BSW Curriculum

Throughout my Bachelors in Social Work Program at Oakland University, provided below are the courses & curriculum that prepared me for the beginning of my future social work career:

SW 2301: Introduction to Social Work

Study of the social work profession and the social context of welfare policies, the relationships between social structure and the development of social work practice, and public and private welfare organizations.

SOC 2010: Introduction to Methods of Social Research

The collection, organization, analysis and interpretation of social data. Elementary techniques of understanding and using quantitative evidence in sociological research.

SOC 2020: Social Statistics with Computer Applications

Introduction to social statistics emphasizing statistics and data analysis with the aid of computer-based statistical applications. Familiarizes students with the logic of behavioral statistics and the computation and interpretation of statistical analysis.

SOC 3302: Social Welfare Policies

Survey of the development of social welfare programs in the U.S. and internationally. Issues related to the problems of poverty, policy analysis and program evaluation related to social welfare in the U.S. and other countries are examined.

SW 3101: Human Behavior and Social Environment I

Theories of human behavior and social environment. Examines biological, psychological, social, spiritual development in humans from birth to adolescence. Social systems theory is applied to analyze interactions between human behavior and social institutions. Explores role of culture, race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation in human development and behavior.

SW 3201: Human Behavior and Social Environment II

Presents theories of human behavior and social environment. Examines biological, psychological, social, spiritual development in humans from early to late adulthood. Social systems theory is applied to analyze interactions between human behavior and social institutions. Explores role of culture, race, ethnicity, social class, gender, sexual orientation in human development and behavior.

SW 3203: Fundamentals of Social Work Practice

Fundamental social work methods including documentation, listening skills, interviewing skills, relationship building, boundary setting and case management. Completion of a service learning requirement in preparation for internship.

SW 3102: Foundations for Multicultural Social Work

Prepares students to work with multicultural and diverse populations. Emphasis on defining and developing skills for culturally competent social work generalist practice.

SW 4103: Social Work Practice I

Prepares students for generalist social work practice involving individuals, families, other groups. Emphasizes how to engage clients, assess needs, provide intervention, terminate intervention, evaluate outcomes. Provides conceptual framework for practicing social work in diverse settings; prepares students with skills for field placement; presents students values, ethical standards of the profession.

SW 4203: Social Work Practice II

Prepares students for generalist social work practice involving task groups, organizations, communities. Focus on critical thinking about clients in context of larger environment. Analyzing relevant interactions within groups, organizations, communities. Analyzing operation of groups from political, economic, social perspectives. Examines issues of discrimination, social justice, institutional racism.

SW 4970: Social Work Seminar I

Students present and analyze field experiences to develop capacity for self-awareness; development and appropriate application of social work knowledge, values, skills. Review of helping process, generalist practice, theoretical foundations. Prepares students to work with diverse, at-risk clients. Lays foundation for continuing professional development. Weekly seminar accompanies 1st semester internship.

SW 4971: Social Work Seminar II

Weekly seminar held in conjunction with second semester of the social work internship. Students analyze field experiences to further enhance self-awareness, and the development and appropriate application of social work knowledge, values and skills in practice. Capstone course in which students complete a major integrative paper and portfolio.

SW 4950: Social Work Internship I

Field placement in social service agency in which students are supervised by professional social workers. Students learn how to handle process notes, develop interviewing skills, investigate community resources, and interpret agency policies.

SW 4951: Social Work Internship II

Second field placement in a social service agency in which students are supervised by professional social workers. Students learn how to handle process notes, develop interviewing skills, investigate community resources, and interpret agency policies.