SW 615 - Social Work Research & Policy Refresher

Units: 2
This course serves as a refresher for students with BSWs from CSWE accredited social work programs providing instruction in social work-relevant theoretical perspectives on social welfare policy, issues affecting marginalized populations, and research practices within the field of social work.

Prerequisites: Admission to the MSW program. BSW degree granted from a CSWE accredited program
Possible Instructional Methods: Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous, or Online-Synchronous.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Course Typically Offered: Summer ONLY

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Identify the intended and unintended structural, institutional, social, and cultural consequences of social welfare policies on minority and vulnerable communities by applying) a policy analysis framework that examines definitions of forms of social allocations and services, eligibility, delivery, financing mechanisms, and underlying social values, theories, and assumptions.
Understand how federal, state, county, and agency policies drive practices and services offered in the social welfare system and the social worker’s roles and options in choosing how to implement policies and procedures to promote the well-being of clients.
Advocate for the well-being of individuals and families in the social welfare system by knowing the system, its power structure and policies, and the process of manipulating and making changes in the system.
Demonstrate an understanding of the basic language, concepts, and principles of both qualitative and quantitative social research.
Identify problems in social welfare that are amenable to research, research designs, and validity issues associated with research.
Demonstrate an understanding of political, ethical, and value issues at different stages in the research process and procedures used to help protect human subjects.