Apr 03, 2026  
2026-2027 Catalog (BETA) Cal State East Bay 
    
2026-2027 Catalog (BETA) Cal State East Bay
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SW 634 - Legal Issues in Social Work Practice


Units: 4
In-depth exploration of complex legal issues in social work practice such as confidentiality, minor consent law, abortion, parental rights, access and consent to treatment, mental health commitment procedures, rights of dependent adults, rights of children, marriage, and divorce.

Prerequisites: M.S.W. major.
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous, or Online-Synchronous.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Course Typically Offered: Variable Intermittently


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

1. Understand the legal system’s structure and vocabulary as it relates to social work practice.
2. Critically analyze cases and media presentations of law as they relate to social work practice, ethics, and policy.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the intersection between law and social work in relation to issues of importance to the profession, particularly as related to California laws regarding clinical social work, school social work, and ethical decision making.
4. Demonstrate facility in accessing legal resources and information needed in the provision of culturally competent and critically-informed social work services.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of forensic social work and social workers as witnesses.
6. Understand the role of the law as a source of advocacy for the oppressed and disenfranchised, as well as for social justice and change.
7. Successfully research and present a legal/social work issue in-depth, designed appropriately for educating a client audience, both orally and in writing, while working in a collaborative team.



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