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Social Services

Admission to department and field education.
Honors Program.
Honor Society
Interdisciplinary Studies
Study Abroad Policy
Requirements for the B.S. in Social Work degree
A minor in Social Work
Courses of Instruction

(SOWO)

The TCU Department of Social Work does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, handicap, veteran status, political beliefs, or sexual orientation.

Social Work is available as a major on the B.S. in Social Work (B.S.S.W.) degree. It is also available as a double major on the B.S. degree and as a minor on most degrees.

Social work is one of the human service professions. It helps individuals, groups or communities solve or relieve life problems using a variety of professional skills. The social work educational program integrates liberal arts education with preparation for professional practice. The primary objective of the department is to prepare students as generalists for entry to the beginning level of social work practice. An additional objective is to prepare students for admission to graduate schools of social work (eligible for advanced standing in most masters degree programs).

The curriculum includes content in Social Welfare Policy and Services; Human Behavior and the Social Environment; Social Work Practice; Research; and Field Education. It focuses on values and ethics, populations at risk and diversity. Concurrent with their academic work, students are provided two types of field experience: a semester of supervised volunteer service in a health, educational or social service agency and, during the senior year, two consecutive semesters of field education in a public or private social agency selected in accord with the students area of social work interest and educational needs.

The Carolan Social Work Learning/Resource Center where most social work classes are held is a specialized classroom with audiovisual capability.

Accreditation. The Department of Social Work and the social work major (not the minor) are fully accredited at the baccalaureate level by the Council on Social Work Education (C.S.W.E.)

Admission to department and field education. Students may declare the social work major at any time. Admission to the department and field education requires that students have attained junior status; have a 2.25 or higher overall GPA; complete a minimum of 9 hours of social work courses including 20813 and 20833, have a 2.5 GPA in social work and have a C or better in all social work courses (SOWO); make written application and receive faculty approval based on the application and a student-faculty conference (Junior Evaluation) to evaluate readiness for field education. Field Education may be postponed or denied if the faculty find the student insufficiently prepared or lacking required knowledge, skills, or values.

Honors Program. Social Work majors who plan Departmental Honors must be members of the Honors Program and should enroll in SOWO 30003 during their junior year and SOWO 40003 during the fall semester of their senior year.

Honor Society. The department sponsors the Iota Xi chapter of Phi Alpha, the national Social Work Honor Society. Membership is open to students who achieve a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.25 GPA in social work.

Interdisciplinary Studies. Students may undertake an interdisciplinary program with a double major in Social Work and another field, even when different degrees are involved (e.g., B.A. and B.S.). Programs such as Social Work and Religion Studies, Social Work and Psychology, and others require faculty advisers in both fields to coordinate course and degree planning.

Licensing. Students are eligible to be licensed as social workers in Texas upon graduation. Licensing is generally transferable to other states. All students will sit for the Texas State licensing examination prior to graduation.

NASW/TCU. This professional organization exists for student sociability, information sharing, and carrying out service projects of interest to members.

Pass/No Credit Option. All courses in the major (SOWO) must be taken on letter grade system unless specifically noted as Pass/No Credit. Other courses including those in a minor may be taken Pass/No Credit.

Study Abroad Policy. Students are encouraged to study abroad. The Department of Social Work requires that students take SOWO 30883 in the spring semester at TCU, so students need to schedule study abroad accordingly.

Transfer Credit Policy. Most UCR and related coursework from accredited universities will transfer. Social work courses from CSWE accredited social work programs will be accepted toward the social work degree. However, practice courses (SOWO 30883, 30893, 40893) must be taken at TCU. If taken at another school, practice courses will transfer as electives.

Requirements for the B.S. in Social Work degree total 124 semester hours and include:

Six hours of human biology chosen from the following (some courses may apply to the UCR): BIOL 10103-10113; or BIOL 10213; BIOL 10514-10524; BIOL 20204-20214; BIOL 30463; PSYC 10514-10524; PSYC 30403; PSYC 30414; PSYC 30423; PSYC 30433; PSYC 30463; PSYC 30483; KINE 10603; KINE 20503.

Three hours of statistics: MATH 10043 (may be applied to the UCR).

Foundation Courses, 12 semester hours including:

SOCI 20213 Introduction to Sociology or SOCI 20223 Social Problems
ANTH 20623 Introductory Cultural Anthropology or SOCI 30443 American Minority Groups
SOWO 20813 Volunteer Placement
SOWO 20833 Introduction to Social Work

Social Work Courses, 42 semester hours:

SOWO 30843 Human Behavior and the Social Environment I
SOWO 30853 Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
SOWO 30863 Issues in Social Welfare Policy
SOWO 30873 Issues in Diversity
SOWO 30883 Generalist Practice with Individuals
SOWO 30893 Generalist Practice with Communities
SOWO 40813 Research Methods in Social Work
SOWO 40893 Generalist Practice with Groups
SOWO 40862 Field Education Seminar I
SOWO 40872 Field Education Seminar II
SOWO 40884 Field Education I
SOWO 40894 Field Education II

and 6 hours chosen from SOWO electives

Associated Requirements. Students must take a minimum of 12 upper division hours in consultation with advisors. The following options are available.

Option I: A minor or second major

Option II: 12 hours chosen from no more than two disciplines (including 6 hours of Honors Colloquia)

Option III: An area of professional concentration documented by the advisor (e.g. aging, adolescence, political science, health)

Electives:

SOWO 30513 Professional Communication for the Human Services
SOWO 30523 Addictions
SOWO 30533 Professional Intervention in the Criminal Justice System
SOWO 30553 Social Work with Adolescents
SOWO 30573 Child Welfare
SOWO 30580 International Study in Social Work
SOWO 40510 Directed Study in Social Work
SOWO 40520 Contemporary Topics in Social Work
SOWO 40523 Law and Social Work
SOWO 40533 Generalist Practice with Families

A minor in Social Work requires 18 hours of Social Work courses including 20833; 30863; and 30843 or 30853. Additional courses are to be selected from the Social Work curriculum excluding 40862, 40872, 40884 and 40894.

The following is a complete list of courses offered by this department. Go to Class Search on Registrar's Page to see which courses are being taught this semester.
Courses of Instruction

SOWO 20813 VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT. To be taken prior to 30883. For three hours per week (minimum), established on an individually arranged schedule, students provide a helping service in a designated human service agency (e.g., nursing home, mental health clinic, childrens' facility, etc.) to test interest in social work and to learn about what it means to be a helping person. A concurrent seminar is held to help students review and process this experience. (No credit is given for previous life experience.)

SOWO 20833 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK. Introduces students to the social welfare system through the social work profession including social work's historical development and process of professionalization. Discusses the knowledge, value, and skill components of social work practice, the variety of practice settings, and the types of client populations served.

SOWO 30003 HONORS TUTORIAL IN SOCIAL WORK. An examination of an issue affecting the social work profession or a field or method of social work practice determined in consultation with an instructor. This course is offered on an independent study basis and this must be arranged prior to the semester enrolled.

SOWO 30513 PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION FOR THE HUMAN SERVICES. Prerequisites: SOWO 20833 or permission of the instructor. Developing effective communication as a professional helping person is the goal of this course. Emphasis is on writing skills necessary in professional practice although oral communication also is stressed. The course requires written exercises submitted for review and rewritten to reflect ongoing professional development.

SOWO 30523 ADDICTIONS. Definitions and various forms of addiction; biological, psychological, social and family changes resulting from addiction; and intervention strategies. Emphasis is on how social workers use this information to address the problems of addiction through social work intervention with clients.

SOWO 30533 COUNSELING SKILLS AND CRISIS INTERVENTION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. (CRJU 30533) Theories and methods of professional intervention with clients with emphasis on those in the Criminal Justice system. Focus is on the development of skills that can be applied to individuals, families, and groups in community-based or institutional settings. The course is primarily for Criminal Justice majors and Social Work minors.

SOWO 30553 SOCIAL WORK WITH ADOLESCENTS. Prerequisite: SOWO 20833 or permission of instructor. The problems and stresses of biological, psychological and social changes affecting adolescents are discussed. Emphasis is on how social workers use this information to address the problems of adolescent clients through intervention.

SOWO 30573 CHILD WELFARE. Prerequisite: SOWO 20833. The social welfare system as it affects children in American society. The historical development of the system, the existing structure and the processes through which present policies have been established. Child welfare agencies and programs, principles and policies on which childrens services are based, social and legislative issues relevant to children and childrens programs, and specific techniques for working with children.

SOWO 30580 INTERNATIONAL STUDY IN SOCIAL WORK . Provides the opportunity for students to study the language, culture and social service delivery system of Mexico or other countries. Students participate in Language Centers or Summer Courses at local Universities.

SOWO 30843 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT I. Prerequisite: SOWO 20833 or permission of instructor. Theories of human development and functioning within societal and family contexts. The life cycle of the individual from conception to adulthood. Theories of diversity and problem behavior. Effects of ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, age marginality and oppression on human development and social functioning.

SOWO 30853 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT II. Prerequisite: SOWO 20833 or permission of instructor. Theories of human development and functioning within societal and family contexts. The life cycle of the individual from adulthood to old age. Theories of diversity and problem behavior. Effects of ethnicity, gender, ability, sexual orientation, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, age, marginality and oppression on human development and social functioning.

SOWO 30863 ISSUES IN SOCIAL WELFARE POLICY. Prerequisite: SOWO 20833. The historical development of social welfare policies in the U.S. Major legislative enactments which established the existing welfare structure. Social, economic, and political factors influencing the development of policy. Analysis of social welfare issues currently facing the U.S.

SOWO 30873 ISSUES IN DIVERSITY. Focus of course is to help students distinguish between myth and reality about cultural, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, age and ability differences by thinking critically about diversity. Applications to American and global societies are made and experiential content is stressed.

SOWO 30883 GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH INDIVIDUALS. Prerequisites: SOWO 20813, 20833, and 30863 or permission of the instructor. Knowledge, skills and value base used in the generalist practice of social work. Ecological approach using concepts, principles, and system perspectives applicable to a range of problem-solving situations requiring social work intervention. Individual, group and community interventive methods are presented. Study of case material and role playing exercises. Must be taken in the spring semester immediately prior to enrollment in SOWO 40884: Field Education I. If students postpone Field Education I, they are required to audit SOWO 30883 prior to entrance into the internship.

SOWO 30893 GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH COMMUNITIES. Prerequisites: SOWO 20833, 30863. That practice aspect of social work concerned with the organization, planning and administration of social work services (as distinguished from provision of services directly to clients), and with the analysis and evaluation of policy and practice within the profession.

SOWO 40003 SENIOR HONORS RESEARCH PROJECT. Offered fall only. A supervised research experience typically based on the subject matter studied in SOWO 30003. The course is offered on a directed study basis and this must be arranged prior to the semester enrolled.

SOWO 40510 DIRECTED STUDY IN SOCIAL WORK (1-6 credit hours). Designed for students who undertake readings or projects in social work in consultation with an instructor. Offered on a Pass/No Credit basis only.

SOWO 40520 CONTEMPORARY TOPICS IN SOCIAL WORK. Topics of current interest in social work. Possibilities include Crisis Intervention, Ethics, Death and Dying, Suicide, Discrimination, Play Therapy, Intervention Techniques, AIDS, and Social Work with Special Client Populations.

SOWO 40523 LAW AND SOCIAL WORK. Aspects of law relevant to social work practice: family relationships, legal offenders, the mentally ill, consumer protection, what constitutes negligence and malpractice by the social worker, law and ethics of confidentiality, collaboration with the legal profession and related issues.

SOWO 40533 GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH FAMILIES. Prerequisite: SOWO 30883, or permission of the instructor. The family as a system for social work intervention. Family forms, theories of family interaction, models of family intervention, and interventive skills are considered.

SOWO 40813 RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL WORK Must be taken concurrently with SOWO 40884. Examines research methods to help students understand how social workers conduct research and how they use and evaluate research findings. Applications to practice are made and focus is on evaluating practice and assessing the effectiveness of programs. Students are taught to do research and to be consumers of research.

SOWO 40862 FIELD EDUCATION SEMINAR I. Weekly university-based seminar which helps students integrate class and field learning. Meets concurrently with SOWO 40884: Field Education I and may not be taken separately. Credit will not be awarded in SOWO 40884 or 40862 unless a grade of C or better is received in both courses.

SOWO 40872 FIELD EDUCATION SEMINAR II. Weekly university-based seminar which helps students integrate class and field learning. Meets concurrently with SOWO 40894; Field Education II and may not be taken separately. Credit will not be awarded in SOWO 40894 or 40872 unless a grade of C or better is received in both courses.

SOWO 40884 FIELD EDUCATION I. Prerequisites: SOWO 20813, 20833, 30843, 30853 and 30883, 2.25 GPA; 2.5 GPA in social work; faculty approval. Supervised field learning within a social work agency, providing the student an opportunity to learn the structure, function and policies of social work agencies and to apply his or her social work knowledge to the development of skills in human service delivery. The student will spend 16 hours per week for 15 weeks in an assigned agency (240 hours). Must be taken concurrently with SOWO 40862. Credit will not be awarded in SOWO 40884 or 40862 unless a grade of C or better is received in both.

SOWO 40893 GENERALIST PRACTICE WITH GROUPS. Prerequisite: SOWO 30883 or permission of the instructor. A study of the methods, skills, and value base used in the practice of social work with groups. Concepts and principles applicable to a range of groups situations requiring social work intervention to deepen understanding of the interventive process. Further study of case material and role playing exercises.

SOWO 40894 FIELD EDUCATION II. Prerequisites: SOWO 40884, 40862; 2.5 GPA; 2.5 GPA in social work. A continuation of SOWO 40884: Field Education I that helps extend and deepen, under professional guidance, the development of practice skills with clients. The student will spend 16 hours per week for 15 weeks in an assigned agency (240 hours). Must be taken concurrently with SOWO 40872. Credit will not be awarded in SOWO 40894 or 40872 unless a grade of C or better is received in both courses.