Health Sciences | School of Nursing | Department of Social Work

Department of Social Work
Lorraina Q. Scholten (chair), Debbie Dempsey Simpler, Julie W. Hunt*, Sean Muldoon*.
*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 Educational Policy and Accreditation 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 2000. 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, 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 3150, EDU 2100, EDU 2110, EDU 3800. SWK 4420 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 Lorraina Scholten, Chair, Department of Social Work.

Social Work 2000, Introduction to Social Work, is a prerequisite for all courses in social work.

Requirements for Licensure in Child Welfare

The Department of Social Work in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services awards stipends and certification for students who meet the admission criteria and satisfactorily complete the required course and field work. For more information about applying to the Tennessee Child Welfare Certification Program please contact the social work department.

Social Work 2000, Introduction to Social Work, is a prerequisite for all courses in social work.

Social Work Courses (SWK)

SWK 1990-4990. Special Studies (1-3).

SWK 2000. Introduction to Social Work (3, Spring and Fall). Pre- or co requisite: SOC 1010, PSY 1100. 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 service learning in a social service agency.

SWK 2050. Research in Social Work (3, Fall). Prerequisites: MTH 1150, SOC 1010, PSY 1100. 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 2150. Drug Abuse (3 hours). Prerequisites: SWK 2000, SOC 1010 or PSY 1100. 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 2200. Child Welfare (3 hours). Prerequisites: SWK 2000, SOC 1010 or PSY 1100. 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 2250. Human Behavior and Social Environment I (3, Fall). Prerequisite BIO 1010; pre- or co requisites: SWK 2000. An examination of the development of the individual throughout the life span. Focus will be on the biological, psychological, spiritual, and cognitive development of the individual interacting with societal and cultural groups.

SWK 2260. Human Behavior and Social Environment II (3, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 2250. An examination of the social systems approach to understanding human behavior and diversity 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.

SWK 2950-4950. 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 3100. Social Work with the Aging (3 hours). Prerequisites: SWK 2000, SOC 1010 or PSY 1100. 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 3150. School Social Work (3, even years, Fall). Pre or co requisite: SWK 2000. 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 3210. 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 3220. Social Work Practice II (3, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 3210. A continuation of SWK 3210, 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 a community based project which will be presented at BURS.

SWK 3350. 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 3700. 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 3810. Social Welfare Policy Issues and Services I (3, Fall). Prerequisites: PSC 1210, SOC 1010, PSY 1100, SWK 2000. 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 3820. Social Welfare Policy Issues and Services II (3, Spring). Prerequisites: SOC 2020, SWK 3810. 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 analyses at the Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium.

SWK 4230. Crisis Intervention (3, Fall). Pre or co requisite: SWK 2000. A study of short-term, limited-goal generalist techniques and management skills employed by social workers dealing with crisis situations.

SWK 4410. Field Instruction I (6, Fall). Prerequisite: SWK 3220 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 4420. Field Instruction II (6, Spring). Prerequisite: SWK 4410 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 4015. Senior Seminar (3, Spring). Co requisite: SWK 4420. 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.

SWK 4700. 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.