The course examines the school as a social institution that serves to educate and socialize children into US society and the role of the social worker in the school setting. Readings, activities, and discussions provide practical skills and theory for school social work practice. The course content addresses the history of school social work integrating social work values into a school setting, systemic needs within school settings, the importance of networking and professional collaboration, and working with diverse and at-risk youth and their families. Students also examine the role of school social workers in helping students, schools and families adjust to and cope with trauma, special education needs, and related topics.

Sexual and gender minorities will be constantly encountered by social workers wherever they work. This course addresses the task of clinical practice with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, asexual, intersex, two-spirit, genderqueer, and beyond (LGBTQ+) people on both personal and professional levels for the social worker. The readings draw from personal perspectives, as well as theoretical and clinical readings from the disciplines of social work, psychology, and assumptions about LGBTQ+ people.

This weekly seminar, held concurrently with Social Welfare Experience I, integrates the field experience with social work theory and concepts learned throughout the curriculum by class discussion, exercises, readings and written assignments. Seminar I provides an opportunity for orientation to field, an overview of field requirements, review of the Code of Ethics, and use of small group discussion for problem solving. Students learn to use supervision effectively, to participate in the helping process, and to manage their own stress. Students learn to assess the impact of policy on the client system, agency and worker and to use research to inform practice. Prereq: SW 622.

This is a continuation of Social Welfare Field Experience I: SW 740A and builds upon the concepts presented in the student's first field practice seminar. This seminar meets weekly for two and a half hours and is held concurrently with the field placement. It is designed to integrate the field experience with social work concepts through class discussion, reading and written assignments. Topics include but are not limited to, understanding and using agency structure to enhance client interactions, preparing client assessment and other documents, enhancing the client-worker therapeutic interaction, effective use of supervision, effective use of self in practice, prevention of burn-out, termination with clients and with agency staff, and values and ethics. Prereq: SW 740, SW 740A.