USC Schedule of Classes

The person-in-environment, bio-psycho-social perspective is the lens through which theories of personality, family, group, organization, community, culture and their interactions are explored. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 503 and SOWK 505)

A study of the complex and interconnecting systems of policy, programs and communities that directly and indirectly impact Social Workers' clients lives. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 534)

Principles underlying generic social work practice with emphasis on working with individuals, families, and groups. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 543 and SOWK 545)

Introduction to the role of scientific inquiry in advancing social work goals. Inspires students to include science in their social work identity and professional decision-making. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 562)

Integrative learning organized as a small group educational environment that incorporates field experiences, case vignettes, and dialogical inquiry through a Problem Based Learning framework. Graded CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in former SOWK-587ab)

Supervised field education where students learn and apply evidence-based interventions and clinical skills in practice labs and social work settings. Concurrent enrollment: SOWK-544. Graded IP/CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 586a)

Supervised field education where students learn to apply coursework concepts while practicing in a field setting that aligns with students academic department. Concurrent enrollment SOWK 588. Graded IP/CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 586b)

Research leading to the master's degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Critical analysis and application of various data, information, and evidence to understand client problems and service needs, identify appropriate interventions, and evaluate practice decisions. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 603)

Understanding development of children and families from birth to adolescence and the developmental difficulties from an ecological perspective. Assessment/engagement of families and Interventions are introduced. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Theory and principles underlying social work in host settings and non-specialty sector settings with a primary emphasis on working with Children, Youth, and Families. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Methods and principles of leadership and management applied to social work practice, understood as policy, management and clinical practice in the non-profit sector, health and human service organizations, and non-traditional social work settings.

Assessment of mental disorders, and the rationale and organization of the system for diagnosis. Emphasis is on developing differential diagnostic skills.

Provides understanding of the development of problems in early childhood, and skills for engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation of effectiveness for treatment of these problems. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Based on ecosystems perspectives, this course examines policies, theories and principles for social work practice in school settings.

Theory and multimodal approaches for brief therapy and crisis intervention with diverse clientele in a range of mental health and health settings.

Developmental tasks of adulthood and later life, as well as assessment and intervention for problems and disorders associated with aging.

Causal exploration of substance related and behavioral addictive disorders. Evidence-based and practice informed treatment models for vulnerable individuals, groups and families.

Focus on the multi-level impact of mental illness on adults and families. Evidence-based interventions promoting increased quality of life and stability are emphasized.

Students will be introduced to policies affecting transitional youth and use a biopsychosocial perspective to work with them on macro, meso, and micro levels. Duplicates Credit in former SOWK-525.

Intervention with adolescents, young adults and addressing their developmental problems, challenges and solutions. Engagement and evidence based intervention in working with youth will be covered.

Provides tools to enhance social work practice skills supporting young children and their families, and preparation for leadership in early care and education settings.

Provides orientation to the context and operations of juvenile justice systems, and advanced skills for social work practitioners working with youth, families and communities.

Provides context and preparation for social work practitioners holding policy, management and macro practice roles in communities and organizations serving children, youth and families. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Research/evaluation skills and critical analysis of data information systems to inform decision making to improve effectiveness of social work practice in community, organizations and business. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Introduction to diversity and social justice in the context of social work practice. Enhance cultural competence by raising awareness of one's own values/assumptions/biases.

Broad understanding of violence against women within a global context, moving beyond the examination of violence as a phenomenon in order to effect social change.

Critical analysis and application of health and mental health research evidence to inform, enhance and strengthen social work practice with adults and aging populations with a focus on evaluating published research, identifying and interpreting available sources of data, appraising practical measures/ assessments and selecting appropriate evidence-based interventions.

Assessing and promoting wellness and recovery, interacting systems of mind, brain, and body. Evidence-based integrated care interventions in a new era of health care reform.

Analysis of policies and health care delivery with focus on implications for social workers and their clients in settings with adults, families, and older adults. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 636)

Analysis of efforts to improve local human services organizations and agencies with consideration of political, social, demographic and organization contexts. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Theoretical and practical approaches to clinical practice with military families. Overview of common social issues in the military system and demands on the family dynamic.

Needs of service members/veterans within the context of their families/communities. Approaches to treatments with goal of advancing knowledge of best practices and current evidence-based models.

Social work processes and skills required for the implementation of short-term interventions in medical, behavioral health and integrated care settings with individuals, families and groups.

Behavioral health theory course that integrates theories of health and mental health and builds on the content from the Human Behavior and Social Environment course. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Introduction to advanced practice concepts essential to understanding engagement, assessment and diagnosis with complex social work cases from a meta-framework perspective.

Methods and principles of management focusing on health and human service organizations, including strategic management, financial analysis, and innovative project development in social work. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Understanding the development and implementation of military and veteran policy and programs including family advocacy, prevention of sexual assault, suicide, alcohol/substance use and homelessness.

Integrates foundation and advanced knowledge and skill for practice with and in behalf of older adults.

Expanding roles that social workers play within both non-profit and for profit corporations.

Grant writing and program development that are generalized to any settings and relevant to direct and macro social work practice expertise.

Recognition of domestic and intimate partner abuse and examination of effective intervention measures and preventive methods.

Exploration and critique of how political, economic, cultural, religious and environmental factors impact social welfare policies, social work practice, and social development globally.

Examining the roles social workers play in business, how their skills integrate and support business practice, and how the profession can impact internal/external business environments. Prerequisite: SOWK 506, SOWK 536, SOWK 544, SOWK 546.

Advanced practice course focusing on interventions with and treatment of complex family systems where the effects of child maltreatment are the presenting problems.

Interdisciplinary approach to innovative practices that make the workplace more inclusive and productive.

Working effectively within marginalized, underserved populations and diverse community settings on their wicked, consistent, and complex issues by providing innovative and sustainable solutions.

Examines theoretical, empirical and practice-based literature on school violence including how students' physical well-being, academic functioning, social relations, and emotional and cognitive development are affected.

Focus on the experiences of loss, death and bereavement as it is viewed by individuals, families and loved ones.

Focus on group therapy for clinical social workers as practiced in various mental health settings. The entire process of group development is examined.

Overview of clinical, social and political issues with which social workers should be familiar when working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients.

Advanced integrative learning that incorporates field experiences, evidenced-based interventions, case vignettes and dialogical inquiry through a Problem Based Learning framework.