Health Sciences | School of Nursing | Department of Social Work

Department of Social Work
Debbie Dempsey Simpler (chair), Julie W. Hunt*, Vincent Parrish*, Lorraina Q. Scholten.
*Part-time.

Vision:

The Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) degree prepares students for the beginning level of generalist social work practice and graduate social work education. With a liberal arts foundation and within a Christian context (which emphasize the life and work of Jesus to take care of the poor, the marginalized of society and to work toward a society that is just and non-judgmental), the social work student will be able to integrate the knowledge, values and skills of the profession into a broad range of social services.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Department of Social Work is to prepare generalist social work professionals who practice under the guidance of the National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics and who are able to integrate the Curriculum Policy Statement’s nine areas of social work into their practice. Additionally, the Department of Social Work prepares students for graduate education in social work.

Goals:

Career opportunities abound in social work. The following is a partial listing of areas of professional practice. For a more complete listing, check with the Program Director.

The curriculum is organized around nine essential areas which include Human Behavior and Social Environment, Social Welfare Policy and Services, Social Work Practice, Social Work Research, and Field Instruction. It is important that the student make an early decision to enter the program as courses are in sequential order and begin in the sophomore year.

The program does not grant any academic credit for life or work experience.

There is an admission process, and students may apply after successful completion of SWK 200. The program is open to all qualified applicants without discrimination.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Social Work (baccalaureate) is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

Requirements for Licensure in School Social Work

The objectives of School Social Work are to expand the student’s knowledge of social work in a school setting and to recommend licensure of the student in School Social Work. Upon successful completion of the course of study, completion of the National Teacher’s Exam (NTE), Core Battery (Communication Skills portion), and School Social Work specialty, the student can apply for licensure with the Tennessee State Board of Education. Only with this license can the graduate be employed as a School Social Worker in the State of Tennessee.

In addition to the prerequisites and the course requirements listed above for the Bachelor of Social Work, the licensure in School Social Work requires the following courses: SWK 315, EDU 210, EDU 211, EDU 380R. SWK 442 must be completed in a school which is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education.

All students wishing to be recommended by Belmont University to the Tennessee State Board of Education must meet Belmont’s residency requirements (last 32 semester hours taken at Belmont -- including 9 hours of Education). Students who wish to seek licensure in School Social Work must contact Debbie D. Simpler, Social Work Program Director.

Social Work 200, Introduction to Social Work, is a prerequisite for all courses in social work.

Social Work Courses (SWK)

SWK 199-499. Special Studies (1-3).

SWK 200. Introduction to Social Work (3, Spring and Fall). Pre- or corequisite: SOC 101, PSY 110. A study of the origins, structure, and characteristics of social work services, social welfare policies, and the social work profession. In addition to other course requirements, the student must complete 25 clock hours of voluntary work in a social service agency.

SWK 205. Research in Social Work (3, Fall). Prerequisites: MTH 103 or MTH 115, SOC 101, PSY 110. Introduction to the methods of scientific inquiry and their relevance to social work. Topics include research design, problem formulation, measurement, data analysis, and ethics in research. Fundamentals of analyzing research reports will also be emphasized.

SWK 210. Probation and Parole (3 hours). Prerequisites SWK 200, SOC 101, or PSY 110. A generalist view of social work practice in the areas of probation and paroles. A systems approach will be emphasized as it relates to the individual, family and society.

SWK 215. Drug Abuse (3 hours). Prerequisites: SWK 200, SOC 101 or PSY 110. A generalist social work approach dealing with the history of drug usage/origin, drug usage as a social problem, and a system approach involving the individual, family/support group and society in dealing with the problem.

SWK 220. Child Welfare (3 hours). Prerequisites: SWK 200, SOC 101 or PSY 110. A general study of social work service designed to enhance the welfare of children. Emphasis is on societal problems which cause problems for children and on the activities and programs which provide services to deal with those problems.

SWK 225. Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3, Fall). Prerequisite BIO 101; pre- or corequisites: SWK 200. An examination of the development of the individual throughout the life span. Focus will be on the biological, psychological, and cognitive development of the individual interacting with societal and cultural groups.

SWK 226. Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 225. An examination of the social systems approach to understanding human behavior within families, groups, organizations, and communities. Particular focus will be on the relationship among biological, social, psychological, and cultural systems as they affect and are affected by human behavior, and an in-depth study of family life cycle.

SWK 295-495. Studies Abroad (3-18). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

SWK 310. Social Work with the Aging (3 hours). Prerequisites: SWK 200, SOC 101 or PSY 110. Basic concepts of generalist social work practice will be applied to the older adult group. The characteristics of the aged, its needs and potential will be discussed. Social trends and institutions involved in services to the aged will be included.

SWK 315. School Social Work (3, even years, Fall). Pre or corequisite: SWK 200. A study of current school issues and problems, with emphasis on ways educators, school psychologists, guidance counselors, and social workers may work toward prevention of problems in the school setting.

SWK 321. Social Work Practice I (3, Fall). Prerequisite: Admission to the Social Work Program. An examination of the knowledge, values, and skills basic to the generalist practice of social work. Students utilize an understanding of the social work process to develop skills in problem-solving with individuals, families, and groups. A videotape experience is provided for skill-building and evaluation opportunities.

SWK 322. Social Work Practice II (3, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 321. A continuation of SWK 321, including further application of the generalist method of problem-solving with micro and macro systems. Students utilize an understanding of policy, human behavior and the social environment, and research to develop a framework for practice.

SWK 335. Spiritual Formation and Issues in Social Work (3). An exploration into the study of spiritual formation for the individual as the social worker, examining the importance of acknowledging the spiritual with clients, and addressing issues that one must be sensitive to and work with using the strengths perspective.

SWK 370. Social Work Field Forum (0, Spring). Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or junior standing-Social Work major. An eight week forum for junior Social Work majors preparing them for entrance into their field instruction. The course covers, but is not limited to, agency selection, mission statement, client population, student role in an agency setting, professionalism, Social Work values and ethics, and responsibility. Course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

SWK 381. Social Welfare Policy Issues and Services I (3, Fall). Prerequisites: PSC 121, SOC 101, PSY 110, SWK 200. An examination of the institution of social welfare with emphasis on the history and systemic nature of service programs. Analysis of economic and political processes that impact on the social welfare system and especially as they relate to oppressed populations. Students will also be introduced to social policy analysis.

SWK 382. Social Welfare Policy Issues and Services II (3, Spring). Prerequisites: SOC 202, SWK 381. An examination of the experiences, needs, and responses of people who have been subjected to institutionalized forms of oppression. Attention is given to the patterns and consequences of discrimination and oppression as they relate to the economic, political, and social welfare systems. Populations include, but are not limited to, those distinguished by age, disablement, sexual orientation, and culture. Students will present their policy issue proposal at the Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium.

SWK 423. Crisis Intervention (3, Fall). Pre or corequisite: SWK 200. A study of short-term, limited-goal generalist techniques and management skills employed by social workers dealing with crisis situations.

SWK 441. Field Instruction I (6, Fall). Prerequisite: SWK 322 or consent of instructor. Two hundred and fifty clock hours of field instruction, supervised by a professional social worker in a local agency, provide the student an opportunity to implement knowledge learned in foundation courses. Emphasis is on developing generalist social work practice skills. Concurrent with a 1 1/2 hour on-campus seminar. ($50.00 course fee)

SWK 442. Field Instruction II (6, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 441 or consent of instructor. A second field instruction course consisting of 250 clock hours under the supervision of a professional social worker in a local agency. This course helps to strengthen the development of the generalist social work and the use of self. A deeper consideration of values and social issues is emphasized. Concurrent with a 1 1/2 hour on-campus seminar. ($50.00 course fee)

SWK 444. Senior Seminar (3, Spring). Corequisite: SWK 442. A course for graduating seniors to demonstrate mastery of the professional social work foundation, and prepare them to systematically evaluate their own practice through a major integrative assignment. Single subject design is utilized.

SWK 470. Advanced Study in Social Work (1-3). Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and junior or senior status. A specialized study based on student needs. Occasional offerings will extend into areas of study already introduced in other courses. Offerings may include subjects such as poverty in America, cross-cultural communication, hospital social work or trips abroad.