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 social workers in helping students, schools, and families adjust to and cope with trauma, special education needs, and related topics.

This course focuses on the screening, assessment, and diagnosis of addictions and co-occurring disorders. Topics covered include: substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders; including clinical evaluation, screening, assessment, barriers to assessment, and differential diagnosis of co-occurring disorders, motivational interviewing, engagement in the assessment process, assessing from a strengths perspective, DSM diagnosis, trauma informed practice, culturally competent counseling, documentation and treatment planning, policy effecting engagement from a town/city, state and national perspective, and service coordination and referral.

This course introduces the growing field of international social work. It addresses the impact of globalization on social work practice, provides an overview of the social work profession around the world, and considers current challenges and suggested ways social workers can contribute to solutions. Human rights and globalization are dominant themes underlying international social work and serve as unifying concepts for examining various global issues. The focus of the course is on global social issues with particular attention to human rights, development, racism, status of women and children, climate change, immigrants and refugees, HIV/AIDS, and aging populations. Linkages between international and domestic social work practice are emphasized, making the course relevant to all students and their future practice.

Basic concepts, theories, and skills of social work practice. Lectures and discussions, readings and written exercises, and laboratory and practice sessions. Students use the experiential parts of the course (laboratory and interview simulations) to apply the conceptual and theoretical knowledge.