Orien Levy Woolf Division of Social Work

Website: https://twu.edu/social-work/

Director: John Terrizzi, PhD
Location: OMB 410/CFO 710
Phone: 940-898-2071
Fax: 940-898-2608
E-mail: socialwork@twu.edu

The Division of Social Work is a place where academic excellence, ethics, diversity, and the pursuit of social justice are embraced by faculty and students to enhance the lives of vulnerable and oppressed populations. The department is a reflection of social work’s historic commitment to human rights, cultural complexity, and social, economic, and environmental justice. Our overarching goal is to educate and graduate diverse, ethical, competent social work students who are able to think critically and use evidence-based practice approaches to effectively serve culturally diverse, vulnerable individuals, families, and communities in a wide variety of practice areas as practitioners, leaders, and social justice advocates.

The division offers a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree and a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The BSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and prepares students for generalist social work practice. Based on the generalist model, the program includes theoretical concepts, values, and skills taught through participation in the classroom, laboratory, and field settings.

 The M.S.W. is considered to be one of the most recognized and marketable social services degrees. The M.S.W. program prepares students for advanced generalist professional practice in a variety of practice settings. Graduates are eligible to sit for licensure as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and, with two years of supervision, become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).

For information about Social Work, please visit our Social Work Website.

Graduate Degrees Offered

Faculty

*FELDERHOFF, BRANDI, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.S.W., University of North Texas; M.S.W., Texas A&M University Commerce; Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
*KELLY-RICKS, NILA N., Professor of Social Work, B.S., Oklahoma State University; M.S.W., University of Oklahoma; Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington
*LI, YONG, Associate Professor, M.S., State University of New York System: Albany; PhD, State University of New York System: Albany
*MERCADO-SIERRA, MARTA, Assistant Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Puerto Rico-Humacao; M.S.W., University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras; Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras
*NAHAR, SHAMSUN, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.S., The University of Dhaka; M.S.W., University of Texas-Arlington; Ph.D., University of Texas-Arlington
*ROSA-DAVILA, EMARELY, Associate Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Puerto Rico-Humacao; M.S.W., University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras; Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
*RUNNELS, RATONIA C., Associate Professor of Social Work, B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.S., University of Texasat Austin; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin
*TILTON, ABIGAIL C., Professor of Social Work, B.S.W., University of North Texas; M.S.S.W., University of Texas at Arlington; Ph.D., University of North Texas

Courses

Contact hours identified in the course descriptions are based on a 15-week term.  Students who enroll in Summer or mini-terms are expected to meet the same total number of contact hours as a 15-week term.

SOWK 5103. Human Behavior in the Social Environment I. Examines the dynamics of human behavior in society, families and groups, from a wide range of perspectives including biological, psychological, systems and social/environmental. With an emphasis on strengths, focuses on developmental theories and practical knowledge covering populations from birth to young adulthood. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation.Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5113. Human Behavior in the Social Environment II. Analyzes dynamics of human behavior in society from a wide range of bio-psycho-social perspectives, developmental theories, and practical knowledge covering populations from young adulthood to end of life. Examines how systems of culture and family, organizations and communities, and social institutions influence diverse human behavior and experiences, including perspectives on social inequality and oppression. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: SOWK 5103. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5203. Social Work Practice I: Individuals and Systems. Promotes competence in micro practice skills with individuals. Covers engagement at each stage of the intervention process. Focuses on solution focused, trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral and task-centered approaches. Introduction to assessment of individuals in family and environmental contexts. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5213. Social Work Practice II: Organizations and Communities. Focuses on macro community practice at the foundation level. Integration of theory, skills and techniques in order to intervene with groups, organizations, communities and advance social, economic and environmental justice. Emphasis on strengths-based approaches and participatory models which empower communities. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5223. Social Work Practice III: Groups. Knowledge, skills and competency in facilitating small groups in a variety of practice settings. Theoretical approaches, each stage of the group process, including group dynamics and impact of member characteristics. Analysis of ethics and confidentiality issues in relation to group practice. Experiential learning, including role-playing and simulation exercises. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: SOWK 5203. Co-requisite: SOWK 5213. Two lecture and two laboratory hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5233. Social Work Advanced Practice I: Multidimensional Assessment. Focuses on biopsychosocial perspectives about mental health and disorders across the lifespan. Introduces major diagnostic classification systems with a primary focus on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Includes assessment skills and the diagnostic process utilizing the DSM. Emphasis upon facilitating a holistic multidimensional assessment inclusive of strengths. Analysis of diagnostic systems in relation to social work values and ethics. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5243. Social Work Human Diversity and Multicultural Practice. This course examines human diversity in social work practice, emphasizing professional identity, ethical responsibility, and engagement with diversity and differences. Grounded in relevant theoretical frameworks, students critically analyze how power, privilege, oppression, discrimination, and stigma shape individual experiences and social contexts. The course promotes self-awareness, reflexivity, and culturally responsive practice to advance dignity, human rights, and social justice. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW program. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5253. Social Work Advanced Practice II Interventions. Advanced practice course. Theory and key practice models of evidence-informed social work interventions with diverse individuals and families. Focus on engagement at each stage of the intervention process. Experiential learning, including participation in case simulations and other exercises. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Co-requisite: SOWK 5233. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5303. Social Work History and Social Welfare Policy. This course examines the historical and contemporary development of the social work profession and the U.S. social welfare system, with an emphasis on professional and ethical responsibilities in the policy arena. Students critically analyze social problems and policy responses, grounded in the dynamic relationships among policy, research, and practice, and examine policy impacts on diverse and oppressed populations to advocate for equitable, inclusive, and just policies. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5323. Social Work Administration and Management. This course examines management leadership in public, private, and nonprofit human service organizations, emphasizing ethical decision-making amid competing priorities and limited resources. Grounded in organizational theory and justice-oriented leadership, students build skills in planning, supervision, institutional standards and program development and evaluation, governance, and securing and sustaining financial resources, preparing them to lead organizations, engage stakeholders, and advance equitable, responsive, and accountable service delivery. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5333. Social Work Advanced Policy Analysis. Building on generalist policy, organizational, and community practice skills, this course develops advanced policy advocacy skills grounded in ethical leadership and professional responsibility. Students apply contemporary frameworks to critically analyze policies affecting diverse and oppressed populations and strengthen legislative research, policy analysis, and written and oral advocacy skills to advance equitable, inclusive, and just policy outcomes. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5403. Social Work Research Methods. Covers foundational concepts, principles, and methods of scientific inquiry, focusing on quantitative and qualitative designs and analysis and use of existing research in practice and policy. Examines evidence-based practice as a process of inquiry. Explores cultural and ethical considerations and the role of research in advocating for under-served and special populations. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5423. Ethics in Social Work Practice. Social work ethics at an advanced level of practice. Exploration of the history and evolution of ethics in the social work profession, ethical theories and frameworks, ethical decision-making models, and risk prevention and management. Examination and application of ethical values, principles, and standards of the social work profession using the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, International Federation of Social Workers Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles, and other relevant ethical codes, frames, and approaches to ethical dilemmas across practice settings. Investigation of scholarship on complex global, local, and situated ethical perspectives on social, racial, economic, and environmental justice and equity consistent with social work values, principles, and standards. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MSW Advanced Standing Program or completion of MSW program generalist year. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5503. Death, Dying and Bereavement. Examines services for individuals and families experiencing end-of-life issues and addresses concepts and skills for effective practice in a variety of settings. Integration of theory, research and practice in relation to grief processes. Exploration of societal and cultural factors in the practice context. Application of ethical and legal issues to practice. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5513. Practice in Mental Health. Presents theory and methods of holistic, multidimensional, strengths-oriented assessment and intervention for working with persons with diagnosed serious mental illness. Emphasis upon recovery-oriented evidence informed practices. Focuses on bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspectives about mental health and disorders across the lifespan. Explores complex legal and ethical issues related to mental health. Connects systematic social change approaches to treat substance use disorders and trauma. Introduces major diagnostic classification systems with a primary focus on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Analysis of culturally responsive methods which promote social justice and human rights. Analysis of diagnostic systems in relation to social work values and ethics. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5803. Social Work Foundation Field Seminar and Field Practicum I. The seminar facilitates integration of foundation field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Students gain knowledge of and apply models of critical reflective practice, effective use of supervision, and ethical decision making. Includes a supervised social work field practicum in a community agency or program related to current course work. Application to field practicum required. Practice experience and demonstration of foundation social work skills in an applied setting. Requires a minimum of 200 clock hours at the agency. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: Acceptance into practicum and satisfactory completion of SOWK 5103, SOWK 5203, SOWK 5213, SOWK 5303, and SOWK 5403. Co-requisites: SOWK 5113 and SOWK 5223. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5813. Social Work Foundation Field Seminar and Field Practicum II. The seminar facilitates integration of foundation field practicum and all foundation level classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Students gain knowledge of and apply evaluation of practice. Includes practice in a community agency or program related to current course work, which is a supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting. Practice experience and demonstration of foundation social work skills in an applied setting. Requires a minimum of 200 clock hours at the agency. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisites: SOWK 5803. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5833. Social Work Advanced Field Seminar and Field Practicum I. The seminar facilitates integration of advanced field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Assignments based upon advanced field social work topics. Supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting. Includes practice in a community agency or program related to current course work. Practice and demonstration of advanced year social work skills in an applied setting. Requires a minimum of 250 clock hours in the agency. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: Acceptance into practicum and permission of instructor. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5843. Social Work Advanced Field Seminar and Field Practicum II. The seminar facilitates integration of advanced field practicum and classroom learning through processing and discussion of field issues and situations. Assignments based upon advanced field social work topics. Supervised social work field practicum in an agency setting. Requires a minimum of 250 clock hours in the agency. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: SOWK 5833. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5903. Special Topics. Seminars on social work theory, research methods, or selected substantive areas. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Three lecture hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5911. Independent Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected areas of social work. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: One hour.

SOWK 5912. Independent Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected areas of social work. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Two hours.

SOWK 5913. Independent Study. Independent or tutorial work in selected areas of social work. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5973. Advanced Integrative Seminar. Advanced seminar course in which students integrate concepts from across the curriculum and demonstrate cumulative knowledge gained from all areas of the program in one focused assignment, within the context of the student's chosen concentration. Required of all non-thesis students in their final semester of coursework. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: SOWK 5833. Three seminar hours a week. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5983. Thesis. Open to students who choose the thesis option. Independent, applied research that addresses a significant issue in social work supervised by a member of the social work graduate faculty. This course and its learning objectives are required for CSWE accreditation. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Three hours.

SOWK 5993. Thesis. Open to students who chose the thesis option. Independent, applied research that addresses a significant issue in social work supervised by a member of the joint social work graduate faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the department. Credit: Three hours.