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The Curriculum
The social work program at Kutztown University is a four year program leading to a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and follows a generalist curriculum. Students must complete 120 credits of course work, forty eight of which must be in in social work. Course selection is guided by the student's faculty advisor and is based on each individual's career and educational objectives. All students are given the opportunity to explore the arts, sciences and humanities through the Liberal Arts Education program. Through a well sequenced curriculum, individualized attention to the student's unique learning needs, a "hands on" internships supervised by chosen field instructors, and an energetic and knowledgeable faculty our students are well prepared to assume beginning professional responsibilities in a variety of social service agencies. No credit is given to students for work or life experience.
Courses in the Social Work Major
SWK 100 Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare
SWK 130
Poverty and Social Welfare
SWK 160 Human Behavior and the Social Environment (This course has extensive pre- and co-requisites. Students should discuss their individual situations with the program director or their academic advisor.)
SWK 250 Social Work Practice with Individuals:
Practice ISWK 255 Social Welfare Policy
SWK 265 Social Work Practice With Groups and Families: Practice II
SWK 280 Social Work Practice With Communities and Organizations: Practice III
SWK 360 Methods and Practice of Social Work Research (Prerequisites: MAT 017 and PSY/SOC/POL 200 or MAT140 only.)
SWK 379 Independent Study
SWK 381 Field Instruction In Social Work I
SWK 382 Professional Seminar In Social Work I
SWK 383 Field Instruction In Social Work II
SWK 384 Professional Seminar In Social Work II
In addition to the above, social work majors select three of the following elective courses:
SWK370 Selected Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (elective)
SWK 285 Essential Skills for Helping People
SWK286 Social Work and Substance Abuse
SWK/SOC 290 Social
Gerontology and Social Welfare
SWK/NUR 320 Case Management—An Interdisciplinary Approach
SWK 328 Child Welfare and Social Work Practice
Course Descriptions
Course Description: SWK 100 Introduction to Social Work and
Social Welfare
This course provides an overview of the development of social welfare and social work practice in the United States and across the globe. The historical development of social welfare is related to the emergence and the development of the social work profession. The course introduces social work knowledge, values, and skills. The Generalist Intervention Model with its planned change process is also introduced as an approach to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Students are exposed to the breadth of the social work profession as well as its Code of Ethics. Required of all social work majors with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite: None. 3 s.h. 3 s.h.
Course Description: SWK 130 Poverty and Social Welfare
This course defines poverty and examines
groups in poverty in the United States.
It traces poverty in America from a
historical perspective, reviews major social welfare programs
designed to respond to poverty and examines their effectiveness.
Special populations and groups at
risk encountered by social workers in practice will be examined
with emphasis on viewing individual, family, and community
functioning from a person and environment perspective. Major
oppressive institutions and their effects on people in poverty
are examined.
Social work methods for social
change to prevent, alleviate and resolve poverty are introduced.
Required: SWK majors must attain a
grade of C or better in this course.
3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 160 Human Behavior and Social
Environment and Social Work
This course teaches students to evaluate and apply biological, psychological, and social theories to client’s situation with a particular emphasis on the examination of the effects of the interplay of biological, psychological, social, economical and cultural elements of the social environment on human functioning. The impact of social and economic forces on the individual's behavior are presented. Systems promoting or deterring people in the attainment and maintenance of optimal health and well-being are explored with particular attention on the effects of these systems on ethnic and racial minorities, sexual minorities, women, and persons with disability. Required of all social work majors. A grade of C or better is required in this course. Prerequisites: SWK 100, Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare; SWK 130, Poverty and Social Welfare; ANT 010, Cultural Anthropology; ENG 001, English Composition I; PHI 015, Critical Thinking,; PSY 011, General Psychology; PSY 125, Life Span Development; SOC 010, Principles of Sociology; BIO 010, Biological Science; BIO 140, Biology and Society; Or by permission of the instructor. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 200 The Professional Context of Social
Work Practice
The course builds upon and reinforces the
foundation of generalist social work knowledge, social work
values, ethics, attitudes, and skills introduced in the
Introduction to Social Work course.
Students study the Code of Ethics of
the National Association of Social Workers and practice ethical
decision-making. The course reinforces the skills necessary to
implement the phases of the planned change model to social work
practice with multi-level client systems (individuals, groups,
families, communities, organizations).
Students will be required to
participate in a 30-hour volunteer field/laboratory experience
on the program’s established practicum days and must adjust
their schedules accordingly.
Prerequisites:
Students must complete SWK 160,
Human Behavior and Social Environment and Social Work, and its
prerequisites, or take it concurrently with SWK 160, Human
Behavior and Social Environment and Social Work, only with
permission of the instructor.
Open only to Social Work majors and
minors.
A grade of “C” or better is required
of social work majors.
3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 250 Social Work
Practice with Individuals:
Practice I
The Social Work Practice with Individuals course starts a series of social work practice courses in which the skills of the planned change approach are practiced with multi‑level client systems (individual, groups, families, communities, and organizations). In this course students practice relationship building, interviewing techniques, case recording and further develop these skills, which were reinforced in the Professional Context of Social Work Practice course. Attention to the evolution of social work practice from an historical and international perspective establishes the context for this introduction to practice with individuals in the agency setting. Students will be expected to participate in a laboratory experience involving a helping relationship project. Knowledge and skills relevant to engaging diversity in practice and advancing human rights and social justice will be emphasized. Issues of ethical problem-solving, evidence-based practice and professional identity will be integrated throughout the course. Required of all social work majors; open to majors only. A grade of “C” or better is required in this course. Prerequisite: SWK 200, The Professional Context of Social Work Practice. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 255 Social Welfare Policy
The course defines social welfare policy in the context of social policy and examines its philosophical and historical roots. The policy making process is examined and the major actors associated with it are identified. A significant part of the course will be spent in the study of major welfare policies and the groups affected by them. Strategies and involvement of people for policy change are examined. A grade of “C” or better is required of Social Work majors in this course. Prerequisites: SWK 100, Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, POL 010, ECO 011 (which could be taken concurrently) and SWK 130, Poverty and Social Welfare, or permission of instructor. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 265 Social Work
Practice with Groups and Families:
Practice II
This course is the second in the series of social work practice courses in which the skills of the planned change approach are practiced with multi‑level client systems (individual, groups, families, communities, organizations). The course focuses on concepts, methods, and skills in social work practice with groups and families. Family development and dynamics will be studied and social work intervention techniques with emphasis on planned change will be examined. Through class discussions, exercises and group projects, students will apply their understanding of group dynamics and family assessment, and demonstrate social work practice skills with groups and families. A grade of "C" or better is required in this course. Required of all social work majors. Prerequisite: SWK 250. 3 s.h., 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 280 Social Work Practice with
Communities and Organizations: Practice III
This is the third course in a series of social work
practice courses.
This course reinforces and applies social
work knowledge, values, and skills using the planned change approach and
focuses on intervention strategies with communities and organizations.
Students practice generalist social work
within a systems theory framework.
A policy practice emphasis is applied for
advocacy and change strategies with agencies and communities.
Particular attention will be given to
strategies of change with disenfranchised and minority populations.
Open to majors only.
A grade of "C" or better in this course is
required to enter SWK 381, Field Instruction in Social Work I, and SWK
382, Professional Seminar in Social Work I.
Prerequisite:
SWK 265, Social Work Practice with Groups
and Families:
Practice II. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course
Description: SWK 360 Applied Methods of Social Work Research
This course reviews the classic social and
behavioral research process and develops skills in formulating research
problems and questions, conducting a comprehensive literature review,
establishing hypotheses and choosing research designs.
Data collection instruments, analysis
techniques and report writing are emphasized.
Ethical and moral issues which arise when
dealing with human subjects, as well as sensitivity to cultural
diversity of research participants are included.
Emphasis is placed on social work practice
evaluation techniques, including single-subject as well as experimental
and quasi-experimental designs.
Computers and information technology for
social work practice are introduced.
This course must be taken concurrently with
SWK 382, Professional Seminar in Social Work I, or with permission of
the instructor. Prerequisites: MAT 025, and either PSY/SOC/POL 200 or
MAT 140 or permission of instructor. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 381 Field
Instruction in Social Work I
This is the first of two semesters (total
480 hours) of field instruction in social welfare agency
settings which are required under the supervision of a
professional social worker.
Students apply foundation knowledge,
skills, values, and ethics of professional generalist practice.
Through supervision students enhance
their awareness of self, develop written and oral communication
skills necessary for analysis of professional practice, and
apply critical analytic skills for implementing and evaluating
agency policies and programs.
Students operationalize the unique
values, functions and roles of professional social work practice
and develop competency in identifying and assessing situations
where the relationship of people and their social environment
needs to be enhanced or changed.
The professional responsibility of
advocacy toward change and recognition of the impact of policy
and programs on oppressed groups is an integral part of the
applied learning.
A grade of "C" or better is required
in this course to enter SWK 383, Social
Work Field Instruction II.
Must be taken concurrently with SWK
382, Professional Seminar in Social Work I.
Offered in fall only.
Open only to majors.
Required of all majors.
Prerequisites: SWK 250, Social Work
Practice with Individuals: Practice I, and its prerequisites. 3
s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 382 Professional Seminar in Social Work
I
This is the first of two semesters of
Professional Seminar in Social Work which are required.
The Seminars complement the Field
Instruction and provide a structured learning opportunity where
students process their practice experiences and integrate the
common base of social work values, skills, and knowledge of
generalist social work in a systems theory perspective.
The Seminars also assist students to
expand their knowledge of the human services field beyond the
confines of their own placement.
Topics and policies of social work
and social welfare are discussed, based in large part, on the
experiences of students in the field through written logs,
client summaries, and classroom discussions of experiences
including feelings about their social work practice.
Must be taken with SWK 381, Field
Instruction in Social Work I.
A grade of "C" or better is required
in this course to enter SWK 384, Professional Seminar in Social
Work II.
Offered in Spring only.
Open to majors only. Required of all
majors.
Prerequisite:
SWK 280, Social Work Practice with
Communities and Organizations:
Practice III, and its prerequisites.
3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 383 Field
Instruction in Social Work II
This is the second semester of field
instruction (a total of 480 hours) in social welfare agency
settings which is required under the supervision of a
professional social worker.
Students apply foundation knowledge,
skills, values, and ethics of professional generalist practice.
Through supervision students enhance
their awareness of self, develop written and oral communication
skills necessary for analysis of professional practice, and
apply critical analytic skills for implementing and evaluating
agency policies and programs.
Students operationalize the unique
values, functions and roles of professional social work practice
and develop competency in identifying and assessing situations
where the relationship of people and their social environment
needs to be enhanced or changed.
The professional responsibility of
advocacy toward change and recognition of the impact of policy
and programs on oppressed groups is an integral part of the
applied learning.
An agency-based research project is
required in this semester of fieldwork.
Must be taken concurrently with SWK
384, Professional Seminar in Social Work II.
Offered in Spring only.
Open only to majors. Required of all
majors. A grade of C or better is required in this course.
Prerequisites:
SWK 381, Field Instruction in Social
Work I, and SWK 382, Professional Seminar in Social Work I. 3.
S.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 384 Professional
Seminar in Social Work II
This is the second of two required
semesters of Professional Seminar in Social Work.
The Seminars complement the Field
Instruction and provide a structured learning opportunity where
students process their practice experiences and integrate the
common base of social work values, skills, and knowledge of
generalist social work in a systems theory perspective.
The Seminars also assist students to
expand their knowledge of the human services field beyond the
confines of their own placement.
Topics and policies of social work
and social
welfare are discussed, based in
large part, on the experiences of students in the field through
written logs, client summaries, and classroom discussions of
experiences including feelings about their social work practice.
An agency-based research paper is
required. Must be taken with SWK 383, Field Instruction in
Social Work II.
Offered in Spring only.
Open to majors only. Required of all
majors.
A grade of C or better is required
in this course.
Prerequisites:
SWK 381, Field Instruction in Social
Work I, and SWK 382, Professional Seminar in Social Work I. 3
s.h. 3 c.h.
Electives
Course Description: SWK 285 Essentials
Skills for Helping People
This is a course for social work majors and minors who wish to practice skills as they are carried out in professional social work practice. Students will engage in Problem-Based Learning, a cooperative learning experience in which the skills introduced in our social work sequence up to SWK200, Professional Context of Practice, will be reinforced and practiced as students follow a case study from engagement and assessment to termination and evaluation. These skills will include developing empathy, creating professional relationships, active listening, strength-based assessment, self-assessment, policy analysis and advocacy, social work record keeping, practice evaluation, and the use of supervision in practice. This is a course in which students develop an appreciation for life-long learning by engaging actively in a real social work case study, which provides the vehicle for the hands-on practice of course material. The course will count as an elective in the social work program. Prerequisite: SWK200 and its prerequisites or permission of the instructor. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK
286 Social Work and Substance Abuse
This survey course provides students with an introduction to
substance abuse.
The students will explore current
understanding of the prevention of substance abuse/dependence;
components of comprehensive substance abuse treatment programs,
populations at risk and evidence-based practice.
The person-in-environment
perspective will be used as an overarching framework for
assessment, delivery, and evaluation of services.
In addition, students will be
introduced to the professional literature available for lifelong
learning. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 290 Social
Gerontology and Social Welfare
This course is aimed at analyzing the
process of aging from a sociological perspective and studying
the resources that our society provides for the over‑sixty
population through social welfare measures.
There will be double pronged
emphasis:
one placed upon various social
problems confronting them in
American society; the second emphasis will be on the array of
social welfare services available, the social policies implicit
in the provision of such services, and the social work practices
that enable older persons and their families to secure such
services.
Prerequisite:
SOC 010, Principles of Sociology, or
SWK 100, Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare.
Prerequisite for Social Work majors:
SWK 250, Social Work Practice with
Individuals: Practice I. A grade of “C” or better is required of
social work majors. 3 s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 320 Case
Management:
An Interdisciplinary Approach
The course will cover principles, theory,
and the historical development of case management as an
interdisciplinary method of delivering health and human
services.
Emphasis will be placed on the
development of skill in implementing the phases of this method
of practice (Assessment, Goal Setting, Case planning, Monitoring
progress, and Termination and Evaluation). Appropriate groups of
client populations will be identified and issues related to
their unique needs in relation to their social environment will
be examined.
Required: a grade of “C” or better
for social work majors.
Prerequisites: SWK 250, Social Work
Practice with Individuals: Practice I; or NUR 299, Adaptation of
the Nurse as a Professional Person, and NUR 312, Adaptation of
the Individual and Family; or by permission of the instructor. 3
s.h. 3 c.h.
Course Description: SWK 328 Child Welfare
and Social Work Practice
This course introduces the student to the
field of Child Welfare and examines both social policy and
social work practice concerns.
Emphasis will be placed on child
protective services, foster care, and adoption.
Developmental issues, as well as
natural and foster family functioning will be studied. Special
social work intervention strategies such as foster and adoptive
family assessment, abuse assessment, and child advocacy will be
learned. A grade of “C” or better is required of social work
majors. Prerequisites: SWK 250, Social Work Practice with
Individuals, Practice I, or by permission of the instructor. 3
s.h. 3 c.h.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
A Member of the State System of Higher Education
The BSW and MSW Programs at KU are Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
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