| 253.535.7595 | www.plu.edu/social-work/ | socw@plu.edu |
| Heidi Brocious, Ph.D., Chair |
Within a program that is firmly based in the liberal arts, the social work major is designed to prepare students for beginning professional social work practice as well as graduate study in social work. Social work has both a heavily multidisciplinary-based body of knowledge and its own continuously developing knowledge base. The complexity of social issues and social problems that confront the modern-day social worker require this broad theoretical perspective. Social workers are involved in areas that are influenced by political, economic, social, psychological and cultural factors. To that end, the program stresses an understanding of social science theories and methods. The curriculum provides a foundation for understanding the interaction of individual, family, and community systems, as the basis for generalist practice. Students learn a multi-method approach to social work practice that enables them to address a wide range of individual, family, group, community and organizational needs. Students enhance their commitment to informed action to remove inequities based on race, ethnicity, culture, gender, immigration status, social class, sexual orientation, disability and age.
Admission to the Social Work Program
PLU students can declare their major in social work at any point in their academic career. Students can declare their major by meeting with the chair of the undergraduate social work program. Standard with the major of social work, all students complete a year-long practicum placement in a community or campus-based helping entity. In the fall of a student’s junior year, they will be required to complete an application to the practicum experience. Details on this application process are provided to all potentially eligible declared majors by the program’s field coordinator. Potential social work students should be advised that a criminal background check is required for placement into practicum.
Continuation Policies
To remain in the program, a student must: (a) maintain a 2.75 grade point average in social work courses and a 2.50 overall grade point average, (b) demonstrate behavior which is consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics and University Code of Conduct.
Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) Degree
Major in Social Work
48 semester hours
- SOCW 290, 332, 335, 336, 360, 460, 465, 480, and 481 (36)
- SOCI 101 (4)
- STAT 231, 232, or 242 (4)
- Electives (4)
- Any course not used above from SOCI or SOCW, or PSYC 310, 315, or 337
Social Work majors are required to have the following prerequisites prior to entry to the program: ANTH 102 and PSYC 101.
Minor
Minor
20 semester hours
- SOCW 101 or 335 (4)
- SOCW electives (12)
- Choose from either course not used above, or from:
- SOCW 290, 332, 336, 350, or 360
- Choose from either course not used above, or from:
- Remaining elective (4)
- Choose from any course not used above, or from:
- CRIM 102 or 226; SOCI 210, 230, 332, 309, or 393; SOCW 332; or PSYC 310, 315, 337
- Choose from any course not used above, or from:
Requirements for those majoring in both sociology & criminal justice and social work
84 semester hours
- SOCW 290, 335, 336, 350, 360, 460, 465, 480, and 481
- SOCI 101, 210 or 240, 230 or 336 (230 is recommended), 496, 499, a 400-level elective, and 8 elective hours
- SOCI 301 and 302
- STAT 231, 232, or 242
- PSYC 101
Social Work (SOCW) - Undergraduate
SOCW 101 : Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare - ES
An introduction to human need and the field of social work. Provides an overview of services, models of service delivery, and professional social work values. Students visit agency settings and meet with social work practitioners. A volunteer experience in the field is a required component of this seminar-style course. (4)
SOCW 175 : January on the Hill - VW, GE
An intense experience of service and community work on Tacoma's Hilltop District and/or Tacoma's eastside where students learn firsthand about poverty and participate in community projects. (4)
SOCW 232 : Research Methods
This course will prepare students to demonstrate basic competencies in the knowledge, values, and skills of research methodology to analyze the social world. This includes problem formulation, research designs, measurement, sampling, interviewing, and critical evaluation of research in social work and the social sciences. Required for social work majors. Prerequisite: SOCI 101. (4)
SOCW 245 : Human Behavior and the Social Environment - ES
Students examine developmental theory through the lens of an ecological systems perspective and a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework, emphasizing power, privilege, and cultural differences (particularly race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation) as applied to individuals, families, groups, institutions, organizations, and communities locally and globally. Volunteer experience is required. (4)
SOCW 287 : Special Topics in Social Work
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 288 : Special Topics in Social Work
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 289 : Special Topics in Social Work
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 290 : Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Equity in SW Practice
In this course, human diversity is broadly explored and defined to include race, ethnicity, culture, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and ability. The course content looks critically at privilege and ways in which a society's cultural practices and structure may oppress, marginalize, and alienate some while enhancing power and privilege of others. (4)
SOCW 291 : Directed Study
To provide individual undergraduate students with introductory study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as DS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. (1 to 4)
SOCW 325 : Social, Educational, and Health Services in Tobago - VW, GE
Explore strengths and needs of Tobago and effects of history and colonialism on the development of community problems. Through service learning, interaction with agency staff and community members, readings and reflections, develop an understanding of the meaning of service in another culture and deepen one's own ethic of meaningful service. (4)
SOCW 332 : Research Methods
This course will prepare students to demonstrate basic competencies in the knowledge, values, and skills of research methodology to analyze the social world. This includes problem formulation, research designs, measurement, sampling, interviewing, and critical evaluation of research in social work and the social sciences. Required for social work majors. Prerequisite: SOCI 101. (4)
SOCW 335 : Human Behavior in the Social Environment I - ES
Addresses theories and knowledge of human bio-psycho-social development from birth to young adulthood, including theories and knowledge about the range of social systems in which individual live (families, groups, organizations, institutions, and communities). Interactions between and among human biological, social, psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior. (4)
SOCW 336 : Human Behavior in the Social Environment II
Addresses theories and knowledge of human bio-psycho-social development from early adolescence through late adulthood, including theories and knowledge about the range of social systems in which individual live (families, groups, organizations, institutions, and communities). Interactions between and among human biological, social, psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior. (4)
SOCW 350 : Social Work Policy & History
This course will explore how power, privilege, and oppression emphasize political process and global social change in the development of the American welfare state and the profession of social work. Students reflect critically up on the development of social and political policies historically. Students also develop legislative policy practice and advocacy skills and examine the impact of policy implementation, administration, and governmental structure on services to vulnerable populations. Critical thinking is used to analyze contemporary policy in income assistance, health/mental health, child welfare, homelessness, and services to seniors. (4)
SOCW 360 : Social Work Practice I: Interviewing and Overview of Generalist Practice
Students learn the conceptual framework of generalist practice and apply the ecological systems perspective to practice. This course introduces engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation in the context of social work both locally and globally. Students are able to learn intentional interviewing skills and apply those skills within various models of practice and across cultures. Prerequisite: SOCW 335. (4)
SOCW 387 : Special Topics in Social Work
Selected topics as announced by the department. Topics relevant to current trends and issues in the field of social work. (2 to 4)
SOCW 388 : Special Topics in Social Work
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 389 : Special Topics in Social Work
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 395 : Social Work & Health Care
This course is designed to provide students with an overview of social work practice in health care settings. Areas of emphasis will include social work practice in acute inpatient care settings, community health clinics, and agencies. Students will consider the historic context of medical social work, trends in both its development and theoretical orientations, present practice opportunities and characteristics, and ways in which professional practice differs across the health care spectrum. Skills required for effective social work practice in varied health care settings, factors impacting such practice, bioethical issues common to contemporary health care practice, and considerations and guidelines regarding the provision of care to diverse populations will be examined. The course will also address recent and anticipated changes in health care - and the role of the social worker within this dynamic context. (4)
SOCW 460 : Social Work Practice II: Families and Groups
Grounded in the framework of generalist social work practice, the second social work practice course examines theoretical models and practice skills for assessment and intervention with families and groups. Emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive practice. Introduces students to group dynamics and group development. Prerequisite: SOCW 335, 360. (4)
SOCW 465 : Social Work Practice III: Macropractice - SR
Using the generalist social work practice framework, students develop engagement, assessment, intervention and evaluation skills for local and global practice with organizations, and communities. As professional social workers, students map community assets, examine community development, and advocate for diverse and marginalized groups. Students recognize social service organizations as a changing context for professional practice and research. Within this course, students also complete a capstone project in conjunction with their SOCW 481 course taken concurrently. Prerequisites: SOCW 335, 336, 350, 360, and 460. (4)
SOCW 480 : Social Work Practicum I
Students are placed in social service agencies where, under supervision, they demonstrate the generalist skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of practice. They apply ethical principles in interactions with clients and staff, demonstrate critical thinking, engage and embrace diversity, demonstrate and apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment. In weekly seminar, students integrate the theories and skills from their coursework with experiences in their field settings, applying theories of human behavior and the social environment. Prerequisites: SOCW 350 and 360; to be taken concurrently with SOCW 460. Requires consent of instructor. (4)
SOCW 481 : Social Work Practicum II
Continuation of SOCW 480. Practicum in social work consists of 460 hours of progressive growth in a professional setting and this course is the culmination of this effort. Students practice and refine the generalist skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation. Through their deepening identification with the social work profession, they analyze how their agency respond to changing contexts and reflect on ways to engage in policy and advocacy practice. Weekly seminar supports student growth in their professional identification and behavior. Must be taken concurrently with SOCW 465. (4)
SOCW 487 : Special Topics in Social Welfare
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 488 : Special Topics in Social Welfare
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 489 : Special Topics in Social Welfare
To provide undergraduate students with new, one-time, and developing courses not yet available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as ST: followed by the specific title designated by the academic unit. (1 to 4)
SOCW 491 : Independent Study
To provide individual undergraduate students with advanced study not available in the regular curriculum. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as IS: followed by the specific title designated by the student. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. (1 to 4)
SOCW 495 : Internship
To permit undergraduate students to relate theory and practice in a work situation. The title will be listed on the student term-based record as Intern: followed by the specific title designated by the instructor in consultation with the student. (1 to 12)