and emotion intelligence lifespan development personality psychological disorders and their treatment stress and health and social psychology.

Introduces the fundamental concepts terminology and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include an introduction to computer terminology the Windows environment Internet and email word processing software spreadsheet software database software and presentation software.

This course provides an introduction to social welfare institution and the profession of social work. It focuses on the values, ethics, and methods of generalist social work practice with an emphasis on diversity. Students will be introduced to basic social welfare policies, community agencies, and at-risk populations.

A practical course in the how to of human service case management. Students will learn the step-by-step process of case management from the initial referral for services, determination of eligibility for services, writing a formal plan for services, case documentation techniques, and techniques for monitoring a clients progress through the service delivery system, to case closure/follow-up activities. This course will include how to access community resources, how to interpret and utilize information from other professionals, and the development of interviewing, intervention, case recording, and caseload management skills. Legal and ethical issues in service delivery will also be discussed.

This course provides an overview of multi-cultural and critical perspectives on understanding: individuals, families, and their interpersonal and group relationships; life span development; and theories of well-being, stress, coping, and adaptation. Students learn to address biopsychosocial influences on human functioning.

This course is offered as a beginning general foundation class and focuses on social work practice with individuals. It will emphasize the initial contact and rapport building skills utilized in partnering with clients in the social work process, interviewing skills and counseling techniques along with the assessment of a clients situation, and determination of the appropriate level of intervention for the change effort. Students will be expected to participate in interpersonal sharing and activities. Additional areas of study include: interviewing for assessment, the person in environment perspective, motivational interviewing, and ethical framework for practice.

This course examines various modalities for assessing and intervening with individuals who have special needs, such as mental health disorders, addictive diseases, and development disabilities. The course focuses on problem assessment, types of intervention strategies, and techniques and methods for determining the effectiveness of interventions.

This course will provide students with a foundational understanding of the knowledge and skills required to participate in and lead small groups in a variety of settings. The course emphasizes an experiential approach which will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in planning, facilitating, organizing, and evaluating the success of groups. Emphasis will be placed on exploration and application of group work theory, principles and practices of group counseling, stages of group development, group dynamics, and group leadership.

This course examines various modalities for assessing and interviewing with children and adolescents. It focuses on Biopsychosocial changes, interpersonal relationships and the individuals ability to relate to the social environment. Topics include: child maltreatment, teen parenting, delinquency, violent behavior, school dropout, suicide, substance abuse, and runaway behavior.

This course explores the aging process and the experience of aging from a variety of perspectives. Emphasis is placed on understanding the normative changes associated with the aging process, as well as the ways in which those changes are experienced personally and socially. Specific issues that will be reviewed include the realities of aging on our society, life adjustments, physical health, mental health, changes in physical appearance, and the dying process.

The field practicum is an educationally focused, guided field experience in which students engage in community-based practice with individuals, families, and/or communities. Students gain experience with various social work roles, such as advocate, broker, and counselor. Students learn to function as professional generalists social workers in an organizational setting, to demonstrate an understanding of and behavior consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics, and to increasingly assume professional responsibility. Special emphasis is placed on the identification of specific needs, the empowerment of diverse populations at the micro and mezzo levels, and a keen awareness of social justice issues. Students will be under the supervision of the Social Work program faculty and/or persons designated to coordinate work experience arrangements.

Field Practicum II is an advanced educationally focused, guided, field experience in which students engage in community-based practice with individuals, families, and/or communities. Students gain experience with various social work roles, such as advocate, broker, and counselor. Students learn to function as professional generalist social workers in an organization setting, to demonstrate an understanding of and behavior consistent with NASW Code of Ethics, and to increasingly assume professional responsibility. Special emphasis is placed on the identification of special needs, the empowerment of diverse populations at the micro and mezzo levels, and a keen awareness of social justice issues. Students will be under the supervision of the Social Work program, faculty and/or persons designated to coordinate work experience arrangements.