USC Schedule of Classes

Historic and philosophical roots of inequality for minority groups in the United States and implications for public policy. Not available for major credit.

The historical and current context of America's juvenile justice system and its influence on children, youth and families.

The incidence of gangs (particularly in the Los Angeles area), gang interventions, and policies developed to address the growing gang situation.

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)

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 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.

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

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.

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

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.

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)

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.

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.

Examination of major models and diverse intervention strategies to ameliorate common presenting problems of couples.

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.

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.

Explores physiological, psychological, and socio-cultural variables associated with sexual identity, sexual orientation, and sexual behavior to increase student understanding and appreciation for human sexual behavior.

The assessment and treatment of children with serious emotional disturbance, including the service delivery models and policies that influence service delivery.

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

Creation of short documentaries for social change. Techniques in media production, strategies for media outreach, and development of media literacy skills to deconstruct media messages.

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 builds on 698A by incorporating field experiences, case/best practices consultations, and dialogical inquiry on micro, mezzo, and macro practice levels. Concurrent enrollment: SOWK 699b. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Advanced supervised field education where students practice social work skills and apply evidence-based interventions, including some that are specific to their academic department. Concurrent enrollment SOWK 698b. Graded CR/NC. (Duplicates credit in SOWK 686b).

Early practice theories and their historical roots are examined. Implications for evolving current practice theories with individuals, families, and groups are discussed.

Examination of the development and utility of theories, models and approaches to social work community and administrative practice.

Multivariate statistical methods including descriptive and inferential statistics, parametric and non-parametric tests of hypotheses; correlation, analysis of variance, multiple regression, and factor analysis; utilization of computer programs for statistical analysis.

Research methods to provide students with advanced methodological knowledge in two areas related to social work practice: psychotherapy outcome research, and program research.

Prepares doctoral students to write and submit applications to obtain extramural funding to support their dissertation research. Students will learn about opportunities and eligibility requirements for federal and foundation supported dissertation research grants, how grants are reviewed and scored once submitted, and how to write successful proposals. Recommended preparation: Completion of a qualitative or mixed methods course is preferred.

Overview of the use of qualitative and mixed methods in social, clinical and health services research.

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

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.

Credit on acceptance of dissertation.